[BlkSVT]

Originally Posted by 3tekcorps

I really wanted to buy the Audi. I need 4 doors, as a coupe is going to be a pain to deal with at times. I only had a 15 minute test drive in one, but it felt all wrong to me. I'm sure I would love one, but the initially impression wasn't positive. I kept thinking "this can't actually be $65,000".

I do track days with some friends that have ZL1 and they are really fast on the track.

I was all on board with the RS3 before i drove it. I love the snarling 5-cyl. Unique and sounds so cool. The platform is insanely tunable with guys already running deep into the 9s in the quarter mile... and the tunes were just released a couple months ago. There's a ton of fun to be had there

The RS3 interior is decent as most Audis are, and having driven RWD cars until recently, I've grown to appreciate AWD once in a while (ie. when I just want to stomp and go). But lack of a MT and the overall "soft", uninvolved feeling of the RS3 really caught me off guard. Good car? Yes, great car actually in many respects. ...But worthy of the "RS" label? Not IMO. My buddy's RS5 is a snarling, high revving, jewel of a fringe, enthusiast car. The RS3 feels like a hotted up sedan with the big tires on wrong end of the car

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by cptobvious

Would be very interested to know, what felt wrong about it? I've never driven an RS3. In concept, I really like the idea of 4wd - better grip, better launch, etc. But, from everything I've read, it kills the fun.

I still remember Davil's comment that driving an Audi was like going to a luxurious 3-star Michelin rated restaurant, and being served white bread all dinner long.

Hell, you've inspired me to go to Audi dealership today and test drive an RS3 just to see what it's like!

When we got our OG M2, I was also considering the RS3. I love the way it sounds and I think the interior (digital cockpit) is a little better than the 2er's, even with the extra touches of Alcantara in the M2/M2C. Both are good, no doubt, but Audi does the inside better IMO.

But they are difficult to find, just sitting on a lot. When I was calling around trying to find one to drive, every single one coming in was a customer order, which I wouldn't even want to drive, just out of respect for the future owner.

I DID manage to see one in the flesh, and parked my F80 next to it...and that really killed it for me. The front of the car is aggressive, but the wheels are pretty blah and there's no hint of the performance possible from that 5 cylinder beast under the hood from looking at the car or the body lines. It's no wider than an S3, and doesn't have the ass/hips of the M2/M3. It's much more pedestrian looking...I saw one in the wild last weekend, and it looked very nice in isolation (aka, around Toyota and Chevy econoboxes)...but the visual "presence" is lacking when you're in the flesh.

[mikeric]

Originally Posted by cptobvious

Damn! Hadn't thought of that.

Maybe I'll see if I can test drive an S3 then.

My local dealer has one and they allow test drives. They are sitting due to price so they are trying to make deals and aggressively hounded me when I canceled my appointment as I bought something else.

[mikeric]

Originally Posted by BlkSVT

I was all on board with the RS3 before i drove it. I love the snarling 5-cyl. Unique and sounds so cool. The platform is insanely tunable with guys already running deep into the 9s in the quarter mile... and the tunes were just released a couple months ago. There's a ton of fun to be had there

The RS3 interior is decent as most Audis are, and having driven RWD cars until recently, I've grown to appreciate AWD once in a while (ie. when I just want to stomp and go). But lack of a MT and the overall "soft", uninvolved feeling of the RS3 really caught me off guard. Good car? Yes, great car actually in many respects. ...But worthy of the "RS" label? Not IMO. My buddy's RS5 is a snarling, high revving, jewel of a fringe, enthusiast car. The RS3 feels like a hotted up sedan with the big tires on wrong end of the car

Don't forget all of the brake issues that people who are trying to track them or even drive aggressively on the street are running in to.

[RizzzM2c]

IMO the m2c all day everyday !! Pals running 2018 rs3 and FL a45 not sure if the merc falls in as competition for the m2c maybe the c43 but both of us have agreed that the m2c is the better car as it dosent come with the optional understeer all audi’s Do !! Rs3 over the Og m2 but never driven a camero and don’t intend to! Just dosent appeal to me the same way the other two do !!

[carl44]

I looked at the RS3 as i had a13 TTRS . To me the TTRS was much more fun with the 6sp. The RS3 has a very nice interior but no real fun and i hate the haldex. It really is a front driver that puts some drive back but with no center diff you always have at least 50% going to the front wheels. . The TTRS was a pig on track with 63% of the weight on the front wheels . The RS3 didn't feel any better it pushed like crazy. carl

[3tekcorps]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

Tell us how you're received by the salesperson when asking for a test drive in an uber-exclusive/holier-than-thou RS model

They didn't even question it when i showed up. I did mention that I had just sold my M2 and was cross shopping this against the M2 Comp. I didn't park my 12 year old Lexus beater upfront though.

[3tekcorps]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

When we got our OG M2, I was also considering the RS3. I love the way it sounds and I think the interior (digital cockpit) is a little better than the 2er's, even with the extra touches of Alcantara in the M2/M2C. Both are good, no doubt, but Audi does the inside better IMO.

But they are difficult to find, just sitting on a lot. When I was calling around trying to find one to drive, every single one coming in was a customer order, which I wouldn't even want to drive, just out of respect for the future owner.

I DID manage to see one in the flesh, and parked my F80 next to it...and that really killed it for me. The front of the car is aggressive, but the wheels are pretty blah and there's no hint of the performance possible from that 5 cylinder beast under the hood from looking at the car or the body lines. It's no wider than an S3, and doesn't have the ass/hips of the M2/M3. It's much more pedestrian looking...I saw one in the wild last weekend, and it looked very nice in isolation (aka, around Toyota and Chevy econoboxes)...but the visual "presence" is lacking when you're in the flesh.

Exactly..


The market may have changed though. I found 4 within an hour of me first day I called around. The looks are really bland for what you're buying and visually the brakes looked tiny compared to the M2 cars. I expected it to look like 2008 RS4 I had drooled over years ago. Instead it looked like an A3 with big wheels and cool paint.

Body roll seemed excessive on test diver. The stupid salesman spent the entire drive clicking through all the settings and showing me the fancy display.

[doberzus]

Not sure why they always compare the 4-door sedan that is the RS3 vs. the M2/M2C?! They should compare it to the 2-door TTRS. You cannot say "oh, but the TTRS is $6K more expensive than the M2C"... okay, but the M2C and RS3 are $15-20K+ more expensive than the Camaro SS and they are being compared.

The TTRS blows the RS3 out of the water. In fact, it blows the M2/M2C away when it comes to speed/everyday usable power. At the track, sure the 6MT may be more fun and the handling and balance might favor the M2C.

However, in the real world for 99% of driving situations the TTRS, hell even the RS3, blows it away in the performance, SOUND and interior department.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by doberzus

Not sure why they always compare the 4-door sedan that is the RS3 vs. the M2/M2C?! They should compare it to the 2-door TTRS. You cannot say "oh, but the TTRS is $6K more expensive than the M2C"... okay, but the M2C and RS3 are $15-20K+ more expensive than the Camaro SS and they are being compared.

The TTRS blows the RS3 out of the water. In fact, it blows the M2/M2C away when it comes to speed/everyday usable power. At the track, sure the 6MT may be more fun and the handling and balance might favor the M2C.

However, in the real world for 99% of driving situations the TTRS, hell even the RS3, blows it away in the performance, SOUND and interior department.

Well. There we go. Now we all know. We'd all best drive as fast as our inferior cars can go to the nearest Audi dealership. Thanks, fella.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Well. There we go. Now we all know. We'd all best drive as fast as our inferior cars can go to the nearest Audi dealership. Thanks, fella.

Sounds like you're butthurt? I am just speaking facts on the performance side of things. I mean, it's not like I did not own TWO F80's with the S55 engine. The TTRS is just simply faster and better performing in the real world. Not to mention it sounds far better.

But yeah, BMW is the best car in the world...duhh

[BlkSVT]

Maybe that line of reasoning is above my head and I'm not meant to understand?

I own an Audi but nowhere close to a fanboy...Not actually all that big a fan of BMW if I'm being honest. I wanted to add a 3rd car that was a bit different. Don't care about the number of doors, but I wanted smaller, decent looks, engaging to drive, a moddable platform, and some character. my budget is ~$50k +/-25k. I was all set on buying an RS3 or possibly TTRS, but they just didn't do it for me when I drove them. What can I say? The Camaro I was done with as soon as I sat in it. Too big. GT350 was a bit better and checked most boxes, but still too big. Having had 4 kids and needing to have a family tank to haul all the shit probably has me in rebound mode wanting to return to something smaller...it is what it is

If we're just going to bench race and not actually enjoy what we drive for our own reasons, why buy anything at all? I'll save the cash and play Forza

[COChris]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Well. There we go. Now we all know. We'd all best drive as fast as our inferior cars can go to the nearest Audi dealership. Thanks, fella.

I am very curious to see these cars tested side by side. I'd also like to add that the M2C has plenty of usable power at any practical rpm, so I wouldn't give that advantage to the TTRS.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by COChris

I am very curious to see these cars tested side by side. I'd also like to add that the M2C has plenty of usable power at any practical rpm, so I wouldn't give that advantage to the TTRS.

Bear in mind my 2018 TTRS is BONE stock to the tires. I have the heavy 20" wheels. I weigh around 220lbs and my good friend with a 2018 F80/DCT/ZCP weighs around 140lbs. He has the Remus catless midpipes + unresonated axle-back along with the M4 GTS transmission tune.

We did MULTIPLE 20/30/40mph pulls up into the 120's and we were neck and neck. In fact there was a couple of times I pulled a car (due to traction issues from a 20). If we did a 40 roll we were dead even.

This is from a roll, not even going to mention from a dig. Also raced my buddies 2017 RS3 with $7000 in performance mods. He pulls me by a fender up to 110. The 300lbs drop in weight (TTRS weighs 3250~) plus the better aero/wider track really helps the TTRS shine.

Also ran a couple of 2017 GTR's bone stock they pull me by a fender...if even that. This is from a roll. I also put 2+ car lengths EASY on my own GT350 from a 40-100 roll. Altitude kills the NA Voodoo in the Shelby, up here.

Stage 1 tuned TTRS's run 10.8-11.0 with 128-130mph traps. Stock they run 11.5-11.9s at 118-120mph.Mine may be a factory freak?! idk

I highly considered trading in my 17 Shelby GT350 for an M2C as I did miss my F80. However, I decided to do something a little more "usable" and spacious and got a new Raptor instead haha. M2C is an amazing little machine, but the performance, sound and the interior is something I really enjoy with the TTRS...along with the exclusivity.

[No Boost]

^ you're essentially both stock. Exhausts don't add any meaningful power. Merely pointing that out as comparison sake.

[nothingman]

Originally Posted by synergist

I would totally own one because that 5 cyl is glorious. Wish they threw that engine in the cayman rather than the 4 pot.

omg, yes! That engine in the Cayman would be sick!

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

^ you're essentially both stock. Exhausts don't add any meaningful power. Merely pointing that out as comparison sake.

Oh, I get that. However, there are definitely weight savings with that exhaust and for sure we both felt at least a 10whp gain, on the butt dyno of course. I actually sold him my Remus exhaust off of my Atlantis F80 I had.

Either way, he had an 80lb advantage as the driver as well. Needless to say, we were both very impressed with the TTRS.

Funny thing is that both the GT350 and F80 **"feel" way faster. The pull is much more dramatic and violent in the Shelby and the M3. TTRS just moved the hell out, but the pull doesn't "scare" you. If that makes sense?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by doberzus

Not sure why they always compare the 4-door sedan that is the RS3 vs. the M2/M2C?! They should compare it to the 2-door TTRS. You cannot say "oh, but the TTRS is $6K more expensive than the M2C"... okay, but the M2C and RS3 are $15-20K+ more expensive than the Camaro SS and they are being compared.

The TTRS blows the RS3 out of the water. In fact, it blows the M2/M2C away when it comes to speed/everyday usable power. At the track, sure the 6MT may be more fun and the handling and balance might favor the M2C.

However, in the real world for 99% of driving situations the TTRS, hell even the RS3, blows it away in the performance, SOUND and interior department.

RS3 was the competing car to me to the M2. The TTRS is not even on my radar. TTRS is not a reasonable daily for me, but the RS3 and M2 are. More people are cross shopping the RS3 and M2 than the M2 and the TTRS, so that's why they are compare them.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by akkando

RS3 was the competing car to me to the M2. The TTRS is not even on my radar. TTRS is not a reasonable daily for me, but the RS3 and M2 are.

Curious why not the 2-door TTRS but the 2-door M2?

Both have laughable rear seats. Although the TTRS seats are more cramped, I've had some of my passengers use them with minor complaints for shorter rides.

The beauty of the TTRS is in the rear hatch. It's HUGE and there is a ton of space with the rear seats placed down flat. We fit TWO 60" TV's back there no issues. In fact, I use the TTRS for all of our Costco runs haha.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by doberzus

Curious why not the 2-door TTRS but the 2-door M2?

Both have laughable rear seats. Although the TTRS seats are more cramped, I've had some of my passengers use them with minor complaints for shorter rides.

The beauty of the TTRS is in the rear hatch. It's HUGE and there is a ton of space with the rear seats placed down flat. We fit TWO 60" TV's back there no issues. In fact, I use the TTRS for all of our Costco runs haha.

Well perhaps the ttrs is more usable than I thought, but looking at the TTs in the office they didn't seem practical to me at a glance. I guess I also don't like the way they look, except the front. I like having more usable back seats though. I take people to lunch and the M2 works alright for that, but the TT I didn't think it would work.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by doberzus

Sounds like you're butthurt? I am just speaking facts on the performance side of things. I mean, it's not like I did not own TWO F80's with the S55 engine. The TTRS is just simply faster and better performing in the real world. Not to mention it sounds far better.

But yeah, BMW is the best car in the world...duhh

Why do all trolls use the word butthurt? Are you all really afraid of something involving butts? Amuses the heck out of me...

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by bri1042

Why do all trolls use the word butthurt? Are you all really afraid of something involving butts? Amuses the heck out of me...

I guess mentioning a car that *isnt a BMW makes you a troll? Maybe you’re salty? Upset? There are many words I can use.

I am stating facts and personal experiences with a total of THREE different S55 powered cars. Not only is the F80 lighter than the M2C, it makes a little more power.

Please do share your experiences? Or are you just going to call someone a “troll” when you have nothing better to say and no facts to back it up? We’re talking about cars here, so don’t change the subject to butts just because that’s something you want to discuss...