F20 M140i/240i, 8V RS3 or M2 - Best Bang for Buck?
Discussion
Looking to downsize to a one car garage to save on two lots of rego, insurance and (maybe) maintenance costs.
Currently have a MK7 Golf R (daily/mile muncher) and an E46 M3. I like the overall ability of the R, but the raw feeling characteristics of the M3.
Which out of a LCI M140i/M240i, 8V RS3 (pre facelift) or M2 (non comp) would be the best fun for the money? I would like the possibly to track the car, but it's mostly going to be a fun daily.
Currently have a MK7 Golf R (daily/mile muncher) and an E46 M3. I like the overall ability of the R, but the raw feeling characteristics of the M3.
Which out of a LCI M140i/M240i, 8V RS3 (pre facelift) or M2 (non comp) would be the best fun for the money? I would like the possibly to track the car, but it's mostly going to be a fun daily.
I run a pre-facelift 2016 RS3 (see Readers Cars thread), having previously had a FL S3 and looked closely at the M2 an alternative.
The RS3 and M2 are the more focused choices than an M135/140i, with all of them being good cars. The 135/140i is arguably developed as a competitor to the Golf R category. I would urge you to read the owners' forum reviews and to test the RS3 & M2 as I did; a lot of people have opinions on these cars without ever having driven them.
The PFL RS3 with the factory sports exhaust makes the best noise of any car this side of a supercar to my ears - you really wouldn't regret it if you like sound and sensation. It is an extremely rapid point-to-point car and, having had a stage 1 remap to mine recently, I don't think there was any need as the speed was already pretty unusable. It simply crushes B-roads into submission and feels much more like my old supercharged Golf R32 than the range of 2.0T VAG cars I've had.
I tested a 2018 M2 on a wet day and found it less comfortable and slightly more feelsome. I think it will depend on what you like - an RS3 is the love child of a Golf R and R8; a baby RS6 in concept... and not a track car. The M2 felt great but clearly it doesn't have the practicality of AWD and four doors.
If you are already committed to selling your classic M3 and / or to save some money, then I think you could probably just go down to the current Golf R and see how you are doing after a few months.
The RS3 and M2 are the more focused choices than an M135/140i, with all of them being good cars. The 135/140i is arguably developed as a competitor to the Golf R category. I would urge you to read the owners' forum reviews and to test the RS3 & M2 as I did; a lot of people have opinions on these cars without ever having driven them.
The PFL RS3 with the factory sports exhaust makes the best noise of any car this side of a supercar to my ears - you really wouldn't regret it if you like sound and sensation. It is an extremely rapid point-to-point car and, having had a stage 1 remap to mine recently, I don't think there was any need as the speed was already pretty unusable. It simply crushes B-roads into submission and feels much more like my old supercharged Golf R32 than the range of 2.0T VAG cars I've had.
I tested a 2018 M2 on a wet day and found it less comfortable and slightly more feelsome. I think it will depend on what you like - an RS3 is the love child of a Golf R and R8; a baby RS6 in concept... and not a track car. The M2 felt great but clearly it doesn't have the practicality of AWD and four doors.
If you are already committed to selling your classic M3 and / or to save some money, then I think you could probably just go down to the current Golf R and see how you are doing after a few months.
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