BMW 1M Trumps RS3 and Focus RS500 in Autobild Track Shootout

[Jason]

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BMW 1M Trumps RS3 and Focus RS500 in Autobild Track Shootout

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Autobild recently conducted another track comparison review involving the BMW 1-series M Coupe. Stepping into the ring this time were the Audi RS 3 and the Ford Focus RS 500. This follows their previous review pitting the 1M against the Cayman R.

The results? The BMW 1M wins, with the Audi finishing second and the Ford last. As seen in the test data below, the Audi with its AWD Quattro is the quickest in a straight line. The Audi also offers the most compliant ride according to Autobild. However, once the cars hit the track, the tide quickly turned. The 1M was already roughly 4 tenths faster than the RS 3 after the first lap. The gap opened further in subsequent laps due to the Audi's front weight, AWD bias, and tire/brake fade. The Ford Focus RS 500 did surprisingly well, but couldn't overcome its FWD configuration.

Below is a video from the comparison test (in German). The performance test results and select translated text is also below for your reference.

	BMW 1M	Audi RS3	Ford Focus RS500
Performance
0 - 50 kph	2.0 s	1.5 s	2.5 s
0 - 100 kph	4.8 s	4.2 s	5.8 s
0 - 200 kph	17.8 s	17.0 s	19.9 s
60 - 100 kph	2.3 s	2.2 s	2.7 s
80 - 120 kph	2.9 s	2.9 s	3.3 s
Weight	1536 kg - 3386 lb	1668 kg - 3677 lb	1502 kg - 3311 lb
Weight Distribution F/R	52/48 %	60/40 %	63/37 %
Braking Distance 100 kph	36.8/34.6 m	33.5/33.0 m	36.9/35.6 m
Fuel Consumption	10.9 l / 21.6 mpg	10.6 l / 22.2 mpg	11.8 l / 20 mpg
Conclusion	250 points	248 points	246 points

Verdict
BMW shows in an impressive way that they're still able to build true sports cars. The RS3 however is too much like a regular A3 - and not a sports car. The Focus RS 500 almost seems like a street-legal rallye car.

On the BMW 1M
Munich does more than just fitting a big engine as they've built a dedicated sports car. The 1M is quick, sharp, and our winner.

On the Audi RS 3
If you're looking far a very fast small car for every day use or to show off the Audi is for you. The RS3 shows an amazing grip level, but the tires can't keep up long enough on a track.

On the Focus RS 500
The Focus RS500 is better than 'also ran' - it's just the best FWD sports car currently on offer. The layout doesn't allow more than third place though.

On Audi RS3's brakes and tires wear
The Audi's tires show heavy wear and the initially good brakes begin to fade after just one lap on the track [Contidrom Germany]. The culprit is found easily: Its front-biased AWD, the e-diff using the front brakes to simulate a limited slip differential and the car's weight [200kg more over the front axle compared to 1M]. The RS3 isn't a car for the race track.

Source: Autobild

[TheBingoBalls]

No surprises here. BMW = great track cars.

[positiveions]

interesting. I like the new Focus; even though it is the lowest out of the 3.

[M3 Adjuster]

Audi = first loser

[Raine]

Damn the 1M looks good, too bad it's only 1 year production gah.

[Dackelone]

Hahahaa... I watched teh video... I chuckled when they said the Audi RS3 has wider front tires than back tires! lol THAT ought to tell you how the car is setup to drive! And they said the Ford was even slower and had more understeer! Nein Danke!

Ford = FAIL!
Audi = Fail!
BMW = FTW!!!!!

[Jblack4083]

RS3 also looks stupid. I was never into the whole hatchback idea.

[pyrat]

I can hear the audi RS3 owners now, my car is wicked awesome and audi and it is so practical because it is a hatchback for crying out loud! Plus my zero - 60 times are like Ferrari.

[kindafast]

They didn't mention a key factor:
BMW 1M costs $47k, Audi RS3 - $68k

[The__J__Factor]

Actually here in Oz the 1M is by far the most expensive, so no real surprise it should win.

M1 ~ $100k
RS3 ~ $85k
Focus RS ~ $55k

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

Actually here in Oz the 1M is by far the most expensive, so no real surprise it should win.

M1 ~ $100k
RS3 ~ $85k
Focus RS ~ $55k

I thought we dont get the rs3 and the focus is sold out

[SNOOPY11]

Funny to read some of these reactions.

All those cars have their strengths and weaknesses.

While we all know M cars are great in their own way you can't take away from the all-weather performance the quattro RS offers.

[IS3andME]

I wonder how the 1M would do against a Evo and STi?

[samchoi604]

I'm not surprised... in almost every review when it comes to track performance, BMW trumps Audi. M3 > RS5, 335i > S5, etc etc.

[SNOOPY11]

Originally Posted by samchoi604

I'm not surprised... in almost every review when it comes to track performance, BMW trumps Audi. M3 > RS5, 335i > S5, etc etc.

It all comes down to what you are buying the car for... and if it's for track use I would not purchase any of the cars above.

[johndeere]

The Focus is incredibly ugly on the outside, and I thought it couldn't get any worse on the inside, but unfortunately it did.

[The__J__Factor]

Originally Posted by sparoz

I thought we dont get the rs3 and the focus is sold out

The Focus RS is not sold out yet. There are still new ones sitting at Ford showrooms unsold.
I had a look at one but ended up buying an Evo X MR

You are right about the RS3, I thought it was a normal S3.

[Diver]

Interesting point about the brakes. The Motor Trend test that showed a Mustang GT was almost as fast as an M3 was single laps with cool down, I bet. The brakes on the Mustang are nothing special, four puck in the front, two in the back. The rear brakes are stock calipers with better pads. Had the test been for a few laps, the brakes on the Mustang probably would have failed. Same thing happened to a Nissan 370Z with the Millen package

[GOLFFRR]

sweet

[Richbot]

Pretty incredible performance for the Focus honestly, surprised it's that close to the 1M on a road course but I guess it's even more of a tuner special than the 1M and RS3 are

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

The Focus RS is not sold out yet. There are still new ones sitting at Ford showrooms unsold.
I had a look at one but ended up buying an Evo X MR

You are right about the RS3, I thought it was a normal S3.

That didn't perform as good as I thought it would then. I thought they only have like 200 come in to Australia.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

The Focus RS is not sold out yet. There are still new ones sitting at Ford showrooms unsold.
I had a look at one but ended up buying an Evo X MR

You are right about the RS3, I thought it was a normal S3.

Yeh mate, that'd be be the price of a normal S3 which isn't even in the same ballpark as the other two cars.

See you got yourself in an Evo, nice