@@cpandsooz Yeah I keep forgetting most people are going to lease these for a few hundred quid a month. But when he said £70k for an RS3 my jaw nearly hit the floor.
@@teabagtowers3823 well it has 400hp, 4wd, 5 cyl, prestige, premium materials... it's just the price you have to pay for the top of the line. If you want to pay less get a golf R. Enjoy haha
RS3 all day long. I own an A45s right now and agree with your review. Drove the new RS3 a few weeks ago and it is marginally the better car. Interior on the Audi is OK. Don't know why people keep moaning about it, it's an A3 underneath, Audi aren't going to put an A5 interior in it. Quality is fine, looks good, seats are nice, tech is really good. OK, we don't get to spec a bit of bling, but hey - I won't miss the rattles inside my Merc, that's for sure!
I was long hesitating between an A45s and the new RS3 - to me the interior feels a bit more spaceship-ish in the A45s, and the vent placement is a bit odd on the RS3. However, I could not let the 5cyl soundtrack go, and decided to order a RS3. The moaning about the interior comes from the fact that you got the same interior on the A3/S3 and now RS3. Doesn't feel super special while being good quality. It's all the same bits and bobs across the range, especially in the UK where those poor folks can't spec the red or green bits inside...
@@germanengineering204 Had our A45S for over a year and a half and covered 15K miles with no rattles at all.And that's with my kids using the back of the car like a playground. The guy must have got a lemon.
@@TheTechGiantRU-vid Is the build quality high with very little plastics? I have heard that interiors in some Mercedes Benz models has gone downhill over the years!
Clearly, two exceptional cars (especially the RS3) but new prices seem to be getting rather 'ambitious'. I'd be tempted by a 12 month old RS4 for several thousand less...
a base 911 is a bargain? $101k plus delivery destination and no options is a bargain? An Audi rs3 new cost new $56500. There is a $46000 gap. Porsche charges upwards of $4000 just for a set of 20-21" turbo wheel looks. It is known to be one of the most expensive brands to spec out. In fact, there was an article are they said that Porsche makes most of its profit on the options. I love Porsche, I owned a a 911Carrera4 (964) Cabriolet myself, I own a RS3 now and I had a few mercedes like the C63 AMG or a CLS 550 V8 TT. Mercedes is also very expensive with their options. Compare for instance a A3 and CLA, both compite in the same price range but Audi has HID lights, full big sliding glass which Mercedes still charges you for each one. I think Porsche offers true sports car but they are on a different league price wise, a "bargain " base 911 are rolling out of the dealerships closer to $125k by the time you include: base price of $101k plus $1500 delivery destination + around 6-8% on tax depending on the state plus any minimal option because no one orders base 911 with no options and the 911 that the dealers receive as allocations are already built with options.
Base 911 has 379hp, RS3 is almost 400, M3 is 510 but 550 on the dyno. When you pay for a car, you pay for the engine. Baseline carrera is heavily therefore overpriced because the engine is weak. 0-60 at 4.2 is terrible...2 or 3 gen previous M3 was hitting that. The lower tier models can easily beat that. And you actually get 5 usable seats and a boot. If anything, BMW M3 slightly cheaper, and Audi RS3 which is cheaper still..is a better value with more car and a better all rounder. Porsche you're only paying for the badge from the looks of it
Looks pants in standard trim, you need to go carbon to make it look like an RS, not an A3 with some shiny bits. Oh and it's £55k, not £53 for a bog car with AD's.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 imo it looks pants in Carbon or Vorsprung trim. I can't abide Black Alloys and I wouldn't pay extra for the shiny black plastic bits either. And your incorrect about it needing the Black Pack to look like an RS model as well. The Original RS models all had Satin Alloy look and no Black Pack. That's how people knew it was a RS. The Black Pack is a fairly recent addition. Price wise on the configurator it's £53305 excl OTR charges actually. £55365 including...
If the RS3 is anything like my TTRS then I’d opt for Audi everyday over my ex AMG. The engine is glorious. People also forget that Audi’s AWD is exceptional at getting the power down on often slippery UK roads.
Other than sound, I think the M139 is the superior engine. More power despite being smaller and forged internals. No improvement in power at all for the RS3. Audi’s AWD has been so overrated. The Haldex was known for understeer. Finally they have a good AWD system in this RS3. Merc had this type of advanced AWD system since 2019.
@yamahayzfr15 nope. The previous RS3 was known for terrible understeer. The new one clearly is much more advanced and eliminates a lot of that so hats off to them. But the A45S had this type of advanced AWD years ahead of them (since 2019).
As a Mercedes fan, I’d naturally pick the A45s, but having that said I can totally see why people would pick the RS3 over it. In any way, the more to choose from the better! Competition makes automakers try harder :)
Great video! I love the smart commentary and amazing camera work and editing. Keep up the good work on this channel!! And I'd also take the RS3 myself, but €70k is steep af
Thanks for the perspective and well delivered viewpoint on these cars. RS3 for me all day long with that engine note. What I do find frustrating is how when a new version is released and reviewed, the previous ones failings are really highlighted. It's great if the new car is markedly better, but it feels that reviewers truly explain a car's shortcomings from the rear view mirror of the new model.
The old RS is a great car also. The only thing that bothered me was the out dated interior mainly the infotainment system and features that are really missing
Agree, it’s a shame that they are usually trying to keep the press arm of the car brand they are testing happy. I prefer people like Jay emm/Calvin’s car diary/ savage geese if you like the details as they tell it like it is! But they don’t always get the newest cars !
This guy has nailed it. These super hatches are all fast. VERY fast. Anybody here that continues to quote 0-60 or 0-100 times is just being ridiculous. There is nothing between any of them performance wise really. What it comes down to after that is looks and character. That 5 cylinder moves the hot hatch on and with the exception of the old Subaru Boxer, there isn't a 4 cylinder engine on the planet that sounds anywhere as good. What I mean is the competition isn't even close. It's akin to a V8. Off beat, slightly creamy and woofly with a hard edge when you nail it.
Both amazing cars, I ended up going for the a45s, the RS3 has the better engine no doubt, but I liked the always angry character of the a45s, personal preference, if you get to daily drive either of them consider yourself incredibly lucky.
We knew Chris Harris was going mad… no idea what he’s talking about with this car! Anyway, you articulated what we found with our new RS3 perfectly. Streets ahead of the old one. Spot on 👍🏼
Chris Harris's idea of a fun car is Porsche GT territory, not everyone can afford to drive around in a car like that to have fun. Both these cars offer exceptional enjoyment for the price tag.
Great review. I will pick up my fully spec'd RS3 in a few days. The trade in is the AMG a45s (the current one). The AMG is always angry, pointy, hard which is a lot of, but the better daily qualities of the Audi and the 5 cylinder made me jump through the loop. The things which can get annoying with the AMG on longer drives is the very loud tyre/road noise, the artificial loud engine sound and the thinly padded bucket seats.
I have the A45s, got the RS3 on order. You are right about the seats in the Merc, I find them a bit uncomfortable on longer journeys. Having now driven the new RS3, I think it has a better interior, albeit it's nothing special. Driving both cars back-to-back, the RS3 is for me the more engaging, I think it looks better too - in the right spec, that's carbon sportback in Tango Red BTW. The Audi sounds better too. They are both great cars, but the Audi simply moves things on a tad, the Merc is a couple of years old now. I'll probably switch back to Merc when they replace the current model with an RS3 beater, but for now, the new RS3 is King once more. Mine arrives mid March (based on my build date).
With the tougher regulations everyday, I doubt the next A45s would be any better unless it's hybrid. Audi can't even brig the new RS3 to Canada already. Buy lots of these RS3's folks!!! They will keep their value and will resell like hot cakes.
I would pick the A45s just because of that aggressive looking front and the beautiful interior, the CLA 45 in my opinion have the best looking design of this generation of cars. Whatever you choose RS3 or A45 you can't get wrong, they are both great.
Would take the RS3 in a heartbeat over the A45, even though the A45 is faster. They sound amazing, they say it's just an R8/Huracan engine cut in half and it really sounds just like 1/2 an R8.
Spectacular video. The Merc reminds me of watching a WRC car in the way it moves down the road. The ex EVO guys make the best videos. There must have been something special in that office back in the day.
Couldnt disagree more about the seats! The seats in the AMG are far more comfortable and adapatable for every day use. The RS3 seats are nice but not right for a super hatch or super saloon.
@@Chair991 that was not his point. You are not going to drive every day on the Nürburgring, so ceramic brakes are not for daily driving and need a lot more heat for All the brake power
While i am not a big fan of the Interior look of the A-class ("i am not a fan of the 2 lost tablets on a shelf"), i think i have to criticize the complaining and comparing of the seats in those 2 cars. The seats in the A45S shown are optional AMG performance seats. For a few k€ less you get more comfortable seats.
I would disagree! Drive the new A45s with the new engine and new dual clutch and see for yourself! RS3 got better, less understeer but lots of turbo lag!!!
The RS3's original interior options have suffered greatly due to COVID. In other countries you can still spec a much more engaging interior (360 camera, interior colours, seat options, stitching etc), but in order to deliver cars faster, a lot of that has been stripped out of the UK options at the moment.
Nothing to do with Covid, you're making that up. The options we don't get in the UK, such as no coloured callipers, RS interior design pack, etc. are available in most other markets. It was a decision made by Audi UK and what a joke that was. Clueless morons and it's probably cost them sales.
@@mauricetoussaint7283 perhaps I’m wrong regarding Covid and the interior options (although I’m confident that has influenced it), but it’s certainly true for other things like the 360 camera and some other tech. They’re even going to deliver the carbon edition without a spoiler now due to supply issues.
Good video. I'd have an RS3 all day long just for that engine. BUT the price of new cars is getting ridiculous now. Yes its nice, but it's not 70k nice.
Cracking video! I'm not sure the A45s has been at the top of the superhatch tree since it's arrival... It was the newest prior to the RS3 but I would actually argue (bias aside) that the Facelift pre-OPF 8V RS3 is a better car than both of them.
Drive both first and then I would like to hear your opinion! A45s is edgy, vigorous and fun. RS3 has a lot more turbo lag, it feels blunt! And the interior of the A45s is another level.
@@AndreGomes-of6ji RS3 just kills A45s in terms of specialness thanks to 5 cylinders and in term of driving experiences thanks to new AWD system. It is also a bit quicker in the straight line and a lot faster at the track. RS3 is much better.
@@TheEryk03 “new AWD system “? AWD system on the A45 s is state of the art! Nothing to do with the old version! Audi simply copied the idea! Audi meant understeer and the new system tried to fix that! A45s has better interior, its dual clutch keeps the turbo spooling all the way from 2000 rpm to basically redline! Almost like a aspirated engine. To Rs3 there is only the sound….
@@AndreGomes-of6ji If you look at the older rs3's and a45s id pick merc all day but this time audi done did an amazing job. The rs3 is a better daily driver, better price. About the same interior as the a45 but the a45 has it beat on that single thing tho, but audi also has Better AWD system and better 0-100 in most conditions and best of all best on the track.
Great video Dan. One small suggestion. When you are driving one of the best sounding cars on the planet from the interior, and praising its sound so much, in the RS3 (and this is coming from an AMG owner) could you give us at least one few seconds long unbroken acceleration sound sequence without your voice over the top of it. Let a car that sounds that good sing in your video, without your voice, just for a few seconds at least.
Lovely cars but still like the Mercedes AMG45 . Well the fact is I could never afford one but still love to watch these special reviews of hot / hyper hatch cars . Great reviews but a interior viewing would of been good and a 0 to 62 time dash just to wrap up the video. Overall good video 😊
Other than the sound, the A45s engine is more powerful (despite being smaller) and built stronger (forged and closed deck). They also tuned it to drive more like an NA car which is more enjoyable to drive.
I agree. Since we all get cars for use on the road, the Audi RS3 is a much better choice. I do like the interior and infotainment of the Mercedes better though.
I still have the 2018 rs3 which is stage 2 530bhp and 700nm and sounds better than any newer rs3 . I don’t care how it handles round back roads when it’s as quick as most things on the road and sound awesome
I can’t believe Audi removed the gear stick. I had an S3, then got an M2 Comp with a manual, but was thinking about getting the RS3. I actually used the stick for manual mode in my S3 all the time, and not the paddles. But now they have that stupid tiny switch instead. It’s actually going to keep me from getting one
You don't know who's speccing ceramics brakes on their RS3? Then Hi! It's me. I'm too tried of winded steel brakes after an emergency braking in the rain, or softer pedal after curvy WOT drive of maybe 20km - the autobahn is really a game changer for brakes.
The RS3 is coming out at just about the perfect time for me, I'm looking to get a new car like 2-3 years from now, so hopefully I can pick up a nice used one for around 35-40 USD!
Another great video chaps even if neither car really does anything for me. Nuts when a 400bhp barely registers any interest! I’m getting old and salty!
The performance is fantastic but the cars are just vulgar hatches selling at silly prices waiting to depreciate like stink...They maybe faster than an Alpine or a Porker but I couldn't care less: gimme an A110 or better a manual 982 S (sorry Porsche) and I'll even get to keep the change.
60k for A45 AMG. Almost 70 for RS3...I'm sorry but that's nothing short of a rip off You can get a good M5 competition a few years old for that price tag..and you'd have to be a baboon not to
But would you still be going home in the Audi if it didn't have thousands of pounds worth of extra dampers and carbon ceramic brakes so it wouldn't feel as harsh as the AMG? Let's face it if I'm buying a top of the line sports hatch I want the gnarliest thing around. So I wouldn't care for plush and soft this that or the other. Gimme the AMG all day every day.
as for the sound of an engines: Mercedes little funny 4 cylinders engine is saying: its to much for my 4 cylinders I gonna explode one day... It sound like coffee grinder or vacuum cleaner with this fake speaker sound. Audi with its pure natural grawling sounds like: give me more power
So many people commenting on the car they drive without driving both or living with both. For me personally the CLA 45 S beats these both. Far more composed and just as fast.
I wish everyone could understand that the Benz runs about 10 pounds more boost than the AUDI, run on the boost and no competition Benz is a hand grenade
@@coops111s Really??? Ok I will take your word on it...... do you own one?....... didn't think so. Stop making a fool of yourself. Comment on something you own! Top tip......
RS3 all day long! Not only in its stock form is it the fastest compact saloon around the Nurburgring! But just get a Iroz Motorsport IMS850 kit fitted and be making nearly 900hp all day long, that 2.5l 5-cyl is a legendary engine matched with a legendary transmission! Love it!
Official Audi lap time attempt with a professional driver on Trofeo R tires. I’d like to see the A45s time with the same setup. The 7:48 time it has set was by a car magazine, non-professional driver on stock tires. I reckon it would be very close. Also, Merc engine built stronger - forged and closed deck. 500cc/1 cylinder less and still more powerful.
