1 Series M Coupe vs RS3 - Specs and Styling Compared

[southlight]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

1 Series M Coupe vs RS3 - Specs and Styling Compared

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While we're all still drooling over the unveiling of the 1-Series M Coupe, some might wonder how it will fare against what will possibly be its biggest rival - the Audi RS3. We can already hear some moaning 'coupe vs hatchback, RWD vs AWD and manual vs double clutch' to stress both cars aren't even rivals, but look at the specs to see that both are pretty close in power, size and price. Enough said, here it is, all pictures and information you need to make up your mind about this 'fight':

Specifications	BMW 1 Series M Coupe	Audi RS3
Performance
0 - 100 kph	4.9 s	4.6 s
0 - 200 kph	17.3 s
Top Speed	250 kph	250 kph
Power/Weight Ratio (DIN)	4.4 kg/hp	4.6 kg/hp
Power/Displacement Ratio	114.1 hp/l	137.1 hp/l
Engine
Type/valves	in-line 6 / 4	in-line 5 / 4
Engine Technology	M Twin Power Turbo	TFSI
Capacity (cc)	2979	2480
Stroke / Bore	89.6 / 84.0	82.5 / 92.8
Compression Ratio	10.2	10.0
Output (kw/PS/bhp)	250 / 340 / 335	250 / 340 / tba
@ (rpm)	5900	5400 - 6500
Torque (Nm / lb-ft)	450 (+50 overboost) / 332 (+37 overboost)	450 / 332
@ (rpm)	1500 - 4500	1600 - 5300
Transmission / Gearbox
Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive
Transmission Type	6-speed manual	7-speed double clutch
Body
doors / seats	2 / 4	5 / 5
Length (mm)	4380	4302
Width (mm)	1803	1794
Height (mm)	1420	1402
Wheelbase (mm)	2660	2578
Track Width front (mm)	1541	1564
Track Width rear (mm)	1541	1528
Fuel Tank Capacity	53 l	60 l (S3)
Unladen Weight DIN / EU	1495 kg / 1570 kg	1575 kg / 1650 kg
Trunk Capacity	370 l	302 l (S3)
Driving Dynamics / Safety
Brake, Front	Single piston floating caliper compound disc brakes	Four-piston fixed calipers
Diameter (mm)	360 x 30, vented and perforated	370, vented and perforated
Brake, Rear	Single piston floating caliper compound disc brakes
Diameter (mm)	350 x 24, vented and perforated	310, vented
Steering	Rack-and-pinion with hydraulic support and Servotronic function	Rack-and-pinion, electromechanical drive
Steering Transmission	12.5 : 1	16.2 : 1
Tires Front	245/35 R19 93Y XL	235/35 R19
Tires Rear	265/35 R19 98Y XL	225/35 R19
Wheels Front	9J x 19 EH2 IS 31 cast aluminium	8J x 19
Wheels Rear	10J x 19 EH2 IS 25 cast aluminium	8J x 19
Fuel Consumption EU
Total (l/100km)	9.6	9.1
CO2 (g/km)	224	212
Emission Rating	EU 5	EU 5
Price
Germany	EUR 50,500	EUR 49,900

Best regards,
south

[ns2000x]

Thanks South.
How great is it that we will soon see both the 1M Coupe and the RS3 running around?!

[marcel b]

IMO the Audi looks older (I had a A3 3.2 DSG Sportsback myself 4 years ago. Somehow the design is getting old... the same with the Alu mirrors. The chairs however look good! The pedals are a nice touch as well, the one from BMW look really crap compared to that.

[uhn2000]

The target market for the RS3 completely evades me but hey maybe in Europe this kind of stuff is big!

[BMWAutoXer]

Personally I think they both look ugly, so I would save 15K USD and buy an STI or EVO if I wanted killer performance in a goofy looking body. TT-RS on the other hand is win.

Yes I know it's subjective, I just think both companies could have done a better job refining for the release.

[Hula-Hula]

Man I wish this duel will be on top gear!

[esqu1re]

RS3's front looks much better, but its rear is so bland! Definitely needs a magazine or TV comparison.

[Eccentric]

should be fun to see how the cars perform in comparison with each other. IMO the 1M will always be more fun. the e30 m3 was never about the numbers, and the 1M is a great modern interpretation of that.

[termigni]

I like Audi front, BMW back, and Audi interior.

[spiderz17]

I like the BMW RWD and 6MT.

[positiveions]

man, talking about two awesome cars.

[LeifW]

I like the BMW exterior better than the Audi. I prefer the Audi interior (especially those sport seats). Too bad BMW didn't put the M3 seats in the 1M. However, if BMW didn't include the M3 seats for cost reasons, then I'm all for that decision.

Leif W.

[TrojanBMW]

The front of the Audi looks like it was covered in chicken wire.

[Simsims]

I'd say the RS4 is a few sec slower on the track, taking the driver out of the equation.

Heavier, smaller wheels, front heavy & smaller brakes says it all.

AWD doesn't give THAT much an advantage.

On the street, I'd say the RS4 wins in the first few seconds, then 1M takes over.

[marcel b]

Originally Posted by TrojanBMW

The front of the Audi looks like it was covered in chicken wire.

Looked again, and indeed.

[ns2000x]

Originally Posted by Simsims

I'd say the RS4 is a few sec slower on the track, taking the driver out of the equation.

Heavier, smaller wheels, front heavy & smaller brakes says it all.

AWD doesn't give THAT much an advantage.

On the street, I'd say the RS4 wins in the first few seconds, then 1M takes over.

3

[BenTrovato]

Originally Posted by TrojanBMW

The front of the Audi looks like it was covered in chicken wire.

lol hilarious! that's all i see when i look at the front end now!

both these cars are "okay" .. nothing spectacular but they could have been.

[JB135MDCT]

Why are we looking at a FWD based station wagon. This is an insult to the greatness of the 1er.

[PyratOne]

are they really going to be that close in price?

One thing audi is really good at, is charging more $ for similar performance. Meaning BMW = better performace value.

I would expect the Audi to be $5-10K more (US).

Also
1) dont like the Audi 5 doors. Sort of perplexing to me.
2) DCT only in the Audi? Im all for rowing my own

[ES BMW]

The lack of a manual transmission kills the RS3 for me. Love the engine though!!

[NFIDDY5]

Tires Front 245/35 R19 93Y XL 235/35 R19
Tires Rear 265/35 R19 98Y XL 225/35 R19


Am I reading this correctly? Does Audi know something that other manufacturer's of AWD platforms don't? Wider wheels up front? I know its not uncommon to have a wider track up front, but wider tires? Never came across anyone that tried that in my EVO / STi days. Interesting concept. Or typo. Either way, the 1M is the better of the two IMHO. But I am a BMW homer.

[southlight]

It's no typo.


Best regards,
south