...well the MK5 GTi is now coming up to 100k and since having it from brand new it has been very good to me. However 7 years old, small niggles are appearing and I think this is as good a time as any to upgrade to something a little more powerful with 4 doors (thats a must). So in light of a previous post, I took some advice and made a phone call to BMW and Audi requesting a test drive in a M3 and a RS3. I know they are not in entirely the same league but with Audi not making a saloon RS4, the RS3 is the closest thing I can get with 4 doors that is not an estate.
First I turned up to BMW. I had to wait a short moment whilst he said bon voyage to his last appointment then he took my license and showed me the car. M3 Coupe 2011 - 9,900 miles, DCT, BMW Professional Nav, ECT. From the word go the car was awesome, so much grip, playful on round abouts, fantastic sound track, a total pleasure to drive. At the end of the test drive I knew I wanted one.
Next I turned up to Audi, about 200 yards down the A34 in Solihull. The RS3 with 4000 miles on the clock was waiting. He let me drive it off the forecourt - which I didn't think was allowed but there we go. RS3, DSG, Satnav. First impressions were the interior was nice, seats not as nice as the M3. The RS3 has huge amounts of grunt low down the rev range, but the real treat was the DSG. Much crisper, more seamless than the DCT. The 4WD was nice around corners too. I was impressed by how fast it felt, I wasn't expecting the 335 bhp to be as potent.
So now I am left with a difficult decision. As an everyday car I think the RS3 perhaps fits the bill slightly better. I can buy one brand new, drive it in the snow and fit loads of stuff in the boot if needed. So my brain says go for it, but my heart still think the M3 is more poised, more of a challenge to drive well, more fun. This is pretty much what every review says too.
The problem is finding a M3 E90 Saloon post LCI (2011) with DCT is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The search has begun...I just hope I can find one soon
First I turned up to BMW. I had to wait a short moment whilst he said bon voyage to his last appointment then he took my license and showed me the car. M3 Coupe 2011 - 9,900 miles, DCT, BMW Professional Nav, ECT. From the word go the car was awesome, so much grip, playful on round abouts, fantastic sound track, a total pleasure to drive. At the end of the test drive I knew I wanted one.
Next I turned up to Audi, about 200 yards down the A34 in Solihull. The RS3 with 4000 miles on the clock was waiting. He let me drive it off the forecourt - which I didn't think was allowed but there we go. RS3, DSG, Satnav. First impressions were the interior was nice, seats not as nice as the M3. The RS3 has huge amounts of grunt low down the rev range, but the real treat was the DSG. Much crisper, more seamless than the DCT. The 4WD was nice around corners too. I was impressed by how fast it felt, I wasn't expecting the 335 bhp to be as potent.
So now I am left with a difficult decision. As an everyday car I think the RS3 perhaps fits the bill slightly better. I can buy one brand new, drive it in the snow and fit loads of stuff in the boot if needed. So my brain says go for it, but my heart still think the M3 is more poised, more of a challenge to drive well, more fun. This is pretty much what every review says too.
The problem is finding a M3 E90 Saloon post LCI (2011) with DCT is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The search has begun...I just hope I can find one soon
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