Audi RS3 V Merc A45AMG

[CorvetteConvert]

An American car forum has had a battle royal over this one so I thought I'd put it to you guys. Which is the better car i y o?
Both over £40,000 new, not at all cheap. (I'd take an M2 but that wasn't in the debate).

[CerberusRogue]

A very subjective question!

Absolutely the RS3 for me, it looks better, is more subtle in it's design, has an extra cylinder :-), and the engine/exhaust combo also sounds better.

The Merc has more BHP but just looks too chav for my liking.

[CallorFold]

Opposite for me, the Merc - because it stands out a bit more. RS3 albeit nice, is too subtle.

Using this for reference - https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pPZIPNk6XL4/maxresdefault.j...

Edited by CallorFold on Thursday 26th November 10:23

[zeDuffMan]

RS3 for the noise alone.

A45 in standard guise is pretty dull looking thing, you need the tack on crap to make it stand out, if that's what you want.

[Tuvra]

zeDuffMan said:

RS3 for the noise alone.

A45 in standard guise is pretty dull looking thing.

I like that fact

I now drive a red Golf R, it destroys the Focus RS I had before in every comparable way, the fact that it isn't lime green with flaired arches and spoilers also means I don't have an Impreza nailed to my back bumper every time I want to nip to Tesco

Edit to add: A45 for me

[Blown2CV]

interesting topic! I've driven 45 AMG and found it a bit lumbering and ponderous. Not really like my Golf R. Will try and drive a RS3 and see what that's like.

[CorvetteConvert]

I would fall the side of the RS3, I think. 25% more cylinders and 25% more cubic capacity, a lower state of tune for the same bhp, pretty much and a far nicer sound. Easier to get another 80 bhp out of, too.

[jimmyVX]

I recently drove an RS3 and was a bit underwhelmed by it.

Sure its pretty quick, but doesn't feel like its numbers suggest, but does sound lovely.

I also wasnt a big fan of the styling, preferred the more subtle look of the S3. Personally, id save myself £15k and get an S3. The performance in real terms 'feels' very similar and pound for pound just felt better value.

[dvs_dave]

RS3 for me as its a much more bespoke solution than the A45 which is essentially a lower model turned up to 11.

Also US forums tend to loose all sense of objectivity over anything not currently for sale locally, or a product line that has long been held back in the US as most RS Audi's over years have.

[Toonshorty]

Neither, I'd save several thousand and get an M135i or M235i instead.

[Blown2CV]

Toonshorty said:

Neither, I'd save several thousand and get an M135i or M235i instead.

well the M2 is the comparable bimmer, and it looks to be £4k+ (or £100+pcm on a lease) more expensive than the RS3

[snoopy25]

never driven either but i love the look of the A45 AMG! RS3 just seems a bit meh....

[white_goodman]

jimmyVX said:

I recently drove an RS3 and was a bit underwhelmed by it.

Sure its pretty quick, but doesn't feel like its numbers suggest, but does sound lovely.

I also wasnt a big fan of the styling, preferred the more subtle look of the S3. Personally, id save myself £15k and get an S3. The performance in real terms 'feels' very similar and pound for pound just felt better value.

RS3 for me too but I would never drop 40k on a small hatchback (albeit a very fast one). I would rather have an S3 and some change in my pocket too.

[Blown2CV]

I've now driven both and i can tell you the RS3 wipes the floor with the Merc, IMHO.

RS3 looks purposeful and muscly without being chav, whereas the merc is far more the latter, especially if you stray to the halfords sponsored section of the options list. The Audi feels more premium in your hands, and is just generally nicer. Merc felt lumbering and the gearbox was surprisingly wk, whereas the RS3 felt more nimble, rode well and the 7sp s-tronic felt like a positive evolution of the 6sp type, as seen in VW DSG. They both sound good, but the merc i drove had the costly sports exhaust option; whereas the Audi demo's exhaust was standard fit. Above all, when costing it all out, the Audi is significantly cheaper on a lease...

currently man-maths-munging whilst mrs 2cv is away for the weekend...

[ZX10R NIN]

It would be the RS3 for me that engine note makes it for me.

[Blown2CV]

white_goodman said:

jimmyVX said:

I recently drove an RS3 and was a bit underwhelmed by it.

Sure its pretty quick, but doesn't feel like its numbers suggest, but does sound lovely.

I also wasnt a big fan of the styling, preferred the more subtle look of the S3. Personally, id save myself £15k and get an S3. The performance in real terms 'feels' very similar and pound for pound just felt better value.

RS3 for me too but I would never drop 40k on a small hatchback (albeit a very fast one). I would rather have an S3 and some change in my pocket too.

only thing that matters is depreciation!

[nickfrog]

Toonshorty said:

Neither, I'd save several thousand and get an M135i or M235i instead.

Same. M135i at £25k new seems like a bargain - more cylinders, less wheels driven - and you can have it manual and 3-dr.

M2 is the (not that obvious) competitor but difficult to get hold of.

[sunnydude]

Blown2CV said:

only thing that matters is depreciation!

+1

[Blown2CV]

nickfrog said:

Toonshorty said:

Neither, I'd save several thousand and get an M135i or M235i instead.

Same. M135i at £25k new seems like a bargain - more cylinders, less wheels driven - and you can have it manual and 3-dr.

M2 is the (not that obvious) competitor but difficult to get hold of.

M2 isn't out till spring, so it would be pretty hard to get hold of! It does look awesome though. I've put my name down for announcements, but i think it's going to be out too late for me this time around.

[Driver101]

dvs_dave said:

RS3 for me as its a much more bespoke solution than the A45 which is essentially a lower model turned up to 11.

Also US forums tend to loose all sense of objectivity over anything not currently for sale locally, or a product line that has long been held back in the US as most RS Audi's over years have.

Isn't the RS3 also a lower model turned up?

I didn't think the Americans got the A45?


Having driven both, I'd go for the A45. The A45 gave me a feeling the RS3 couldn't. I personally found the RS3 a bit dull.

The seats and seating position is much better in the A45.

For all the claims of Audi quality, I thought the interior was a let down.