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So I've just had a good drive in an M3 Competition Pack. Here are my thoughts on it versus my PFL RS3.
Looks
Looks are always subjective but I think the M3/M4 look great, butch and purposeful, modern and fresh and just more aggressive looking than the RS3. For some, the wolf in sheep's clothing look of the RS3 is perfect. I reckon the M3 strikes a good balance, although I do prefer the RS3's exhausts!
RS3 - 7/10
M3 - 8/10
Interior
The RS3 has a great interior, however, it is starting to show its age next to some of the newer cars around. That said, it's still the best hot hatch interior out there with the supersports seats a real highlight. The M3 interior felt and looked fresher even though it's been around for a few years itself. It's roomier and felt a bigger car, which of course it is, and with a more modern feel.
RS3 - 7/10
M3 - 8/10
Handling/Usability
It's a dry day today which meant traction in the M3 was going to be as good as it ever gets in the UK. Even so, the traction control was still kicking in at 50mph in 3rd gear. It would definitely be a 'challenging' car to drive quickly. The front end felt superb, far more pointy, direct and planted than the RS3. Getting back in the RS3, it felt nimble and usable, partly due to it being that bit smaller and of course, the unbreakable traction advantages of 4WD. Crucially, it felt just as fun. I dare say that on a track the M3/4 would be more fun, but for day to day hooning around, the RS3 is a much better fit. One final point, the M3 felt a softer riding car, one that could be better for long distance driving.
RS3 - 8/10
M3 - 7/10
Engine/Performance
This was one area I was genuinely interested to compare. The M3 has a really zingy, lively engine which I wasn't expecting from a twin-turbocharged V6. There's some sound fakery going on through the speakers, but it sounded good. At idle and revving the engine it sounded superb. All in all, a great engine. It's always difficult to say for sure, but it felt like it would just have the legs on the RS3, but not by much. I would imagine a remapped RS3 would make for an interesting race. For my money, the RS3 engine edges it, though. It just sounds that bit more rich and authentic with a great pickup.
RS3 - 9/10
M3 - 8/10
Gearbox
A win here for the RS3. The M3's 7-speed DCT is good, but not as fast as the RS3's S-Tronic, especially so on downshifts. There's probably milliseconds in it, but it really does make a difference. It's definitely an area where BMW and Mercedes could improve on. That said, for slow town driving, the M3's gearbox seemed a bit smoother than mine, which can be a bit clunky.
RS3 - 8/10
M3 - 7/10
Value
To my eyes the M3/4 looks and feels a more expensive car...even the rear discs were larger than my fronts! It starts at around £65k, however, there's big discounts around and you can pick up a decently specced delivery mileage car for c.£52k. That represents seriously good value for what is undoubtedly the next rung up in the performance car ladder (discounting 0-60mph drag races and traction issues with RWD). A bare bones specced RS3 comes in at c.£50k so the price points are very similar, making the RS3 seem uncomfortably expensive. I personally think that Audi take the p*ss with options and deliberately make the standard spec very unappealing, something I'd like to see them rectify. Residuals are an interesting one and something I'm not too sure on. My gut feeling is that you'll lose more on an M3/4...this obviously makes the RS3 then seem not as expensive. Time will tell...
RS3 - 6/10
M3 - 8/10
TOTAL SCORES
RS3 - 45/60
M3 - 46/60
Summary
I genuinely didn't know how those scores would add up until the end. Interestingly, despite the M3 just edging it on paper, I'd still have the RS3. The reason being is that everyone has different priorities or needs from a car. My priorities are for a great engine and day-to-day usability, areas where the RS3 is a clear winner. If you do long journeys interspersed with track days, then the M3 would probably be a better fit etc etc. The final scores also prove what emotional purchases cars are. Something that on paper seems better, really might not be. A bit like some of my ex-girlfriends...pains in the *** most of the time and not good for you, but you still can't help going back for more
Either way, they are both great cars.
Next up is an extended drive in a FL RS3...
Looks
Looks are always subjective but I think the M3/M4 look great, butch and purposeful, modern and fresh and just more aggressive looking than the RS3. For some, the wolf in sheep's clothing look of the RS3 is perfect. I reckon the M3 strikes a good balance, although I do prefer the RS3's exhausts!
RS3 - 7/10
M3 - 8/10
Interior
The RS3 has a great interior, however, it is starting to show its age next to some of the newer cars around. That said, it's still the best hot hatch interior out there with the supersports seats a real highlight. The M3 interior felt and looked fresher even though it's been around for a few years itself. It's roomier and felt a bigger car, which of course it is, and with a more modern feel.
RS3 - 7/10
M3 - 8/10
Handling/Usability
It's a dry day today which meant traction in the M3 was going to be as good as it ever gets in the UK. Even so, the traction control was still kicking in at 50mph in 3rd gear. It would definitely be a 'challenging' car to drive quickly. The front end felt superb, far more pointy, direct and planted than the RS3. Getting back in the RS3, it felt nimble and usable, partly due to it being that bit smaller and of course, the unbreakable traction advantages of 4WD. Crucially, it felt just as fun. I dare say that on a track the M3/4 would be more fun, but for day to day hooning around, the RS3 is a much better fit. One final point, the M3 felt a softer riding car, one that could be better for long distance driving.
RS3 - 8/10
M3 - 7/10
Engine/Performance
This was one area I was genuinely interested to compare. The M3 has a really zingy, lively engine which I wasn't expecting from a twin-turbocharged V6. There's some sound fakery going on through the speakers, but it sounded good. At idle and revving the engine it sounded superb. All in all, a great engine. It's always difficult to say for sure, but it felt like it would just have the legs on the RS3, but not by much. I would imagine a remapped RS3 would make for an interesting race. For my money, the RS3 engine edges it, though. It just sounds that bit more rich and authentic with a great pickup.
RS3 - 9/10
M3 - 8/10
Gearbox
A win here for the RS3. The M3's 7-speed DCT is good, but not as fast as the RS3's S-Tronic, especially so on downshifts. There's probably milliseconds in it, but it really does make a difference. It's definitely an area where BMW and Mercedes could improve on. That said, for slow town driving, the M3's gearbox seemed a bit smoother than mine, which can be a bit clunky.
RS3 - 8/10
M3 - 7/10
Value
To my eyes the M3/4 looks and feels a more expensive car...even the rear discs were larger than my fronts! It starts at around £65k, however, there's big discounts around and you can pick up a decently specced delivery mileage car for c.£52k. That represents seriously good value for what is undoubtedly the next rung up in the performance car ladder (discounting 0-60mph drag races and traction issues with RWD). A bare bones specced RS3 comes in at c.£50k so the price points are very similar, making the RS3 seem uncomfortably expensive. I personally think that Audi take the p*ss with options and deliberately make the standard spec very unappealing, something I'd like to see them rectify. Residuals are an interesting one and something I'm not too sure on. My gut feeling is that you'll lose more on an M3/4...this obviously makes the RS3 then seem not as expensive. Time will tell...
RS3 - 6/10
M3 - 8/10
TOTAL SCORES
RS3 - 45/60
M3 - 46/60
Summary
I genuinely didn't know how those scores would add up until the end. Interestingly, despite the M3 just edging it on paper, I'd still have the RS3. The reason being is that everyone has different priorities or needs from a car. My priorities are for a great engine and day-to-day usability, areas where the RS3 is a clear winner. If you do long journeys interspersed with track days, then the M3 would probably be a better fit etc etc. The final scores also prove what emotional purchases cars are. Something that on paper seems better, really might not be. A bit like some of my ex-girlfriends...pains in the *** most of the time and not good for you, but you still can't help going back for more
Either way, they are both great cars.
Next up is an extended drive in a FL RS3...
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