BMW's M135i undercuts the RS3 by £10k in base spec, it's only 20hp down and weighs 150kg less. Can a sub M-car beat Audi's premium fast car representation?
I bought the M135i after watching this and it's bloody brilliant. It's perfectly capable of driving round town and doing the regular daily commute - something I do each day when I drive into the city to work. It's quiet, comfortable and the steering is very accurate and direct. You put your foot down at the lights and it leave all other (normal) cars standing.
I had an RS3 2012 and I have the M135 with xdrive now (A must have in Sweden). You are so right Mr.Harris! The sound, quality of riding and again the sound, the symphony from 4-7k rpm is the deciding factor when choosing between these hothaches. It is addicting! I managed to get 4,4 to 100km/h (Not relevant I know). And as you say, I dont know what you want more for a car on the road.. It is more quit, more refine and modern than the RS3. Cruising on the highway i managed 8,1L/100km with the eco pro thingy and the gear just coasts as soon as it can reading the GPS information about the road, it is just high tech. The DSG on the Audi is good, but not as smooth in town as the ZF. I drove the M2 and it is mind blowing, but for everyday use the M135 is your car.. And people, stop crying about the 4WD, you can buy it with the xdrive, and it is amazing. And yes you can go sideways!
Real AWD is always better then Haldex AWD(RS3 has Haldex). I have Haldex and it is good enough but I wish I had real full time AWD like in xDrive, real Quattro, Subies and the such.
The xdrive is on another level. both are super stabil, but the xdrive is more fun, real easy to oversteer in snow (Sweden) in sport+. The Audi doesn't really want to oversteer, it just point and accelerate..
I can only assume the m140i is even better than the m135i. Apart from the obvious increase in power they probably sorted out some of the few minuses they had with the 135i
After having just ordered the last of the M140i's a week before BMW stopped taking build orders, I had to come back and pay homage to this video that started it for many. I am just thankful that in 2019, I am lucky enough to taste this once in a generation gem of a bargain. Cannot wait.
+Ian Townsend ...i wonderd if I'am the only one who noticed that. I've compared these cars, before ordering the m135i xdrive. there was a massive difference of ca. 15.000 € in austria. The RS3 is good, but it feels old, heavy, hard...and isn't the right car vor every day use.
This is what I call a review. Full of *relevant* detail and great no-b.s., to the point delivery. I can watch a review by Chris Harris and mostly feel like I just took advantage of a no-limits, 6 hour test drive. I'm thankful guys like Chris Harris and this show exist. Now if I can be rich enough to first buy all the cars I want (and modify them appropriately) and get them reviewed by this show. :-)
Simply accelerate on a small curve without breaking until the very end of the curve, then one understands why a BMW is better than an Audi. It does not mean Audi is shit, but here are their limits..
I bought a used high spec 135i because of this review... Its bloody awsome. Very fast, sounds amazing, actually not too awful on fuel and quite comfortable. My only complaint is I wish bmw would of made it look just slightly more special than the standard 1 series. That is the only complaint though. I drove an rs3 and it was really good but the bmw just makes you smile with its straight six screaming away. Just great.
Great review! Good stuff for driving enthusiasts. I'm not a fan of BMWs but I can feel the pleasure he's getting from it as opposed to the 4wd machine. Also addressed the key point for anyone that loves to drive, open diff.
I was an Audi guy but after getting accustomed to bmw’s legendary In-line 6 there was no turning back. The 2 s4’s I had were phenomenal performers with the v6 twin turbo. But every seal, gasket and bushing needed replacing on either at around 130,000. We are talking like $8000 for a $11,000 car. I sold them and went Bmw n52 and frankly have had far less issues.
After a year our BMW 135M conv. Has become the favorite. Streets or freeways, this little rocketship never fails. From ramp speed to 80 with a beautiful growl I'm always amazed at being so invisible. Small and Un-noticed it's like driving around in a Vulcan Bird of Prey in Stealth Mode.
"Bird of Prey in Stealth Mode" - That is EXACTLY what it feels like :-D Keep out of sport mode and it is so quiet nobody even sees you... until you pass them.
3 kinds of enthusiasts: the one who wants to be the fastest, the one who wants to look the best, and the one that loves the drive. The S3 will attract the ones who want to be the fastest in the real world/straight line, M135i for the ones that love the drive, and the one who wants to look the best will go the stance route. Personally, I'm the M135i kind.
All I'd like to see now, is a review for the new M140i. I know there won't be a massive difference, but I'm keen to see what improvements BMW has made. Mostly because I'm coming to the end of my apprenticeship, and want a nice hot hatch to celebrate, the M140i being at the top of the list.
Great review Chris! It goes to show once again that even if a car looks better on paper, nothing can compare to how it drives, the feeling that all car lovers enjoy, fun. Straight 6 engine up front, RWD, that's the way mother nature intended. Also the BMW sounds excellent.
This was one of the reviews which convinced me the M140i was the one for me. I haven't looked back since I bought it, well, only to see the cars I have just gapped.
Entertainment4U Hang on, you're the one who posted the first provocative comment, I merely responded. Still feeling sensitive from the bad verdict for the RS3?
Sam King How can that be provocative? You're the one taking the time to answer me back... I have my own verdict because I've driven both of those cars.
I first watched this review back in early 2014 and very quickly acquired a build slot on a mineral grey M135i - still got it, longest I've ever owned a car and it still makes me smile even as a daily driver and work tool most of the time. Awesome little car and a great all rounder
I don’t think either car is a hot hatch and should be classed as hyper hatches. However after a few years of owning a 135 I think it should be classed as a mini GT car. The thing is phenomenal at covering huge distances quick and easy, when you want it to it will rip your face off, but most of the time commuting to work or having to cover a few hundred motorway it’s so nice to drive.
@No you Nope. You can make an oversteery car understeer, but you can't make an understeery car oversteer if your life depended on it. I wonder why racing cars (such as F1 and GT3) use RWD... hmmm, that's a bit of a conundrum eh?
@No you F1 is mid engined you fuckwit. Every other GT3 car apart from the Porsche is either front or mid engined. The AMG GT dominated the Blancpain series a while back. Are you on crack or are you just braindead? Learn the difference between RWD and rear-engined. The fact the engine is the back has nothing to do with them being faster. They're faster because the front wheels don't have to both provide thrust and turn at the same time like they do with FWD cars. Fucking muppet.
I watched this video years ago when it came out, and just before I bought my m135i a few weeks ago, I watched it again and if sealed the deal. What a car btw...
i don't know whats wrong with you guys ?! Running around with your pink audi glasses..yes audi makes probably the best looking cars and there fast in a straight line...and yes the fast for people who don't know how to really drive, but this dude was a very good race driver. So he knows what he is speaking about. And if you really can drive and want to hit fast laps on a race track and want to have fun with the car bmw are yust the better choice !
As you stated for the car guys, the n54 and n55 will hold upwards of 600hp on stock turbos (n54) turbo (n55). In stock form BMW ticks the most boxes, now modify them then you'll see that they both are phenomenal 😉. I will say the audi exterior wise looks better but with a few m parts on the m135 the tables could change 😊 Thansk for the video 📹
Hi Chris, A few pointers.. With the RS3 its best to swtich ESP off when engaging on a track, if you do this you will notice the understear you speak off isnt so apparent (im sure its mentioned in the Audi handbook!). The next thing is, sadly Audi have put dissapointing tyres on the RS3 which is a contributing factor to your experience. A must change amongst owners is to put Michelin Pilot Super Sport which provides a significant positive effect in handling and cornering. Although I love RWD personally, a 4WD car has a edge on A - B Roads.. it simply comes down to physics!
I very much doubt it was on when he was proper giving it some. It may have been on for some of the re takes etc. Why would a driver of his abilities require the esp on as it will hold him back.
@@neil5242go ahead and tune that 5 cylinder and see which one has more power. RS3s are capable of reaching over 1000hp if tuned right. 5 cylinder also sounds a million times better.
The ultimate driving machine vs the ultimate transport machine. One is for people looking for driving pleasure the other for people looking for safe transports.
The audi looks better than the bmw but by the sounds of it and how good this review is you are paying £40,000 for something that doesn't work properly... Sorry audi but I'd rather pay £29,995 for a bmw that looks okay sounds incredible (I don't care about it being fake) and works like a dream on the road, not hating on audi just my opinion, I'd rather have the m135i and save £10,000, who's with me on this?
Having owned an S3 previously i know exactly what Chris is saying, the best engine and fourwheel drive system in the world will never make up for the misery that is understeer. The whole point of these cars is driver and involvement and having fun, understeer will ruin your experience and there is pretty much nothing which can cure that.
This should be the go-to video for any Audi RS and S driver. Yes, yes- they're quick off the line, but after that, there's not much else they bring to the party; and a professional racing driver has just attested to this. Weirdly, I'm often told that fast BMWs can't handle- by fast Audi drivers. This video puts to bed the Audi RS v BMW M debate once and for all. All that power under the Audi's bonnet is useless if, every time you want to take a corner quickly, it understeers you towards the nearest wall/ hedge. Fast BMWs will, and always have been, for the drivers amongst us. If anyone wishes to disagree, get hold of both, go to the Llanberis Pass in North Wales, and report to me which is better. There is simply no contest. Fast Audis are for traffic light jockeys as that's the only place they retain the upper hand (although I suspect a similarly powered M3 Comp in 4wd would do a better job). I will never EVER sell my BMW M.
When the rear of the Audi squats while launching..... Looks mental, great launch control but the BMW is the better car for me. #FiestaST #DicksOutForHarambe
"crickeyy understeering already!" perfectly sums up the RS3... that 5 cylinder engine is brilliant tho... same the chasis is joyless... this 5 cylinder engine plus the bmw rear wheel drive driving dynamics wud be a great package tho!
I am a big Audi fan but the RS3 is overrated. I would rather get the S3 or even the normal TFSI and tune it. The new one as it is already matches the straight line performance of the current RS3 so why waste all that money.
yes you are correct but you get let weight in the front. i got A3 8v 2.0t with IS38, intake, s3 rear brakes suspension done and is a little faster that my friend s3 tune, we got the same mod the only different is the suspension.
Such a good review (as ever) I wish you would do a review of the Chrysler 300 SRT which is the other car on my next car list of two (the M135i being the other). Thanks Chris.
Personally felt frustrated when I first got the 8p rs3 on castle Combe circuit to compare it against a 8v s3 and a modified golf r All were making the same power to weight ratio and the only thing I could say about the rs3 in a positive way is that it can launch very well. And that’s it. The s3 is a similar feel to the rs3 but it’s not as frustrating to drive fast and the golf r is a much better car in every way. But if I was in the market for a fast capable car of this kind I’d get the m135i all day long. In fact I have had 3 of them myself
I love these comments re which is better. I've got a brand new RS3 sitting on the drive. I can buy what I want within reason. I stopped buying BMW's years ago. I don't drive on the track, I drive on the road. I don't have delusions of being a racing driver. The RS3 is my everyday car. It's far easier to live with than any track tool. The same goes with bikes. Track tools are fun for an hour, but after a day in the saddle with your wrists killing you, the fun wears off fast.
Wonderfully biased review by a BMW fan. A simple switch of tyres so both cars are running the MPS rubber reduces the RS3's understeer by 90%. Audi got it very wrong opting for the Continental tyres.
BMW all the way! And, it doesn't matter what i think, or others like many bellow think, this is his feedback on the two cars. Hate it or love it, respect his opinion!
Interesting, I have an RS3 8p and my neighbour has the 135i. I use mine every day, in all weathers and is just a nice car to drive and be stuck in on my daily commute. He uses his when he can get it off our very hilly housing estate and there's no ice or snow (In northern England, theres always a chance) The 135 is better when you want to drive like a bellend, the RS, i think is better for every day. Ive put a stage 1 APR remap and a 034 motorsport rear anti roll bar and PS4S's on mine. Eradicates most of the issues mentioned here with handling. I had a Mk6 Golf R previously, which i preferred to drive with DCC suspension pack but the engine and sound of that 5 pot is spectacular and a work of art. Each to their own, would never want to own a 135 personally and prefer Audi as a brand over BMW every day of the week.
To Audi enthusiasts in this comment session. You haven't driven both of them. Yes, i have driven it, BMW worked better for me. Yes, as you assumed i'm kind a BMW guy, but, still, BMW was much better. It has fun which audi doesn't, and Audi understeers so much. It would be great in motorway, but does it really gonna work on track or winding road? I doubt that. They could much better on this car. (I like rs6 more than m5. It sounds like angry tiger of something. And, m5 mad me disappointed. V8? I can deal with it, but it so much slower than amg or rs6. And it sounds giod but campare to amg or rs6, it not that good.) And now, recently audi put out brand new rs3. I haven't driven yet, and i'm looking forward to drive it and find out what they done.
I am not an expert on cars, like Chris, but i think he is a bit biased on the m135i. And i don't really buy the drug race. I think it's a set up. I maybe wrong of course, but i have heard ssooo many times chris praising the bmw, that he is either on the money, or, it's suspicious.
he has already answered your question in the video!! O.o do you understand what he says? if not, then it would be a pleasure for me to translate it for you...
Markus Meier It's clearly stated at the beginning of the video that he is aware that he is comparing an older RS3 to a new BMW but it's because it will be several years until the new model from out comes out in RS3 trim.
The most important sentence of the whole video is the last one: You buy the Audi for the looks but if you like driving, go and buy the BMW. From what I can see here in Germany, that's the (bitter?) truth.
I hate how everyone complains about audis understeering, they understeed becasue their made to understeer, there is haldex upgrades for the rs3 that makes it oversteer even, but they dont apply that because they want their customers to live and not spin into a tree and die like in a bmw.
LOL I know what you mean. But I think the RS3 could have been setup a little better. If what Harris says is the truth (about terminal understeer even after lifting), it would be very frustrating to drive. Having driven an M235i, I can say they are setup with very neutral handling. It will only oversteer if you're being an idiot behind the wheel.
People don`t like Audi`s as they are in VAG group and most likely that car shares some parts with Skoda or Golf. If we were talking about a car for a reason price, it`s okay, but those cars are crazy-ass hothatches. On top of that, Audi is more expensive than BMW. INSANE. If it would be me to choose 2 cars, I will go for BMW. Twice.
This review led me to purchase the M135i, and I must say it's an unbelievable car, it's fast, handles amazingly and it's also practical. Contrary to Audis, BMWs feel alive.
The Beemer also has the edge over the Audi as regards driving position. You sit low, wheel close to chest and legs outstretched. Sitting in the Audi is like sitting on a park bench - way too high
@@neil5242 yeah dude I agree. I had a 3 door s3 8p for a while and it’s driving position was half decent. Drive my friends 5 door a3 and it felt like sitting on a church pew 🤣. Every time I drive a 1 series at work it’s a pleasure to sit in.
Of course you caught the Audi when you hit 160, it's limited to 155 and you failed to mention that! I'm so confused by the comparisons in this video for the following reasons: There is no mention of the horrid cabin noise coming from the BMW, and you say the Audi doesn't win in any category except all weather. From what you say earlier though it seems like you love the Audi transmission and engine much more. My personal reason for liking the Audi more is purely perception. The lower line BMW's just seem juvenile to me and they don't make me feel special.
Pleased to find this video with Chris driving my car I only bought a few months ago. Mine has been played with to just over 500hp and I feel is a nice machine, but a lot of what Chris says is so true!
I own an BMW 1 series and of course, in terms of sportiness its the best car in its class. But since I was able to drive the newest model of the Audi A3 for a few days, I have to say that its a car, that is just as nice as the BMW. While driving through the city, the car provides you an extremly calm experience. Basicly driving the Audi A3 through Berlin for a week felt much more relaxed and safe, than driving the BMW through my hometown (600k inhabitants). Same thing on the Autobahn: at 200 km/h the Audi sits just completely relaxed on the road, making absolutely 0 noise. I even found myself playing with its infotainment while doing 200 km/h, what I would never do normaly, because of safety, but in that car, you just dont feel the speed. So, while talking about the normal models, the Audi has his right to be there. You want a sporty car? Take the BMW. You want a relaxed, smooth ride? Take the Audi!
I'M afraid, but that is not true. Every "normal" Audi is limited to "250km/h" as it will reach it anyway.So does every "S"-Audi An "RS" Audi is limited to 280km/h. An "R" is the only Audi that is not limited in velocity. That counts for every Audi that leaves the fayctory without any limit-upgrade.
BMW=teenage wannabe racers/insecure people thinking it makes them cool trying to fit in. Less than a quarter of them actually know how to corner fast without dying. Straights don't mean shit because it gets owned by cheap muscle cars.
For the Audi track impression, it sounds like Mr. Harris was driving my Maxima. "Quick between the corners, but when you're IN a corner, there's understeer and more understeer."
Fast forward 10 years. Both cars are now selling at about the same price (where I live). Which is the better one to get, noting they're both 10 years old now (reliability will be the most important factor) and also a nice engine sound to lighten up the daily commute to work.
