BMW 1 Series or Audi A3

riz_uk

I'm looking at either the BMW 1 series or Audi A3 (probably go for one around a 3 year old with relatively low mileage). Anyone got any comments about either of these & where to buy from?

Thanks

jimpix12

The A3 gets better reviews, the styling on the 1 series seems to let it down. I would however opt for the 1 series as I prefer it, and A3s are far too common.

Do you know what engine size you'd get? Of course if it's the S3 I may have to reconsider what I've just said... :money:

MX5huggy

Just go and drive both and see what you like best. Mum had an A3 for a while but went back to a 3 series coupe as kwickly as she could was not as good for her.

riz_uk

spunko2010 wrote: »

The A3 gets better reviews, the styling on the 1 series seems to let it down. I would however opt for the 1 series as I prefer it, and A3s are far too common.
:money:

That was exactly what i was thinking! Probably looking to get a 1.8 or 2.0 diesel.

AdrianHi

Some time ago I got my Mum to try a 120i convertible, she drove an A3 1.6 FSI at the time, we also tried the A3 Cabriolet.
There is 1 reviewer (link later below) that loves the A3 over the 1er, frankly, he's mad as a March hare, the difference between these cars is night and day. Contrary to expectations the 1 series turns out to have a much better interior, much better ride and for driving dynamics leaves the A3 for the soggy old thing it is (by comparison).
Drive them both for yourself down a winding road, my 63 year old Mum did and you can see her verdict which I agree with:

AdrianHi_on_another_forum wrote:

Cars tested:
BMW 120i M Sport convertible automatic
Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI Sport DSG (automatic)

This all started with my brother (who is one of those people with an irrational distaste for BMW's, despite that fact they offer everything he likes in a car) showing Mum a VW EOS brochure and this thread:
http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?p=643393#643393

Concerns over leaking roofs and the realisation that it's no cheaper over 3 years than an A3 Cabriolet lead us to move on to this. But before test driving the A3 Cab. today, I took Mum to the BMW showroom to see a 1 series, she liked the look of it, we both test drove it and Mum noticed all those great BMW dynamic attributes we know and love.
She also noticed how absent they are on the A3 Cab., after the test drive comments like:
"I feel deflated"
"It's boring"
"I'm surprised" (at how big the difference is)
"The 1 series has excitment in the drive"
... repeated several times
She didn't bother to get me to drive the A3, no need, I could see her wrestling with the steering wheel battling under steer round corners in a way that you just don't in the 1 series and I could tell from her reaction to the experience this was the end of the road for the A3 Cab. and lets face it, we can just take my Mums word for it
The A3 Cab. is still brilliant in many ways, the automatic DSG box is fantastic.

So here is a quick breakdown of the points we, mostly Mum, notices:
A3 Cab. a lot more boot space and the same amount of boot space reagrdless of whether the hood is up or down - the 1 series has all the boot space Mum will ever need.

A3 Cab. more rear seat and leg space, more comfortable rear seats, I could go to Scotland and back sitting in these seats, I couldn't do it in the back of the 1 series where the leg room and steep angle of the back rest makes them only good for short trips or for children in their own child seats - Mum rarely carries any passengers and when she does it's grand children in child seats.

A3 Cab. seats split and fold, 1 series there is a through load option only - not a deal breaker.

A3 Cab. front sports seats not as comfortable or supportive as the 1 series sports seats. We do like the 1 series seats.

A3 Cab. DSG autobox has paddle shift on the steering wheel... which Mum will never use, stick in D and go is what she'll be doing. The DSG box is near seemless and brilliant but in the end so is the 1 series box as best we can remember.

A3 Cab. 1.8T / 2.0T has more grunt so you take off from the line quicker... which mostly serves to create torque steer and a bit of wheel spin in some circumstances and in the end does nothing to make it more fun to drive because the steering on the 1 series is so much better etc. etc.

1 series has noticebly less road noise that the A3 Cab., wind noise about the same may be 1 series a touch better.

1 series M Sport has a slightly better ride that the A3 Cab. Sport - despite being fitted with run-flat tyres (which work brilliantly on this car BTW )

A3 Cab. Audi are really proud and keen to point out that the roof retracts in 9 seconds, closes in 11 seconds - why is this important and besides the steering on the 1 series is so much better, it's exciting and... (did we hear this bit already ) - so we don't seem to care how fast the roof opens/closes so long as the 1 series does it quick enough.

A3 Cab. interior, the thing Audi's are famous for, is noticeably duller and plastickier than the 1 series - yes really, the 1 series is nicer inside.

A3 Cab. when the roof is folded it's not as nicely closed off and finished off as the 1 series (see autocar video link below).


I think it could be summed up as the A3 Cab. is kinder to it's rear seat passengers and is a lot more practical for carrying stuff around but this comes at the expense of the driving experience which is "typical Audi" and as almost anyone who drives both can tell - is dull / boring. Anyone except that bloke from Autocar that is :rolleyes: http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/Videos.aspx?AR=232539&Page=3&CT=V

MX5huggy

AdrianHi wrote: »

Some time ago I got my Mum to try a 120i convertible, she drove an A3 1.6 FSI at the time, we also tried the A3 Cabriolet.
There is 1 reviewer (link later below) that loves the A3 over the 1er, frankly, he's mad as a March hare, the difference between these cars is night and day. Contrary to expectations the 1 series turns out to have a much better interior, much better ride and for driving dynamics leaves the A3 for the soggy old thing it is (by comparison).
Drive them both for yourself down a winding road, my 63 year old Mum did and you can see her verdict which I agree with:

OMG are we brothers! Mum gets her 120 convertible today did not bother driving an A3 based on past experince. She will miss her Z4 but the price of tyres was getting silly!

AdrianHi

Coupe and convertible have better proportions than that hatch I think:





1 series, poor quality interior? I don't think so but judge for yourself:






A nicely sealed off stowed roof where on an A3 Cab. you have a gaping hole


She picked it up in November and now she is never in when I call, always going somewhere

... no this is not at all money saving:o

harveybobbles

I have driven plenty of the A3's and 1 Series.

The A3's are a bit noiser on the motorway, but a far better drive like for like. The 1 is odd looking and not really a nice place to be.
Don't be fooled by the "sport" on the 1 as they drop a lot of spec off over a SE.

My OH loves the 1 but I prefer the A3 if I REALLY had to have one.
But if I had to choose a car it's be an A6 lol.

AdrianHi

harveybobbles wrote: »

I have driven plenty of the A3's and 1 Series.

The A3's are a bit noiser on the motorway, but a far better drive like for like. The 1 is odd looking and not really a nice place to be.
Don't be fooled by the "sport" on the 1 as they drop a lot of spec off over a SE.

My OH loves the 1 but I prefer the A3 if I REALLY had to have one.
But if I had to choose a car it's be an A6 lol.

Mystified by the different assessment of A3 drive over 1 series, got to try them for yourself I suppose. A3 = understeer which is no better than average for any FWD car, cannot get power down (wheel spins too easily without being boy/girl racer), torque steer, steering not as informative or precise... oh well.

The (M) Sport trim is SE plus extra's, not cut down at all. Only thing SE has which M Sport doesn't is:
"BMW EfficientDynamics Intelligent Energy Management system - Active Aerodynamics" presumably due to the sport body kit.

harveybobbles

I've not driven an (M) Sport that has more interior spec than an SE.

AdrianHi

harveybobbles wrote: »

I've not driven an (M) Sport that has more interior spec than an SE.

"Sport" trim level as it used to be known started being called "M Sport" a few years back across the range, essentially the same thing.
May be you are driving SE cars that have a lot of optional extras added and may be M Sport buyers are less likely to add so many options.
The standard specs for SE and M Sport are on bmw.co.uk