M-Lites should've come with xDrive? | Audi S3 Saloon 8V (Stage 1) vs BMW M135i F20

In this video, I compare my BMW M135i F20 to an Audi S3 8V Saloon with a Stage 1 tune with just a cold air intake upgrade. I swear by my RWD obsession and the Golf R we featured recently couldn't persuade me. Can this Stage 1 Audi S3 knock the M135i off the pedestal? The power gains on a Stage 1 puts the S3 on level pegging with figures from a stock M140i which I loved driving.
#CarNitty #AudiS3 #BMWM135i
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Chapters
00:00 - Drive by
00:11 - Title sequence
00:18 - Introduction
01:16 - Price
01:45 - Performance and setup
02:07 - Comparison with Golf R
02:35 - Saloon vs hatchback
03:04 - Modifications of S3
04:17 - M135i drive/review
09:05 - S3 drive/review
16:45 - Summary
18:36 - S3 launch control
Thank you for your viewership and support.
Please like, comment, share and subscribe if you haven't already!
"Art of Silence - by Uniq" is under a Creative Commons license (Creative Commons - International Recognition 4.0 - CC BY 4.0)
DISCLAIMER:
*Some footage from this video may be edited and or sped up for cinematic effects.
*Some footage was also filmed on private land

[@CarNitty]

If BMW gave xDrive as an option in the UK, would you have it as RWD or 4WD? Let me know in the comments below! If you liked this video, make sure you like, comment, share and subscribe! Check out some of our other uploads too! 🖤 Please do checkout Chest if you want to see more of the S3: instagram.com/s3wve?igshid=1852lpa7djgex

[@s3wave503]

S3 for the win 👀💣🏴‍☠️🏁 had fun 👊🏽

[@CarNitty]

If only S3 came out the factory with your tune and if your spec was easy to get hold of 😩💔

[@s3wave503]

@@CarNitty new shape s3 saloon you can spec it like this will still need a tune... hopefully i will be back with a RS something...

[@CarNitty]

@@s3wave503 I'm holding you to that 👀 (Bring the draggy this time...)

[@lukebray5581]

Hi mate, how the car been with the tune 7 months on?

[@CarNitty]

He's had no issues at all. Car running perfectly well. If you want to speak to him directly, drop him a DM on IG

[@1timevideo]

Awesome Vid! Naturally funny Lad! Keep up the great work !

[@CarNitty]

Really glad you enjoyed the video. Your comments do mean a lot. Stay tuned for more content!

[@BOSKILLZX]

Your presenting style is elite, this channel will grow for sure. Keep it up 🤝

[@CarNitty]

That's a massive compliment. Thank you 🖤🙏

[@airmax90_king93]

Dope video subscribed 👍🏾

[@CarNitty]

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your support!

[@jamessmith84240]

I can see why people go for 4WD. I have an M140 and I absolutely love it. However even with traction control you have to be very careful. It's like the car is whispering "Don't forget, I'll kill you first chance I get!".

[@CarNitty]

But that's the beauty of the M Lites. It doesn't get boring having the grim reaper as your passenger on a spirited drive!

[@waynester71]

Just discovered your channel.. it has an LLF vibe about it, that’s a good thing though mate. Lovely car that.. I’m not a major fan of the full on murdered out look, but can’t deny..it looks good 👌🏼

[@CarNitty]

Thanks for your kind words. I do appreciate it. To be compared to anyone that does YT as a full time career can only be a compliment. I do love a blacked out car but at the same time, I love a lairy bright colour too. It depends on the car if you ask me. An S3 isn't worth shouting about so the dark look is too drawer to me!

[@waynester71]

@@CarNitty Absolutely, keep going & your channel will blow up, no doubt about that. Everything's there! 👌 I have a silver BMW 630i as a daily.. but just sold my ultimate green Mk2 Focus RS, so yeah, love a bright car too! Just deciding what to get next? So many cars, so many choices lol 👍

[@CarNitty]

@@waynester71 love the 5 cylinder MK2 Focus ST/RS. Amazing car but I'm sure it fetched a nice premium. I wish I could tell you, but it all comes down to budget and requirements you have of a car such as practicality, size, fuel economy etc

[@TheAndred1]

you have REALLY messed me up . RS3 8P was next on the agenda, but this has got me thinking . Brilliant

[@CarNitty]

Glad you enjoyed the review and it gave you an insight into your buying decision!

[@user-zj2zs9jr1z]

See this s3 about looks sickk!

[@CarNitty]

After driving it, I can honestly tell you it actually is. The spec, the map, the mods. It's the best S3 I've ever seen let alone drive

[@swainsworld599]

Your gonna go far

[@CarNitty]

Thank you, that means a lot. Thanks for subscribing and supporting the channel 🖤

[@Pablo-lj6bc]

Man said car nitty what a name

[@CarNitty]

Glad you got the pun

[@Pablo-lj6bc]

@@CarNitty car fiend / car nitty we all need to hear that stututuuuttu or a v10s scream to carry on with our days or running into that random scirocco or beema /merc/audi which is mapped on the way home which is just pushing the maddest stage 2/3 and yeah man love your content bro

[@CarNitty]

Thanks for your comment. Appreciate the love and support

[@bamthepetrolhead7855]

Loving the s3 saloon amazing car 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@CarNitty]

As an owner of a RWD 3.0L straight 6, I agree BUT only with a stage 1 tune as well as a generic gearbox flash. Really enjoyed driving it...

[@bamthepetrolhead7855]

Really do agree been looking for the saloon s3 myself you can’t go wrong with the 4 pot engines 💯

[@CarNitty]

@@bamthepetrolhead7855 I'll disagree with the 4 pot comment as I love anything with a 5 pot or more but the S3 saloon is one hell of a package

[@bamthepetrolhead7855]

@@CarNitty 5 pot is another level as you know can’t compare the two engines tbh but I still think the 4 pot still amazing for a 2.0

[@CarNitty]

@@bamthepetrolhead7855 the 4 pots lack sound. They all sound the same and similar to a Dyson vacuum. Only the Japanese 4 pots like Honda and Subaru know how to do it

[@igntn3353]

This channel is too sick 🤣 keep it up bro IGNTN boys subbed ✅

[@CarNitty]

Thank you for your kind words. Really do appreciate it 🖤🖤🖤

[@bradofwar5960]

I got a M140i xdrive. A blast to drive everyday :).

[@CarNitty]

X drive? You must be from overseas. We only got the M-Lites in RWD only. As much it's the charm for these cars, I wonder what it would be like being able to put the power down rain or shine!

[@bradofwar5960]

@@CarNitty it sure is nice. Many people say launch control on bmw is shit, not with xdrive I can tell you that :). I did a launch control one time in the rain and gripped really well, if you did that with the RWD version you would be all over the place, am I right?

[@CarNitty]

@@bradofwar5960 if we had the option to spec Xdrive in the UK, I think it would have reshaped what people expect from an all-round hot hatch

[@tackycomrade]

Another good review mate. Would’ve been interesting to know what percentage of f20/21 m135i/m140i owners would’ve opted for the X-drive if it were available in the UK.

[@CarNitty]

Personally, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Plenty of people in Scotland and other areas where weather conditions are poor would've resulted in the X-Drive M-Lites to boom!

[@tackycomrade]

@@CarNitty definitely! Even tho the weather isn’t much worse in England 🙄😂

[@CarNitty]

@@tackycomrade in the winter, I don't even get the opportunity to drive spiritedly 🥲

[@stuartchristie654]

I sold a mapped S1 to move to a M140, had we had the option to buy an Xdrive version I would have. In the wet my car is useless, in the dry it’s lively

[@CarNitty]

@@stuartchristie654 I completely agree. Hydroplaning is too much of a risk on these M-Lites. A light and small mapped S1 with a manual box sounds like a lotta fun!

[@uzz6]

Noice mate 👍

[@BOSKILLZX]

Man said if you drive a 140i, you’re selling your S3 😂😂

[@CarNitty]

Calling the hospital every day to see if the price of donating semen, blood and other bodily fluids mean I can afford an M140i 🤣

[@josephparkes746]

Hey mate I love the vids. I was wondering if u could do a comparison video between ur m135i and the face lift 2015 m135i as no you tubers have really done this comparison. I would love to hear about the differences in driving, looks and specs

[@CarNitty]

Hey Joseph, thanks for your kind words. Really do appreciate it. I'll see if I can get hold of a M135i LCI. From what I know from Joe Achillies, the LCI has very minor improvements. Joe claimed the chassis felt more sorted and planted on LCI but BMW themselves claim nothing was changed. The power gains are not noticeable but that's his 2 cents. Cheers

[@josephparkes746]

@@CarNitty thanks for the reply man, I ask because I am wondering if I should get an LCI or pre LCI, the main reason is I despise the pre LCI wheel, so I would get a custom LCI wheel to replace it.

[@CarNitty]

@@josephparkes746 No issue at all! I love responding to viewers so truly, it's my pleasure. I've bought an LCI wheel myself to upgrade mine. Should hopefully be able to showcase it in a future video once I've fitted it. Btw, 2014 models onwards come with the newer style wheel so something to keep in mind. If you want to map your car beyond 400BHP, get a post July 2013 model. Do let me know if you have any other query. I'm a bit of a wizard with the M135i! 🧙‍♂️

[@josephparkes746]

@@CarNitty this is great man, no one seems to talk about these cars as often as they should they are absolute gems. I will probably want to get it to around 400bhp but probs no more as I’m only 21. So if I didn’t want to go past 400, do u think any year would be fine?

[@josephparkes746]

@@CarNitty yes I saw the 2014’s had the newer wheel, I do think I would be tempted to get a custom LCI wheel as well in alcantara etc. Also abit weird but I kinda want gloss black m2 comp wheels lol

[@TheTranfan]

Since i’m from belgium and had the option of getting an xdrive M140i, i still picked the rwd version

[@CarNitty]

That's crazy. I didn't know the option of RWD and xDrive was a thing. I thought it's all RWD or 4WD depending on where you live. I think you made the right choice as you can't get a B58 in RWD in the G Series BMWs so good choice ultimately

[@TheTranfan]

@@CarNitty yeah the reason you guys don’t have the xdrive version is because the steering rack won’t fit on a right hand drive car in combination with an xdrive setup. Bmw didn’t bother redesigning it so that’s why you guys only have rwd. All left hand drive markets had the option to pick xdrive or rwd. And indeed, rwd was the right choice anyway. The xdrive version’s do launch very well though, a stage 1 M140i xdrive does 0-60 in 3,7 seconds

[@CarNitty]

@@TheTranfan you've just taught me something new! Unlike BMW to cut corners when it comes to stuff as they're usually quite good. VW forget to move the mode select button near the gearbox on RHD cars from LHD

[@TheTranfan]

@@CarNitty haha the more you know, i’m pretty informed about them since i have my own youtube channel about my M140i ,and iguess it wasn’t worth the R&D for them, and yeah that must suck when they cut corners for the rhd market

[@CarNitty]

I think everyone should be knowledgeable about a car when they're looking to pick one up! Sad how the UK market didn't get a X Drive version but now I know

[@ryanhogg1690]

M135i all day ever day more fun give it a tune honestly you won’t regret it 🤣

[@CarNitty]

Very very tempted to put it on a stage 1! 🤔🤫

[@ryanhogg1690]

@@CarNitty 100% will not be disappointed

[@modifiedcarguy4615]

Do the stage 1 man I’ve got it on mine and my god it’s goes! 341bhp + 515nm of torque. When you get it dyno from stock it will be roughly 306bhp like mine was as to be expected from a 8-9 year old car

[@CarNitty]

@@modifiedcarguy4615 I've seen a 440i with an MHD tune which will drop soon and I'm very tempted now

[@johnmulla3925]

How much mm is it lowerd by and what mm spacers is it running please mate

[@CarNitty]

Please DM the owner @s3wve on Instagram for more details

[@ridhaysingh821]

Tune ur m135i my dads 1 has a race chip and it’s 400hp u have to do it bro it’s a real animal after u so it

[@CarNitty]

I am seriously considering this! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't 🤔

[@ridhaysingh821]

@@CarNitty it’s the best thing to do I suggest jb4 or race chip my dads one has race chip gets black trust me it make the car an animal

[@CarNitty]

@@ridhaysingh821 may I ask what model your Dad drives? What year is it as mine is a 2013 PWG model

[@ridhaysingh821]

@@CarNittyoh ok my dads is 2016 lci

[@CarNitty]

@@ridhaysingh821 perhaps the best year if you really want an N55 👍

[@vollcare4076]

If you like handling don’t go for the 340 hp or 367 hp RS3: they just understeer !!!

[@CarNitty]

The pre-facelift RS3 is known to be really bad with understeer I'm told but I've never heard anything bad about the 340i 😲

[@vollcare4076]

@@CarNitty 340hp RS3, Not 340i ;)

[@CarNitty]

@@vollcare4076 haha thanks for clarifying and yes, completely aware of the understeer in RS3 8P and 8V pre-facelift but thanks for mentioning it here for others to learn 🖤

[@incognito96]

@@CarNitty you just need to change the rear roll bar and lower it.

[@CarNitty]

@@incognito96 I've just finished a shoot and realise on set that my car has scraped on a speed bump and now my bumper needs to get resprayed so doubt I'll be going any lower than I already am I'm afraid

[@NadeemAhmed-qn7qb]

This s3 ain’t pre facelift wtf, get your facts right

[@CarNitty]

Where did I state this is a pre-facelift?

[@LOUCABRASI]

​@@CarNittyoops!

[@strongerandwiser2023]

M lites are RWD because it that which makes them fun to drive. AWD is boring as fuck. This coming from a guy that drives a tuned Evo and an m2.

[@CarNitty]

I agree. It's part of the character of having an m lite! I think the newer G Series car have lost a bit of gut because of this

[@strongerandwiser2023]

@@CarNitty Yeah there was a video with Sideways cid and Michael Shoeblacker and they both said you need to tune the new G series to big figures to make it more exciting. Out the box they are pretty numb. Very fast offcourse but for me its about how they feel to drive. You should not have to pay 75k for a car then spend another 10k on it to bring it alive.

[@iamusmaan1058]

Bro I have a blue pfl s3 saloon apr stage one, dont mind coming on the channel show support bro.

[@CarNitty]

Thank you for offering. I genuinely really appreciate that as during this early stage of Car Nitty, the people coming onto the channel are the backbone of the channel! I'm not sure how I can review your car and make it differ from this review? I don't want to make content that's repetitive for viewers. Does your car have anything different or unique about it from Chest's S3?

[@iamusmaan1058]

@@CarNitty no problem brother, if u need anything give me a shout. We need more bangali/asian KZbinrs around

[@iamusmaan1058]

@@CarNitty bro u can do this compare a apr stage one vs the other one. Do some dragy 0to60 times and quarter mile times. Anyways I'll follow u bro didn't even know ur channel existed b4 I saw this vid.

[@CarNitty]

@@iamusmaan1058 1/4 mile and draggy is quite hard without a drag strip but I'll definitely keep you in mind for any future S3 content

[@iamusmaan1058]

@@CarNitty good luck brother

[@DjNikGnashers]

Answer to the title question is NO. If m lites came with AWD, they would have been just the same as every other AWD hot hatch/saloon. The fact they were the ONLY RWD option, made them not only unique, but also wild, and FUN. My M140i is 411bhp/576nm with just a remap, and although that S3 will cream me off the line because of it's AWD (which requires ZERO skill to launch - any clown can launch it one handed), once I'm rolling my M140i would not just beat that S3, but absolutely destroy it. As I was destroying it, and fighting hard to tame the rear end which would be all over the road, I would also be having a lot more fun. People who want to be the fastest from one set of traffic lights to another, with zero driving skill, buy S3's and similar. People who love driving and trying to tame a wild beast, buy RWD BMW's. Edit to add, mine has adaptive suspension, much better than the passive.

[@CarNitty]

You've hit the nail on the head there. There's no denying the M Lites require skill whereas the other cars don't. I personally went with the M135i as I wanted a big engine and the 2.0L never did it for me. If I had the option of AWD, I don't know if I'd go for it or not. In winter, I hardly got to put the power down and drove it like a 118i whereas the S3 suits all weather conditions. Also, don't knock the sensation of doing 60mph with no braking round the bend. The stage 1 tune on these changes the car. Other regions got X drive with their M Lites and that's the pull factor of the VAG hot hatches gone and BMW may have dominated this market and we'd maybe still have 3.0L in the M lites

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@CarNitty The M140i xDrive like they got in the US is a great car. Personally though, I'd rather have RWD only. I really like the fact mine is twitchy, that is exactly why I bought it and tuned it, because it WASN'T easy to drive fast. If it was AWD, why would I choose one over an RS3, A45S, GolfR etc etc, it would be just the same. next month mine goes to 460+bhp and I can't wait :-) It will be even more sketchy then, and require even more skill to try and tame it's ridiculous wild side hahah. That my friend, is what makes me feel alive. Not just planting the throttle in AWD launch mode one hand on the wheel, while I'm texting with the other hand. That is fun for 2 or 3 times then b o r i n g mate (in my opinion). I work in the motor trade, I have driven them all. If I had more spare cash, I'd be in an M2C.

[@CarNitty]

@@DjNikGnashers the Americans didn't get the F20 in any model. They got the M235i and M240i only and I agree with you wholeheartedly. I said in my Golf R review that I didn't even need a tune as the car reacts differently every time compared to the R with its 4WD

[@nateamg5206]

Audi's are soulless cars with overly safe handling for the amateurs. Great if you want to be bored to death whilst moving fast. Shame really as they have made some truly special cars.

[@CarNitty]

I have to disagree. I'm in love earth their 5 pot engine from the TTRS/RS3 as well as their 4.0l V8 in the RS6 and above. What's your thoughts on Mercedes moving to 4WD?