BMW 1 Series or Audi A3?

katebl

Hi all, would appreciate some opinions please? Next year will probably look to part ex our car (2L Fiesta ST) for something a bit more "grown up". Current car probably worth about 3k if someone's generous, and would add up to an extra 5k I think... With this budget in mind, would it be stupid to even consider either of the above? Don't really want to take out finance but not sure if this sort of money would get a decent example of either of the above.

With servicing costs, mpg (would want at least equivalent speed/performance to the Fiesta), common faults taken into account, which would you go for? Thinking petrol as don't do too many long distances so a diesel may be a waste? Any thoughts welcome. (Or even alternative suggestions!)

Neil49

Both brands are expensive in terms of servicing and insurance. You may be better off considering a Focus or a Golf, both of which will give you the same space but would cost less to run. There will also be a greater choice around.

rodenal

The only 1 i'd actually want is the 130i or possibly a 125i coupe but that'll be well out of budget. You'll just have to look around at what kind of car you can get for your money at the time, 130i should be well doable though.

I personally dont like the 8p A3, its far too long in the tooth but the 2.0tfsi is probably the pick of the bunch at your kind of budget. A mk5 gti would be a much better bet.

Focus st if you can stomach the fuel bills or an FN2 civic if you dont mind a lack of torque

Dont buy diesel without doing the miles to justify it

Tobster86

The VW Golf is virtually identical to the A3, sharing the same chassis, engine and pretty much parts bin generally.

In the case of a bit older cars the A3's are actually less sought after than the Golf and the same insurance group so my pick would be the Audi (I like beamers but aren't a fan of the 1 series and have heard they have rear axle cambering issues); although I don't know if the cost/demand I stated is true for newer models of these cars.

Anything that isn't German in your performance criteria with either lack torque or drink unnecessarily too much, so I wouldn't bother with a Focus or any of the rice mobiles.

rodenal

Dismissing the japs and the ford would be incredibly naive without at least driving them first.

The 3mps and focus st do eat fuel at a bit of a rate but the op does very few miles and they're both vastly more entertaining than any a3 this side of an s3 which is well out of budget. Same story with the fn2, the way they drive is very much a marmite thing but its certainly worth looking at.

I'd probably still have a mk5 gti (or what i'd acrually do is spend a bit less on a nice e46 330ci) but dismissing the others off hand would be daft imo.

katebl

Thanks all, plenty to think about there! OH would take the Focus ST but I find them far too large... We had a Focus for a while and even with sensors I never felt comfortable parking, plus I think the mpg would make me cry! The suggestion of a Golf (and specifically the Mk5) is a good one, what should we bear in mind with these? Have heard basic trim levels and gadgets are pretty poor so look for one with extras? Any common faults/niggles? Could go for a GTI but what's the 168 bhp GT like?

To be honest we could look to spend more and I would love the Audi but I realise we wouldn't get the greatest example in that price range...

rodenal

You do realise the golf, focus, audi, mazda, civic are all pretty much exactly the same size? Anyway the mk5comes with a variety of kit, there are plenty about so if you want leather or nav etc it should be easy to achieve.

The mk5 gti is a better driving car than any a3 other than the S, not sure what makes you desire one so much? It's an old design and has practically nothing on its sister car inside or out. Dont dismiss the octavia vrs either though the interior is somewhat lacking compared with the other vag cars mentioned

LandyAndy

My parents have a BMW 116i sport.

Horrible car

Slow, as you might expect, but also cramped, uncomfortable and ridiculously difficult to manoeuvre in tight situations due to the hopeless visibility.
No experience of Audis.