Reviewer Consensus · Head to Head
Comparisons
Every matchup is built from real reviewers driving both cars — their head-to-head verdicts, aggregated.
comparison videos analyzed · hours watched
matchups written up so far
compare › M2 G87 vs RS3 8Y
BMW M2 G87 vs Audi RS3 8Y
22 reviewers · 29 videos · updated Driven+ · 3·Cars.co.za · 2·Throttle House · 2·Redline Reviews · 2
// the short answer
We watched 29 videos from 22 reviewers. If you care how it drives, get the M2: reviewers give it the edge on handling and fun, though pace is close. If it has to be your everyday car in all weather, get the RS3. On daily use, nobody picked the BMW.
Counts are head-to-head calls: each time a reviewer picked one car over the other.
// who each one is for
// category by category
№ 01
Performance
M2 wins9–7split
M2 is significantly more powerful.
“310 in the A45 but a massive 338 KW in the M2”
“compared to the competitors, the Audi RS3, Mercedes AMG CLA 45, this is the one that you're going to want as an enthusiast because it's the only one with the manual, it's the only one with rear-wheel drive.”
№ 02
Handling
M2 wins7–6split
BMW handles better and is faster around a road course.
Where reviewers split. Steering feel is the live argument: Joe Achilles says he gets more feel from the RS3 than the M2, while Bros FOURR Speed prefers the M2's more weighted, direct rack — and Throttle House reckons the G87's steering is worse than the old M2's. Value splits as well: one camp says the M2 is better equipped spec for spec and nicer inside, the other says the RS3 is the better buy and holds its value better.
“everywhere else, the BMW just blows right past this in any kind of like handling test.”
№ 03
Fun to drive
M2 wins4–1clear
The reviewer asserts the M2 is the superior driver's car over the RS3.
“People go on about how the Audi RS3 is the ultimate driver's car. Well, take it from me, the BMW M2 is the ultimate driver's car.”
“comparing it to the CLA 45s for example or the RS3 you can't even compare them and this is a Trek car”
№ 04
Daily drivability
RS3 wins11–0clear
RS3 is more suitable for daily use.
“I do think the M2 isn't quite as polished as the other two”
“I want daily driving as well as savagery and for that I want the RS3
№ 05
Value
M2 wins3–1thin
BMW offers a significantly nicer interior for the price.
№ 06// the footage
Hear it in the reviewer’s words
Driven+
Posted Sep 8, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
MilesPerHr
Posted Dec 17, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
EMBA KUB MOTORING
Posted Nov 2, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
// the long version
“Rear-drive coupe against all-weather sedan: the G87 M2 is the driver's car with the bigger top end; the 8Y RS3 is the five-cylinder, all-wheel-drive point-to-point weapon you can put people in the back of.
The M2's S58 is simply stronger — reviewers call it significantly quicker in the top end and say it blows past the Audi in handling tests. It's the one that talks to you in finer detail as you lean on it, and the better-finished cabin, which helps it justify the money.
The RS3 strikes first. Quattro and the dual-clutch get it off the line quicker, and the traction gives you confidence — it's not a snappy car, even at canyon speeds — which makes it brutally quick point to point on a bad day. Add the warbling five-cylinder's pops and crackles, four doors, a usable back seat and a more compliant comfort mode, and it's the easier car to live with.
On a dry track it's close — one timed lap split them by less than a tenth. The choice is the M2's reward or the RS3's reach.