M3 or RS3?

equ · 08-15-2017, 02:49 PM

The mk7 GTI is nose-heavy, but doesn't drive as such. Neither did the S3 in my brief test drive. But it also felt not large/highway/refined/Audi enough to me. At the time, I far preferred the b8.5 s4, even as I noticed the better turn-in on the S3.

The 5-cyl is bound to feel/sound more special than the GTI/GolfR/S3 variants. The big question will be whether the bigger block ruins the handling. In my view, it is possible to have decent-enough (for the road) handling with Audi weight distribution (the b7 rs4 through magic and the above mentioned MQB cars where the transverse/lamer layout actually helps as opposed to a longitudinal). The RS3 is transverse as well, so there is hope. Anyone here drive the TT RS? Similar layout though all the rags are saying this new RS3 handles better.

Sucks the longitudinal/transverse divide. Up to now, I've always taken my Audis as the former, and I still believe they are better on snow, have the better torsen center-diff and have better weight distribution. BUT... I think the rotational inertia effect is even more important than weight here. The transverse layout is far less bothersome, the longitudinal ahead of the front axle is basically a stabilizer.

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08-15-2017, 02:49 PM	#23
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	The mk7 GTI is nose-heavy, but doesn't drive as such. Neither did the S3 in my brief test drive. But it also felt not large/highway/refined/Audi enough to me. At the time, I far preferred the b8.5 s4, even as I noticed the better turn-in on the S3. The 5-cyl is bound to feel/sound more special than the GTI/GolfR/S3 variants. The big question will be whether the bigger block ruins the handling. In my view, it is possible to have decent-enough (for the road) handling with Audi weight distribution (the b7 rs4 through magic and the above mentioned MQB cars where the transverse/lamer layout actually helps as opposed to a longitudinal). The RS3 is transverse as well, so there is hope. Anyone here drive the TT RS? Similar layout though all the rags are saying this new RS3 handles better. Sucks the longitudinal/transverse divide. Up to now, I've always taken my Audis as the former, and I still believe they are better on snow, have the better torsen center-diff and have better weight distribution. BUT... I think the rotational inertia effect is even more important than weight here. The transverse layout is far less bothersome, the longitudinal ahead of the front axle is basically a stabilizer.