2018 Audi RS3 vs. 2018 BMW M2: Which is Best?

2018 Audi RS3 vs 2018 BMW M2 exterior ・ Photo by Audi / BMW

Are you someone who finds coupes incredibly chic and appealing? Or are you a person who values the practicality of four doors…and 400 horsepower? Now, there’s a lot more to this comparison than your door preference (Can I have door No. 3, Monty?), but that’s certainly one thing to consider. The BMW M2 is the performance riff off the charming BMW 2-Series package, a (pardon the redundancy) two-door coupe. In the other corner of the ring, the Audi RS3 is a heavily altered but quite recognizable take on the A3 sedan (you know, with four doors).

But despite the plethora or paucity of doors, depending upon your doorientation (see what we did there?), these two worthy opponents also are worthy of comparison. For one thing, they are faster than the singles on “Bachelor in Paradise.” For another, they both are rare and extremely desirable. And come to think of it, that separates them from the folks on “Bachelor in Paradise,” too.

So, what are we talking about here?

You probably recognize the Audi A3 as a much-praised pocket sedan from the Volkswagen conglomerate. Yes, that’s where the RS3 begins, but after the Audi Sport people are through with it, the car is transformed from a mild-mannered accountant of a car into a fire-breathing dragon. Okay, a small dragon, but a dragon nonetheless.

The BMW M2’s transformation is of a very similar nature. The base BMW 2-Series is so hopelessly cute a rich, blonde high school girl at the wheel seems to be standard equipment. But then in walks the M Squad, and suddenly the car-4-cuties is transformed into a potential dragon-slayer. These aren’t muscle cars in the American idiom, but for those with European sensibilities they serve the same purpose — go fast and take no prisoners.   

Photo by Audi / BMW

Power and More Power

The Audi A3 offers its drivers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 186 hp and 221 lb-feet of torque — and we like it! So imagine the same package with a precisely tuned suspension, better tires and more than twice as much horsepower! Sorry to bop you with two exclamation marks in a row there, but that is the recipe for the RS3. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder brings 400 hp to the car party. With maximum turbo boost a heady 19.8 psi, it delivers a mildly insane 354 lb-feet of torque.

The in-line six-cylinder engine in the M2 offers more displacement and less horsepower. The 3.0-liter powerplant employs a twin-scroll turbocharger that enables the engine to deliver 365 hp and 369 lb-feet of torque. While the horsepower figures are skewed toward the Audi, the similar torque numbers mean the two cars are almost equally quick.

Photo by Audi

Getting Power to the Pavement

Those who prefer a traditional manual transmission will find what they want in the BMW M2. Standard equipment is a six-speed manual with short throws for quick snick-snicking from one gear to the next. In a bow to technology, the drive system also rev-matches on downshifts for smoother engagement. If you must exhibit your heel-and-toe skills, you can neuter it by shutting off stability control. The BMW’s other choice is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and it provides marginally quicker acceleration than the manual. (Luddites take note.)

The Audi doesn’t give the choice of a conventional manual. The RS3’s lone transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch manumatic that has much in common with the M2’s. A bigger differentiator is the fact the M2 is rear-drive, while the RS3 uses a quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Photo by BMW

Making Good Even Better

In both RS3 and M2, the already-excellent suspensions of the A3 and 2-Series have been heavily tweaked to provide even more handling goodness. The RS3 uses MacPherson struts in front and a four-link rear suspension, and modifies it with driver-adjustable magnetic ride control. But the up-level RS3 suspension eschews the electronics for a more purpose-built conventional set-up.

The M2 doesn’t even give buyers the option of an adaptive suspension. Instead, BMW M has “lightweighted” the entire suspension by switching from steel to aluminum for axles and related components. A rigid connection without the typical rubber bushings is used to affix the rear axle subframe to the body, improving wheel location and stability. After that, M engineers simply tuned the heck out of the conventional springs and shocks to provide the handling feel that M buyers expect.

Photo by BMW

Track-worthy Steering, Brakes and Tires

One characteristic the RS3 and M2 share is the use of electric power steering systems. The quality steering is accompanied by uprated brakes. The RS3 is equipped with eight-piston front disc brakes sporting 14.6-inch front rotors, and rear brakes with 12.2-inch ventilated rotors. Ceramic brakes are optional. The M2 counters with four-piston front calipers and two-piston rear calipers. The front discs are a massive 15 inches and the rears are 14.5 inches.

The RS3 is fitted with 235/35R19 tires all around, with an option for 255/35R19 front tires and 235/35R19 rears. The M2 uses 245/35 ZR19 front tires and 265/35 ZR19 rear tires. An immense amount of tuning has gone into each setup, and it shows.

Photo by BMW

Love that EuroStyle

Yes, both RS3 and M2 are pumped-up versions of the attractive cars on which they are based, but no one will mistake them for exotic cars. If you step up to their elevated price tags, it is performance, not in-your-face looks, that has drawn you in. The RS3 has the Audi grille done in a three-dimensional honeycomb design. A matte aluminum front “blade” extends across the width of the vehicle connecting air intakes. At the rear, a body-colored rear spoiler lip, twin oval “RS” exhaust pipes and a rear diffuser are attractive add-ons.

The M2 leads with the signature BMW kidney grille, its black-painted double bars carrying the M logo. The front end offers a modern take on the classic look of twin circular headlights. The rear end features a trunk-lid spoiler, L-shaped taillights, diffuser and four high-gloss chrome tailpipes.

Photo by Audi

Fast vs. Faster

Viewing the performance of these two worthy opponents, it is very difficult to choose between them. Sure, with 400 hp on tap — 35 more than the M2 — you’d think the RS3 would be quicker, faster and more satisfying. But the BMW M2 hangs right there with the all-wheel-drive Audi.

In terms of zero-60-mph times, the RS3 is about half a second quicker, but both turn in highly laudable marks of less than 4.5 seconds. When it comes to ultimate grip, the two German sportsters are right on top of each other. The M2 skidpad number is 1.00g while the RS3 checks in at .98g. The M2’s bigger brakes enable it to outstop the Audi, but both vehicles offer stellar braking performance that rivals race cars.

Photo by Audi

What is it worth to you?

We will go on record right now saying we’ll happily take either one of these elite European hotrods. The Audi RS3 sedan equipped the way you would typically want it will have a suggested retail price of almost $60,000 when you add the $3,200 technology package. It has a base MSRP of $54,900, and there is a $975 destination charge.

The BMW M2 coupe has a similar base price of $54,500, plus the $995 destination charge. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will add $2,900 to that, giving the RS3 a mild price advantage when similarly equipped. It really comes down to which brand you favor and whether you want a sleek coupe or a more practical — but equally hot — four-door.

Photo by Audi