Subscribe for more Carfection videos: bit.ly/1V1yFYX They are two of the most desirable cars on the road right now but which is best? Join the Carfection community... Like on Facebook: on. 1RvTdL4 Follow on Twitter: bit.ly/1JUAgiI
Just bought a 2016 M2, 1 owner, low mileage, mint condition. I looked at the RS3, looked at the A45S (my last car was a tuned M140i), but there is nothing quite like a finely balanced RWD M car. I genuinely think the OG M2 is one of the best looking cars of all time, it's proportions are perfect, it's stance is perfect, and it is destined to be a future legendary classic.
They *should* ditch that turbo-charged V6 that they tune to snooze-worthy numbers (354 and 444 HP in the S5 and RS5, respectively) and just drop in this 5-cylinder. It is lighter, it makes more power than the S5's turbo V6, and can be easily configured to make more power than the RS5's twin-turbo V6.
Nah i wouldnt want audi to do that. Audi has a totally different approach on its cars compared to bmw while Bmw focuses to be a track weapon, audi focuses on making a super fast car easy to drive for everyone including amateur drivers. This is why you will always find audis to have better suspension pliancy and better comfort besides audis tend to have better sound insulation. So bmw will be bmw and audi will just stay audi
I love both cars. The N55 in the M2 is a stunning engine and with a nice ‘zorst, it can sound even better than it already does, however the engine in the RS3... wow, I’d almost want that car just to own and run that engine - what a thing!! For me, overall the M2 does it for me as a driving enthusiast. It ticks all the boxes 😃
Thank God we still have cars like these that still inspire debate and arguments, just like the M3 and RS4 did years ago and their predecessors before that.
A winning formula would be M2 exterior, RS3 interior, RS3 engine and sound, and M2's RWD handling/steering. Then give buyers the choice between DCT or manual. That's the absolute perfect car!!
as a 4WD sedan owner, i'd say M2 is a far more desirable car. it has the right amount of comfort, power and playfulness. i had an opportunity to drive some Audi RS and Volvo Polestar models around local track back in 2015. wasn't impressed one bit with the handling. heavy understeers everywhere i turn. suddenly my stock Ralliart didn't feel like shit to drive anymore.
Terry Foldy Holes technically it’s the same system but it’s like saying the engine is the same. It’s completely different both in hardware and software. It is proactive, not reactive. It is never fwd only. Larger rear diff unit. Engine is 60 lbs lighter, gun drilled crank and front axles. New stronger seven speed dct, bigger turbo. Staggered tires. Audi Sport is only two years old and not messing around any more.
When they always tie the manual option to poverty-spec cars, you're damn straight nobody buys them. Here in the US, the Genesis G70 is only available with a manual if you also get the base everything else. Meanwhile, in Canada, you can spec the manual with the nice interior if you want. It's bullshit; if I wanted a manual in a car with a modest interior, I'd go buy a Golf R, a Camaro, a Mustang, or any number of cars that are much better performers for the price than a damn 2.0T with a mediocre 250 HP and only comparable handling. The typical alternative is that the manual is available only to the stratospheric options, which is similarly bullshit. Thank the powers that the Corvette, 718, M240i, and M2 exist with manuals in the mid-upper performance bracket, but I'd definitely have bought an S3 or RS3 with a manual if it existed for us.
Good review. The M2 may not, on paper, be the quickest or most advanced from an engineering perspective, but it has what many modern cars lack - character. Is it the best M car ever? Maybe. I’m still not sure it can steal the Z4M Coupe’s crown for sheer fun factor but it’s growing on me. The M2 is a undoubtedly a modern classic as a driver’s car and it has real personality.
It depends where you live and what your buying it for, for me I live in the uk if it was a daily driver car I'd take the audi you can make use of it power more of the time with its awd as our roads are mostly wet or damp, but If I was buying something for fun as a Sunday car or for track days I'd have the m2 no doubt about it
The audi is the more day to day usable car , it has bigger interior and the virtual cockpit is probably the best in buisness , however i do think the M2 looks way better and sharper and lets be honest its more fun around the corners and on the limit ..
Personally I love both cars, I think I'd most likely lean toward the RS3 though. (1.) I love 5 cylinder sounds, and plus the turbo means with some aftermarket piggy backs or accessport type electronics you could easily have the car pusing over 400+ hp and I probably can't even imagine the fun that'd be. (2.) The AWD is an all weather capable machine, and so I don't have to be picky about where I travel, I only need to worry about changing the tires if I go to a snowy climate is all. (3.) It's go four doors and while I don't the back seat would be all that much fun for larger adults, I think smaller woman and definitely children would be fitting just fine back there, so it's much more practical. (4.) I myself much prefer the looks of the RS3, I find the M2 a little over stated for my tastes and I have always loved the under the radar looks of the RS line of most Audi's. That being said. I can make an argument for the BMW but I myself would end up with the Audi. Although, if I had it my way, I'd have both along with 25 or 35 other cars in my garage in a perfect world haha.
I'd buy the RS3 because of practicality and I think its great in inclimate weather. Most Audi's are. Also the Audi interior on this is excellent in my opinion. Bmw is nice too, no doubt but the 5 cylinder sound is what i dream about.
I'd have the RS3 all day long, for me personally BMW M cars body styling is a step too far, I think the BMW 2 and 4 series are very good looking cars, but I think the 235i and 435i M sport versions are better looking than their full on M counterparts, they look sporty without looking like a teenager got hold of his dad's wallet and went mod mad. This is where I think Audi RS models are spot on, they're sporty but discreet, they're beasts but they've got class and don't shout too much about what they are. Just my opinion
RS3 3,7 to 100 . And 400 HP and interior fabulous beast V5 engine great double clutch gearbox , audi they make the best . We talk about faults failures. M2 just make few drift rear diff need to change . I have one and I sold it in a year . Just be honest man no comparison. Thanks
Honestly id rather have the audi *if i had to pick one of them*. Both have relatively cheap interiors overall but the audi uses better leather (shame on bmw for not using the soft stuff on m car). The audi also has a more special engine. The bmw just uses n55 with few tweeks so the audi wins in that department. Rs3 more practical with the 4 doors but its designed for midgets. The m2 is def more fun xuz u can swing it around but the rs3 is overall faster (from a roll and dig) on the street but on track m2 will prob barely edge it out. These 2 are overpriced tho so honestly id rather have used m5(neither of these is even remotely close in any way to the m5 speed wise and quality or comfort) for 50k cad and an e46 m3 stripped out and ready for track use for the rest of the money.
Well, it seems that my comment about the interiors is the main talking point so far...! I know that accepted wisdom is that Audi does the better interiors and (subjectively) I still think the Audi's interior looks much nicer. However, objectively, getting out of one and into the other and doing that all day long, there was no question in my mind that the materials and general quality of the BMW felt much better. I can only call it as I see it and I admit it caught me by surprise, but that's the beauty of doing proper head-to-head tests - you get the chance to really assess things. Glad you all seem to like the film apart from that - they really are great cars.
Henry Catchpole great video henry and what sets u apart is that ur observations often stand out from the rest. Which one would you spend your money on?
M2 interior might feel better but it certainly doesn’t look as good as the cabin of an RS3, no bucket seats, centre console is of an old design, no virtual cockpit or anything. First thing that catches your sight is the visuals of an interior. There are much more hard plastics used in the bmw than compared to Audi. M2 may be a nicely built cabin but then again it ain’t a day and night difference over the rs3, especially considering the interior looks way better in the rs3.
I still don’t understand why people compare these two cars. I’m a BMW and Audi fan. Heck I love all German cars, mainly Porsche. One is a 2 Door, rear drive with small back seat and is poor in the rain and snow. It’s a much harsher suspension that feels all the bumps. The other is an all wheel drive 4 door. It is amazing in the snow and the speed that you can carry in the pouring rain with confidence is amazing. The suspension is great on bumpy roads. The M2 is a very fun car on the back roads. Loved it! On the highway, the steering ratio makes it a little jumpy from lane to lane. Don’t sneeze. Haha. Great sounding car too. It’s a car you drive on the weekend, park in the garage during bad weather, and take to the track occasionally. The RS3 is built more for the road and for people who still want fast, but still comfortable. They are not looking for a track car. Just a fun fast car for the streets. Launch control is viscous and puts a smile on your face. Light to light is fast and it literally takes a super car to beat you off the line. The RS is also a great car if you want to go drag racing. Stock they pull 11.7 to 12 flat. A tune and downpipe will put you in high 10’s. Very insane! Oh and the sound of the 5 is incredible. Hank IROZ has a Turbo to bolt on that will run 9’s on stock block. RIDICULOUS! It’s an Epic engine. The DSG is also a super fast shifting transmission. Worst thing of the RS3 is the shitty Pirelli tires they put on, where the M2 has nice Michelin tires. Tires are everything. Put a stiffer suspension in the RS and it will be capable of track too. They both are great cars and it was hard to pick between them. If it’s your only car, the RS3 wins. If you’re looking for a second fun car the M2 is a winner. I wish I could have both, but I needed one car. The RS3 came home with me. Love every bit of it. Neither are losers. Just totally different cars.
Ryan the Boston Detailer about half of M2’s delivered now are coming with ten year old design Continentals. Otherwise your post is pretty spot on. The cars are compared because of price range I guess.
Those cars are compared because they are the entry-level-cars of their badges. However, I am really happy that they are THAT different. While more and more cars (manufacturers) try to be like one another, it's refreshing to see that with some cars, the manufacturers just do their thing. So everyone gets to pick his favourite car.
Various Audis and M2 owner here, totally agree with your comment. I found too they are very different cars, and shouldn't be directly compared. RS3 has superb engine/noise and practicability, more comfortable. M2 is more of a focused sport car with superb chasis and enough power, require more skills to drive and more fun.
Ryan the Boston Detailergreat to read a comment that didn't go grr BMW or pht Audi as most seem to attract polar views that tend to turn me off, I drive an S5 Audi previous cars M3/RS4 the M3 was 2 door and the S5 is the Sportback model (I have 9 year old now... need the doors!)
Well, granted it's not an apples to apples comparison in the purpose of the cars, but they cost about they same, both are entry points into the performance division of luxury German cars, and both are good fun to drive. You can bet that someone with $60,000 to spend on such a car will cross shop the two, weighing out what they like and don't like about these two very different, yet similar cars.
Excellent video by Mr Catchpole, as always. For a daily driver I would prefer the RS3 but for a track toy then I would take the M2. I don't think there is a "wrong" answer between those two cars and I would gladly have either one in my driveway.
Sandouras I think you are moron without a taste so shut up. You could write better example then some shitty sunding straight six or Ferrari V8... For example NA V12 Ferrari tthat sound special. The best sounding Porsche is Panamera V8 Audi engine.
Sandouras we are talking about sound you idiot. As typical moron you have problems with thinking. Porsche is known that they can make even a boxer engine sounds boring. Subaru boxers sounds much better even with only 4 cylinders.
After watching this specific video (and a few others) well over a hundred times. I went a bought a M2, Manual. I absolutely love it. But for some weird reason I still come and watch M2 videos... Thanks Henry. Great reviews :)
The majority of people who buy M cars have no idea how to drive them and are usually devoid of driving talent. This normally results in oversteering off roads and ploughing into trees, or worse still, crashing into other cars. So for normal road use in the UK, the M2 is almost pointless for most people, most of the year (in the wet). That's just reality.
Look guys, these are two very different cars. The BMW M2 is designed for robust track use. The Audi RS3 is basically a city car with an aggressive engine tune. In other words, you can take the M2 to the track and have an afternoon of driving fun and not worry about any mechanical issues. The RS3 is perfect for hauling around you and your wife plus a kid and a small dog. Throw in a couple of stoplight sprints for fun but please don’t take Audi to the track. After 30 minutes, the RS3’s brake pedal would go to the floor and the little 5 popper would overheat and probably blow a gasket. So keep it real and use each for what they are designed for.
I have owed both. Audi was great....safe, stable and great family car. Now the kids have flown the nest...swopped it for BMW...for thrill and fun. Fabulous steering.
I own a new RS3 and absolutely love it,but I also love the look of the M2(never driven one),now I’m not the worlds best driver and most of my driving is as a commuter and I just love the safety net that Quattro gives me,I think I would get myself into trouble in the M2.
Good comparison! Both are great cars but I would have chosen the M2 also. Yes I'm biased because I own one, but despite being very close, the M2 is being touted as the best drivers car in the entire current M lineup. The 0-60mph time is actually closer to 4.2-4.3 sec with the manual so that closes the gap there some.
As Jeremy said the m2 is the best m car bmw ever made, but that RS3 is a beast, the engine is just insane, both in launch and roll race audi wins easy, 8V RS3 is going 700 bhp on stock internals, so the RS3 is the best, i mean m2 is a 2 door, AUDi 4 door sedan, so once more RS3 is better.
Wouldn't even bother trying to compare these two. 2.5 5 CYL AWD AUTO VS 3.0 6 CYL RWD MANUAL, two totally different cars for two totally different types of drivers.
I'm not a big fan of bmws. My last purchase was the series 1 with m pack and I came from having the previous a3 with s-line and quattro. Quite a disappointment to be honest. To start with the steering wheel is cheap as fuck, the down portion painted in silver gives this plastic sounds every time you press it. The cabin is too compact and small, you can immediately tell the difference between the audi. For building quality, appealing and comfort I have no doubt I will be buying a merc or another audi the next time. The only think I like about this bmw is the ability to change from AWD to RWD with the sport plus mode and some display info about torque that I didn't have with my previous Audi. Don't buy this unless you have already driven the bmw for quite a while from a friend or something.
I made a horrible mistake and ventured into the comments section, now I feel lobotomised. Kids, drive both and buy the one which YOU like the most. Not everyone drives the same roads, drives the same way or appreciates the same aesthetics, it never ceases to amaze me how titled people get about subjective matters.
Stage 1 tune on the RS3/TTRS is 505HP / 496LB-FT without any intake or downpipe. The M2 doesn't tune nearly as well, only seeing 70/70 gains from stage 2 tunes out there. The RS3 with a $950 tune is game over for the M2. Not to mention there's a guy running 9.8 quarter miles with an APR tuned RS3. No official tunes released from them, yet.
no it doesn't, it feels 10 years old in there, the quality is OK, but its not upto scratch for such an expensive car. The RS3's interior feels like its worth its price.
BMW always nail the looks of their special cars. Audi, well they're constantly dropping the ball. You'd be hard pushed to tell the RS cars against the S models. BMW on the other hand, there's never any doubt that what you're looking at is the M cars. AMAZING location for the film though, what a backdrop!
5 pot, nuff said. 99.99% of time it's a going from a to b car, so manual can straight away go and get fucked for commuting, and the crackling 5 pot will make ya giggle in any conditions. Put a 4pot in and, well, that'd be a different story. Why I love the old rs focus and not the newer "better" one.
Everyone say's they're in the same segment, but the differences in driveline layout and transmission options really make these two unbalanced rivals. As an all around daily driver where you need all wheel drive, and a car with a nissan GTR philosophy of "anywhere anytime", the RS3 is a hard car to beat. If you're fortunate enough to not need all wheel drive and don't mind slithering out of a coupe in a tight parking garage, the M2 is always going to be a winner, it's just a more engaging car because it engineered entirely different.
They are both awesome and wow that 5 cylinder sounds awesome but at the end of the day... The M2 is RWD and the RS3 is a FWD biased car.. Id love to drive either but I would go with the M2 as well... RWD i6 + 6MT is hard to beat in todays day an age.
Observation i noticed about bmw fanboys on cars.co.za- M4 Dtm loses to Amg Gtr on track by 2.6sec: M4 is a 4 seater daily, Gtr only for the track -- BMW Fanboys. Rs3 loses to M2 by 0.2 Seconds on the same track: 0.2 sec is a HUGE difference on a short track, M2 is the better engineered car - same Bmw fanboys. totally ignores the fact RS3 is a family hatchback to be used in all weather and snow, for a family of 5 NOT meant to be used on the track BMW fanboy logic. (a genuine observation from someone who owns both a 08 S3 8p Fsi and a 02 S54 e46 M3. i love both of them)
i don't understand Y, all car channels just don't do old fashion line-ups and do all the acceleration, 1/4 mile, slalom, and braking test side by side. even the US youtube channels do more talking and less action of what the cars can actually do... SIDE by SIDE! without all the narration. but kudos, Carfection can at least do it under 15 minutes, MOTOR TREND averages about 20minutes every time they do a comparison
The m2 when dyno'd at stock actually produces 390bhp at the flywheel. Its more like 360bhp at the wheels. Ive seen 3 of them all produce those figures bone stock on dyno's this year.
Well, Henry Cathpole said it himself. The RS3 can't live up to the M2 when you push it hard. So as usual, audis are for my grand parents, I'll drive a real driver's car. (PS: im a hill climb driver).
Dude !! seriously? How much do you get paid to claim BMW is better? You must think viewers are stupid! Audi has more grip, more Horsepower... AHHHHHHH journalisim at it's best.
The Audi is a fantastic thing, that 5 cylinder is a gem and they're so much better painted and put together than BMs these days, but no manual=no interest from me. Plus, Audi make it clear that their RS customers aren't interested in 'that sort of thing' as I read one of their directors refer to manuals, which by association, I suppose, means any involvement or effort in the process of going fast. Which sort of puts fast Audis in my GFY pile.
I drove both the rs3 and the m2 this week. The m2 is by no means a bad car, bmw dosnt make “bad” cars. But as far as Audi’s being boring people have clearly never driven a S or RS model. And people who think that rear wheel drive is more sporty have not looked into racing history, the Quattro system or racing is far superior to a rear wheel drive system. Having the back end slide out all the time is fun but people confuse this with it being sporty. You put a normal driver on a track with both these cars and the bmw driver might be in a ditch somewhere along a turn and the Audi driver would be setting records.
I wonder if Audi uses the same plastic polymer in the RS series as they do in the standard cars. Reason being is that my Audi's plastic interior can not withstand the Australian Sun. However being plastic polymer I doubt they would change. Many of the car models on the market can not withstand Australia's uv ray's. I guess it's also why we have per capita highest levels of skin cancer.
