[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by jstnf87

Could it be the tires? RS3 ran Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks, while the M2 did it's run with Cup 2.

It's entirely the tires. Doubt Audi is gonna be selling the RS3 with those, so not really a production record.

[Michael1316]

I definitely considered an Audi RS3 before deciding to place an order for a 2025 M2. The price is nearly identical, and the AWD was appealing as I live in a state that can get a lot of snow. I ultimately decided I wanted the experience of getting to custom order and own a pure ICE M car though before that was no longer an option.

It would definitely be interesting to see what the M2 could do with comparable tires and the bit of extra power the 2025 has.

[baj_baj]

On a 2.77km course with an F87 M2, the Trofeo R was half a second faster than the Cup2. If we stretch that to the Ring length, that's about a 4.2s advantage. Of course it's not directly comparable and the test is from 2019, but still interesting...
It's an impressive achievement for the RS3 considering it's low on power and FWD-based

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

It's entirely the tires. Doubt Audi is gonna be selling the RS3 with those, so not really a production record.

They sell them with those tires ($400) option

[BimmerFix]

I mean any car the closer to R compounds you get the faster you will lap.

Nothing new here. Can you daily a tire like that tho, comfortably ? I think not

[robopp]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

I mean any car the closer to R compounds you get the faster you will lap.

Nothing new here. Can you daily a tire like that tho, comfortably ? I think not

9 seconds faster than a F87 M2 CS on cup 2’s! It’s not just tires and the RS3 is still only putting out 400hp. That’s damn impressive and tires are only part of the story.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by robopp

9 seconds faster than a F87 M2 CS on cup 2’s! It’s not just tires and the RS3 is still only putting out 400hp. That’s damn impressive and tires are only part of the story.

Cup 2 are still a slower tire than the Pirelli they used. That's literally the point here. You need to look at treadwear rating to gain some insight into how fast a tire is. Lower is generally better for track use. The Trofeo R is 100TW, and the Cup 2 is 240TW. Even the Cup 2 R, which is the closest tire Michelin makes to the Trofeo R, is higher at 150TW. People that don't know what they're talking about really need to just ignore lap times.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Cup 2 are still a slower tire than the Pirelli they used. That's literally the point here. You need to look at treadwear rating to gain some insight into how fast a tire is. Lower is generally better for track use. The Trofeo R is 100TW, and the Cup 2 is 240TW. Even the Cup 2 R, which is the closest tire Michelin makes to the Trofeo R, is higher at 150TW. People that don't know what they're talking about really need to just ignore lap times.

Audi ran the same tires on the new at that time RS3 in 2021 and posted a 7:40 time. New RS3 did it 7 seconds quicker with the same tires. So what exactly was your point?

[BimmerFix]

Originally Posted by robopp

9 seconds faster than a F87 M2 CS on cup 2’s! It’s not just tires and the RS3 is still only putting out 400hp. That’s damn impressive and tires are only part of the story.

Put the same tires on the G87 and let's give it a Go

And Cup2's are nothing special . I would hope the newer RS3 would put better numbers than the previous, par for course. It's a wicked lap time not arguing with you there.

The rubber is always a huge part of the story, as is AWD in this case

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I'm simply wondering why the topic of an Audi got brought up in an M2 forum to begin with. LOL But I digress. Although I'm sure an inline-5 sounds great, the purr of an even more balanced & thoroughly messaged inline-6 sound more appealing to me when properly exhausted...

Because the previous record was held by an M2.

[ToneM2]

Bird strike at 1:23

[if1960]

You'll never get an Apples to Apples comparison unless cars are bog stock, same day and driver. No drama BMW just needs to spice up the car for the next run to get the bragging rights back. I came from a TTRS to the M2. Being Manual and 2WD I'm still yet to match or better my Audi's times. Having heaps of fun though

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by if1960

You'll never get an Apples to Apples comparison unless cars are bog stock, same day and driver. No drama BMW just needs to spice up the car for the next run to get the bragging rights back. I came from a TTRS to the M2. Being Manual and 2WD I'm still yet to match or better my Audi's times. Having heaps of fun though

I second this sentiment, my $97,000 2021 RS5 was probably the least fun car I ever had the displeasure of owning. I know the RS3 is more "special" because of the 5 cyl engine, but quattro driving dynamics do absolutely nothing for me.

[brad65ford]

Originally Posted by Michael1316

I definitely considered an Audi RS3 before deciding to place an order for a 2025 M2. The price is nearly identical, and the AWD was appealing as I live in a state that can get a lot of snow. I ultimately decided I wanted the experience of getting to custom order and own a pure ICE M car though before that was no longer an option.

It would definitely be interesting to see what the M2 could do with comparable tires and the bit of extra power the 2025 has.

Before you say that go drive one, i have both a g87 m2 and 8y Rs3. I'd rather drive the G87 it just handles and drives so much better and takes crappy roads so well. To me the Rs3 sucks on the highway and at higher speeds it doesn't feel as composed. Again drive one before making the jump. BMW imho nailed the g87 as a drivers car, the rs3 is awesome for town small roads driving imho.

Oh and totally agree the tires made the lap time, Audi didn't give it any more power and if so not that much since it already got a bump over the 8v.

[Bumpinjeep]

I would love to see what a proper G87 would do with all of the things Audi did to the RS3 to make it go that fast. I'm guessing they did the same thing Honda did with the new CTR to get that lap time.
Cars came with roll cages for added rigidity. Tunes (the Civic for sure and I would venture so did the RS3, Audi will probably call it something like Performance Plus but not sell it), and of course the semi slick un-streetable racing tires. A carbon package, stiffened up, weight removed, tuned, Trofeo R tired G87 will be closer to the 7 minute mark.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by BMR.WRLD

https://www.motor1.com/news/724055/2...rgring-record/

"Well, that didn't last long. Less than a year ago, BMW bragged about setting a record at the Green Hell for the fastest production car in the compact class. Piloted by Jorg Weidinger, the Bavarian coupe lapped the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 38.71 seconds. That record has now been rendered obsolete as the new Audi RS3 has managed to shave off more than five seconds."

"the 2025 RS3 completed the challenging course in 7 minutes and 33.12 seconds."

I'm selling my car! Jkk
I wonder what the MY25 M2 will do with more power and super car tires.

Hang-on AWD, nose-heavy, and a platform designed primarily as a shopping car.

No thanks.

[Mr Friese]

The Golf R is 90% of the RS3 for 60% of the price and comes with a manual (for the next few months at least). That said, the I5 is indeed sweet…

[Squidget]

This is like the Civic R thing again. Who cares about lap times, especially for non-stock cars that are not apples to apples?

The 5 cyl does sounds nice, but every time I've driven an Audi the nose feels so heavy. I could never get past it.

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by robopp

I had a RS3 before my X3M. That motor is intoxicating and similar to the S58 can handle a lot albeit the S58 is much more stout, but still. Thinking about the warble of an I5 still gets my juices going. The S58 is a monster, but sounds like a vaccum cleaner compared to the I5. The front biased Haldex was somewhat of a letdown, but that motor. Did I mention the I5?!
I still fantasized about Audi making a baby R8 (which they were rumored be thinking about making) with a rear mounted I5 and gated manual. Man, that would have been such an awesome car!

Audi did make a baby R8 of sorts, it was the TTRS, no its not mid engined but an excellent car nonetheless & way better than an RS3, like most of the cool stuff you guys probably didnt get it in the US or got some watered down soft version…

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

Audi did make a baby R8, it was called a TTRS, not rear enigined but an incredible car, like most the good stuff you guys probably didnt get it in the US…

We did get the TTRS in Canada. More of a Mk7 Golf R on steroids, both being based on the FWD first generation MQB platform. Definitely an accomplished understeerer, even with Haldex clutch tuning.

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by brad65ford

Before you say that go drive one, i have both a g87 m2 and 8y Rs3. I'd rather drive the G87 it just handles and drives so much better and takes crappy roads so well. To me the Rs3 sucks on the highway and at higher speeds it doesn't feel as composed. Again drive one before making the jump. BMW imho nailed the g87 as a drivers car, the rs3 is awesome for town small roads driving imho.

Oh and totally agree the tires made the lap time, Audi didn't give it any more power and if so not that much since it already got a bump over the 8v.

100% agree!
It is referred to as a ‘hot hatch’ as that is exactly how it feels, like a zippy, brisk, hot hatch that can dart around town extremely well. BUT it is not a sports car!
Doesn’t like big speeds, doesn’t like repedative breaking, it’s just an A3 with an amazing motor they have tuned to ‘sell’ the 0-62 party trick.
In 95% of all other driving senarios , the M2 wins hands down

[T-Rexx]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Hang-on AWD, nose-heavy, and a platform designed primarily as a shopping car.

No thanks.

Exactly!