E36 M3 vs RS2

[zagato10]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and what a wonderful site you have here! I am currently thinking of buying an RS2 to replace my e36m3 evo coupe as ineed something more practical yet fast & fun. The thing is i get worried when isee from some postings that quite a number of rs2 owners don't get the bhp claimed by the manufacturer which is my cause for concern as i don't have that problem with my m3. Also, is there any company that supply rs2 parts that does worldwide shipping?

[timucin]

where are you located?

[zagato10]

I live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There is about 5 RHD RS2 in the country.

[timucin]

normally ; i get the parts from audi-services here in turkey.we have total 3 cars here.(rs2).thats why they dont keep any parts in stock, i believe it would be the same for you..
the car makes no problem usually but when it does you are in trouble...when an unexperienced hand touches the car everything mixes up and it takes very long time to restore..

i have no idea about car mechanics there,thats why i cant make any comment.something for sure i waited too long time to get my car fixed but i forgot all that time on the way back home.
rs2 is a fun car to drive,easy to up-grade compare to more electronic new models
-by the way m3's are also trouble makers here in istanbul. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] as i remember i heard vanos problems too much and i ve seen lots of blown engines..
i dont believe rs2 will make more prob then m3

[timucin]

13,40 1/4 mile
4.8 0-60
standart car. i dont believe you can get these numbers on a standart e36 m3. am i right?

[timucin]

one last thing;
if you keep m3 you can find more people to talk about your car.
but you see rs2 owners except me dont talk too much here
[img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/3flypigs.gif[/img]

[zagato10]

Thanks, timucin.

FYI, my e36 m3 has been very reliable. Its my daily driver. However, as my wife has given birth recently i need something more practical. My concern is you and couple others posted that they dont get the power that the manufacturer claim which supposedly close to my e36 m3 evo (321 hp) and resulting the rs2 drive little faster than say a bmw 330i. I intend to make the rs2 a daily driver. Is it possible or is there too much reliability issue?

[markcanderson]

I think many comments were given regarding RS2s that had engine problems.

On the whole - acceleration on the RS2 is best described as ballastic. It's a completely different driving experience to the E36.

Do you have a Series 1 E36 M3 or the EVO2 E36 M3 ? i.e. 286hp versus 311hp? I've driven both and did many a fun back to back comparison with E36 EVO2 and my old 3.2 Carrera. I didn't find the E36 that quick to be honest. Power was smooth and indeed acceleration built well without any power spikes.

Don't expect that on the RS2. The RS2, like any turbo car, has to be driven in a completely different way. You have very little pulling power from lower revs, but when it passes 3500rpm all hell breaks loose.. the car comes on cam, and the turbo is now blowing fully.

The RS2 has much more torque as standard than the M3, this translates to much more overtaking punch between 4000rpm and 7000rpm. So on the road.. on a motorway it will give an M3 a very bad day.

Also from standstill it will do the same.. it might be 1600kilos of car, but it has 4WD.. so off the line traction is much superior... hence it's ability to do a 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds... that would also ruin an M3's day.

And say, you are on an autobahn... the M3 is electronically restricted to 155mph.. the RS2 isn't.. 163mph electronically.. and that's also removable.

Also.. upgradability. The RS2 actually does have quite a sophisticated electronics system... it uses Bosch motronic and has the ability to control boost, fueling, selective cylinder knock control.. this system can adapt to all different types of fuel, altitudes and temperatures to keep the engine safe - essential on a highpressure turbo car.

This also means that it's especially easy to wring more HP out of it.. if you are willing to close the safety margins or upgrade components.

Also lastly.. The M3 was built in serious numbers, there are plenty lookalikes out there.. but there are only 2200 RS2s built. The history of the car, the unique cooperation of Porsche and Audi to build the car, its rarety and it's fantastic abilities, comfort and practicality make it a great buy.

P.S. I've previously owned Corrado VR6, Porsche 911 Carrera, Subaru Impreza turbos and the like.. but my RS2 is the best of the bunch.

[timucin]

well said rs2_mark!

yep i also forgot to ask which gen. is your car?
my friend had a evo m36 ,only produced in racing green with 5 speed, lots of carbon inside 286 hp only 150 kg lighter as i remeber...this is the first gen-not very fast car
i dunno the the second gen- evo's?!? 6 speed ones

[zagato10]

thanks for the insight mark. Mine is e36 m3 3.2 evo with 321 hp. I've driven back to back against porsche 964 carerra 2. To be honest, the m3 is faster, although the porsche felt faster. that's the thing about m3, it does not feel exceptionally fast but when you look at the speedo it tells a different story.

[timucin]

what is the diffence between your evo and standart m3 321hp?

[zagato10]

Timucin,

Standard m3evo is faster than rs2 especially in higher power band look at evo magazine for data

m3 evo

0-60 mph 5.4 sec
0-100 mph 12.8 sec

rs2
0-60 mph 4.8 sec (understandbly 4wd better traction)
0-100 mph 13.10 sec (fractionally slower)

[Jani]

My RS2 is mtm'd to 380+ hp. Tried against 321 hp M3 once, 100-180 km/h, no chance for BMW. He wasn't happy. Stock RS2 would struggle though.

[charlesdash]

Having run several Audi's including the RS4 (AMD + Milltek etc +450 BHP) and currently running an E36 M3 Evo. At the risk of a [img]images/graemlins/flame.gif[/img] I would say that the Audi will prove a less driver focussed drive whilst proving far more stable and less 'twitchy' drive than the M3 particularly in the wet and on slippery surfaces.
Speed wise there should be very little in it.

I am currently parting with my M3 (which is 4 door to cope with family!) because of the potential vanos problems on higher mileage/KM cars. Subject to finding a good example, RS2's are generally more reliable then the evo M3 as they get older.
I am also running an old shape S6 with 'just' 300BHP and I would say that the acceleration is similar to the M3 apart from between 3000-5500RPM when it is far quicker due to the high torque from the turbocharging.
Incidentally from my wifes percpective the idea of 4 wheel drive and little babies safety is a serious consideration.

As a warning, the M3 may be fun to power- slide occasionally, but may cause your partner to cut off marital benefits [img]images/graemlins/sloppy.gif[/img]and give you a sever ear-bashing if she and baby happen to be in the car at the time! [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]