BMW M2 vs. Audi RS3: Henry Catchpole Compares - Carfection
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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They are two of the most desirable cars on the road right now but which is best?
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"Henry Catchpole compares".......enough to leave everything and watch the video.....
Henry Catchpole is enough :)
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.
Don't worry about it. You review the cars... and we'll get the warriors to review the build quality of their keyboards.
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.
thug898 if he tell that plastic fake carbon in the M2 is better quality then just ignore that biased bmw moron journalist.
thug898 well he disagrees with you
If I could have it my way I’d take the M2 for summer and RS3 for winter. M2 is tops for me on looks.
One thing we can all agree upon - the prices have certainly grown-up.
Or you simply need a better job ;)
This comment didn’t age well
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.
I'll be honest, I've started watching all your videos now Catchpole's in them.
I'll be honest as well: yes.
Please don't lie to youtube.
An RS3 for a daily drive and an M2 for weekends would be a great situation to find yourself in.
That 5 cylinder note is unbeatable!
Even by a V8 or V12? Relax man.
Sandouras only V10 can beat R5.
Sandouras i'm really starting to wonder how old you are, since you are taking my comment very literally...
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.
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.
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 :)
Who else loves it when the thumbnail delivers everything it entails? ☺️👍🏼
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.
Why does Henry always look like he's trying to figure out who touched his spaghett with those shoulders?
It's weird isn't it? I need to try and stop doing that.
Haahhaahhah im dead
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.
Now if only Audi would get around to making a dedicated, lightweight rwd sports car chassis to use that beautiful 5cyl in..
They won't the whole industry already tends to make variable 4w. drives.
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
Great review - calling objectivity and subjectivity what it is.
Carfection just keeps getting better! Well done to the whole team for making the viewing experience extra special
Great comparison! I must admit I'd choose the RS3 though. Sportback version in Nardo Grey. Pure love!
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.
Having both would be better than having a single car like a 911, AMG gts or Aston. Audi for daily use and road trips. M2 for driving therapy.
Been waiting for someone to do this video for so long. Even better it is Henry and Carfection. Both great cars!
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.
Beautiful cars, both unique and in their own world
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.
They are actually my entry level dream cars, thanks for doing a comparsion
Wow. Great video. All was perfect.
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 😃
You guys are my favorite car CZcams channel. Keep up the great work, the video quality is top notch!
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.
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.
Most people who drive BMWs are devoid of driving skills!
"Which one is the winner? You are, Which ever one you choose to drive."
Bloody love you Henry! Why can't all car journalists be more like you and Chris Harris pre Top Gear?!
Still by far the best motoring journalist around. Always well observed, filmed and articulated. Keep up the great work Mr Catchpole!
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.
Thanks for putting Henry's name in the title, now I know the video is worth watching
RS3 looks better to my eyes. I prefer the cleaner, minimalist design language to the butch Bimmer.
Wolverine is the consummate motoring journo out there. Truly the best, no frills, no attitude just the plain truth and passion. Leaves others in his wake, just wanting.
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.
Boy racer talk.
What you say is irrelevant.
Spend money on driving lessons not on wasting money on tuning!
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.
Love your videos, so beautiful. Really capture the character and beauty of the cars we love. Thank you
I love how everyone claims to love manuals yet all the manufacturers show that no one buys them.
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.
That plus the fact most don't know how to drive a manual (like myself).
2 out of 8 cars I’ve owned have been autos.
every BMW with i6 petrol engine and RWD will be always a winner. When RWD and inline 6 cylinder petrol engines will end = BMW will end.
Excellent as ever, these films just get better and Henry is top notch
Simple the m2 steal the heart every time u see it
Color/lighting in the video is spot on!
Great review very professional top gear standards definitely 👏🏽👊🏽🥂
When you said "entry level is all you need", SPOT ON!
Henry just flows into the automobiles carfection getting better and better.
Ps. Your video on the R8 V10 on the Hahntennjoch Pass inspired a trip to the same place with my father for his 70th birthday. What a road!
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!!
Who cares which one won?
They're both amazing cars with differences worth paying attention to
I'd be happy with either one
Henry - thank you from the US. Two cars I love! Question for you: RS3 and M2? Or new M5 (or AMG E63s)?
Great review as always
what does "stuck into a chassis"mean? Anyone who knows it, pls tell me
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!
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.
BMW ///M2 with BMW 1M Wheels replacement = PERFECTION!!!!
What a landscape! On point indeed!
Wow a video comparing my two favourite cars a manual M2 and an RS3 saloon. My god this is orgasmic. 😍😍
M2 interior better quality than RS3? really? :D :D :D
2 absolutely amazing car!! love this little rockets
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.
The LCI upped the build quality alot...
wouldnt say better then an RS3 . On Par Yes.
I just doesn't :)
Beautiful cinematography. More importantly, good content. Well done.
Great vid ( again ), good cars , good conclusion ;)
Dropped all of what was being done to watch this
6MT + RWD. That is all.
+piped in engine sound+non-defeatable rev match. Lol
Look at those flares on that BMW looks like Iggy Azaleas hips 😎
You chose a wet day to compare a rwd and awd car?
I have an M2, but I have a winter car as well because honestly I am not brave enough. If I have only one car that fits all my needs everyday I would probably pick the Audi.
For a non-daily, I think the biggest advantage Audi has is that sound from the 5 cylinder...
Like many others I prefer the Audi’s interior, too. However I wonder how many purchase deductions for either car were based on the interior quality.
Beautifully shot guys 👍🏽
Watching while after surgery in hospital. M POWER
M2 completion pack I want it when comes out
Hey, where is the shooting location for this video please? I would love to drive it
Where in south wales*
@@SkylineR33FTW I believe its the B4560 in S Wales
@@OhBLZD nothing like a reply to a 2y old comment haha, thank you!
Every time I see an Audi, or any German entry-level luxury vehicle for that matter, I feel saddened by the fact that the hatchback variant isn't sold in the US.
Where was this recorded? Looks like an amazing road to drive on
Interior of the bmw feels better quality, LOL what a troll
Where is Alex now, one of the previous presenters? I love Henry, but liked him too. Would be cool to have both doing videos.
The M2 looks way better and more aggressive. I’d buy that any day over the long sedan looking Audi.
Literally have no idea why people bother comparing manual to auto. You cant do a car v car like that.
One of my neighboirs has a Long Beach Blue M2. It does look and sound very good. Not that I can afford one, but I do wish it came with a bigger range of interior colours. The option of black or black isn't really good enough.
Well done Henry good review, well done team beautifully filmed
BMW in general is ahead in terms of feel at the wheel, balance of the car and sheer fun. You know exactly what the wheels are doing, it's like super sensitive. With Audi it's a different philosophy, you can hardly feel the road, you're less in contact with the chassis, you're more isolated from all, sitting in your cabin comfortably numb.
lol at a modern car being "like super sensitive"
potatohead3333 I own a BMW, try one and see for yourself.
Compared to en E46 or a 997 the steering feel of anything built in the last six or eight years is terrible.
potatohead3333 I drive an E92 330i from 2007 and it has plenty of feel. You notice all the road imperfections. I also have a SEAT Leon CupraR mk1 from 2003 (based on an Audi S3) and there is a lot less feel at the wheel.
I turned down an M235i for an S3. Why? Because the BMW was built like a tank and offered no feedback at all but the S3 felt alive and playful. Ironic? I thought so, too.
Any idea which road this was shot on? Looks amazing. He said South Wales but it didn’t look like the Black Mountain Pass.
You were lucky as hell with the weather shooting this.
Love your reviews Henry.
Always looked up to you Henry.
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.
Great work. Please do a comparison between RS3 and RS4.
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 Can’t compare the old cars with new - completely different.
potatohead3333 is Audi not using the same AWD system as 2015?
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.
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 know older video, but when you have a deposit down and a year long wait on an rs3. You'll take what you can get.
I’d take any RS over an M car any day
Great video guys, Henry stellar review.
You should’ve tested both of them in the snow or rainy weather. The BMW is arguably better in “good” conditions but realistically, these will be rarely met. I’d take the RS3 for its versatility, sound, built quality over the M2 without hesitation.
I've always found the comparison an odd one. Both are mid/premium level German car marque's, but beside that, they serve different needs. BMW have the tight, precise, rwd market covered. Audi approach the market as the awd, accessible speed machine for all weathers and conditions. Every review says this, and every review will keep saying this, so what's the point in drawing such an obvious conclusion? Next up, the new mclaren is faster than skodas new hatchback?
You need more upvotes
Exactly, if you go into a review expecting drivers cars, of course the RWD, manual car will win. I guess they get compared because they are similar in price, although performance wise the RS3 is competing against much more expensive competition performance wise. Especially when tuning comes into it.
Not to mention the RS3 would absolutely batter an M2 on any road at any speed. The facelift RS3 is OUTRAGEOUS in a straight line.
Straight line speed is so fucking boring, just buy a Golf and Stage it. The M2 still beats the RS3 on tight twisted circuits, so there's half of your theory banish into thin air.
bongmistt who actually cares about a twisty circuit? Come on... these are road cars and will spend 99.9% of their time being given a hard time in a straight line and that’s it. Stage 1 on the RS3 and it’s 480bhp anyway....
My M2 arrives late April 😍❤️😍
Henry criticises one little aspect of the Audi’s interior and out come the fanboys. Yet Henry criticises the noise the BMW makes and nobody cares. Audi fanboys, man.
RS3 for a all rounder car and M2 for it's driver engagement. Both are good at what they are built for, just all comes down to personal preference.
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.
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.
Why did they choose the RS3 and not the TTRS for comparison? A sedan over a coupe to go against a coupe? What am I missing here?
Where was this filmed? which road? Thanks. Looks like a nice driving road. Edit: Ah never mind, Wales. Hmm bit far to go for a drive. :'(
these car are so different and have different audience that the comparison is not even plausible