[Rs3owner]

So part of me has always wanted to try the a45 out and see what all the fuss was about and to compare it with the RS3.

The interiors it not even close to the quality of the RS3 I was quite shocked by how cheap it felt , apart from the flappy paddle feel that felt quite good to press , the cheap feel carbon look dash and the afterthought of sticking a 2007 tom Tom to the dash just isn't for me , this one didn't have command to the features on the screen were minimal.

The seats do look nice IMO but the super hard bolster getting in and out hurts your leg if your anything over 10 stone.

Anyway onto the drive. I was quite shocked at how much the a45 feels like a front wheel drive car , I did 10+ launches too and once you let go on the brake pedal it just seems to spin up ? Nothing like how the RS3 launches.

The gearbox is appalling, very slow and un responsive compared to the RS3.

It does turn in slightly better than the RS3 but if you give it too much power in the bends it does start to feel like a front wheel drive again and understeers I think the car should give more power to the rear in these situations, I pushed my RS3's and although they do feel heavier at the front I never really lost much grip in comparison to the a45.

The ride is also rock hard and very similar to a civic type r if anyone has been in one. It makes the car feel a bit more raw and track focused

It does make a good noise in launch and on the gear change but I can't help but feel it's all a bit fake coming from a 2.0

So after taking this back and telling the dealer my thoughts about how the car just isn't what I expected and he fully agreed that the RS3 is a much better car all round.

He then says , what do you think of the m3. I haven't driven one before just the old e46 , he chucks me his keys for his and off I went.

First thing I notice is the torque and I must say it feels like I rocket ship! I won't start comparing it against the RS3 because I feel there worlds apart.

Then the noise in sport with the exhausts open it actually sounds really good, the YouTube vids don't do these cars justice at all.

The m3 is one serious weapon of a car it's brutal at any revs in nearly all the gears and personally I love it.

I was concerned about the RWD and the clips I have seen online but I must say the car has tons and tons of grip , yes it can kick the back end out quite easy but it's super manageable. The head up display with the Rev gauge in is a really nice touch too.

It's a car that is really fun to drive and keeps you on your toes and that excites me. The gearbox is brilliant too unlike the a45.

As some know I'm currently on the hunt for a new car and along side another 2 cars I like the m3 is a strong contender. Just a word of advice the RS3 is one difficult car to replace so think hard before getting shut !

Just my thoughts.

[grimey121uk]

For some reason the A45 is hyped up by many as an RS3 killer, no doubt by people that have never actually driven one. Me and the Mrs test drove one and it left us completely underwhelmed, the engine was dull with nowhere near as much punch as the 5pot, the interior was crap with what looked like a £20 android tablet glued to the dashboard albeit the steering was more direct than the RS3.

[Yeoy]

Thing is... A45 owners probably dislike the RS3.

[Rs3owner]

For some reason the A45 is hyped up by many as an RS3 killer, no doubt by people that have never actually driven one. Me and the Mrs test drove one and it left us completely underwhelmed, the engine was dull with nowhere near as much punch as the 5pot, the interior was crap with what looked like a £20 android tablet glued to the dashboard albeit the steering was more direct than the RS3.

Exactly my thoughts. And I'm not RS3 biased. The RS3 is just a better call all round

[T-800]

How would that M3 cope with our dour British Autumn/Winter ?

If you bought one would you put winter rubber on it ?

[Rs3owner]

Thing is... A45 owners probably dislike the RS3.

I can't see how with a legitimate reason , the only thing been is that the a45 feels a bit more track focused with the heavy steering and harder ride and some people like that. But it's not as punchy and the 4 wheel drive system is just all wrong it loses traction and it seems to want to put the power to the front.

Its a shame as I really did think it would be a great car but maybe the RS3 has spoilt me

[Rs3owner]

How would that M3 cope with our dour British Autumn/Winter ?

If you bought one would you put winter rubber on it ?

Yeah that's the main draw back for me and the only draw back for me , it was a bone dry sunny day when I took it out for a couple of hours and it had tons of grip on the bends but start turning the traction control down and you can easily kick the back end out in 2nd/3rd it's easily controllable too , after seeing that m4 on the clip losing it I thought it would of tried to kill me.

I think if you used it over winter it would 100% need winter tyres or be left at home.

Have you been out in one ?

[T-800]

Not the M3 as it doesn't appeal to me and not practical for our needs.

A45 just looks like a video game on wheels

I'd struggle to find another car as all round practical as the RS.

[booker]

As your subtext suggests T, we don't all like the same things and others will undoubtedly prefer the a45 and m3. But as an overall package the RS3 takes some beating and in general I think it is fair to say we are all perfectly content with our choice - so let the afficianados of other marques have their fun and be happy    

[T-800]

Yeah that's the main draw back for me and the only draw back for me , it was a bone dry sunny day when I took it out for a couple of hours and it had tons of grip on the bends but start turning the traction control down and you can easily kick the back end out in 2nd/3rd it's easily controllable too , after seeing that m4 on the clip losing it I thought it would of tried to kill me.

I think if you used it over winter it would 100% need winter tyres or be left at home.

Have you been out in one ?

I thought you were going down the supercar route though?
I remember an R8 being mentioned in another thread I think.......?

[terminator x]

 

Billy's favourite clip

 

TX.

[Rs3owner]

I thought you were going down the supercar route though?
I remember an R8 being mentioned in another thread I think.......?

Yeah I do like the f-type and r8 , but like you say is it really practical? And I do like the tech in the newer cars.

It's a really tough choice at this rate I may buy another RS3...

[81llyh]

Billy's favourite clip

TX.

I remember when this kicked up a fuss 😂

[Rs3owner]

I still don't really know how he managed it lol

I pushed the m3 so hard and although it does kick out, a bit of opposite lock and using the throttle properly it lines back up with ease

[T-800]

I still don't really know how he managed it lol

I pushed the m3 so hard and although it does kick out, a bit of opposite lock and using the throttle properly it lines back up with ease

That's all well and good, until the day it doesn't line back up with ease and you injure yourself or God forbid someone else.......

[Rs3owner]

That's all well and good, until the day it doesn't line back up with ease and you injure yourself or God forbid someone else.......

Very true. Best stick to the 4 wheel drive of the mighty RS3 I think

[B-100]

I used to have the V10 M6 before I got my RS3 and although it had more power like the M3 you drove, unless the weather is bone dry it really is a nightmare trying to put the power down. It gets to the point where you end up nannying it around corners if there is a drop of rain in the air and as soon as you go near the accelerator the traction control is flashing like a loon!

Although the RS3 has less power, it's astounding how much difference it makes going from RWD to 4WD. You can actually use all the power the majority of the time.

I was contemplating the M4 but hated the synthesised engine noise through the speakers!!

Edited by B-100, 22 August 2016 - 09:03 PM.

[Rs3owner]

I used to have the V10 M6 before I got my RS3 and although it had more power like the M3 you drove, unless the weather is bone dry it really is a nightmare trying to put the power down. It gets to the point where you end up nannying it around corners if there is a drop of rain in the air and as soon as you go near the accelerator the traction control is flashing like a loon!

Although the RS3 has less power, it's astounding how much difference it makes going from RWD to 4WD. You can actually use all the power the majority of the time.

I was contemplating the M4 but hated the synthesised engine noise through the speakers!!

Yeah i fully agree and 90% of me regrets getting shut of my RS3 but it was a good deal and had to be done.

I think I'll take the m3 out again in the wet for a comparison.

And I fully agree about the sound it is nice and deep but it just needs a louder exhaust and less of the fake sound.

I keep shortlisting cars but then I'm always comparing it to the RS3, it's a tough call because it's a perfect all year round car, sounds and goes amazinging well

[Uncle Fester]

Yeah i fully agree and 90% of me regrets getting shut of my RS3 but it was a good deal and had to be done.

I think I'll take the m3 out again in the wet for a comparison.

And I fully agree about the sound it is nice and deep but it just needs a louder exhaust and less of the fake sound.

I keep shortlisting cars but then I'm always comparing it to the RS3, it's a tough call because it's a perfect all year round car, sounds and goes amazinging well

 

Easy answer go and get another RS3, there are still lots of unregistered cars about with great deals to be had, on the weekend I've been phoning around  dealers all over the country looking for a big spec one which are few and far between but theres lots of mid spec ones in all colours.

[Rs3owner]

Easy answer go and get another RS3, there are still lots of unregistered cars about with great deals to be had, on the weekend I've been phoning around  dealers all over the country looking for a big spec one which are few and far between but theres lots of mid spec ones in all colours.

yeah i was just giving my thoughts on the m3 /a45 for a bit of comparison and yeah your probably right, im going to hold out untill the end of September to see if this rumor is true. i wouldn't mind one with more spec than mine had i went cheap on mine and i should have, ill 100% get the dynamic pack this time round. i wouldnt mind an exclusive yellow or blue.