[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by Cos270

That's not the same thing...

It is...

[G30M]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Tires my friend. Tires. The latest lightning lap, the M240i was over a second faster around VIR when both cars were shod with PZ4's. I don't want to downplay the capabilities of the M240i but it's pretty weak that an M-lite car tracks faster than an RS model all things equal.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2023/



https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2023/

i don't know what's going on there, i actually just watched the first 6 corners of the lap for both cars while waiting for dinner

RS3 entry speed and corner minimum speed is consistently higher than the M240i. the first corner alone after the very long straight the RS3 was almost 5mph faster at 147 vs 143

how it got a slower time i have no idea.

will watch the lap and make more notes. maybe the driver stamina ran out ...

[lens]

Originally Posted by g21

i don't know what's going on there, i actually just watched the first 6 corners of the lap for both cars while waiting for dinner

RS3 entry speed and corner minimum speed is consistently higher than the M240i. the first corner alone after the very long straight the RS3 was almost 5mph faster at 147 vs 143

how it got a slower time i have no idea.

will watch the lap and make more notes. maybe the driver stamina ran out ...

Tires, driver, AWD vs RWD.

Drivers will have a ton more confidence carrying speed into a corner with AWD than RWD, and you can take a late apex to power out with AWD, where RWD you require to wait till your car is straightened out before applying power.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by g21

i don't know what's going on there, i actually just watched the first 6 corners of the lap for both cars while waiting for dinner

RS3 entry speed and corner minimum speed is consistently higher than the M240i. the first corner alone after the very long straight the RS3 was almost 5mph faster at 147 vs 143

how it got a slower time i have no idea.

will watch the lap and make more notes. maybe the driver stamina ran out ...

The RS3 didn't have a slower time. Even when they swapped tires on the RS3, it still posted a faster time than the M240i (fitted with the same tires but that was done in the previous year's test). The M240i is fitted with MPS4s this year and was still slightly slower.

It's also kind of stupid that they even changed the tires on the RS3, since the Trofeo Rs are an OEM option. If you are going to do that, the M240i should have been fitted with the standard Pirelli P Zeros that came with it unless you opted for the upgraded cooling package and tire package. Lots of the cars in this challenge came with high spec MPS4s or even Cup 2's in some cases. If they are going for consistency, equip all the cars with the same tires because of course tires make a difference in a track/lap battle!

[10"]

Audi are smart to do this—-but it doesn’t save these cars from under steering. Does make it better handling though!

[Cos270]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

It is...

Agree to disagree. It’s half a V10. Not a small one.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Not sure what this proves. Those are good times around that track regardless of tire choice. I'm not comparing it to the M240i which frankly hits above its weight class, much like the M340i. Not sure why you would think it's so surprising that they would be so evenly matched...power to weight (actual) is about the same. So I say good company to be in lapping even times with the M240i xDrive. Nobody says that car can't handle and is only good in straight line do they?

I was responding to your post below where you insinuate that the RS3 is a track car and compared it to the M2 CS on the Nurburgring. You brought up the BMW comparison first here remember not me.

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Depends on what you consider to be a "track car". The new RS3 bested the M2 CS by 2 seconds on the Nurburgring.

BMW doesn't advertise the M240i xDrive as their track car in the segment (that would be the M2) as this is their S3 equivalent that head to head is faster than the RS3 on a track with equal tires. Take a step back here and clarify your point. Are you saying the RS3 is a capable track car or not? No goal posts changing by me as I'm maintaining it's not without cheater tires.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

I was responding to your post below where you insinuate that the RS3 is a track car and compared it to the M2 CS on the Nurburgring. You brought up the BMW comparison first here remember not me.



BMW doesn't advertise the M240i xDrive as a track car yet head to head it's faster than the RS3 on a track with equal tires. Take a step back here and clarify your point. Are you saying the RS3 is a capable track car or not? No goal posts changing by me as I'm maintaining it's not without cheater tires.

I'm not saying it's a track car, I stated that it's not just a straight line car and referenced the ring time comparison to support my point that it can do more than go in a straight line. No goal post changing for me either, I've said the same thing over and over. And why is the RS3 wearing "cheater tires" when you bring that car up, yet you make no mention of times from any other car wearing Cup 2 tires. Wouldn't their time be much slower as well with less sticky tires? I'm also still not seeing where the M240i is faster with the same tires...forgive me if my interpretation of the links you provided is wrong.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by Cos270

Agree to disagree. It’s half a V10. Not a small one.

It is half a v10 obviously.

Small car, similar noises. Mini v10.

Win win!

[damnitBobby]

I have respect for both the RS3 and M240i. But the RS3 is just a more special car. Looks more special, feels more special, compact 4 door that's actually +200lbs lighter than the 2 door M240i xdrive.

I'm not surprised at all the M240i is just as fast or maybe even faster than the RS3 around a circuit. For me there's a lot more to it than just lap times.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

I have respect for both the RS3 and M240i. But the RS3 is just a more special car. Looks more special, feels more special, compact 4 door that's actually +200lbs lighter than the 2 door M240i xdrive.

I'm not surprised at all the M240i is just as fast or maybe even faster than the RS3 around a circuit. For me there's a lot more to it than just lap times.

The RS3 is an incredible capable car with it's mini V10.

Not sure why anyone would choose an M240 over the RS3.