AMG A45S vs Audi RS3 - Shootout! | Fifth Gear

[@fifthgearuk]

Watch the new series, in full, on Discovery+ www.discoveryplus.com/gb/show/fifth-gear

[@speeddemonRS3]

You should have known this test was useless in the wet with each car running different tires and varying wetness for each cars run! RS3 comes with shit tires from the factory, unlike the Benz!!

[@whispercars306]

Jason needs to lose the hat looks older than tiff

[@GazzUnseen]

So good to see this content being uploaded by the rightful owner and not having to be ‘mirrored’ to avoid the copyright police!

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Anhhhhhhhh. Is that why I’ve seen a load of stuff back to front. I never realised, enlighten me please 👍🏻👍🏻😊

[@GazzUnseen]

Allegedly, mirroring video left to right confuses anti-piracy software since it doesn’t recognise logos (e.g. the Grand Tour one, meaning poor old Jeff Bezos misses out on some of those much needed dollaredoos).

[@mountain33x]

Jason Plato on the A45S Says “the best hot hatch I have ever driven “ say no more …

[@PureLeeful]

Hyper hatch.

[@luciussander8217]

I had the Merc for 3 years, now have the RS3. Mine has the RS Dynamic pack, so carbon ceramics and top end of 180mph. I think the Audi is a lot better looking (mine is a carbon sportback in Goodwood Green), it's sounds better, has better tech and the interior is better - but quality wise the Merc edges it. The RS3 is more comfortable and nicer to drive, but the Merc is better when you want to take on a fast B road. The RS3 is I think the better car, like I said, I've owned both. I'd also add that the RS3 is quicker. I've had a few A45s try it with me and I always pull away from them. If you search the net for dyno tests, typically the RS3 8Y is showing 430bhp or thereabouts. But what lets the RS3 down are the tyres. Mine came with Bridgestones and the other option are P Zero, both not great. I changed my tyres after just 5,000 miles to PS4s and the handling/grip is way better. The Merc I had came with PS4s. Overall, the Merc feels like a step behind the RS3 now, but the face lift RS3 is now £70k in top spec, with very high finance rates and zero deals on offer. The Merc with all boxes ticked is £7k less and they are offering a decent deposit contribution, dropping it to around £60k, plus better finance rates. Ergo if I was buying today, I'd get the Merc. Audi have got greedy and £70k for an RS3 is just too much, even if you can afford I wouldn't pay it.

[@knight2425]

Interesting what you said about the tires, mine came with the P Zeros and I’ve been thinking about changing them but was told the P Zeros on the RS3 were specifically made for it because of the different width wheels they made the tires the same overall size otherwise it messes with the awd system and in the previous model numerous people complained they had warning lights after changing their tires because of this

[@grahmdoughty]

@@knight2425 the P Zeros really suck (though they can be fun on the street because they lose traction somewhat easily). If you change even to PS4S you'll notice a huge difference

[@knight2425]

@@grahmdoughty I wouldn’t say they suck, I’ve been on track with them against cars with slicks and was doing quite well, they actually do grip pretty good so I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed with them at all. Don’t get me wrong I have thought about trying something else with the next set but like I mentioned people have said they’ve had issues with changing tires as it messes with the awd system and even my tire shop highly recommended not going away from what the car came out with as that’s what Audi developed the suspension for

[@grahmdoughty]

@@knight2425 I’ve also been on track with them and think they suck hah. The car still does good because it’s a good car. It was also developed with Trofeo R so put those on for a massive difference on track. But the car has no problem with PS4S and they are worlds better than the P Zeros

[@grahmdoughty]

@@knight2425 or just switch to the Bridgestones which also come on the car and are better than the P Zeros. But the fact that Audi randomly chooses between giving customers Bridgestones or P Zeros shows how much care they put into developing the car for specific tires

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Jason Plato what a legend was watching this guy on tv when l was a young man in my early 20s now l am Old man 20 years on l still have a lot of respect for him as a car journalist he knows he’s stuff they should’ve never have got rid of tiff as there chemistry together was really good love theses types of videos keep them coming how about the Golf R Audi S3? Shoot out?😂👍🏽🤜🏽

[@hazzard8760]

I bought a new 420hp A45S AMG from March 2021 to September 22 and drove 6500 miles. After 18 months ownership on a visit to a Mercedes dealer they offered me £400 less than I paid for it. I wasn't planning to sell it but after enjoying a lot of fun and smiles I couldn't refuse their offer. 18 months driving for £400 was a bargain.. For an additional £1,000 I bought a new BMW M2 competition and shipped it straight up to Litchfield for a Bilstein upgrade and a stage 2 and it now churns out 540hp (0-60 in 3.2 secs official) and its an absolute animal and such fun and is way more powerful than the Merc but must be treated with complete respect otherwise it will tear your face off. Not quite as chuckable as the Merc and completely different driving experience rear wheel drive only.. I love it...

[@urbanstrencan]

Just an awesome video of one of the last hot hatches, and just awesome too see the Fifth Gear team back :)

[@janbroucek3751]

1:21.02 vs 1:24.98 are not 3s but almost 4...

[@mountain33x]

A45S Merc all day for me when driving far better than RS3 seems like a race car when being driven and it looks better in my opinion .

[@Hackedx576]

Merc looks so much better from the front. Rs3 looks no diff to a3 black

[@georgipeichinov7582]

AMG FOREVER

[@neilmcguinness4422]

This was not just a win for the Mercedes. It was a DEMOLITION. It is a result that will surprise lots of people. The sound of that RS3 engine though is truly divine.

[@luciussander8217]

Err, every single time these two cars are compared, the RS is quicker. The difference here, the tyres. The Audi comes with Bridgestones or P Zero, both shit. I have the RS£ and mine came with Bridgestones, in the wet they're useless, next to no grip when you start to push it. The Merc has PS4's, so much better and easily worth a chunk of time in the wet. Put those tyres on the RS3 and it wins. I know as I have now put them on my car and the difference is night and day. So mate, I would consider an edit to your comments as this race was flawed.

[@knight2425]

You never get a true comparison between cars when it’s wet and you could see the Merc had a slightly dryer line on the track, put them in dry conditions and let’s see the result

[@Howellsy1978]

Both are great cars but the A45s is so underrated. The engine is just a serious feat of engineering

[@speeddemonRS3]

@Howellsy1978 Keep dreaming they break all the time because of so much boost pressure! STRESSED ENGINE LOL

[@Howellsy1978]

@@speeddemonRS3 show me some proof as theirs zero reports on the internet and the engine is built for 500bhp. Just ask the C63

[@jamestorrens645]

@@speeddemonRS3 Rubbish... the M139 was designed for sh** tons of power. There have been people getting almost 600 hp from it with little issue... the future is now, old man. We are living in a time where we can reliably get so much power from a 2.0 litre engine.

[@ste.p]

For me, the Audi wins the car park test. As you walk away from parking it, would you turn M back and look at it. Audi yes, Merc, nah, it’s just not a looker.

[@charliehmi76]

Yes the Audi looks even better in person, I stood looking at a nice one for a while the other day. The Merc is a little ‘dumpy’ looking.

[@jonnycsuperplumb765]

Ive just received my new A45s...I'm well pleased with it as a nice car. Never had such a vehicle before 😎👍🏻

[@MrSlpierce]

Had mine 5 months and loving it, what colour did you go for?

[@Eisa-o8s]

I’ve had mine for about a month. 2024 facelift model, started making a crunchy/rubbing noise in the rear when pressing breaks as very low speed or parking. Took it to Mercedes they said driveshaft wasn’t greased at the factory. Took the car back and still making the same noise! Love the car an absolute monster but that noise is annoying! Have you had this experience at all?

[@MrSlpierce]

@@Eisa-o8s I haven't no, had no issues at all (touch wood) sounds like it may be something to do with the read diff, but the explanation they gave you sounds like BS, I highly doubt they wouldn't grease the driveshaft on assembly from factory but for arguments sake lets say they didn't, drive shafts are usually on a spline so they are admitting your male/female spline has had no lubrication for a month, that would undoubtable cause some premature wear on the splined shaft.

[@Eisa-o8s]

@ I thought as much! The irony of all this is that they didn’t even provide me with a fault/work report. I called them second time round and they said bring the car back and go out for a spin with the senior technician. Which I think is unacceptable considering how much I’ve spent on the car! I will definitely reject the car now and ask for a full refund and finally go purchase another one from a different dealer. Cannot believe an high end dealer like Mercedes are capable of this. Thank you for your response. Put things into perspective for me. But yes definitely love the car and will sure to buy another one.

[@mauricewilson6408]

I didn't expect that type of gap in the wet, different cars.

[@astonrichardson4309]

I have the Golf R, but im thinking of chopping it in for the AMG

[@sv-rh4dz]

I did the same thing and came from a revo mapped car and you won't regret it , the 4 wheel drive system is so much more lively in the A45S. Always puts a smile on my face

[@RS3jack]

@@sv-rh4dzThe rs3 is worlds better ol chap

[@alanthomson1227]

I’ve driven neither car so I’m basing this purely on experts critique . I can surmise that drivers would like the Mercedes and pub bores prefer Audi as they can say it’s 0.1 second faster 0-62 mph , a totally meaningless statistic . Jason has proven in a decent track the Mercedes handles far the better of the two .

[@meady200]

Enjoyed this vid! It’s crazy how the music, editing style etc are exactly the same as when fifth gear was on telly twenty years ago. Nothing has changed lol😂

[@hoomee7605]

Audi fans seem to be the biggest viewer of fifth gear. Ok AUDI IS THE BEST. NEVER BREAKS ITS ENGINE OR GEARBOX.

[@simonsteadman3276]

Even better hot hatch than the FL5 Type R JP? That’s some car then👏👏

[@knight2425]

Anyone would be happy to have either but for me it’s the RS3, better looking and the engine alone makes it the winner plus it is the quicker car as most other videos out there have shown it to be

[@samuelho5051]

Driven both, still keeping my A45s after 4 years. A45s definitely feels more engaging to drive on a B road and on track. Steering on the RS3 feels dull.

[@panagiotisnikoloudakis4949]

Yes to both!

[@7zeroA45]

I have the W176 AMG A45 premium and it is an amazing car 381 Bhp and excellent steering , brakes and gearbox and also nice looking, I would definitely upgrade to the W177 version, 3 sec quicker than the RS !! Wow 🤩

[@sergio_81]

Almost 4 second, impressive!

[@luciussander8217]

Tyres

[@GBFeb72]

Nice 😎 get Fifth Gear back on TV

[@74aamer]

The amg will keep its value both great cats though lucky to have both

[@manenwan]

Just wanna point out it was a soaking wet lap for the audi and a relatively dried up track for the mercedes

[@skotno]

Tires play huge role in this. Soaking wet road doesnt work the same with p zeros or contis or even ps4.

[@Howellsy1978]

🤣 any excuse

[@speeddemonRS3]

@Howellsy1978 RS3 blew away the Benz on the ring in Germany, holding the record for its class by 5 seconds over the new M2! Lol

[@Howellsy1978]

@@speeddemonRS3 you mean the race prepped Audi

[@speeddemonRS3]

@@Howellsy1978 You poor guys call Trofeo R optional tire a mod! Whatever helps you sleep better 😆 🤣

[@crocoman776]

People just cant see past this ‘but it’s a 5 cylinder’. Yes, it is. But the A45S is simply a stunning car both inside and out. I have one and that little 4 cyclinder is a beauty. The gearbox is decent, the interior is lovely and it turns heads. The RS3 is pretty cool too but there’s not that same excitement.

[@luciussander8217]

I had the Merc, now have the RS3. The Audi is the better car is almost every department.

[@speeddemonRS3]

@crocoman776 RS3 is way better overall especially as a daily driver! Nice try!!😂🤣

[@mountain33x]

A45S is by far better, sounds better handles better and looks great and don’t get me started on off set tyres on the Audi laughable and still oversteers more , drove both and bought the latest A45S Love it 🤙🏻

[@speeddemonRS3]

@mountain33x they are pure junk! Benz is unreliable poj! Look up all sources!😂🤣

[@speeddemonRS3]

@mountain33x It's a poj I feel bad for you bro!!😁

[@pauldark3044]

I would like the RS3 engine in the Merc, the perfect hot hatch

[@pyrho1]

Thank you for bringing back IC engine cars!!

[@markjwil]

Audi has perfected the art of understeer.

[@rezselecta2580]

You don't need any of these, I have had many similar, but the car I enjoyed the most without losing my licence is S2000 and GT86!

[@jimmymcgoo8641]

60 grand for these guys shows how fked up 2024 prices have become. 😂

[@jamessheehy4895]

Steering wheel on the RS3 really lets it down

[@Redlineshadow29]

Sorry Jason, there's a trend in internet that this category of Hot Hatches with 400hp and up, it's called the "Uber Hatchbacks". I rather more apropiately call it "Superhatchs"

[@kristoferpersson1614]

i love my merc...

[@darrenbodfish4591]

Audi is nice, but for me, Mercedes every time. I'm not an Audi person. Mercedes make beautiful cars ❤.

[@jordanb6654]

That’s not the latest RS3 version. that’s the 8Y pre facelift

[@RS3jack]

That’s the better 8Y we don’t like the face lift it’s ugly

[@jordanb6654]

@@RS3jack nah man I disagree the new design to the front and rear on the new facelift just looks mean! Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge fan of the original but I think with the facelift they have a slight oldskool look with the proper integrated oval exhaust

[@daniaalekhan8764]

I have had both cars and the A45S is more fun to drive and does feel abit quicker but the rs3 is more comfortable in my opinion

[@markheys5516]

My fav car at the moment & my all time favourite driver - Plato I test drove both, admittedly was 2020 plates not the latest rs3, the difference between the 2 models I drove was night & day difference imo , A45s has much better weight distribution, albeit Rs3 to much weight on front end. I was trading from a Fk2 type r updated to 400bhp which I still miss dearly. The A45 is piece of piss to drive , very controlled drift, but it does it all for you, driving a front wheel drive 400 brake hot hatch with a bit of toe n heel , you had to control the balance, thus it was me getting the best out of the car. Just getting used to auto/paddle shift but must admit launch control is nuts , Plato the Main man proved me right on my choice and thoughts on the day 👍

[@wainerollins2587]

Audi for me. Better looking, better sounding and cheaper. Also, why don't MB sell the A45 in the UK? We only get the A45S and that has a decent power advantage over the RS3; the A45 would be closer in power to the RS3.

[@cliffburtonnkardesiyim3725]

RS3 has more tuning potential with its glorious in line 5 , but if you are not into a ''tuning'' Merc is a better choice.

[@rotorhead5006]

I know I've been away a while, but when did Fifth Gear employ Fred Dibnah??? 😆

[@chrismc4370]

Hopefully can get the new Golf R black edition on here soon also. Great watch 👍

[@adamfleming5206]

These aint hot hatches they are hyper hatches.

[@PureLeeful]

Correct. 👍👍

[@actuallypaulstanley]

Both are great do it all cars, daily driver, visit a DIY store for medium to large items, insert the car seat and carry your children in safety, can be driven spiritedly on the country lanes, etc. Ignoring the lap times, it has to be stated that the A45 will decouple the rear wheels to improve mpg when not ‘on it’. You can drive both to the shops, but the A45 wins out on mpg. The RS3 wins on engine sound and general build quality. Oh, and I recall the cracks ‘n pops being on the upshift of the A45 and downshift on the RS3, so you could get the RS3 _sounds_ when not ‘on it’ too…

[@peter8084]

You get what you pay for comes to mind!

[@MRman-sq7rr]

Just about to handback my rs3 after 2 years. It's a good car, but on UK roads with the traffic and speed cameras, you just can't use the power, spent most of the time worried I lose my license.

[@99unclebob]

Excellent video Jason, its a no brainer, for 2 grand more and 3.96 seconds faster the Mercedes A45 4Matic all day long, I have also heard what you said about the RS3 gearbox being slow to downshift from a buddy that works for a Porsche Audi dealer here in Canada , and in the end both cars will be a bit pricey to repair, so buy the Mercedes 👍

[@luciussander8217]

Wrong. It shifts down like lightening in RS Sport mode, which he wasn't in. Also, Merc was on better tyres. Merc is not a great car to own, I had one. Seats are uncomfortable and it looks a bit odd. I now have the RS3, so much better.

[@joecamaro]

What tires are you running on the RS3? That could be causing much of the difference between lap times.

[@tonyfastboy]

Lot drier track for the Merc, probably on better tyres too. I’d go with the Audi.

[@6ixtynine]

Almost 4 secs faster is an absolute walloping 😂 Audi fanboys can’t accept the A45s is a great car and imo the AMG is a much better looking car. The Audi looks like a transformer robot. Old gen looks better.

[@jamessheehy4895]

Love an Rs3 hatch and miss fifth gear!

[@SuperBloodyskull]

Very odd result, I wonder which tyres were on each because this kind of result on two very similar car especially in the rain would suggest one was on rubber better suited to the conditions on the day than the other. Currently the A45S has lapped the Nurburgring in 7:48.8s which is a seriously quick time but the new RS3 has done it in 7:33.1s, the only logical explanation has to be the tyres on that wet track.

[@luciussander8217]

First person to work it out, well done! RS3 has either Bridgestones or P Zero, both shit in the wet. I know, I had Bridgestones on my RS3. The Merc has PS4's. I now have Michelins on my RS3 and they are night and day better, especially in the wet. If Jason had used my car he'd have won this race, as mine also has ceramic brakes and 180 top end.

[@almac9203]

​@@luciussander8217the track was also drier for the Mercedes run. The conditions weren't identical

[@maccmike8]

Mercs looks better too but the RS3 engine would have me pick it every time.

[@shortzz4561]

The merc does not look better 😂😂

[@JohnCrowley-tf3qn]

Interesting to see what the new 2025 RS3 will do with the new calibration on the dampening and trans

[@jonathangandy]

Were they both using the same tyres? That’d have a huge bearing on the lap times.

[@M4rkmcc21]

When you got evenly matched cars you'll nearly always do the better lap in the later car esp when the tracks had a chance to dry out. Be interesting what the results would be like of the merc went first. Im not a fanboy of either. Doubt id own either but i do appreciate both being a petrol head.

[@brightbluesmurf]

**This is NOT the new 2025 RS3**, look at the steering wheel. The new steering wheel has touch buttons and two new red push buttons, one being the RS button.

[@vladimirart758]

RS3 all the way- this is not VW engine. Original 5 cil audi gold. The MB is not nad at all , but that kind of engines dont last long.

[@Howellsy1978]

you are joking right. Do you know anything about the AMG engine 🤣

[@carsaregood911]

@@Howellsy1978 who cares, just another turbo 4 cylinder

[@richardbailey754]

fine, if you like the slower option????

[@carsaregood911]

@@richardbailey754 who cares about speed when most EVs can take you off the line, its all about personality, that A45 engine is dull

[@gaycha6589]

The Audi engine originates from the Canadian Jetta of 2012. 2.5L 5 cylinder. Just as the Lambo v10 5.2 originates from 2 x 5 pots joined at the crank in a diff block. VW engines.

[@austinr4351]

RS3 all day long. Why have a four cylinder turbo, that's basically the same engine in every car now

[@SeanKnapp-bo5lu]

Quite simple. Those who have never driven either pick the RS3. Those who have driven both, know it’s the A45S.

[@Roccorocco892]

Rs3 have way better potential for power modifications

[@dappergent9422]

'The best hot hatch I have ever driven' Really?..

[@danielbroad8363]

4 seconds quicker

[@-Dash-]

This is what we want... No Eee Vee`s

[@rabidsminions2079]

2.5L > 2.0L

[@Howellsy1978]

208bhp per litre. I don't think so

[@sv-rh4dz]

​@@Howellsy1978You know engines have progressed, will last if taken care

[@speeddemonRS3]

@Howellsy1978 Stressed out with no tuning potential junk 4 banger get over it son!!😂🤣

[@Howellsy1978]

@@speeddemonRS3 you do realise with just an induction kit, downpipe and Stage 1 tune it hits 500bhp. Now add TCU, CPC tuning it can hit 550bhp. I'd say that's quite impressive tbh

[@tippyb8355]

Both cars for people that don’t like driving or should I say can’t drive Audis been boring for about 30 years still nothing has changed other than they break down more than any other brand

[@leelindsay]

Both sick cars. Funny reading the bitchy comments 😂 lads that’s why we got different flavour ice cream coz we all prefer different. N yea there both not worth the price there asking but what is these days . 👍

[@lestrem11]

Lose the background ‘music’.👍

[@jamestorrens645]

Always gonna be the A 45 for me. Couldn't care less if the Audi has an I5, the front and rear bumpers with all that black plastic is an instant dealbreaker for me. No thank you. Oh, its a tenth of a second faster is it? Never gonna be noticeable. A 45 for me. I'm sure the Audi is a good car but it's just not for me... I also just love the M139. Amazing little engine.

[@awaisdon2868]

Id still take the rs3, you can't beat a 5 pot. I can't begin to imagine the stress the Merc 4 cylinder is being put under to make so much power. They already have massive issues with the heat degrading the plastic cooling components.

[@speeddemonRS3]

Well said 👏 I completely agree, and the 5 cylinder sounds much better and isn't stressed out badly from the factory, leaving a lot of meat left on the table for tuning!!

[@sv-rh4dz]

What are these massive issues ? I doubt they suffer more problems than equivalent manufacturers engines

[@Howellsy1978]

Can you show some examples of this? Ask Hamza how his RS3 went

[@awaisdon2868]

@@sv-rh4dz I've seen petrol turbo charged mercs only 3-4 years old with headgasket failure.

[@Howellsy1978]

@@awaisdon2868 A45. Not these new 45s. Completely different engines

[@grg88888]

Jason has always been biased against Audi’s. The rs3 is faster than the a45 around the ring so i call b.s on his laptime comparison.

[@NZsarge1]

Did the Audi have the Trofeo R tyres on it? Would’ve been bad on a particularly wet circuit

[@luciussander8217]

No, because that's not a UK option. It would have had Bridgestones or P Zero, both shit in the wet. It it had PS4s it would have edged the Merc.

[@matthewcammish4474]

Not their fault, but this is really a wet weather performance tyre test.

[@stevennewall5202]

Shoot out what happened to the drag race??????

[@aurelienb3984]

Can you still call it hot hatches when those things have almost the power and performance level of a 959 or F40 (AMG A45 is 88% the power level of a F40 and 94% of a 959 and 0-60 or 0-1 km times are almost the same) ?

[@vintageyu-hi-oh4271]

Should have used the facelift rs3

[@tonyfastboy]

Yea the Audi was swimming up there. Lot drier track for the Merc.

[@martinaston1715]

I had a new RS3 in 2018 it was 400 hp 7 years ago , that engine has buckets of extra power left on the table ..why?

[@ericvermeulen9853]

Me being a BMW guy, ill have the Merc please, RS is just numb

[@crystalclearhygiene3767]

This is the old RS3 ( pre facelift)

[@sv-rh4dz]

Really ? Looks like the 8y to me

[@NForce211]

lol the 8Y facelift isn’t release yet

[@sv-rh4dz]

@@NForce211 so it's the current model , not the old model

[@matthewfitzgerald3875]

Wet track time means nothing, show us dry on nurburgring 😂

[@jjcc-t5g]

We both already know how that looks (hint, the RS3 broke a record)!

[@Howellsy1978]

show is road cars on the ring and not a race prepped version as the RS3 was (slicks, roll cage, weight removal)

[@lukholosityebi4181]

What do you mean? You don't drive your vehicle in the wet? Tell us why bother with fwd if wet lap times don't count then?

[@speeddemonRS3]

@Howellsy1978 Cry harder salty boy!!😂

[@knight2425]

@@Howellsy1978mind telling us what mods were done that made it race prepped?

[@ericvermeulen9853]

Strange to think Audi claims they have the fastest hot hatch around the ring🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@speeddemonRS3]

@ericvermeulen9853 Do some research of record lap time by a large margin set at the ring in Germany with the RS3!!! 5 seconds faster than the second faster car, which was the M2! This wet race was completely useless and you should know that with common sense!!Lol

[@ericvermeulen9853]

Why would the wet race be senseless? Both cars are 4wd? , both cars tested by a very competent driver, Audisteer is the problem here nothing new, listen carefully to what Jason says and you can fill the dotted lines

[@speeddemonRS3]

@ericvermeulen9853 Running different tires biggest factor! Second is varying track wetness, and Audi went first, and the track was drenched!

[@speeddemonRS3]

@@ericvermeulen9853 Do you not understand there's no major variables on a dry track! What is wrong with you?

[@J4Y027]

The Best or Nothing - AMG

[@toms_garage]

Merc 3 seconds faster than Audi.

[@zanoirmank8307]

rs3 >> a45s

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Why wasn't the BMW M2 in that comparison?

[@teikarate]

It's the class above, 6 cylinders, more power and a whole lot more expensive.

[@luciussander8217]

It's a not a hot hatch dummy.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

​@@teikarate M2 starting price is £2k more than the Merc, so less of a gap than the Merc has on the Audi in that regard. It is a different sort of vehicle, but it's a very likely comparison in terms of other cars a buyer would consider. Would be an unfair thing to compare on a wet track though...

[@drummerdad0182]

Audi hands down 🎉🎉

[@floydkarlsson2125]

Nice Car 😀👍

[@OrvilHolness]

RS3 all the way for me and you get much more for the money. What is more, Audi owns the Nurburgring lap record and the Merc is not even close!! Your test is flawed!

[@dman5849]

RS3 goes 187 MPH. Automann on KZbin has a video of it

[@luciussander8217]

No you're wrong. It depends on the spec. 155 is standard, then what you saw here and then my car, which has the RS Dynamic Pack taking it to 180 and then the RS3 Performance that you can't get in the UK and that's 187.

[@dman5849]

@@luciussander8217 no in the video he had the RS dynamic package. Video was made before the RS3 performance was even announced

[@dman5849]

@@luciussander8217 RS3 performance came out this year. He did that in a 2022 RS3. He also hit 170 mph in the standard 2022 RS3

[@ianmitchell9102]

Why’s Jason dressed like a grandad ?

[@landroverSV]

Audi Quattro power RS3 all day long

[@gsgbm]

As a fan what’s up with his speech?

[@rolexaddict4344]

Audi fanboys crying so loud I cant watch the episode in peace 😂 wtf is wrong with you lads it is a citizen car at the end.

[@Master1906]

I have the merc but the audi is better, only idiots would disagree

[@luciussander8217]

Nope, RS3 was on shit tyres. Simple as that. It destroys the Merc if you run PS4s.

[@speeddemonRS3]

@@rolexaddict4344 Stay salty 🧂 🤣

[@rolexaddict4344]

@@speeddemonRS3 stay dry boi than dont cry me a river 😂

[@speeddemonRS3]

@@rolexaddict4344 Broke bitc....Stay poor and envious dork!!🤣😂

[@mulletthehunter7163]

Jesus... rs3 got absolutely rinsed! Shame the mercedes has that stupid spoiler stuck on the back.

[@luciussander8217]

Tyres

[@wfifa199]

Why but these when for the same price you can buy a second hand Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati? Pointless.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

Technically you can buy a brand new Porsche for this price - 3/4 trim levels (without options) on the Macan, Cayman or Boxster cost less than these...although I'm not sure that really matters since not many people would cross-shop against these hatchbacks. You can't really get a used Ferrari or Lambo for this price though, while a Maserati would be the older gen with the notorious reliability (or a Ghibli/Levante which...well I'd take these hatches over those). All that said, I agree with the principle behind your statement, hence I daily drove a Cayman for 3 years. Now I'm looking at this sort of budget and neither of these cars is under consideration, it's used stuff like an M2/3/4, E53, F-Type, LC500, RS5, etc. I did test drive a 992 just in case 😄 Wasn't fun enough...might try an Emira though. RS3 sounds good enough but an A45S is too fast to be fun on public roads and too boring if not driven fast.

[@wfifa199]

@ApothecaryTerry Ferrari California, 360, 430, 612 all about £60k-70k. 3 or 4 year old, and more reliable Maserati Granturismo also doable, as is Lamborghini Gallardo. Higher maintenance costs than an Audi or Merc of course, but low/no depreciation. Nip down to Tesco in a Gallardo Spider with the roof down; lovely.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@wfifa199 That's true, they are cheaper than I thought to be fair (and technically in my next car budget 🤔🤣) but the low/no depreciation thing isn't really true if you daily drive them - which is why I sold my Porsche last year, albeit just a 981CS but the value hadn't dropped in 20k miles/3 years. Another year of that mileage would have made it depreciate like a "regular" car though. Combined with Ferrari running costs and practicality, it's not a realistic cross-shop. It's also never really fair to compare used to new anyway. New cars are sold on lease price too, not list price. Still, as I said - I do 100% share your view, although perhaps it's unfair to direct it specifically at these cars since most new cars are equally awful value...£53k for an S3? Not a chance. Even a Hyundai i10 starts at £16k, which is what I paid for my 308 GTi with its LSD, 224hp/tonne (2025 Golf R has 218) and 380mm brakes - that's 15" which is the wheel size of the Hyundai 🤣 There's no comparison there either, and my price does include a 3 year warranty of course!