BMW 118d or Audi A3 2.0TDi?

alteredbeast80

Hi all,

Planning on buying a new motor soon, and I've narrowed my choices down to either an Audi A3 2.0TDi or a BMW 118d. They're both 2 litre diesels so I'm expecting similar performance and economy out of them, and I've found one of each for around £8.5k. Anybody got any experience of either or any other useful tips that should help me decide?

Thanks

AdrianHi

Best advice is to test drive both cars on the roads you normally use.

My mother used to have an A3 1.6 FSI which she liked. Then she wanted to change car for a convertible and tried the A3 cabriolet followed by the BMW 120i convertible. Compared to the 1 series the A3 cab. is as she put it "boring to drive" yet there are a few around who prefer the drive of the A3.

In colder temperatures the run flat tyres you will find on the 1 series can give a harsh ride and some tram lining. It is really critical with this type of tyre to keep pressure correct with monthly or more frequent checks. This type of tyre is 20% more expensive to buy and lasts 20% less time.
BMW servicing generally quite a bit cheaper than Audi which offsets the higher tyre costs on the BMW.

Power delivery on the 118d will be more linear with more pull from lower revs, the Audi TDI only really gives it's best in the 2000-3000 rev range and is a bit flat by comparison outside that.

As said at the start, you really need to drive both to see what appeals to you, but for my tastes it would be the 1 series and I would consider fitting standard tyres on it which sorts the run flat tyre issue out.

maninthestreet

alteredbeast80 wrote: »

Hi all,

Planning on buying a new motor soon, and I've narrowed my choices down to either an Audi A3 2.0TDi or a BMW 118d. They're both 2 litre diesels so I'm expecting similar performance and economy out of them, and I've found one of each for around £8.5k. Anybody got any experience of either or any other useful tips that should help me decide?

Thanks

Surely the BMW 118d is a 1.8 litre??

daveyjp

"Surely the BMW 118d is a 1.8 litre??"

Only in the land of common sense - 118d is a detuned version of the 2 litre diesel. BMW have been doing this for years.

AdrianHi

BMW don't do that many different cubic capacities but do have differences in fuel injectors, turbos, inlet and outlet manifolds and different ECU programming to produce a variety of engine power outputs equating to "some numbers on a badge".
With the current engine line up BMW do a 2 litre diesel engine block used to power all 4 cylinder BMW's from 316d to 320d, 116d to 123d and the Alpina D3.
They do a 3 litre engine block for 325d to 335d and the same for the 5 series 525d to 535d.
Pretty much the same situation for petrol engines too.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I'd go for the BMW. Better drive, (probably although guessing) better residuals, and frankly not as boring as the wrong-wheel-drive Audi.

Get rid of those runflats if you can, however.

plane_boy2000

Audi will have better ride, be more roomy and therefore more practical (I am an Audi fan...) however if you drive hard then you may find that the 1 series offers a more rewarding drive on the edge. I also think the BM diesels are probably more refined.

Think you need to have a coupld of decent test drives to decide which you prefer

tight_arze

Personally I would go for the Audi. The interior in the 1 series looks like something out of a pound shop and the car isnt much of a looker either.

The Audi will have a nicer interior and I feel is a better looking car.

Although I think the 1 series wins with the handling and is a slightly better drive but I still personally wouldnt buy one.

Also finally not many people like BMW drivers on the road so dont expect anyone to let you out at junctions

JQ.

A3 is more comfortable and is a nicer place to sit. The BMW is a much better car to drive. My other half had a 118d SE for a couple of years and we loved it. However, at first she hated it because of the very stiff suspension combined with runflats, but once you're on a B road it really comes into it's own, it's very much a drivers car.

So A3 if you want comfort and the BMW if you want good handling. I would also imagine the Audi would be more reliable. Best thing is to test drive both and go with the one you prefer.

MX5huggy

BMW, after putting up with an A3 for 3 months my mum told my dad to get rid and get her a proper car.

somech

bm for me although i would choose the 120d if an oil burner floated my boat