Surprised about this review's findings, since other tests I've read, for example in Car magazine, found the M240i is much more engaging to drive than the RS3 (and the Merc AMG A45 which was also in that test).
I think you need to see it in person. Also there is a video up somewhere where the designer explains why he did everything like the taillights and I can't argue with his ideas
Really its a good comparison they are very close in perfomance few 10ths of a,second over a 1/4 mile the s3 doesnt really match up to m240i perfomance wise
Great review, hard to pick a winner but for me the cost edges it for the BMW. It is compromised for passengers but for two people touring it would be ideal.
Yup need the high performance wheel/tire pack with 255/245 Michelin pilots. Also larger front rotors and additional engine cooling. They failed on the spec.
Thank you for doing a video on cars that are in the same league, most of these videos where one car is compared to something from another brand much higher in range is completely pointless. With these 2 cars, both are awesome and people will be more than happy with which ever one they buy so in the end it comes down to personal taste and what you might think looks better
The rotary dial in bmws is so good. I really don't understand why it isn't used more by other manufacturers, the touch screens are always a pain to use while driving and therefore unsafe, or at least more unsafe. I'm dreading the day in a few months when my bmw is gone and whatever I pick next dosnt have a rotary wheel. Especially as more and more things are being controlled through the main screen, even the aircon controls are starting to be integrated. I have a 3 year old bmw so it has the restriction of no android auto or apple car play and with the wheel I don't really care.
@@homiixide yea I didn't get on with it as well 2 be honest, but I know lots do. I couldn't really care less which is "best" 2 be honest as long as it isn't a stupid touch screen alone but unfortunately most are.
@@Stimm002 i agree. The new gen mercedes are going full touch screen although the screen is close to you in the center but i still prefer buttons for some things
Exactly what I wanted to say! Did you noticed that are many Audi RS vs BMW M-pack (M135i, M240i, M340i) tests, but none BMW M2/3/4/5 vs Audi S3/4/6, why is that? Soon will see a VW Golf R vs Skoda Fabia 1.0TSI comparison!
There's not much cost difference that's why they're compared. Base rs54k, specced M240 around 51k. The new M is likely going to be 65k without options and I'm sure will be quicker than all.
@@i.s.3458 Being fanboy of an Audi is good because only smart people with good taste likes Audi. And bmw fanboys are utter mo rons. You prove it all the time, even in this comment section.
Very informative video👍🏻 I had a test drive recently in a 2023 M240i Xdrive with the intention of placing an order…….but after noticing the hard, scratchy black plastic interior door panels I’ve decided to look at an alternative. It is not OK to have such cheap nasty plastic trim in a £55,000 car, which highly surprised me. No other BMW model has such cheap interior trim!
Yep, I noticed the same. I went to look at an F82 M4 and saw the M240i in the dealership and I thought maybe I should investigate something a little more compact and newer design/technology. I sat in it and was instantly a little disappointed with the material quality. My neighbour is a big Audi disciple and he recently looked at replacing his RS3 with this new generation and also walked away and decided to hang onto his current car. The interior is what you look at and interact with every time you're driving it, when you're spending the kind of sums manufacturers want for their products these days then the interiors should be top notch and they're far from it.
It does have less power in Europe but it's actually 374bhp not 369bhp as stated here. Further to that, a standard UK Spec M240i was put on a Dyno and actually put out 407bhp so BMW are downplaying it's power
@@MW_1981 oh yeah it's obvious that the m240i is putting down a lot more power than the claimed numbers BMW is putting out. They have to underestimate the numbers to keep a distinction between the M2 and the m240i. Oh okay so they do rate it at 374 HP in the UK as opposed to the 382 in the US, but the channel obviously got it wrong whether we were in the US or England. All right cool thanks for answering my question 👍
Keep seeing such comparison videos RS3 hyper saloon hatch and a M240 , sweet heart kinda power. Still quick. Less power. More sense. For Most people. They aren’t the same customer whatsoever. Engine in RS3 incredible. Hence not the same car. Lol
I wish we got the hatchback version of the RS3 here in the states - if we did I'd replace my mk7.5 Golf R with one. Definitely prefer the Audi over the M240i, which I find to be butt-ugly. Meanwhile, holding on to my F87 M2 Comp forever. That car is the best M car in the last 15 years (with the exception of its brother, the CS).
Interesting review! I too have driven both cars although only for around an hour apiece. Both are very impressive but in the end I preferred the BMW and have ordered one. My 3 reasons? Well, firstly it’s not going to be a daily car so therefore practicality/ rear seat space is not a consideration. Second, the interior material quality on the Audi just isn’t good enough for a £60k car. The BMW feels so much more special. And third, I just felt the BMW was much better value. Basic spec is already better plus I’ve loaded mine with options and it’s still cheaper than a basic RS3 with no options. They’re both great cars though and I can understand anyone with different priorities to mine going for the Audi
Rs3 more expensive up front yeah but look at the depreciation, RS holds solid, look at the state of the m140 /M240 secondhand market, cheap and 10 a penny. 🤷 Undoubtedly a great car no doubt though. Big reason I've ordered an Rs3 was residuals, likewise I've an s3 now and I chose over golf r as rarer and better residuals. All in all they're both weapons and really it's personal pref 👍👍
@@slats1987 lol an S3 rarer than the Golf R?! Come on now. The mk7 maybe, but you hardly see any mk8 Golf Rs on the road and I’ve seen a lot more S3s by comparison
The Audi is nice but with the crazy options it gets pricey to where I would want an M4 almost. The RS3 is a strange one because the size of the car is basically a coupe with four doors. The old RS4 was a nicer package and size that had that old V8 back in the day. I recently saw a blacked out RS6 avant wagon and it was beautiful looking. Truth be told I bought this purple beast back in November so I’m biased. I do like the sound of the RS3 a good deal. 5 cylinder engine is amazing.
@@restlessyouthproductions What Car? Reliability Survey September 2021 ranked BMW in 13th place. Service and maintenance costs over a 6 year period work out 10% more than the car it’s replacing- a VW. Oh and by the way, in the What Car? survey, Audi was 18th. I’m happy with my decision, thanks 👍🏼
Right…! I ordered my M240 and it should be here late may early June. But the dealership is trying to talk me into leasing it and when the M2 comes out with the awd option trade in for it. But That’s a lot of dough for what will be a M2 competition trim that only comes with awd and will be around or over 70k (USD)
It's a joke to say its difficult to use, I have it in my A7 Vorsprung and once you turn iff the haptic system it operates just like a top notch smart phone. Dead easy plus most of the functions can be manually accessed via the steering and voice so the jog wheel can jog on for me. Middle age male beaker gan boy Journo technophobes, moaning over a pint of warm beer no doubt
Had the last RS3 and currently have a M240i.... it's tough. The RS3 is definitely more buttoned up than the M-lite even though it's the full fat performance car. That's not a bad thing if you know what you want (or if you plan on going nuts on mods). The M240i certainly slots into the spot I was looking for - a daily driver that was quick and had a little hooligan in it when you're feeling like being that way. The RS3 never gave me that confidence when you threw it into Dynamic. Anyways, can't go wrong with either car!
@@brianaiken3917 a friend of mine ordered his M440d in November and has been told today that they have absolutely no idea when it will be built, let alone delivered. Apparently all European made BMW's have all their wiring looms made in Ukraine, so you can imagine what that's done to lead times, let alone the semiconductor shortages. He's now seriously considering cancelling his order.
i hope it doesn't cost as much as an rs3, this should compete with the s3.overweight, hideous exterior, wtf bmw, maybe they'll keep the m2 at 1550kilos.
Rs3 will barely lose any money. The residuals on the last gen m140/240 were terrible. RS more expensive up front but it'll hold its value and probably work out cheaper in the long run
I adore the B58. That’s the whole argument for me
Surprised about this review's findings, since other tests I've read, for example in Car magazine, found the M240i is much more engaging to drive than the RS3 (and the Merc AMG A45 which was also in that test).
I suppose it just shows how different reviewers will have different opinions based on what they like.
RS3 competes with the M2 Comp, so this is an unfair comparison considering it's an M lite not a true M car!
Nice video
I think u should include the M2 tho
Great comparo. Call me when BMW fires all its design team and replaces them.
I think you need to see it in person. Also there is a video up somewhere where the designer explains why he did everything like the taillights and I can't argue with his ideas
😂😂
you commented on every single G42 videos on youtube hating on it. Do you even have a life?
@@Enhanced94 Aw, I’m flattered, but also happily married. Thanks
Really its a good comparison they are very close in perfomance few 10ths of a,second over a 1/4 mile the s3 doesnt really match up to m240i perfomance wise
BMW finally used Audi's secret weapon - AWD.
Great review, hard to pick a winner but for me the cost edges it for the BMW. It is compromised for passengers but for two people touring it would be ideal.
Does this RS3 have the bigger tires on the front compared to rear? I really don't think I could buy a car that has that.
It does yes, to work against audi understeer
And again....a m240i with the wrong wheelset....front 225.....instead of the 245.....
Yup need the high performance wheel/tire pack with 255/245 Michelin pilots. Also larger front rotors and additional engine cooling. They failed on the spec.
Thank you for doing a video on cars that are in the same league, most of these videos where one car is compared to something from another brand much higher in range is completely pointless. With these 2 cars, both are awesome and people will be more than happy with which ever one they buy so in the end it comes down to personal taste and what you might think looks better
The rotary dial in bmws is so good. I really don't understand why it isn't used more by other manufacturers, the touch screens are always a pain to use while driving and therefore unsafe, or at least more unsafe. I'm dreading the day in a few months when my bmw is gone and whatever I pick next dosnt have a rotary wheel. Especially as more and more things are being controlled through the main screen, even the aircon controls are starting to be integrated.
I have a 3 year old bmw so it has the restriction of no android auto or apple car play and with the wheel I don't really care.
Mercedes touchpad is still the best and the steering wheel touchpad/button where you just slide your finger over it
@@homiixide yea I didn't get on with it as well 2 be honest, but I know lots do. I couldn't really care less which is "best" 2 be honest as long as it isn't a stupid touch screen alone but unfortunately most are.
@@Stimm002 i agree. The new gen mercedes are going full touch screen although the screen is close to you in the center but i still prefer buttons for some things
M240i should be comparing to the S3. Next you will compare SF90 to M140i
I literally just came here to comment this, comparing an m lite to a full fledged rs model? Not very fair…
Exactly what I wanted to say! Did you noticed that are many Audi RS vs BMW M-pack (M135i, M240i, M340i) tests, but none BMW M2/3/4/5 vs Audi S3/4/6, why is that? Soon will see a VW Golf R vs Skoda Fabia 1.0TSI comparison!
Comparing an ‘M’ model against an RS is pretty much right as long as you get the models correct, an ‘M’ against an ‘S’ is completely different league
There's not much cost difference that's why they're compared. Base rs54k, specced M240 around 51k. The new M is likely going to be 65k without options and I'm sure will be quicker than all.
A base M240 is £46k so almost 10k difference. Hence why it should be compared to the S3 more often than the RS3.
excellent review
Why not compare the M240i to the S3 now, and wait until the M2 is out for the RS 3 comparison?
@@i.s.3458 Seems like people don’t understand this factor.😂
@@s_rtm1 so bizarre
@@i.s.3458 On straight line not on track.
@@i.s.3458 This car does not even exist and you are so confident... Typical bmw fanboy.
@@i.s.3458 Being fanboy of an Audi is good because only smart people with good taste likes Audi. And bmw fanboys are utter mo rons. You prove it all the time, even in this comment section.
Very informative video👍🏻
I had a test drive recently in a 2023 M240i Xdrive with the intention of placing an order…….but after noticing the hard, scratchy black plastic interior door panels I’ve decided to look at an alternative.
It is not OK to have such cheap nasty plastic trim in a £55,000 car, which highly surprised me.
No other BMW model has such cheap interior trim!
Yep, I noticed the same. I went to look at an F82 M4 and saw the M240i in the dealership and I thought maybe I should investigate something a little more compact and newer design/technology. I sat in it and was instantly a little disappointed with the material quality. My neighbour is a big Audi disciple and he recently looked at replacing his RS3 with this new generation and also walked away and decided to hang onto his current car. The interior is what you look at and interact with every time you're driving it, when you're spending the kind of sums manufacturers want for their products these days then the interiors should be top notch and they're far from it.
The 2022 m240i has 382 HP, not 369 HP. Unless they gave it 13 less HP in the UK?
They did give it less power
It does have less power in Europe but it's actually 374bhp not 369bhp as stated here. Further to that, a standard UK Spec M240i was put on a Dyno and actually put out 407bhp so BMW are downplaying it's power
@@MW_1981 oh yeah it's obvious that the m240i is putting down a lot more power than the claimed numbers BMW is putting out. They have to underestimate the numbers to keep a distinction between the M2 and the m240i.
Oh okay so they do rate it at 374 HP in the UK as opposed to the 382 in the US, but the channel obviously got it wrong whether we were in the US or England. All right cool thanks for answering my question 👍
The US doesn't have an opf in the exhaust I sent think, that's the reason for the power difference
@@MW_1981 yup I’ve seen 411 calculated at flywheel
So what exactly happened
Why not test the BMW M240i vs Audi S3?
It slaughters the S3..check it on throttlehouse RUclips channel
Actually the 0-60 for bmw is 3.8 in most test cases. That car is crazy quick for a non M2
Keep seeing such comparison videos RS3 hyper saloon hatch and a M240 , sweet heart kinda power. Still quick. Less power. More sense. For Most people. They aren’t the same customer whatsoever. Engine in RS3 incredible. Hence not the same car. Lol
M240i is S3...
RS3 is M2.
M235i is S3. M240i is between S3 and RS3 but very close to RS3.
@@yujie1973 🤣🤣🤣🤯🤯
I wish we got the hatchback version of the RS3 here in the states - if we did I'd replace my mk7.5 Golf R with one. Definitely prefer the Audi over the M240i, which I find to be butt-ugly. Meanwhile, holding on to my F87 M2 Comp forever. That car is the best M car in the last 15 years (with the exception of its brother, the CS).
That Thundernight colour is hideous imo, these in black look mega
Have no clue why you can't better 0-60 time of 3.8 secs I consistently got 0 -62 in a saloon RS3 of 3.5 sec
Interesting review! I too have driven both cars although only for around an hour apiece. Both are very impressive but in the end I preferred the BMW and have ordered one. My 3 reasons? Well, firstly it’s not going to be a daily car so therefore practicality/ rear seat space is not a consideration. Second, the interior material quality on the Audi just isn’t good enough for a £60k car. The BMW feels so much more special. And third, I just felt the BMW was much better value. Basic spec is already better plus I’ve loaded mine with options and it’s still cheaper than a basic RS3 with no options.
They’re both great cars though and I can understand anyone with different priorities to mine going for the Audi
Rs3 more expensive up front yeah but look at the depreciation, RS holds solid, look at the state of the m140 /M240 secondhand market, cheap and 10 a penny. 🤷 Undoubtedly a great car no doubt though. Big reason I've ordered an Rs3 was residuals, likewise I've an s3 now and I chose over golf r as rarer and better residuals. All in all they're both weapons and really it's personal pref 👍👍
@@slats1987 lol an S3 rarer than the Golf R?! Come on now. The mk7 maybe, but you hardly see any mk8 Golf Rs on the road and I’ve seen a lot more S3s by comparison
The Audi is nice but with the crazy options it gets pricey to where I would want an M4 almost. The RS3 is a strange one because the size of the car is basically a coupe with four doors. The old RS4 was a nicer package and size that had that old V8 back in the day. I recently saw a blacked out RS6 avant wagon and it was beautiful looking. Truth be told I bought this purple beast back in November so I’m biased. I do like the sound of the RS3 a good deal. 5 cylinder engine is amazing.
Terrible decision. BMW is ranked 17th in reliability.... I hope your money jar is filled for all the costly maintenance.
@@restlessyouthproductions What Car? Reliability Survey September 2021 ranked BMW in 13th place.
Service and maintenance costs over a 6 year period work out 10% more than the car it’s replacing- a VW.
Oh and by the way, in the What Car? survey, Audi was 18th.
I’m happy with my decision, thanks 👍🏼
The M2 is going to be mega
Right…! I ordered my M240 and it should be here late may early June. But the dealership is trying to talk me into leasing it and when the M2 comes out with the awd option trade in for it. But That’s a lot of dough for what will be a M2 competition trim that only comes with awd and will be around or over 70k (USD)
Will m2 come with s58 and awd?
i just hope it come with a manual
And the RS3 is mega.
I already have an rs3 lol
...no drag race? What
I'm bored about that BMW overrating in the comments section...
It’s a hyper hatch
I much rather where the infotainment is in the RS3 than where it is up high in most cars.
It's a joke to say its difficult to use, I have it in my A7 Vorsprung and once you turn iff the haptic system it operates just like a top notch smart phone. Dead easy plus most of the functions can be manually accessed via the steering and voice so the jog wheel can jog on for me. Middle age male beaker gan boy Journo technophobes, moaning over a pint of warm beer no doubt
@@Gez492 what are you on about? You may have replied to the wrong person because I didn't say it was hard to use
BMW ALL DAY.
Had the last RS3 and currently have a M240i.... it's tough. The RS3 is definitely more buttoned up than the M-lite even though it's the full fat performance car. That's not a bad thing if you know what you want (or if you plan on going nuts on mods). The M240i certainly slots into the spot I was looking for - a daily driver that was quick and had a little hooligan in it when you're feeling like being that way. The RS3 never gave me that confidence when you threw it into Dynamic. Anyways, can't go wrong with either car!
Don't compare the old RS3 to the new because it is abyss. RS3 is the fastest compact at Nurburgring. This says a lot.
2023 M2 will be best of both and will beat both plus more reliable, S58 motor is amazing
Bmw shareholders, please adress the design of bmw cars
The only true Hot Hatch is the Kia Soul.
😂😂
I'd take the Audi and it's not even close. Unbias opinion.
Is it weird for a dude to have a purple car? Love the purple but not sure if I want to daily drive one lol
RS3 king
Either m240i is an M2 wannabe or not, it’s constantly being directly compared to the RS3 and that says something 🤷🤷♂️
Typical BMW Driver 🤣🤣
M2 should be against the RS3
Rs3 all day long looks 💯 times batter than this M240i
Just wait for the M2, the M240i is the equivalent of the S3 - not RS3
Very nice, but all very pointless. Order a German super hatch now and you'll be waiting a lifetime for it to be delivered. 😔
Have been waiting 2 months already for my M240...still don't even have an allocation
@@brianaiken3917 a friend of mine ordered his M440d in November and has been told today that they have absolutely no idea when it will be built, let alone delivered. Apparently all European made BMW's have all their wiring looms made in Ukraine, so you can imagine what that's done to lead times, let alone the semiconductor shortages. He's now seriously considering cancelling his order.
@@bobjames757 I think the American M240i is made in Mexico...so maybe I'll see it one day.
The RS3 is too expensive compared to the M240i.
Rs3 is better everyday
It should be. It's much more expensive and in a higher class. The new M2 will destroy the RS3
You got to think though this isn’t even the M2 and yet it’s not far behind a fully fledged RS3. Beemer is king again for this generation once again
The RS3 is outrageously priced; and what happened to the front?
That front is very busy hey🤣
RS3s front might be a downgrade but the new 2 series is just hideous now
This comparison is absolutely nonsense
2 totally different categories cars and class 🤦🏻🤦🏻
The new rs3 i way better than the m240i
The new M2 will be insane… RS3 look out!
From the front the Audi looks like an AUDI CIVIC RS3
And BM's look more and more like a Skoda from the front everyday
@@Gez492 with those two huge kidney grills they look nothing like a skoda
The M240i is already had a face lift 🤣🙄🤣
The 240i xdrive is a much better buy and lives up to the performance promise.
I just wish M240i wasn’t so hideous looking.
Both cars are very good :D Itś depend on sympathy ...
But RS3 is faster faster ....
BMW
The Audi is better in EVERY way in my opinion. BMW have lost their way, sadly
Wrong. The interior on the RS3 is garbage compared to the bmw
i hope it doesn't cost as much as an rs3, this should compete with the s3.overweight, hideous exterior, wtf bmw, maybe they'll keep the m2 at 1550kilos.
M240 over RS3 any day
Easily, just on quality and reliability alone
ВMW 🏁🏁💪💪🐺🐺🛣️🛣️🛣️
New M3 Xdrive is better than RS3
The BMW is a bargain for the money.
The Aud is much more money and is basically a Volkswagen.
That Volkswagen kills that BMW. Look at RS3 Nurburgring lap time. Out of the M240i range.
Rs3 will barely lose any money. The residuals on the last gen m140/240 were terrible. RS more expensive up front but it'll hold its value and probably work out cheaper in the long run
@@TheEryk03 It’s a competitor to the M2 not the 240
62k for a hatch!!! Phew!!!
Agreed but then you see what the A45s is going for and all of a sudden it doesn’t seem so outrageous
Yeah hatch that is faster ron track than cars like NSX.
Rs3 overpriced garbage interior
Bullshit, £60k for a hatch is overpriced.
For Hatch that is faster on track than new NSX. It's normal price.
the new 2 series looks too ugly
Thank you but I will stick with the bmw. There is no Audi in the world that can give the emotional connect that a BMW can!
When the M2 comes out the RS3 will be a lame duck
M2 can fly but with such fugly design I will avoid a wide berth.
It's a BMW winning for you have to compare it to a RS car🤣