Audi RS3 vs. BMW 1-Series M Coupe by Fifth Gear [video]

Hot-hatches, both with 250 kW (340 PS / 335 hp), battle it out for the best lap time around a track

British motoring program Fifth Gear decided to hold a battle of the priemium hot-hatches between the Audi RS3 and the BMW 1-Series M Coupe. For the challenge, show host Tiff Needell enlisted the help of British Rally Champion Mark Higgins.

Both hatches feature the exact same horsepower rating of 340 PS (250 kW / 335 hp). The RS3 registers a lap time of 1 minute 44.8 seconds with Higgins at the wheel. Listen to Higgins twice allude to the understeer of the Audi. Tiff has a go with the 1-Series M Coupe and clocks in a lap time of 1 minute 41.9 seconds.

Watching these two German hot-hatches battle it out on the track is fun aplenty but seeing consumate pros Needell and Higgins amateurishly recording the lap times on Needell's iphone is amusing enough in its own right.

Source: YouTube via BWM Blog

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progressive

Well, BMW did it again. Rear wheel drive better than quattro. That's art of engeering. But, we have to be honest, and admit, that this are two different drivers, and in the way it was not a fair test.

October 24, 2011 9:26 am

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4 replies

NeunElf

Not a fair test? Audi gets a reigning rally champ and BMW gets Grandpa Needell. Stick that up your quattro!

October 24, 2011 9:52 am

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1 reply

progressive

I always like BMW more, but this is not a fair test in anyway.

October 24, 2011 12:59 pm

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PAA

These two are both great driving machines but they both need a makeover. Lookwise they are dull.

-2

October 24, 2011 8:21 pm

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1 reply

fusion01

Seen a 1M in the flesh? it's one hell of a good looking car (but opinions will be divided of course). The Audi is of course terribly dated by now, and little can save it, bigger spoilers etc.

October 25, 2011 9:40 am

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Georgios

Dont forget that the test takes place on a track.. On normal roads its a different story you cant push the bm to the limit because then you will cry for the car you have damaged or the arm you have broken.. Anw it takes loots of courage to drive the bm to the limit. Its easyer to push the audi because the 4wd gives you confidence. Both of them are fast cars but for different use the bm for the track the audi for the road.

October 24, 2011 10:07 am

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fusion01

Many take their cars to track days, available in many cities around the world, I'd think. I have them every few weeks only 30km's away, anyone can partake. As to roads, I have spirited jaunts every few weekends on open roads and make no apologies. Depends where you reside however, obviously some countries are more conducive than others.

October 25, 2011 9:44 am

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3Iceman

Nothing new. I'm so fed up with these car reviews on the track. They would have to ascertain how much time buyers of such cars spend on racetracks. Fair test would probably be to test them in rush hour in center of London with no speeding. I'm confident Audi would have won that test, since it's more practical, more comfortable and safer.

-3

October 24, 2011 10:34 am

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3 replies

schpeltor

It's all the same story. When you lose on track, you'll say that's not daily life, we'll win on the road. When you lose on the road, you'll say road isn't for racing, let's see the truth on the tract ! Come on~ track test just a relative fair way to see which car works better by its nature. Could general drivers push to the limit is another story and is not easy to prove it.

October 24, 2011 12:30 pm

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nahidrahman

old man

October 25, 2011 4:11 am

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fusion01

You obviously don't own a performance car.

October 25, 2011 9:42 am

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Faithback

I did not see so the hand brake turns on the BMW as on the RS3...not only that, but the very wide oversteer make me wonder... champ yes, but every car needs to be driven for what it is.

October 24, 2011 10:51 am

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AG4

"Watching these two German hot-hatches battle it out on the track is fun aplenty" Hot-hatches? The 1-series M Coupe is...well a coupe, not a hatch. Only the RS3 is a hatch.

October 24, 2011 11:04 am

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1 reply

Davidkhund

it is 1-series, which is hatch, and coupe is only modification of hatch with two doors and 'butt'. so rs3 and 1m are in the same class.

-2

October 24, 2011 2:31 pm

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Ratt

The 1M is just masterpiece, like all other M cars, but this is true hardcore, real devil, call me whatever you want, but Audi RS3 is just (and looks like a joke to me) a joke against 1M, bring the Porsche to the game!

October 24, 2011 12:38 pm

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Microice

Are we seriously going to compare a 2 door coupe against a 5 door hatch over and over and expect a different result? How do we define stupidity by the way?

October 24, 2011 3:03 pm

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1 reply

fusion01

The comparison is based on similar power, similar cost and also the fact that both are fairly new releases to the market. Enough for me.

October 25, 2011 9:41 am

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4everRS

I wonder what the result would be if it was snowing?

-1

October 24, 2011 7:40 pm

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2 replies

BeEmWe

Have you seen Top Gear's wet track comparison of M3 and RS5?

October 24, 2011 8:40 pm

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1 reply

4everRS

Yes I saw it, and it wasn't snowing.

October 26, 2011 7:08 pm

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fusion01

Gotta love that 1M... a truly stunning car!

October 25, 2011 9:45 am

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October 24, 2011 9:07 am By Alex Ricciuti

Filed Under: Audi, BMW, German

Tags: Audi RS3 , 2012 Audi RS3 , RS3 , A3 , Audi A3 , Mark Higgins , Tiff Needell , Fifth Gear , 2012 BMW 1-Series M , BMW 1-Series M ,
... more BMW 1-Series , 1-Series M , 1-Series , BMW 1M , 1M , M-sport
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