Audi RS 3 vs BMW M3: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Audi RS 3 costs about $27,191 less

That's $378 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic✓ $1,981/moTrue cost

M3 Sedan$2,359/moTrue cost

2026 Audi RS 3

Closest matching trim: RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic

Sticker (MSRP)$78,250

+$14,333→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$92,583

+ running costs→↓− $38,343 resale

True cost$1,981/moA month to own, after resale

2027 BMW M3

Closest matching trim: M3 Sedan

Sticker (MSRP)$96,500

+$16,721→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$113,221

+ running costs→↓− $47,285 resale

True cost$2,359/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $78,250	$96,500	RS 3 by $18,250
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $3,682	$3,696	RS 3 by $14
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $10,651	$13,025	RS 3 by $2,374
Drive-away price	✓ $92,583	$113,221	RS 3 by $20,638
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $20,579	$25,574	RS 3 by $4,995
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $17,883	$20,060	RS 3 by $2,177
Maintenance (estimate)	$12,850	$12,850	—
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $18,420	$22,761	RS 3 by $4,341
Lost return on your money	✓ $18,598	$22,579	RS 3 by $3,981
Resale after 6 yrs	−$38,342	✓ −$47,285	M3 by $8,943
Total
True cost	✓ $142,661	$169,852	RS 3 by $27,191
True cost a month	✓ $1,981/mo	$2,359/mo	RS 3 by $378
You pay each month	✓ $2,186/mo	$2,633/mo	RS 3 by $447
Practical
Fuel type	Premium gas	Premium gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	Not published	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Length	—	4.80 m	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	49%	49%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $78,250M3 Sedan $96,500Cheaper by RS 3 by $18,250

Freight and fees, before tax

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $3,682M3 Sedan $3,696Cheaper by RS 3 by $14

Sales tax (HST)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $10,651M3 Sedan $13,025Cheaper by RS 3 by $2,374

Drive-away price

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $92,583M3 Sedan $113,221Cheaper by RS 3 by $20,638

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $20,579M3 Sedan $25,574Cheaper by RS 3 by $4,995

Insurance (estimate)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $17,883M3 Sedan $20,060Cheaper by RS 3 by $2,177

Maintenance (estimate)

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic $12,850M3 Sedan $12,850Cheaper by —

Loan rate

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 6.5%M3 Sedan 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $18,420M3 Sedan $22,761Cheaper by RS 3 by $4,341

Lost return on your money

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $18,598M3 Sedan $22,579Cheaper by RS 3 by $3,981

Resale after 6 yrs

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic −$38,342M3 Sedan ✓ −$47,285Cheaper by M3 by $8,943

Total

True cost

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $142,661M3 Sedan $169,852Cheaper by RS 3 by $27,191

True cost a month

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $1,981/moM3 Sedan $2,359/moCheaper by RS 3 by $378

You pay each month

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic ✓ $2,186/moM3 Sedan $2,633/moCheaper by RS 3 by $447

Practical

Fuel type

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Premium gasM3 Sedan Premium gasCheaper by —

Seats

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 5M3 Sedan 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not publishedM3 Sedan Not publishedCheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not publishedM3 Sedan Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic —M3 Sedan 4.80 mCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic 49%M3 Sedan 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

RS 3 TFSI quattro S tronic Not rated yetM3 Sedan Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $18,250.