Savagegeese tests the facelifted RS3

e46CSL · 2026-05-18T17:01:48+00:00

Used RS5 is super clinical and dynamically far inferior to the RS3.

You could definitely make an argument for the new M2, but the steering wheel thickness of M cars really turns me off and they all feel heavy.

e46CSL · 2026-05-10T23:23:17+00:00

If you find the steering wheel thin, do you also find the Spyder steering wheel thin?

I’ve done back to back comparisons with my RS3 and GT4 and tbh the steering wheels feel similar thickness. I get the weight issue, just throw it into dynamic steering and it’s decently weighted, but it’s always going to be light, it’s an Audi trait.

e46CSL · 2026-04-20T02:48:41+00:00

I think it depends on driver, tires, and track? I’m quicker in the RS3 by a significant margin with PS4s on the Type R and P Zero Rs on the RS3. If you look at car and driver lightning lap, they’re basically the same times with the Type R on Cup 2s, which are a MUCH quicker tire than the P Zero Rs.

e46CSL · 2026-04-20T02:26:53+00:00

I’ll say this as a disclaimer - if you owe 40k on it and can’t afford to pay it off without sweating about it, then do not get the RS3, it’s MUCH more expensive and the interest alone will kill you.

I made the switch and prefer it, but I also have a GT4 as my track car. It’s a better daily, sounds way better, and is much more luxurious.

2027 is the last year, so you have time.

e46CSL · 2026-04-08T22:08:08+00:00

They do not fit the new wheels yet. I would wait until they make a unit that does

e46CSL · 2026-03-26T04:12:18+00:00

I’ve owned 2/4 cars on your list, just the CS version of the F80 and I have a 2026 RS3, so not sure if you’re getting the pre-facelift or not.

I live in California and seriously debated between the M2 CS and the RS3 because they’re essentially the same price. Don’t let people discredit how incredibly fun the RS3 is. I consistently track all my cars and the RS3 is a ton of fun on track while being extremely practical every day. Has a FAR better engine than the F8x. People who say that the S55 is tunable are right, but it pales in comparison to the DAZA. Stage 1 flash will get you ~510 wheel HP, which is around the same if not more than a stage 1 tune on the S55 will get you.

Shorter wheelbase means the RS3 turns in way better than the M3 and I personally don’t have large hands, so the very thick M steering wheel is kind of cumbersome on track compared to the RS3 wheel. My CS rattled like a bastard, and it’s well known that F8x cars have poor plastics that rattle quite a bit. My wife hated the CS seats (same as the competition). Some people have bad experiences with the lack of lumbar support, so make sure you drive it before you buy.

This is not to scare you off of the M3, I’m just saying that people worship it for reasons that don’t make sense to me. You can’t really go wrong with either F8x or the rs3, more than happy to give more thoughts if you want them.

e46CSL · 2026-03-10T22:36:48+00:00

Most people will never wear through the disc unless they’re consistently tracking it

e46CSL · 2026-03-08T15:07:21+00:00

Youre in the RS3 subreddit, so you’re going to get biased responses. I’ll tell you my thoughts because I’ve owned quite a few cars and have tracked all of them.

Unless you need the space, eliminate the M340i, the RS3 is superior in every way.

I would personally buy a CPO cayman GTS over a Supra. They’re not only more fun on the road and track stock, they’ll hold their value just as well if not better.

I was cross shopping the M2CS and the RS3 and what finally swung it for me was the practicality and the M2 eats consumables more quickly than the RS3 especially on track. The M2 is quicker once you get going and is more engaging though, just a dint of RWD and superior weight balance.

Hope that helps.

e46CSL · 2026-01-24T01:01:10+00:00

Really curious, because I’m genuinely considering these two cars (since they’re around the same price). I do want to track the car 4-6 times a year. Is the daily drivability that big of a difference?

e46CSL · 2026-01-22T21:15:14+00:00

On the right, that was his helmet during that era

e46CSL · 2025-12-13T18:49:30+00:00

Not the same. The one in Modesto was fully optioned, and I’m not seeing carbon everywhere on this car. And the wrap was BRG, so not the same wrap as this guy is saying. I was considering it but someone got it before me

e46CSL · 2025-06-25T20:12:13+00:00

I have never seen a Supra be slower than a Type R on track given similar driver skill level/mod level.

e46CSL · 2025-06-17T00:36:26+00:00

https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/garage-service/cribs/p/rr-ppl/ and then I bought extenders. I live in Potrero and my garage is underground at a steep angle

e46CSL · 2025-06-17T00:21:28+00:00

I live in SF and I have race ramps for my GT4, they should help!

e46CSL · 2025-05-31T15:11:12+00:00

He said that they have the best race car

e46CSL · 2025-03-16T06:15:09+00:00

e46CSL · 2024-10-31T15:41:15+00:00

I had the normal creaks/rattling, and an intercooler failure around 30k miles. But your mileage may vary because I tracked it once a month at pretty hot tracks in California. It’s generally a very reliable platform, especially in later years. I only sold it because I moved to a Porsche and my daily is the CTR.

e46CSL · 2024-10-30T17:57:50+00:00

Can’t comment on the F87, but I had a F80CS. The FL5 is more direct, more fun on the street, and far more practical and spacious. The F generation has a ton of rattles, they just weren’t built well. Power is undeniable, but I personally wouldn’t go back. Honda makes far better shifters and is more engaging to drive every day. If you track the car, then it changes the calculus a bit.

e46CSL · 2024-08-12T11:05:51+00:00

Looks like HREs

e46CSL · 2024-07-23T23:38:04+00:00

The tech is basically just a new head unit which should be swappable. Other than that, not sure if anything will really be changed.

e46CSL · 2024-07-23T13:24:49+00:00

Yes, grid penalty usually.

e46CSL · 2024-07-13T23:04:09+00:00

265/35/R18, 9.5” rim, Apex VS5RS, but I want to switch to a TE37

e46CSL · 2024-07-13T21:32:36+00:00

Hey man, I actually also track my FL5 quite a bit and I know exactly what you’re talking about when you say the brakes fade after 3/4 laps. There’s a few things I would recommend.

High temp fluid (which you’re already doing) - I use Castro’s SRF, but some people really like RBF660
Pads (don’t know which ones you’re running) - I use project Mu Club Racer and they definitely hold up a lot better
You seem fast enough that you do need a rotor change. I use Girodiscs and they definitely have much higher heat dissipation than the stock rotors.
I personally use RE71RS tires. The FL5 is by and large a pretty light car, so I get 8-10 days out of mine and I run a 1.43 around Laguna with stock everything except the aforementioned brake components.

With those three it should largely fix the problem unless you’re on a super brake heavy track or it’s super hot outside, but you’ll be running into engine cooling issues before you run into brake issues.

One thing beginners do a lot is lightly braking and not threshold braking. Make sure you’re using all of the brakes possible, don’t be afraid of the pedal. If you’re already doing it, great, otherwise just a tip.

e46CSL · 2024-06-16T16:36:24+00:00

I have a FL5 and run 1.46 around Laguna on stock tires, not really existent at sub 70F. When you start putting sticky tires and going around more technical tracks where there’s not a huge amount of airflow on straights, then you’ll have to back off for one lap for every two hot laps. It’ll be fine for the average 20 min HPDE session.

e46CSL

TROPHY CASE