Comparo by AutoExpress: BMW 1-series loses to VW GTI and Audi TT!

Comparo by AutoExpress: BMW 1-series loses to VW GTI and Audi TT!
1st Audi TT 3.2
2nd VW Golf GTI
3rd BMW 135i

VERDICT
If speed is your sole desire, then make a beeline for the BMW. Thanks to its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre powerplant, the 135i is fast enough to wear an M badge – no doubt about it, the engine is a masterpiece. The trouble
is, the rest of the car doesn’t manage to hit the same heights.

The coupé lines are not pretty enough, the interior design is lacklustre and, worst of all, the 135i isn’t as involving as either of its VW Group rivals.

While the Audi TT is slower and less practical, it emerges from this test as a more desirable car. It’s a work of art inside and out, and also great to drive. We’ll let you into a little secret, though – the 2.0-litre version is nearly as fast, and has even sweeter handling with much lower running costs.

The Golf GTI emerges ahead of the BMW chiefly because of its price advantage, but it never once felt out of its depth in this company.

Read Article

r15mohdr15mohd - 11/9/2007 1:00:36 PM
+3 Boost
awaiting all the comments saying how this articl is pure b/s...or how the editors were biased...or how the magazine itself is reputable.

good review...the 135 packs a powerful punch but has not footwork to dance in the ring. plus i agree the VW is a great all aorund vehicle...the interior is beautiful for a compact vehicle and the TT styling is really ncie, light years ahead of the 135 andi wouldnt doubt the interior being any inferior to the BMW.

for BMW being know for the ultimate driving machine...this one certantly doesnt live up to its name from the review.



jeffy210jeffy210 - 11/9/2007 1:01:24 PM
-1 Boost
"The coupé lines are not pretty enough, the interior design is lacklustre"

That's a rather subjective comment. Personally I think the 1-series looks much nicer than the other two.


GermanNutGermanNut - 11/9/2007 1:07:38 PM
-3 Boost
Amazing win for the Audi TT over the brand new BMW 135i. Looks like the BMW, which was supposed to crush the competition, got crushed by the competition.

I'm just waiting for amazinBimmer to disregard the results of this test and come up with some stupid reason as to why the BMW is superior when it obviously is not.

The 135i was supposed to destroy all competitors with its twin-turbo I6 engine featuring 300 horsepower and 300 lb.ft. of torque. The BMW is clearly the fastest car in this group, but this test proves that speed isn't the only factor....

Looks, style, comfort and excellent handling are all just as important. The Audi TT has those characteristics and that is why it is the winner.


MunichRobMunichRob - 11/12/2007 4:56:40 AM
+1 Boost
Germannut correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've seen one comparison where the brand new TT has beaten the 5 year-old Z4. Even if it did we all know who'd win in the handling department. I'm not arguing that the 1er is the better drivers car, but the TT is not a true drivers car either, never has been, maybe next-gen will be, who knows.


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 11/9/2007 7:24:35 PM
+2 Boost
The TT3.2 is only £1200 more than the 135i and comes with a lot more equipment as standard. (Heated Seats & Others)

I think that is a better deal than the 135i

My first choice would be the S3 Fully Loaded.


mini22mini22 - 11/9/2007 1:18:11 PM
-1 Boost
But you have to also realize that Europeans do not like small sedans(saloons).They much prefer hatches like the GTI etc.That being said reviews on the 135I do say that it looks great,goes great but could be a little better suspension wise.So in a way the article is not that far off the mark. I personally prefer the styling of the 135I over a GTI. I do think the TT is nicely styled.But here in the US I don't believe we get a manual in either the turbo 4 or the V6.What a pity.So buy the Bimmer and take it to Dinan and you'll have your cake and eat it too.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/10/2007 10:55:15 AM
0 Boost
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_TT/TT_Coupe/media_gallery.0002.html


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/10/2007 10:55:42 AM
0 Boost
The TT 3.2 can be had with a six-speed manual, just not the 2.0T.


EL34EL34 - 11/9/2007 1:24:33 PM
+1 Boost
Good article, but I will have to test drive to decide for myself ;)


GermanNutGermanNut - 11/9/2007 1:29:01 PM
-4 Boost
BMW needed to cut costs on the 135i and it clearly shows.

The 135i may have the straight-line acceleration, but it doesn't have the handling, interior or striking exterior design of te Audi.

Even if you prefer the 1-series exterior and interior styling, the handling is garbage for something wearing the BMW badge and, as a result, the BMW lost.


KingerKinger - 11/12/2007 8:54:05 AM
+1 Boost
The handling is hardly garbage, I think you're being just a tad biased here AudiNut. Autoexpress is bought by the type of people who have a pipe and wear slippers.


AgentOrangeAgentOrange - 11/9/2007 2:22:15 PM
+2 Boost
Well, AutoExpress is THE recognized automotive authority, so I guess this is the ultimate verdict on the 135i.
I wonder if BMW will pull the 1er coupes from production?


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 11/9/2007 2:27:19 PM
+1 Boost
i hate to sound cliche but its the truth...who takes Auto Express serious...all their reviews go like this..A VW golf, vs an Audi tt, vs 135i...that makes no sense. When did the golf, and its restyled audi platform mate get in the same class, and not just that but every mag that has tested the 135i has raved about its handling and performance...while the mags that have tested the other 2 cars in this test normally say the tt isnt a real sports car, and that the gti is far from best in class.....Auto Express has no clout at all


LavicLavic - 11/9/2007 2:48:49 PM
-1 Boost
Where are the numbers outside the acceleration numbers?And since when do you compare a 1 series to a TT? This just doesn't hold up as a comparo. What a let down...



EnvyofyouRS5EnvyofyouRS5 - 11/9/2007 3:56:41 PM
+3 Boost
who are the people behind this? tt and z4 are in the same segment, gti and tt are definately not.
Slow week over at auto express is what im guessing.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/10/2007 10:57:30 AM
0 Boost
"The Golf does well because its ALOT cheaper and doesn't get out classed --- not because it's better..."

And would you EXPECT it to be better if it were ALOT cheaper? That's ridiculous! If it's as good as the others and costs less, it should be placed higher! You're basically contradicting yourself.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 11/9/2007 4:30:15 PM
0 Boost
I read the review of the 135. They didnt think the ride was supple enough for them. huh? They didnt care for the exterior. so they based their test on opinions of taste rather than the actual drive of the cars. Performance, they said the BMW is on par with the porsche cayman S. Loved the braking and power the car possesses. The BMW lost due to their opinion on style and the suspension isnt supple enough ... idiots



ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 11/9/2007 5:28:40 PM
+1 Boost
Odd choices, no? 135i, TT and GTI?


aprilia99aprilia99 - 11/9/2007 9:17:03 PM
+2 Boost
In my local market, the z4 is up against the TT. The GTi is a fantastic car, but simply doesnt compete in the same market. Try throwing an Alfa

1 series only natural competitor is the A3 series and Alfa's baby. Alfa's attempt looks the business but falls short as does the A3 series.

Oh well, we are all suckers for bumping up the page view count and making these incompetent web journalists $'s.


2ndbimmer2ndbimmer - 11/9/2007 7:35:16 PM
+2 Boost
In the beginning of the article, how can they like the land rover discovery over the X5?! I like the styling of all of the cars. But, I know the GTI feels like a VW, not quite all the way there of a perfomance car, like they make it out to be. The TT is slow, but I like the styling. The 1 series I have not driven, but sat in and it might be my next car!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/11/2007 2:41:47 PM
+1 Boost
The TT is slow??? Since when?


BMW995BMW995 - 11/10/2007 12:11:17 AM
+2 Boost
The 135i needs to go on a diet. 3450 lbs is too much for a sports sedan of this size. My last BMW, the E46 325i weighed 3150 lbs and was a little larger than the 135i. Of course this is a problem with all autos (most increasing around 3.5%/yr in weight).
In my eyes they're all becoming porkers.



investor27investor27 - 11/10/2007 12:47:01 AM
+1 Boost
The 135i is a sport coupe, not a sedan.


investor27investor27 - 11/10/2007 12:47:40 AM
+2 Boost
The 135i is a sport coupe, not a sedan. But I agree it should be lighter, around 3000lbs or below would be ideal.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 11/10/2007 6:44:12 AM
+3 Boost
I haven't read a single good review about the new 135i. Top Gear magazine only gives it 11/20 because it's not involving enough to drive!!! This is a BMW! What happened?


daydaydayday - 11/10/2007 8:07:44 AM
+1 Boost
the comparison looks really weird. a combination of TT, 135i and GTI!!??
wth is this?
the right segment should be: TT vs Z4, GTI vs 130i(hatch), i actually don't know where to put the 135i. maybe S3??? or Mercedes C coupe??(if there is one)


AlexTxAlexTx - 11/10/2007 10:37:27 AM
+2 Boost
The problem with the 135 is that it is only 135lbs lighter than the 335 and it does not come even close in dynamics.
Also I don't think that pricing will be too far either.
Pony up and get the 335 instead.
Plus the back seat on the 135 is useless..


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/10/2007 10:59:29 AM
+2 Boost
I have been seeing quite a few new TTs, and the exterior design is second to none. Wow, very beautiful. The GTI and 135i don't come close in that respect.

However, I was surprised to learn that the TT is more involving from this article... I don't think I'll be driving either one because I'm not in this market, but I just have to wonder if this is what most magazines would say.


RupertRupert - 11/11/2007 6:50:03 PM
+1 Boost
It is based off the Golf, but is very heavily modified. It's made with 58% by weight aluminium, has different suspension and steering and obviously different interior, it only shares a very basic floorplan.
Honestly, they're about as related as the Rolls Royce Phantom and the 7 series, which share gearboxes, similar engines, a very basic floorplan, but are obviously very different cars.


SpeedfreakJoeSpeedfreakJoe - 11/11/2007 7:24:58 AM
+1 Boost
the 135i is the best between these three! the Golf GTI is not my type! the Audi TT too girly and very small from the inside! so the 135i is the way to go!


MunichRobMunichRob - 11/12/2007 4:50:15 AM
+1 Boost
Wow I’m blown away the 135i lost to a TT based on driving dynamics. We all know the TT isn’t a real drivers sports car & now it appears the 1er can’t even two-step either!


henbmwhenbmw - 11/12/2007 11:15:43 AM
+1 Boost
Must say I'm blown away as well. From all that I've been hearing and the potential this car has, this is extremely surprising. Maybe BMW is spreading themselves too thin with all these new models.


henbmwhenbmw - 11/12/2007 11:25:01 AM
+1 Boost
This is one of those times that you kind of say "why couldn't I have been making some decisions on that product." Why couldn't the 135i be smaller, lighter, less-useful and more involving. We all know they can do it but I just wish they would stop yielding to their marketing department and start letting the engineers make the decisions. BMW is slowly losing its image and it's very depressing to watch.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 11/12/2007 3:25:32 PM
+1 Boost
Audi is def best looking. Would have been nice if the site included handling numbers! Remember the 1 series is an entry level vehicle are the others tested "Entry Level"?


PorschinatorPorschinator - 11/12/2007 3:26:38 PM
+1 Boost
Audi is def best looking. Would have been nice if the site included handling numbers! Remember the 1 series is an entry level BMW vehicle are the others tested "Entry Level"? Of course I can see the interior not be as upscale as the 3+ series.


investor27investor27 - 11/12/2007 8:04:34 PM
+1 Boost
I just read the latest copy of both Road & Track, and Car magazines, and one of the two ask a hypothetical question of whether BMW had "dumb down the 135i..." so not to rival the 3 series. The article says that the understeer is too much, and they believe that it is due to the smaller rear tire dimensions vs the 3 series' rear dimensions. Does any of these statement make sense to anybody? Since the new 3 series is unanimously herald as the best handling 3 series to date, why would these magazines now saying that the new 1 series (which is based on a smaller version of the 3 series) has too much understeering?
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