BMW M2 G87 vs Audi RS3 8Y
“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.
you want the more powerful, more communicative rear-drive driver's car — stronger top end, sharper in handling tests, the nicer cabin — and you don't need rear doors or all-weather launches.
you want a daily-usable sedan that's savage when asked — quattro traction, a quicker launch, that five-cylinder soundtrack, a back seat and a softer comfort mode — and you'll give up some top-end pace and rear-drive delicacy.
Buy the G87 M2 if driving reward leads — it's the stronger, more communicative rear-drive car that pulls away in the top end and in handling tests. Buy the 8Y RS3 if you want speed you can use every day — quattro launches and confidence in any weather, the five-cylinder soundtrack, four doors and a more compliant ride.
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.
Performance
“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.”
Handling
Fun to drive
“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”
“I reviewed the M2, and while I enjoyed it, I definitely had more fun in the RS3.”
Daily drivability
“I do think the M2 isn't quite as polished as the other two”
Value
“This is £10,000 cheaper.”
