Compare the2025 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2025 Audi S3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 2 Series Gran Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The S3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The S3 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The S3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 10 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The S3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the M235’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S3:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M235i) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the S3; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the S3 (105.1 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S3 (12 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The S3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the S3.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S3.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series Gran has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S3.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The S3’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by 54% during 2024.