BMW 118d or Audi A3 2.0TDi?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

tough one to decide between both vehicles, the drive in the bmw 1 series i experienced was pleasent but lacked that responsivness youd expect but handled very well and because of the cars shap it felt larger than it really was (only way i can describe it cant find anyother words) when driving it, you can bearly hear any road noise in the cabin also but the interior looked umm "ok" to be kind, brilliant if you like allot of plastic (i thinks sarcastically to myself).

the audi a3 was more responsive in steering, handled well but not as good as the BMW. The ride was more felt in the a3 compared to the bmw i thought but as for power you knew in the a3 it was there acceleration is more responsive i thought and has more comfort inside nice layout nice compfy seats but the car is smaller than the 1 series and feels it.


i'd say what the one lacks the other makes up for and vice versa. i know this doesnt help much in you decision (and im not trying to influence) a test run in both a good few times till what feels right i'd advise.

AdrianHi

I am talking about a '58 plate car and not what you can buy for £8500 today, but we felt the interior of the 1 series was a lot better than the Audi (drab black plastic and a few bits of silver coloured plastic trimming) which was a surprise.
A3 is more spacious.
Statistically 1 series beats A3 on reliability too, if you accept the way relibilityindex.co.uk judges it.
1er interior, grey leather, burr walnut trim

Hintza

AdrianHi wrote: »

1er interior, grey leather, burr walnut trim

and a free Rupert the bear...........:rotfl:

redux

I wouldn't say much beyond a review I once saw of the 1 series - a two seater car with 5 doors

having sat in the back of an old 3 series for a few hours, and had to take my shoes off just to get in, then been unable to walk when I got out, then the following year had a 5 series owner sit in the back of my old Citroen BX and rave about how much space there was, I think that BMW aren't doing themselves any favours by not introducing transverse engines in small cars

if you're only ever going to have 2 people in the car, none of this matters, but otherwise ...

AdrianHi

Hintza wrote: »

and a free Rupert the bear...........:rotfl:

Not mine, honest guv
Apparently it keeps Mum company when she's driving. I wonder what the conversation is like
Mind you she has a grey hound harnessed in the back for company these days.
Feminine logic, buy 2 door convertible, 2 months later rescue grey hound from dog shelter. Well it works I suppose, dog loves the roof down.

AdrianHi

redux wrote: »

I wouldn't say much beyond a review I once saw of the 1 series - a two seater car with 5 doors

having sat in the back of an old 3 series for a few hours, and had to take my shoes off just to get in, then been unable to walk when I got out, then the following year had a 5 series owner sit in the back of my old Citroen BX and rave about how much space there was, I think that BMW aren't doing themselves any favours by not introducing transverse engines in small cars

if you're only ever going to have 2 people in the car, none of this matters, but otherwise ...

I wouldn't buy the older 3 series, the E90 (2005 model) became just about big enough and is good for 2 adults in the back. The E90 isn't much smaller than the old E39 5 series though.
A 1 series really is not big enough in the back on a long run for the over 12's, but a FWD 1 series just wouldn't be a BMW from a driving dynamics point of view.
BMW will produce more FWD cars in future, more variants of the Mini and possibly revival of the Isetta brand.

harveybobbles

maninthestreet wrote: »

Surely the BMW 118d is a 1.8 litre??

The 118d is a detuned 2.0 with about 125bhp.

You can get a 120d with the same 2.0d but it has 163bhp, then later went up to 170 or summat.

Anyway, the 1 Series will be quieter to drive, but the A3 will be more fun, but a bit more firm to drive.

AdrianHi

harveybobbles wrote: »

Anyway, the 1 Series will be quieter to drive, but the A3 will be more fun, but a bit more firm to drive.

Have you driven both?
With the exception of one motoring journalist most agree (motoring press and people who have driven both) the "fun" is to be had in a 1 series, A3 is just dull. Certainly how Mum and I see it anyway.

calebdylan

BMW is perfect it has huge boot space and many controls inside the steering wheel which is covered with Italian leather

Exemplar

If its an outright purchase be aware that the residuals on the Bimma are awful! Personally I would go for the Audi