Audi RS3 vs BMW M140i track battle | Hot hatch review | Autocar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- The new Audi RS3 is a monster of a hot hatchback. It has a 2.5-litre, turbocharged, five cylinder engine making a whopping 394bhp, which it puts through all four of its wheels. So it should be faster than the (relatively) puny 335bhp BMW M140i, right? Subscribe now: smarturl.it/aut...
Well, let's see, in this Audi RS3 versus BMW M140i track battle.
But going faster from point-to-point is one thing. Having fun while you're doing it is quite another. And so to the more pertinent question: which of these mega hot hatchbacks its the more entertaining steer. Join Matt Prior and Mauro Calo as they find out.
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Next time compare the 120d with the rs5
Freddy Kenny I think 116d** haha
doesnt make any sense
😂😂😂
@@JedsComedyCorner you.... the joke...
New M140i with TRL discounts £27k, New RS3 over £45k 🤔
Got my 5 door M140i with extras for just over £28k..loved the notion of an RS3, but it's silly money now. After 17k miles I'm a very happy bunny...
Agree with Joe, massive difference in cost does not add up to the real world performance difference.
Yeah Tony's the man
Wouldn't be more fair to compare the RS3 with Xdrive model? I have an M135 X-drive and owned the the RS3 before, even if the RS3 is faster and more ballistic, the M is more fun, better sound and suits the daily driver more!
Ayyyyyy Joeeee whats up??
Having owned an M140i for quite a while, and having driven and being able to afford an RS3, I would still take the M140i.
After a remap, it's faster in real terms on the road (in the dry), and still much cheaper.
Oh, and 100 times more fun.
The 5cyl is more tunable i think
@@dragospahontu Nope.
Ultimately, a 6 cylinder engine with bigger capacity is always going to be more tunable than a smaller capacity 5 cylinder, basic mechanical engineering matey.
There are a few people getting over 1000bhp out of the B58 now, and 600+ is easily achievable with stock internals.
@@DjNikGnashers wow that's crazy power.
I do like how the 5cyl sounds and quattro is a God send for winter.
@@dragospahontu Oh I agree mate.
The 5 cylinder does sound nice (well, the pre PPF ones do), and AWD is much better in the winter.
Personally, I don't mind the rear end sliding out on roundabouts, it's fun :-))
@@DjNikGnashers yeah i really like BMW aswell. I guess I need both or an M235i and a RS3.
No matter what journalists tell you, price dictates the class of a car... It's a big jump from 31 to 42k in the real world.
It surprises me how many journalists overlook this
The 140i with a £500 jb4 would keep up in the straights for sure. The question is: Is the Audi £18k better? No is the answer as you’ll have more fun in the bimmer all day long!
Definitely worth 18k more, just in the interior!!!
these days you can download an app, and get a good mapping straight to 420hp. i guess the BMW is also faster in complete dry conditions. but its also understeery. not like the audi tho.
LOL! The guy in the BMW needs a booster seat.
Its illegal to put booster in the front mate
But he is an amazing driver
I have an M140i and reason he is so low is because the seat goes so low. It’s the only car I’ve ever had where I don’t have my seat in lowest setting.
@@AndyfromSurrey I have one too, I have it slammed, love the low seat.
The bmw m140i should be compared with an s3 not an rs3
You're correct but there's no point because it's so much better.
Yeah but you gotta give the RS3 a chance... Sure on paper it's always better, but no driver like how it understeers...
If you're driving any of these in winter in bavaria you're in the wrong car in the first place.
it is really good. so its compared to rs3
This is so true, S3 vs M140i and RS3 vs M2, im sure BMW will make a hatch M2 or is it too obvious the M2 will embarass the RS3? im sure an X-drive M2 is on the cards, then and only then will this be a true rival, but from what i see here, the M140i is such a good car if it sticks this close to an RS3...
Love the sound of that 5cyl in the Audi but my god £13k is a big premium to pay! Leaves you A LOT of scope to upgrade the BMW.... remapped to 400bhp and with LSD and dynamic suspension and you'll still be £7-8k better off! That is serious value for money!
I think the rival for the rs3 is the bmw m2, not the m140/240i...
That's because you're stupid.
Mihai Onu no, because M2 is a coupe.
The 2 series is basically just a 1 series coupe
They're identical inside
Justin Falowo actually, the rs3 has 400hp, the m2 370hp and the a45amg 381hp, so they are very close in perfomance.
Lmao, you guys are dumb if you think they don't compare just because M2 is a coupe and RS3 is a hatch LOL. By that logic, the A45 AMG will compete with the RS3, but the CLA45 AMG wouldn't?! Stupid
The m140i is like a bull terrier at westminster, everyone very composed & pompous and the Bull Terrier just jumping around anf spinning away having the time of it's life with the handler lol.
As nice as the RS3 is, it's so much more expensive than the M140i and I'm really not sure it's worth the extra money!
Damien Sambrook exactly! My cousin has an RS3 and I have the A45, M140i and M2. The RS3 is really quick, but so was the A45. I felt the M140i and M2 to be more fun than the other two Germans. Even my cousin liked how convenient the M140i is as an everyday car. In our area, the A45 sells for 88k, M140i for 93k, M2 for 120k and the RS3 for a whooping 138k. The price difference is bonkers 😂 It is fast, it's comfortable and easy to drive. But the price tag is a no go.
Damien Sambrook same thing could be said of the M2
joan hernandez ciriza Possibly however it wasn't in the comparison video. Also the M2 is a sports car not a hot hatch. A TTRS and Cayman are more natural rivals for the M2.
joan hernandez ciriza I only used the M2 just to show the price difference 😂
Baharshatri Rashid how clever off you 🖕🏻
M140i for me
If I had the money for the rs3 I would get an m2 instead
JuanitoRottenFtw if you had the money someone in your favela would rob you
That seating position in the BMW reduced the drivers visibility!
The BMW drivers sitting position makes me uncomfortable..
Seek help idiot. I was talking about this driver not driver position in general you pleb.
He is pushing for the lowest centre of gravity
Every motoring channel compares the M135i/M140i to the RS3 because the M lites are that good. A full M car is light years ahead of the RS models.
I must have watched this a hundred times, still makes me smile that M140i and Mauro. 😁
I have owned both and there’s only one l would buy again and that’s the M140 - with no hesitation! The Audi build quality is fantastic and it was fast however the M140 has far more character and does what a car in this segment is supposed to do - make you smile !!
Bmw 140i is 50% cheaper! Rs3 must compare with M2!
Better comparisons would be M140i vs S3 and RS3 vs M2, I would think.
M2 is not a hatch
Why is he sitting so low in BMW? He's struggling to see curbs...
Why is "fun" determined by sideways driving? This is one of the major downfalls of modern car journalism. Save for drifting events, sideways driving is looked at as slow, unsafe, and not allowed at most sanctioned driving events in the US. Is the BMW more fun to drive than the Audi on the limit, not sideways , as well? Please include this more relevant information as well. Thanks.
LB2119 Somebody has finally said it!!
you must have never tried drifting in the wet if you dont think its funner
LB2119 While your point is valid, the drifting ability of a car shows adjustability and handling on and over the limit. A good handling car is one that could choose different cornering stance wherever during a corner, ability to drift shows that, albeit in a dramatic way
What is fun about understeer though? Trying to put so much power through front-wheel-biased Haldex AWD system is so frustrating. The only fun thing about the Audi is the noise and straight line acceleration. But pulls get old really fast, I'd much rather get a car that thrills you in the corners.
hell even going in a straight line is funner in a RWD car fighting for traction getting that launch right. easy isnt fun to a lot of people.
No, it cannot transfer 100% to the back. Don't let Marketing claims fool you. It's a simple Haldex, so it's 50/50 max. Yes, it can use brakes in the front to change the ratio artificially or when the front wheels are spinning you have theoretically more in the back... And that's why it understeers like any FWD car. If Audi wants to make the RS3/TTRS better, they should add a AWD system like Ford uses in the Focus RS.
if they did this, I bet a lot of driving enthusiasts who would traditionally go for BMWs would actually buy the TTs and RS3s.
Bit of a pointless comparison given that the M140i is just a regular 1-series with a bigger engine and an open diff. The fact that it can still hang with the RS3 makes Audi look bad.
Limited Slip is an option as the video states, and it didnt hang with the RS3 as Matt Prior suggested he could drive a 6-7/10ths pace and still keep the BMW in his rear view.
"Limited Slip is an option as the video states"
You're missing the point. The M140i is not supposed to be pitted against RS or AMG models. In addition to its open diff, it has a much softer setup than the RS3.
"and it didnt hang with the RS3 as Matt Prior suggested he could drive a 6-7/10ths pace and still keep the BMW in his rear view."
Pre-facelift models, but still a valid comparison: fastestlaps.com/comparisons/f40ktn4pk5uf
So unless the facelift RS3 has seriously moved the game on from the old, then yes, the M140i can still hang with the RS3.
GPD W absolutely the 140 is softer and admitted to be less expensive. Even Autocar said as much. And I think you are underestimating how much has been improved on this new RS3. In the end, reviews such as this are entertainment, and dont have to be strictly apples to apples.
Alan Bowers He said that about sideways BMW, proof: 4:45 - 4:56. Drifting is often funnier, but never quicker way around corners.
Well said, except it can't hang with the RS3.
Was there a second competition, who can sit lowest against who can sit highest.......
Jamie P ahhahahah
Hey I don't understand why this guy in bmw seats so low... is it comfy??? He looks over the steering wheel all the time. I don't get it and honestly it is quite annoying watching this...
autofascynacje The lower you are in the car the better you feel it. I think he should have adjusted the steering lower as well.
He's actually a midget and autocar have him to fill their quota for tax breaks as employment of someone with special needs.
Not really 😂
impersonating typical BMW driver. if he could, he would tailgate the audi.
BMW is a drivers car, the Audi is a sharp instrument used for point to point speed
There's nothing sharp about Audi.
Even the Audi rings are round.....:(
BMW ///M bit like your mom
How often have you driven and tracked the new RS3? Just being curious...
Zombie Head something precise about needing ESC or slowing down to get traction around corners?
This is a Video I've been looking forward to see since the release of the new RS3 and the M140i shadow edition.
I'm always a bit disappointed by these track tests. I mean yeah the M140i is going to be more "fun" in those specific conditions. The thing is in real life, the average buyer will get his thrills from occasional fast corner exits at 8/10ths and frequent straight line acceleration. My guess is 0,01% of the population can safely drift their cars on a highway ramp. In the end there is close to zero external validity to those tests, other than entertaining us.
A bit of oversteer isn’t that challenging
The seat position of the BMW-driver (e.g. 4:25) is dangerous. He sits too low and too far back. Watch how he can barely look above the dashboard!
Why would anyone want to pay over 10k more for a car thats slightly faster, id rather buy the m140i and put a load of mods on it. It will still work out cheaper than the audi but will be much faster
Have you seen the interiors of newer Audis? They are some of the most elegant and well thought out interiors on the market, price notwithstanding. Some people like to have that feel when driving to and from work.
D S beause your paying for a lot more car...
D S that could be said for pretty much all cars and the m140i is faster than the m2 so it would still look bad in comparison so no point in what you are saying sir
Did exactly this, JB4 and a sports car on the m140i. Dyno'd at 417bhp and 474ftlb. Not bad for 27k and out runs most of anything that isn't a super car
D S faster but no traction
Not really a direct comparison, the RS3 price puts it against the M2 which is a lot more track focussed compared to the M140i. A better comparisons would be M140i vs S3 or RS3 against M2.
RS3 is a good car, but not a trackday car. It doesnt have to be, i never track. Does it come in manual? I'd love a manual 5-cyl 400bhp daily.
There's some amount of dross being spouted here, mostly, I would assume, from people who haven't driven either car. People needn't take these reviews so literally or seriously; it's an apples v oranges comparison in more than just the price. And it's not exactly scientific, it's a bit of light entertainment.
i would take the M140i anyday as driving an Audi or 'posh vw' makes you look rather silly imho.
Where do these get the prices dad has rs 3 with just a few upgrades 50 grand all day long
You know what? Had I had the money, I'd buy both these cars! For some reason, I find the quirky "Breadvan styling" of the M140i attractive! Some may say that the M140i has an ordinary engine, but here's my answer: you should be happy there's still a rwd hot hatch with a sonorous 6-cylinder, no matter how ordinary the latter is! Also, there's the option of the M-Performance differential (pretty expensive though, at about €2800!) and if someone finds it soft (as Autocar say!), I don't know but there must be some good shocks out there! Also, don't forget the M-Performance exhaust! Good sound gets even better!
About the RS3, I love the looks of the car! Neither too flashy, nor too discreet, just right! It also looks like it's the "stress-free guy" of the German hot hatches! A tank in which the driver never sweats when going fast, come rain or shine! Suitable for people who want to learn how to drive fast! And the sound is simply epic! An R8 V10 for a quarter of the price! My options about it are the carbon-ceramics up front, the RS sports exhaust and the sports diff out back!
So, M140i for fun, RS3 for unyielding, all-weather hammering on the road! But both for their soundtracks!
About the AMG A45, the press say it's more direct than both these cars, but I've a thing with 4-cylinders! They're a bit characterless for my taste!
M140i is like a S3, M2 is like a RS3.. fair is fair
Sir Shneb yeah I was out on my M140i few weeks back and even with the new M2C I was able to keep up with it pretty easy and was able to get a better start but the M2 having the upgraded horse power did finally catch up
I bought a fully specced m140i brand new with a hell of a lot of equipment for £27.2k. I agree, there is no comparison! The fact this video exists shows how much of a bargain the m140i is and how the RS3 isn't much better for nearly 40% more.
Adam Wright but as he said, he was only driving the Audi at 60-70% of it true potential just to allow the bread van to keep pace.
The m140i is better
Wouldn't be more fair to compare the RS3 with Xdrive model? I have an M135 X-drive and owned the the RS3 before, even if the RS3 is faster and more ballistic, the M is more fun, better sound and suits the daily driver more!
Im a BMW guy but i have to say the RS3 is the "better" car compared to performance but at the end the gap between both cars is really close and for a non M GmbH car the 140i does very well.
When the weight different is 5 kilograms and he still thinks it's an argument.. SMH
Am I right in thinking that the M140i is available in Xdrive in other markets ?
Yes, in european countries that drive on the right side of the road
If money wasn't the object I'd buy the Audi but that being said the BMW is great value for that price
M140i can be compared with S3 not RS3 and also you should use 140i xdrive ...
Kacicka999 can’t get 140i xdrive in this country
why not the m2 tho?
rs3 is a great car. my heart goes out to the M140i what an amazing hatch for the price.. great video guys . taking delivery of my m140i in 2 weeks. I am soo excited .
M2 vs TR RS ✨
WHY doesn't anyone test the RS3 against the M140i xDrive? i would love to see them battle on track.
PaulGIS can’t get 140i xdrive in this country
And AGAIN HERE WE FUCKING GO... Audi is 4WD and the conditions are damp, the Audi has about 60bhp more and weigh the same. Give the BMW a remap to aroubd 380-390bhp and wait for dry track conditions WHY CAN'T ANY youtube channel do this, just why? What are the afraid off, oh that's right, afraid of equality and fairness.
SuperManBeemerrr rumble rumble
SuperManBeemerrr this is equal to real world driving especially in the uk the roads are often going to be be damp or wet which is what makes the audi rs range faster in everyday use than the bmw m range, I love both brands for a sunny summers day car I'd rather have the bmw but for all year round daily driver that gives me the best grip when needed I'd take the audi. Different cars for different needs
Drifting around every corner dont makes the bmw faster and with xdrive the weight will be over 1600kg
I'm guessing the point of this video is to showcase two very different types of fast hatchbacks, rather than a direct comparison. I've seen plenty of A45 v RS3 v Golf R videos on TH-cam already.
next video: bmw 1.20 d vs audi rs6
M140 with a 400€ software map is a actually quicker 100-200kmh as an Audi RS6 C8
Why wouldn't you time them around the track?
Made my mind up in the first 5 seconds
Wesley Thompson let me guess Bmw , because of your dying gran
I expected them to pull out the fun card, and they did.
I wish we got the BMW 1 series hatch in the US.
Look at their faces. Who looks happier? No surprise the 4wd car will be quicker on a wet track. So if you get your kicks from telling people how fast your car is it's the Audi - if you just want to enjoy yourself it's the BMW.
Fabulous video lads. Mauro the sideways miester. 👊🏻
M2 vs RS3 Shirley?
you cant really compare a 1 series to an RS3 just because its a wagon. look at the horsepower difference
Audi S3 =BMW M140i Audi RS3=BMW M2 bullshit test, thanks for nothing
It would make more sense AUDI TTRS VS BMW M2 .. i would love to see this test.
jokersweet Go watch it on Drivetribe channel. Spoiler: TT RS was a disappointment
Good bullsit. Seen a race between a Porsche Cayman 718 ttrs and m2 and the ttrs destroys them all
sp royals Only in a straight line. But slower on track due to it's understeer
the ttrs got the worst brakes. sp royals the 13 year old youtubekid drove them all i guess, fankid.
A race when it's raining- very wet street...ice or snow and the ultimate driving machine sucks. RS3 ALL THE WAY
Does it make your car faster to turn the wiper on while it’s not raining?
So the rs3 in any sort of real world scenario....the m140i for the 0.1% of the time you can go sideways ;)
Sub M Car can compete with Audi's flagship hatchback, it does make the rs3 look bad.
can't
Great video, glad the RS3 is better, doesn't surprise me to hear it STILL suffers from Lambosteer. Huge real life price difference too!
The RS3 is better? Why because it under steer to make better times?
Uprated rear ARB, mapped haldex and afew tweaks to stock geometry and it gets alot better. Still loving your m140i videos though Joe, particularly like your under brace and lsd choices 😉, think Ricky did too haha
Joe Achilles mind explaining "lambosteer" to me
I don't know why these journalists keep on about the understeer in the RS3 my dad owns a 2012 RS3 8P and on British roads it doesn't understeer at all it may on a track but that is not real world driving
Yeah, for road driving it is absolutely fine. You only really notice the understeer tendency on track...
yeah dude! everyone loves this type of vidoes
Tough watch that, let's hope they aren't advertising them.
Nice review , going fast and having a master piece engine making noise = fun
Since its cheaper for same price you could tune the BMW to sleep the Audi ?
I think this video says it all. Whilst the audi is technically brilliant its pretty dull and soulless
hyper hatch vs hot hatch
Unfair in my eyes, the M2 is the RS3’s real BMW rival
Does the RS3 8V has a limited slip differential?
I'd like to see the journalists swap cars and give their opinions on both. I can't help but think the verdict is biased from both sides otherwise! seems to be missing from most head to head reviews...
How could you have any other sporty hatchback over the bmw for 30ish grand? It's rwd! You cant put a price on those awesome skids! 😃
Name of the song at the end?
I'd say this video is spot on and exactly what I expected from both cars. In my opinion I buy a car for how it makes me feel and how much I enjoy it, not to willy wave and dwell on figures...there's always a faster more powerful car than yours somewhere but so what? The M140i hasn't the best chassis in the world but my god it's so much fun and if it puts a smile on my face then it's the car for me.
Why haven`t you tested the 140 xdrive ?
Was Mario the unfaced second driver in past Chris Harris videos?
Greco Conduris That's me mate.
Did i hear the price difference correctly?....
You should try with the xdrive one
but what about versus the S3?
Not having yet the xdrive in UK is a waste of money. Damp and cold roads 70% of the year aint matters what tyres you've got in the back. My 123d Msport remapped was a nightmare for the amount of silly torque to "Enjoy" in the UK roads.
Great Video Review by Autocar
Fun has been mentioned a lot in this video, yet another car journalist with unrealistic perception of fun. 99.99% of people are not going to drive their hatchback on track let alone drifting it. Audi is more practical, more powerful, better looking and a fun car for all seasons.
You don't buy these cars to be practical! I have an M140i and in sports+ mode it's incredible fun on everyday country roads. Nothing like feeling the back end sliding around.
What track is this?
Unfair test. The bmw isn't a full blown M car, where as the Audi the RS car. Definitely agree the m2 would be an ideal competition. Regardless of it not being a hatchback
wow clickbait with an image of a florett silver rs3.....why
Its always funny seeing the audi drive 1st and then the awsome bmw slinding behind
dont they have the m140i xdrive in uk? its so much faster 0-60
Shouldn’t it be S3 vs M140i
I'd love to have the Audi… So I could sell it and buy a BMW!
😎🇩🇪🚙
isn't there an xdrive M140 to better match the wet conditions?
alvarortega2 yeah but this vid is shit
Ok, where is the battle? I wanted to see King Understeer perform...
That intro track though.
Audi AWD and understeer.... M140i RWD oversteer.... BMW much more fun!
I feel like you wouldn't consider an RS3 if you were looking at an M140i. It's so much more expensive! If anything you'd be considering an S3.
Guys please insert an in-car cam window...the presenters could be sitting in a sim for all I know (or care).
Rear tyres on the BMW worn, Tyres on the Audi not worn