[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by den525

I got mine fully optioned (except HK) for just under $82k 8 months ago brand new. The best i got for the CLA45 was 94k.

That's a cracking price. And you got every option (except the stereo upgrade)? Auto or manual? Isn't $82K less than list price (or bang on) for the empty shell car?

Apologies for getting off topic away from the M2 but it seems there are massive savings out there I'm not aware of.

And yes, there's very little wiggle room on the AMG's.

[den525]

On a bit of a side note... I had a test drive in a RS3 today, one of M2's key competitors. Just a quick thought... It wasn't a long test drive, just 15 minutes or so. A lot of it on a highway and traffic.

Disregarding the pricetag... it's a great bit of kit. Personally I've always thought the sportsback looks better than the sedan, which majority don't agree... Anyways, I think the car looks great.

The interior, if you know cars, but don't regularly see the inside of an A3/S3 you'd think it's exactly the same!!The only thing I can really fault is the indicator stalk, it's very bad. So there are alcantara and carbon fibre trim bits here and there to differentiate from the S3, but overall it's an S3 interior. Which is like the M2.

The engine, it's a cracking engine to be honest, it's one of those engines/cars where when you step on it, it's smooth, it's not brut force acceleration, it's a sleeper acceleration, where you step on it and next thing you know it's 130 already. It's an improvement on the TTRS engine, which was already a great engine. The crackle and pop is sexy as well, very different to the M235i (with exhaust).

I'm very impressed with audi's magnetic ride, on 19" rims, the ride was very smooth on a highway, even on dynamic mode, it rode the pot holes and bumps around Sydney very well, better than the M235i. Maybe this won't translate well on a track in terms of feel? who knows.

BUT, a VERY BIG BUT. At $115,000? Is it that good? Don't think it's $40,000 better than the S3.

[Hazey82]

I think I'd get bored after a while with the RS3. I know I did with the old S3 I had and Dealer delivery 6K are they joking?

[05C4R]

thanks for the info den, and wow what an absolute rip off, like i said makes an M2 look like good value, that is day light robbery, i don't how strayans cop this shit

[david.orr]

Dealer 6k + taxes 25k WTF

[den525]

Originally Posted by 1M235i

Dealer 6k + taxes 25k WTF

yea dealer delivery is a bit pricey. From memory BMW was under $4k. But I'm guessing they can't really "rip you off" with taxes, just Australia... Plus M2 will be the same.

RS3 fully optioned + dealer delivery is just under $90k... and turns out to be $115k... The M2 is going to cost a bit more I'd assume...

[WAY]

Not only is the RS3 extremely expensive for what it is, you will also find that the dealers won't discount the car much if at all. Nice engine, but the overall package didn't bowl me over. At least not for that kind of money.

[05C4R]

all reviews i have seen and read of the rs3 have been quite... actually very ordinary. i was hoping it would be a good car at a good price as i like the 5 cylinder as i had an audi 5 cylinder as a 17 year old, i loved it until i wrote it off, f&%king under steering audis

[WAY]

My first car when I was at uni (as in not mum's hand me down!) was also an Audi. Was an A4 though so not a 5 cylinder. I also understeered off the road and hit the curb and broke the wheel bearing while racing some Japanese turbo (the stupid things you do as kids!). Strong car though as nothing else broke. Anyway, I've always had a soft spot for Audis over the year but have only owned 4 Audis in the last 20 years of car ownership. I just can't love them the way I do with BMWs for example. The RS3 though, is not a bad car. It's problem is the pricing. At $90k with a couple of options, I would have bought it in a heartbeat. But when the dealers want $10-15k more, I just don't see the value of it.

[den525]

Originally Posted by WAY

Not only is the RS3 extremely expensive for what it is, you will also find that the dealers won't discount the car much if at all. Nice engine, but the overall package didn't bowl me over. At least not for that kind of money.

Salesman said there is a little bit of wiggle round with the price, he said probably a few thousand... for a $115k car it's like 2%.

Audi centre Sydney which I'd imagine is the biggest dealer in Australia said, they're only getting max 3 cars a month. So it should be pretty limited... however, he said if I order today, he can get me into a december build for Feb delivery or january build for march delivery... So despite limited stock, demand is obviously not that high.

[05C4R]

mine was a 100CD but not a quattro, always wanted a quattro

[AUSf22]

Check out the newly released M Performance parts for the M2!
http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1191101
I love the new steering wheel, I'm definitely going to try and retrofit that on mine.. at the moment it looks like the mirror caps and rear spoiler are the same as the ones offered for the 2er coupe.

[den525]

Thought that was just an m performance part for m3/m4

[AUSf22]

Definitely different to the MP steering wheel for the M3. It doesn't have the gloss carbon down the centre and isn't full alcantara.. also has a new "mperformance" font which I quite like

[den525]

I forgot who told me the alcantara steering wheel don't wear very well

[2Banger]

Originally Posted by den525

I forgot who told me the alcantara steering wheel don't wear very well

I've heard the same also.

But i love the shift pedals, alot more aggressive then the current 2er ones.

[den525]

Originally Posted by 2Banger

I've heard the same also.

But i love the shift pedals, alot more aggressive then the current 2er ones.

Should just pick one up on eBay... Me and my mate's 1er both ordered one... It's relatively cheap there's a seller in Slovakia and Malaysia selling them, 1 under $200 and other under $300 compared with 7-800 from BMW

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by AUSf22

.. also has a new "mperformance" font which I quite like

this is where I don't get it... we used to get ///M in M cars. Now it's M Performance designation in M cars?!! Thought the M Performance range of cars/stuff is meant to sit between M and non-M cars. dumb imo

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by den525

I forgot who told me the alcantara steering wheel don't wear very well

only if it's not cared for. a regular clean/wipe with damp cloth would do but most peeps don't. i'm ocd in this front so mine have always lasted but then again, the leather ones are easier to restore to near new each time with regular clean/wipe

[den525]

Originally Posted by 1M235i

only if it's not cared for. a regular clean/wipe with damp cloth would do but most peeps don't. i'm ocd in this front so mine have always lasted but then again, the leather ones are easier to restore to near new each time with regular clean/wipe

Oh I remember now who told me... knightsabers told me at the coding meet! He's got on in his 3er... He cleans it with a toothbrush... Even as OCD as himself, you can feel the "wornest" anyhow... Still looks pretty cool

[AUSf22]

Originally Posted by 1M235i

this is where I don't get it... we used to get ///M in M cars. Now it's M Performance designation in M cars?!! Thought the M Performance range of cars/stuff is meant to sit between M and non-M cars. dumb imo

You make a very valid point Don, however I think the marketing for all the prestige sports car brands have changed. I believe M-Performance is going to be a cost option/upsell item on both a standard M-Sport car and the real M cars. It is very similar to an AMG A45 that can opt for the AMG Performance exhaust/Aero kit.. you would think that should be standard but since so many consumers are buying it, it would make sense to make it an option!

It is good to see both the M Performance suspension for the F8X M2 & M3/4 are a coilover option!!! Adjustable suspension from the factory is definitely a step in the right direction IMO

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by den525

Oh I remember now who told me... knightsabers told me at the coding meet! He's got on in his 3er... He cleans it with a toothbrush... Even as OCD as himself, you can feel the "wornest" anyhow... Still looks pretty cool

I use a warm & damp terry cloth to gently soak it for a few mins then use a toothbrush (free hotel one) to sweep it in a inverse direction to open up the pores and vacuum simultaneously for around 15-20 mins once a week.

No matter how much I try, it's very hard to maintain the napp on the Alcantara. Maybe I should look into the SwissVax Alcantara cleaner/conditioner.