RS3 on 5th Gear

[P_G]

Oh dear. I am disappointed and the comments of progressive understeer the hotter the tyres get is very worrying. I am sure it is a better point to point car but the 1 series M is a better track day car when you get there.

[drybeer]

I think to put your mind at rest, the BMW 1series M Coupe is a smaller, 2 door, rear driven, manual, with less luggage space

As such the two cars will handle differently for sure, and the next time 5th Gear want to show a fair comparison they might consider having the same driver in both cars?

The BMW will, for sure, have a more mobile tail and it will be throttle adjustable as Mr. Needell prefers on a dry track.

The RS3 has 5 proper seats, a hatchback with 5 doors, has quattro for our mixed roadmconditions in GB and will excel at being driven neatly, choosing corner entry speed to suit the conditions and using the superior traction to drive out. I'd like to see the same test on a wet track and know if they adjust their findings!

I know the twin-test only re-enforced why I love quattro!

[P_G]

I knew it wasn't going to be a fair test but like said the comments of progressive understeer for me was the most concerning point. I reckon they put the rally champ in the RS3 as he drives a 4WD car so it was supposed to be the better driver for the equipment and even he struggled with it. there are differing driving styles for the 2 and 2 nd a bit seconds is hardly anythign but I wasn't taking the test at face value. Despite the larger front tyres it hasn't solved the handling issues that 8p platform has with large power output engines on board.

[Dave_Hedgehog]

not surprised about the under steer comments, you tend to get these from drivers who normally drive rwd or fwd cars, my scoobys and R32 had similar comments yet neither under steered in reality, if you drive them properly. Clarkson did a good demo on TG in a scooby and an Evo

i blatted the RS3 around for an hour and steering is on a different planet compared to the R32, turns in faster, harder and corners at speeds that the R32 would be off in a hedge

will do for me

no doubts the 1m is a fearsome bit of kit, well apart from the stupid name (should have been m1) but not much use if you must have decent back room and boot

[doodlebug]

not surprised about the under steer comments, you tend to get these from drivers who normally drive rwd or fwd cars, my scoobys and R32 had similar comments yet neither under steered in reality, if you drive them properly. Clarkson did a good demo on TG in a scooby and an Evo

i blatted the RS3 around for an hour and steering is on a different planet compared to the R32, turns in faster, harder and corners at speeds that the R32 would be off in a hedge

will do for me

no doubts the 1m is a fearsome bit of kit, well apart from the stupid name (should have been m1) but not much use if you must have decent back room and boot

+1 I'm making the same move (R32 to RS3) for the same reasons. I was offered a 1M, but it isn't exactly good for chucking your child in with all their crap! I also have no time for the 1 series looks. It's bordering on noddy car.

[Dave_Hedgehog]

just watched it

typical jurno nonsense if a car wont drive sideways everywhere they hate it lol

and why do they keep calling the 1m a hot hatch, its not its a coupe, and if your a large male like me its a 2+2, the rears defiantly only for children or men with the muscle mass of a girl, the TTRS would be a more fitting companion, or the GTR

and i love the super accurate timing system, randomly flailing 3GS ....

[doodlebug]

Aye, the science in the timing is staggering. Might as well have talked a good lap and made a time up over a pint in the pub.

[Dave_Hedgehog]

You can watch it here


utoob pulled it lol

the qualitys poor, i need to source an HD version ..

lets try this old trick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waCF34aPk28

killed the quality even more

[RS6chris!]

Sod the BMW...

This is enough to make me buy the RS!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzFnmcG3OtA

[Dave_Hedgehog]

Sod the BMW...


This is enough to make me buy the RS!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzFnmcG3OtA

what a POS!!! look at the chronic understeer ....

its the noise that gets me, i was resigned to having a naff sounding car after the glorious wail of the R32, but the RS3 is even better and sounds so like my urquatty 20v

1 min in on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HayoASR-54

[hlbeckley]

if the drive distribution is electronic, is it poss to fidlde with the mapping and get more power into the rear wheels to help under steer issues?

[sonny]

Is that Cadwell Park? Looks like it to me, but looks like there driving it anti-clockwise.......?

[drybeer]

if the drive distribution is electronic, is it poss to fidlde with the mapping and get more power into the rear wheels to help under steer issues?

There used to be a Haldex control unit available which allowed this... Don't know if it is available for this car but I cannot see why it should not be possible in theory.

Getting back to the 5th gear film, even Higgins said the under steer experienced in more extreme track driving is a different circumstance to being on the road.

[Konrad]

if the drive distribution is electronic, is it poss to fidlde with the mapping and get more power into the rear wheels to help under steer issues?

There used to be a Haldex control unit available which allowed this... Don't know if it is available for this car but I cannot see why it should not be possible in theory.

The way Haldex works is that is can vary between almost none to 100% lock on the center differential, but the rear wheels can never turn faster then the front ones. Thus it is generally referred to have a maximum of 50:50 torque split, hence the chronical understeer.

[bam_bam]

Veyron runs a Haldex, someone must be able to get it to 'sing'. TBF it's transverse rear bias.