[Sculpin]

ACMX I'm back with a long overdue update.

To recap, I have a '23 RS3 that was bought new in November of '22. It currently has about 5,800 miles on it. It's my wife's car but I daily drove it from September to January. I took delivery of my M2 in early January and it has about 1,400 miles on it now. It has the ///M Performance suspension and at about 700 miles I had it lowered all the way down. So half the time it was at installed height and the other half was all the way down. The car has the carbon package with the carbon bucket seats.

Reviews and comparisons are subjective. These are my thoughts and impressions about the two cars.

The M2 in comfort is definitely stiffer than the RS3 in its stiffest setting. The M2 isn't harsh or punishing but it is stiffer. Coming from an E90 M3 Competition, the G87 is stiffer but at the same time it rides better and is smoother over bumps. I don't know how they accomplished that, but they did.

Although these two cars are often compared due to their size, power, and price points, they are very different. The experience of driving them is not nearly as similar as the numbers on the paper and the stiffness of the suspension is just one small part of the whole. The Audi has a transverse mounted engine sending some of its power to the back. It rides like a front wheel drive car. That's not a bad thing, it's just what it is. It handles great and I'm constantly amazed at how well it handles itself. It has a great engine, it's fast, it's sharp, and I really like driving it. It is an excellent car and am so happy my wife chose it.

The M2 just feels so much more planted, focused, and purposeful. The weight distribution and rear-wheel drive is so much more confidence inspiring. It feels lower, wider, and better balanced. I'm never surprised by how the M2 handles itself; it always does exactly what I expect it to. The RS3 is great but this is so much more exciting to drive.

Last September we took a 1,500 mile road trip in the RS3 and I drove. I took delivery of the M2 at the Performance Center and drove it home about 600 miles. I asked my wife for her assessment of the two cars from the passenger seat. She said the M2 feels stiffer but she really didn't think much of it. It's noticeable but wasn't at all uncomfortable, harsh, or tiring. She's not the biggest fan of the carbon seats but that's a different topic.

If my wife had no experience in either car and she were to test drive them back-to-back, she would definitely choose the Audi. It's softer, more livable, and is more of an every day driver. It comes alive when you want it to but is more civilized in every day use. The seating position and shorter hood of the Audi are also preferable to her. For me, I would absolutely choose the M2.

Another way to put it, if my car had the standard seats and my wife needed to go somewhere, she would still take the Audi 99% of the time and I would still take the M2 99% of the time. But neither of us would complain if we drove the other car. We love them both but have different preferences.

My advice is that you and your wife both test drive the M2 before buying it. It's a different experience than the RS3 and you won't know if it will work for you until you get behind the wheel.

I hope this helps.

[abrandonment]

Very good insight - thanks!

[Ronin76]

Question about the M Performance suspension. I know they drop the car 10mm but would they drop it alittle more if asked say another 10? Making the total drop 20mm?

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Question about the M Performance suspension. I know they drop the car 10mm but would they drop it alittle more if asked say another 10? Making the total drop 20mm?

I have my doubts they would. Easy to have done once you get the car (this way you can see the height as it gets lowered further and also alleviate for any aftermarket parts such as rims/tires upgradeor spacers, if thats your thing).

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I have my doubts they would. Easy to have done once you get the car (this way you can see the height as it gets lowered further and also alleviate for any aftermarket parts such as rims/tires upgradeor spacers, if thats your thing).

I guess that is the beauty of a HAS kit

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

I guess that is the beauty of a HAS kit

Exactly. I am going with some spacers when I swap my summer tires back on. I'm planning to tell my shop to make adjustments as needed to get the stance and look dialed in. Will probably steal some pics of other forum members' setups for inspiration on the look.

[Ronin76]

That is exactly what I am going to be doing lol.