[stein_325i]

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[am3r1ka]

Still nuts it weighs that much.

[yanks1]

no surprise, thx for posting... Like these guys, they have fun

[tahoebimmer]

I test drove the S3 and the M240i and can't imagine why anyone would choose the Audi over the BMW unless you need 4 doors. And I'm usually an Audi guy. We've owned 4 of them and they are usually great in S form, but not the S3. To me the BMW was in a whole different class above.

To be an S car the Audi should really have more power. You will get that in the RS3 of course, but speculation is that is going to be a $70k car real world.

[Ricochet48]

As someone looking for a performance all-weather, somewhat luxury car to drive in Chicago traffic with occasional track time... all of these were on my very short list.

Golf R ($45.4K)

• Initially shocked by the sticker ($10K+ less than the others tho)
• However, it comes FULLY loaded with an optional 6MT even
• Not impressive to non-enthusiasts (VW), ugly to most Americans
• 9/10 utility with the hatch, but lack of physical buttons an issue

S3 ($57.4K)

• Looked at this as a more 'adult', respected option vs. the Golf R
• Shocked at how high the price rose when adding options ($57K+)
• Many missing features (no LSD, heated steering, colored leather)
• 6.5/10 utility as the back seat was not nearly as large as I expected

M240i ($56.7K)

• On paper has much more power than both, but close from a roll
• Nearly $1K less than the S3, fully spec'd out with more features
• Most aggressive style & only option in coupe form (a dying bred)
• 4.5/10 utility, sizeable trunk, but rear seats only for emergencies

Unless you absolutely need more back seat or storage space, the M240i dominates this comparison. Add a M Performance spoiler on the back to improve the looks a bit and you're good to go imho.

[zipstic]

Why can't Audi just stuff their 3.0T motor into the S3?

There would still be a decent performance gap between an S3 with the 3.0T motor and the upcoming RS3. Perhaps they think it would take sales away from the S4 and S5 SB

[CDN-Driver]

For us in Canada that Golf R is like 15K less than the M240i (similarly equipped), that is substantial.
And the weight savings is …. anyway helpful video.

[Saab Story]

Originally Posted by tahoebimmer

I test drove the S3 and the M240i and can't imagine why anyone would choose the Audi over the BMW unless you need 4 doors. And I'm usually an Audi guy. We've owned 4 of them and they are usually great in S form, but not the S3. To me the BMW was in a whole different class above.

To be an S car the Audi should really have more power. You will get that in the RS3 of course, but speculation is that is going to be a $70k car real world.

I came from Audi as well and was always underwhelmed when cross shopping the s3 to the 2 series.

I'm on my 2nd two series: m235i and now an m240i. Every time I test drove the s3 before getting the bmw and it just didn't feel special. The sound from the extra two cylinders alone made the m240i much more appealing

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Saab Story

I came from Audi as well and was always underwhelmed when cross shopping the s3 to the 2 series.

I'm on my 2nd two series: m235i and now an m240i. Every time I test drove the s3 before getting the bmw and it just didn't feel special. The sound from the extra two cylinders alone made the m240i much more appealing

The RS3 is a much better car vs the S3

That Turbo charged Inline 5 is a little beast

[TheStanman]

Originally Posted by zipstic

Why can't Audi just stuff their 3.0T motor into the S3?

There would still be a decent performance gap between an S3 with the 3.0T motor and the upcoming RS3. Perhaps they think it would take sales away from the S4 and S5 SB

It'd be odd for the S3 to have a bigger engine than RS3 (even if less power from factory), might not fit in engine bay, would exacerbate nose-heavy weight distribution, and challenging from emissions and tax perspective in Europe and China.

[TheStanman]

Is it confirmed that the M240i uses overboost during launch control? I still would have expected bigger difference from a roll. Seems odd.

[stefan]

Wow that EA888. Down a litre and keeps up no problem. I had a mk7 Golf R. They are good but have no personality. The new one is supposed to be better but the user interface is such a no go.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by tahoebimmer

I test drove the S3 and the M240i and can't imagine why anyone would choose the Audi over the BMW unless you need 4 doors. And I'm usually an Audi guy. We've owned 4 of them and they are usually great in S form, but not the S3. To me the BMW was in a whole different class above.

To be an S car the Audi should really have more power. You will get that in the RS3 of course, but speculation is that is going to be a $70k car real world.

Audi stopped developing their ICE motors. New RS3 will have same HP and TQ and outgoing model too. BMW is still moving forward, for now

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by TheStanman

Is it confirmed that the M240i uses overboost during launch control? I still would have expected bigger difference from a roll. Seems odd.

I initially thought the 240 jumped the launch but when you think about it, a car that weighs that much hitting 60 in under 4 seconds with only 382 HP, it actually makes sense that the car is at a higher boost setting on launch control.
If you take that launch out of the equation, the Golf R with 315 HP keeps up with the 240.
Talk about a conspiracy theory.

[BimmerMat135]

VW seem to more Canadian friendly with their pricing than Bmw.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

VW seem to more Canadian friendly with their pricing than Bmw.

Absolutely. The R is nearly the same price in CAD and USD. Poutine and Tim Horton crowd is getting a 20% discount.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Absolutely. The R is nearly the same price in CAD and USD. Poutine and Tim Horton crowd is getting a 20% discount.

It's a shame they fucked up the HVAC/infotainment/drive mode controls..

[malibuboats91]

Originally Posted by tahoebimmer

I test drove the S3 and the M240i and can't imagine why anyone would choose the Audi over the BMW unless you need 4 doors. And I'm usually an Audi guy. We've owned 4 of them and they are usually great in S form, but not the S3. To me the BMW was in a whole different class above.

To be an S car the Audi should really have more power. You will get that in the RS3 of course, but speculation is that is going to be a $70k car real world.

I drove a 2016 S3 for 5.5 years. Sticker was $49,990 and I paid around $42k for it new. It was a great little car, especially with a United Motorsport tune, but BMWs are on a whole different level. I drove VWs and Audis for my whole driving career (14 years / 5 cars) and I don't know that I'll ever go back, especially considering a similar spec'd 2022 S3 is around $57k now and my pretty loaded M340xi wasn't much more.

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

I initially thought the 240 jumped the launch but when you think about it, a car that weighs that much hitting 60 in under 4 seconds with only 382 HP, it actually makes sense that the car is at a higher boost setting on launch control.
If you take that launch out of the equation, the Golf R with 315 HP keeps up with the 240.
Talk about a conspiracy theory.

Like VW's "diesel gate"

[Bahn360Photo]

Wow weighs like f82 m4! And still moves well

Was surprised at golf r, usually they are slow pokes in drag races

S3 is ok, drove one for a bit and it reminded my of STI and EVO, you really have to rev it up to get it to move, down low it's a annoying slouch

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by TrentMeister

Like VW's "diesel gate"

Yeah, they can call it "BMW Boost...Pressure," get it, because the boost...I'll see myself out.

[TrentMeister]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

Yeah, they can call it "BMW Boost...Pressure," get it, because the boost...I'll see myself out.

"BMW BOOSTPRESSUREGATE"


Kinda rolls off the tongue