M2 v GT4 RS v A45 v RS3 v Golf R: Drag Race (Carwow). Surprised at the results

JerseyM3 · 01-12-2026, 04:00 PM

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rcsummers · 01-12-2026, 09:28 PM

Not really surprised, but its a shame VAG neuters the Golf R so much.

JerseyM3 · 01-13-2026, 02:14 PM

I was surprised how much the RS3 dies in the roll. I had two and they seemed to do better.

Ugly Kar · 01-14-2026, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcsummers

Not really surprised, but its a shame VAG neuters the Golf R so much.

333 seems pretty darn good considering it's a 2.0, especially considering the cost. The other cars all come from the performance division of their brand.

And the Porsche better win at it's price. It really doesn't belong in this comparison.

rcsummers · 01-14-2026, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Kar

333 seems pretty darn good considering it's a 2.0, especially considering the cost. The other cars all come from the performance division of their brand.

And the Porsche better win at it's price. It really doesn't belong in this comparison.

R is the Performance Division for VW, just figure with that power and AWD it would've kept up a little better.

ShocknAwe · 01-14-2026, 10:43 AM

What a weird test to include the GT4. I love that car but it doesn't belong at all. Maybe the base 911/911T would have been a possible match?

Curse me but I think the RS3 and GolfR both sounded great! Gt4 too but as above...

I'd have liked to see a slalom or something as well. Or maybe a 0-130-0? Straight line drag races are a bit one dimensional.

2heeldrive · 01-14-2026, 11:03 AM

I need an M2.

zx10guy · 01-14-2026, 12:51 PM

What a shock. Another drag race video by CarWow. Who would've guessed? I stopped watching their videos when it was clear that's all they do. It's why I love channels such as Throttle House that actually expands out their testing from mundane straight line tests to actual track tests.

I did give CarWow a recent go with their video that they had some modified sport bike up against a high horsepower car. The video was so underwhelming, I don't even remember the bike and car they used. But I checked out when they had the owner of said modified bike do the drag races who was very clear to me didn't know a thing about launching a sport bike on a 1/4 mile track. Had they put a proper rider on that bike, the bike would have easily smoked the car.

Chihuahua · 01-15-2026, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I did give CarWow a recent go with their video that they had some modified sport bike up against a high horsepower car. The video was so underwhelming, I don't even remember the bike and car they used. But I checked out when they had the owner of said modified bike do the drag races who was very clear to me didn't know a thing about launching a sport bike on a 1/4 mile track. Had they put a proper rider on that bike, the bike would have easily smoked the car.

I watched an interesting one yesterday where they toured the Koenigsegg factory, but for the most part I have a tough time getting through Carwow videos. Drag racing does nothing for me and the schtick gets to be a bit much after a while.

Ugly Kar · 01-15-2026, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcsummers

R is the Performance Division for VW, just figure with that power and AWD it would've kept up a little better.

I suppose, if you call 1 car with a high performance engine and an R on the back a performance division. They don't even have a Jetta R, which I might seriously consider.

BMW has 11 M models, including SUV's and I'm sure it's similar for AMG and RS, I'm not going to go count them all.

ASAP · 01-15-2026, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10guy

What a shock. Another drag race video by CarWow. Who would've guessed? I stopped watching their videos when it was clear that's all they do. It's why I love channels such as Throttle House that actually expands out their testing from mundane straight line tests to actual track tests.

I did give CarWow a recent go with their video that they had some modified sport bike up against a high horsepower car. The video was so underwhelming, I don't even remember the bike and car they used. But I checked out when they had the owner of said modified bike do the drag races who was very clear to me didn't know a thing about launching a sport bike on a 1/4 mile track. Had they put a proper rider on that bike, the bike would have easily smoked the car.

If you're ever wondering how we ended up with AWD M cars and will soon have EVs... this is a good reason why

... All that matters anymore is internet bragging rights and drag races are easiest to showcase that... i am really curious to see the sales split of the new EV vs ICE M3.

rcsummers · 01-15-2026, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Kar

I suppose, if you call 1 car with a high performance engine and an R on the back a performance division. They don't even have a Jetta R, which I might seriously consider.

BMW has 11 M models, including SUV's and I'm sure it's similar for AMG and RS, I'm not going to go count them all.

I think they're too worried about a Jetta R, Passat R or Tiguan R eating into S3, S4, and SQ5 sales.

ourlee · 01-18-2026, 11:43 AM

I love the Golf R and may do a straight swap for a new one when my G87 is worth 50k. At 50 the Golf R is almost free.
Of course its a mute point if the M3 touring comes here…..sigh

Dieselgeek · 01-18-2026, 01:06 PM

I swear I read the R was going to get the 5cyl Audi engine.

GOLFFRR · 01-18-2026, 02:51 PM

that M2 looks pretty sweet in those videos rolling

Baldilocks73 · 01-18-2026, 05:27 PM

The M240i is quicker than the Golf R….

Bimmerfun82 · 01-18-2026, 10:42 PM

All things considered, the m2 is a very fast car and a great value buy for the performance

MASHCT · 01-19-2026, 10:18 AM

Pathetic that 3, 4-door cars with automatics and AWD weigh so much less than the M2. BMW needs to be paying attention to that & figuring out to to shave 200kgs off this fat-ass of a car.

The Audi sounds like shit, sheesh.

dmboone25 · 01-19-2026, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselgeek

I swear I read the R was going to get the 5cyl Audi engine.

I think that was rumored as a send off to the ICE R (I really hope they do this), but not sure it was confirmed.

Similar to Porsche stuffing the GT3 motor into the 718 - we can hope!

I’d have bought an RS3 instead of my Golf R if Audi brought the hatch over here, but they won’t - a R with the 5 pot engine would be the closest available thing, and I’d get one for sure.

maticCRO · 01-19-2026, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Similar to Porsche stuffing the GT3 motor into the 718 - we can hope!

e.

Isnt the current GT4RS Cayman using almost identical motor as GT3,
4.0L with 500hp? Or you wanted to give that as an example for what others should do?

yoandry · 01-19-2026, 10:52 AM

Old news here, Video 5 months old, everyone know already. lol

cfm56d7b · 01-19-2026, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10guy

What a shock. Another drag race video by CarWow. Who would've guessed? I stopped watching their videos when it was clear that's all they do. It's why I love channels such as Throttle House that actually expands out their testing from mundane straight line tests to actual track tests.

I did give CarWow a recent go with their video that they had some modified sport bike up against a high horsepower car. The video was so underwhelming, I don't even remember the bike and car they used. But I checked out when they had the owner of said modified bike do the drag races who was very clear to me didn't know a thing about launching a sport bike on a 1/4 mile track. Had they put a proper rider on that bike, the bike would have easily smoked the car.

Since VW Golf R is in the picture, humbly inviting CarWow to test VW Golf equipped with 2 x turbocharged VR6 engines against any other vehicle.

01-12-2026, 04:00 PM	#1
JerseyM3 Lieutenant Colonel 1372 Rep 1,841 Posts Drives: 2025 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2025 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (0)	M2 v GT4 RS v A45 v RS3 v Golf R: Drag Race (Carwow). Surprised at the results Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
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01-12-2026, 09:28 PM	#2
rcsummers OG e46 83 Rep 86 Posts Drives: X5 M60i \| X3 M40i \| M3 \| 911sc Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 M3 [0.00] 2019 X3 M40i [0.00] 2025 BMW X5 M60i [0.00]	Not really surprised, but its a shame VAG neuters the Golf R so much. __________________ 2025 X5 M60i \| 2019 X3 M40i \| 2004 M3 \| 1983 911sc @Summers0506
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01-13-2026, 02:14 PM	#3
JerseyM3 Lieutenant Colonel 1372 Rep 1,841 Posts Drives: 2025 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2025 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (0)	I was surprised how much the RS3 dies in the roll. I had two and they seemed to do better.
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01-14-2026, 10:43 AM	#6
ShocknAwe 1Addict 4952 Rep 8,967 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	What a weird test to include the GT4. I love that car but it doesn't belong at all. Maybe the base 911/911T would have been a possible match? Curse me but I think the RS3 and GolfR both sounded great! Gt4 too but as above... I'd have liked to see a slalom or something as well. Or maybe a 0-130-0? Straight line drag races are a bit one dimensional. __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
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01-14-2026, 11:03 AM	#7
2heeldrive Private First Class 170 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 4.0, 2022 330ix Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Kansas iTrader: (0)	I need an M2.
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01-14-2026, 12:51 PM	#8
zx10guy Brigadier General 6103 Rep 3,567 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	What a shock. Another drag race video by CarWow. Who would've guessed? I stopped watching their videos when it was clear that's all they do. It's why I love channels such as Throttle House that actually expands out their testing from mundane straight line tests to actual track tests. I did give CarWow a recent go with their video that they had some modified sport bike up against a high horsepower car. The video was so underwhelming, I don't even remember the bike and car they used. But I checked out when they had the owner of said modified bike do the drag races who was very clear to me didn't know a thing about launching a sport bike on a 1/4 mile track. Had they put a proper rider on that bike, the bike would have easily smoked the car.
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01-18-2026, 11:43 AM	#13
ourlee Colonel 2820 Rep 2,584 Posts Drives: 25 Grigio G87 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: in DE iTrader: (0)	I love the Golf R and may do a straight swap for a new one when my G87 is worth 50k. At 50 the Golf R is almost free. Of course its a mute point if the M3 touring comes here…..sigh Last edited by ourlee; 01-18-2026 at 11:44 AM..
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01-18-2026, 01:06 PM	#14
Dieselgeek Enlisted Member 89 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 23 Bronco, 18 c7Z Join Date: Jun 2024 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	I swear I read the R was going to get the 5cyl Audi engine.
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01-18-2026, 02:51 PM	#15
GOLFFRR 12068 Rep 28,597 Posts Drives: GOLFFRR cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: we sell BMWs to "ALL" US states iTrader: (4)	that M2 looks pretty sweet in those videos rolling __________________ CURRENT DEALS,ALWAYS UPDATED! https://shorturl.at/U51BQ FOR ALL SALES:david@bmwdavid.com Cell:202-262-2900 vipfinance@bmwofcamarillo.com for warranties!
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01-18-2026, 05:27 PM	#16
Baldilocks73 Lieutenant 617 Rep 488 Posts Drives: M240i XDrive (Soon) Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Delaware, USA iTrader: (0)	The M240i is quicker than the Golf R….
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01-18-2026, 10:42 PM	#17
Bimmerfun82 Major General 11327 Rep 5,031 Posts Drives: anything German Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2026 M4 convertible [10.00] 24 BMW iXM60 [9.17]	All things considered, the m2 is a very fast car and a great value buy for the performance
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01-19-2026, 10:18 AM	#18
MASHCT Major 2048 Rep 1,197 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW M2 BSM Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bloomfield, CT iTrader: (1)	Pathetic that 3, 4-door cars with automatics and AWD weigh so much less than the M2. BMW needs to be paying attention to that & figuring out to to shave 200kgs off this fat-ass of a car. The Audi sounds like shit, sheesh. __________________ 2024 M2 \| BSM \| 6SPD \| H&R Springs \| MAD Exhaust \| MAD CAI \| MAD Single Resonated MP \| Dinan Throttle Booster \| SST Valve Controller \| Richland Forged RF-GT3R Wheels \| AudioControl D-6.1200 Amp-DSP \| CDT Audio ES Gold Fronts-Rear \| Morel BMW Subs \| CF aero parts: CT Carbon, Suvneer, Sooqoo & Turner \| Interior & engine bay aesthetics Last edited by MASHCT; 01-19-2026 at 10:28 AM..
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01-19-2026, 10:52 AM	#21
yoandry Colonel 1012 Rep 2,296 Posts Drives: G80 M3CX & X5 M50i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (0)	Old news here, Video 5 months old, everyone know already. lol __________________
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