Audi A3 vs. BMW 1-series vs. MB A-class

A little old though.

I have driven all of these except the BMW 1-Series (strangely). Both the A3 and A-Class were rentals in Europe and I was impressed with both of them. Both handled sporty (and both were FWD) and were fun to drive. Even though they had small diesels, they were zippy and felt fast.

Call me crazy, but I feel America is kind of missing out.

No, your not crazy.....we are missing out.

the 130i is a dream to drive, if you are single or 2 adults, it would be ok. The audi i dont like to drive, it is not for me, never tried the Benz it is all to expensive and looks like a minivan.

The B-Class would fall in this category more than the A-Class

As Audi and BMW have some big engined and powerful varients in their compact category,like 3.2 V6 in A3 with DSG transmission and a powerful flat six in the 130i i think it should be
Audi A3 vs BMW i series vs MB B class.

BTW, BMW 130i for me,A3 is sooo very Golf/Rabbit.

JUGNU

The A3 is a terrific ride. Have you ever driven one? Very quick, great interior, good versatility, mean styling, nimble handling, and superb gas mileage to top it off.

The A3 is so very not Golf/Rabbit. I should know- I own one. A 2.0T DSG Sportback in Ocean Blue, w/ Sport Package and Open Sky system.

s4 how many cars do you actually own. you seem to have your own dealership in your garage. or maybe your just an ID

My family has four.

I have an A3 and an S4 cabrio. That's it.

My wife has a Lexus, which is being phased out soon. She'll be getting an XJ8.

My son has a Honda Civic, which I rarely mention, but it's tuned. Not very well-tuned, I must add.

The truth has been revealed. The 1 series is beaten by the A3 here. Even the Golf has beaten the 1 series, it is a joke.

CHEWY
Where do you come up with these conclusions ??
I live in the UK where these vehicles compete fiercely for sales and i can tell you that the A3 is first Golf second and BMW 1 Series a distant THIRD

Please stop sounding so sure of yourself when you obviously know nothing about vehicles in this Category

He said exactly what you said, that the A3 was better.

WTF?

Sorry Chewy : (

Thought you said "Even the Golf has been beaten by the 1-Series"

S4
Thanks for the heads up.

what is the difference between a A3 and Golf??? Did you know there are skoda and seat versions too. Hey that is impressive the way audi rebadged the golf I am impressed.

Again, doesn't matter. The end product is better than the competing BMW product. The end. Period. Game over. The fat lady has sung.

Larry,

the cars are similar but the Golf is the most sucesful car of all time/ The cars are very diffrent. And no Bently, lambo, begatti are not rebaged Audi's

Golf? ah, you meant rabbit?

MDalle
I have driven the new SEAT LEON and it is BRILLIANT.

Had a 5 Door 2.0 TDI Rental that I drove to Brussels the other Day and I was very impressed with its Performance (Maxed out at 132Mph)

the 1-series has the best engine and best handling in this comparison. the outcome is way too predictable. i shouldn't have even bothered reading the article. *yawn*

^Another astounding POV from the BMW camp.

Ha!

mark.. validus has a point. he is right after all. and no audi will ever beat a bwmw or a benz in a head to head comparison.

Amazing...I know that is your opinion and in some way I would agree that going head to head with BMW is a very daunting task.

But it has been proven before that BMW can be beat and it can be beat from an Audi. If a Lexus could do it, or MB, then Audi can (and has) as well.

And no, at this time I don't have a slew of links or articles to give you but I am sure that those from the Audi camp will be willing to help me out.

AmazingBimmer
As usual another view that is sooo Uninformed yet you sound very sure of yourself

PLEASE WATCH AND SHUT UP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09s8eMLHIUM

Laptimes around the Top Gear Track
Test By Stig
Same Day, Same Conditions, Tests Done Back To Back

BMW 130i: 1.31.9

Golf R32 : 1.30.4

So what say YE ?????????????

Not to mention:
RS4 Obliterating the M3
RS6 Destroying the M5

Hell, last i checked the
S8 Thrashing the 760
S8 0-62mph 5.0 (Top Speed 155)
A8 0-62mph 5.0 (Top Speed 155 {W12 Model})
760 0-60mph 5.4 (Top Speed 150)

Still waiting for your Riposte

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS: the S8 i drove went all the way to 270-280 km/h.... more than 155 mph

The truth is that Audi will never beat BMW in the areas that matter to me. Those are design and handling. Audis (except the R8) are designed way too boring and can only challenge BMW on the track with AWD which i hate.

No.

The SUBJECTIVE bell is ringing loudly.

Audi's design appeals to me. Very classy and timeless- no annoying creases or swoops here, those only confuse you. Their cars look very pure, very substantial.

Handling depends on what you want. I enjoy quattro's traction- I can pretty easily overtake any BMW on the highway.

No, I really do like the design of most BMW models today. The ones I really hate are only the X3 (why bother??? 3 Series wagon is better in every way) and the Z4 (I don't know why).

The M6 is a beautiful car, and you're lucky to have one.

But what I'm saying is, most people wouldn't consider Audis "boring". There's a world of difference between "bland" styling and "crisp, modern" styling. I feel that Audi is of the later, while there is a company that I won't mention here that has "bland" styling, and all of the people who support it will de-boost me. Oh no.

FAN. naturally i agree with you. I am so used to rwd, wouldnt know how to drive a FWD biased, AWD, that was so nose heavy... BMW is what engineering and finesse is all about. Not to mention precision!

Where the Golf or 1Series is concerned, the 130i is soundly beaten by anything from VW or AUDI
R32 or 3.2v6 S-Line beats 130i
2.0GTI or 2.0T S-Line beats 120i

All the way down the line to the Diesels
Like I said before, I have driven or Owned all of above mentioned Vehicles or have friends who currently own them so please do not Argue with me.

"I am so used to rwd, wouldnt know how to drive a FWD biased, AWD, that was so nose heavy"

Hmph! Have you been under a rock? Audi is switching to modular platforms- starting with the 3 Series coupe-beating A5 (well, I can't be sure, the 3 coupe is beautiful). The A5 will NOT be nose-heavy, and it will have RWD handling with legendary quattro traction, there's a strong possibility of a seven-speed DSG transmission as an option, and hopefully, it will have new and/or updated engines with class-leading power to complement its better dynamics. It will also be gorgeous- check the spyshots.

Amazing, driving around in RWD for so long can probably make it seem like driving a unicycle when you get in a FWD car.

Unfortunately I don't have that experience. FWD is better for all weather traction, which is something I put a little in front of RWD driving dynamics. But that's you and that's cool.

I got logical kicked
I will keep my eyes on this screenname to see if it is the same guy. You are right he sounds like it

why are you comparing s line cars with the normal cars? are you deformed? lets wait till the m comes out.. but to your point the BMW will handily beat the crap out of its head to head competitor.. thank you for making my point.!!!

What the hell is wrong with the comparison ??

S-Line just means different body Kits and Suspensions (No Power Hike)

M cars have to compete with RS Vehicles from Audi

How exactly did I make your Point ?? The Top Gear Test Proves YOU WRONG
The Posted perforance times from Audi & BMW websites on their Respective Vehicles PROVE YOU WRONG
A8 6.0L W12 Engine Quicker to 62mph than 760 6.0L V12 and also has a higher Top Speed (A8 155mph vs BMW 150)

(Please Check Websites Before Replying)
(Welcome to the Real World. Where BMW IS NOT KING)

195speeding ...

I am going to have to respond to this one ... You stated that the RS models kill all the BMW models and that Audi rules ... I reside in the US, and Audi doesnt rule ...

Performance times ...
RS4 0 - 60 4.3 seconds ... M3 0- 60 4.7 seconds
RS4 is 430 hp .... BMW M3 is 333 hp ...
RS4 costs $74,500 .. BMW M3 $62,000

Audi S4 0 - 60 4.9 seconds ... BMW 335 0 - 60 4.8 seconds ... horsepower is about the same both at or over 300hp .... BMW wins ...

Audi A4 3.2L 0 - 60 6.9 seconds ... BMW 335 0 - 60 4.8 seconds ... BMW wins

Audi A4 2.0T 0 - 60 7.5 seconds ... BMW 328 0 - 60 6.8 seconds....bmw wins

2003 Audi RS6 0 - 60 4.6 seconds ... 2006 M5 0 - 60 4.1 seconds ... bmw wins

2006 Audi S6 0-60 5.1 seconds ... '06 550 0-60 5.0 seconds ... call this one a draw

'06 A6 4.2 0 to 60 6.2 sec ... '06 550 o to 60 5.0 sec
bmw wins

I can keep going on and on about this ... Yes, there is a few cars that Audi has that are faster than a BMW, but BMW has more and is spread throughout the model line up ... In the US, Audi is outsold by 3 to 1 by BMW. end of story ... BMW rules

"RS4 costs $74,500 .. BMW M3 $62,000"

That's the RS4 LOADED. The M3 isn't even close to loaded at $62K. The RS4 actually starts at $66K. But by the way, you get what you pay for: the world's best sport sedan.

RS4 has 420hp, and the BMW 328i hasn't been tested yet, where I've read that the A4 2.0T does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. I see no point to the 3.2L V6. The 2.0T is more fun, just about as fast, and more frugal, for cheaper. The 3.2L is boring and I hope they replace it with the VR6 3.6L, as they have in the Q7.

BMW4me4ever: typical american... straight line ...joke :P

So RS4's crushing is due to it being newer, everything else is cuz bmw is better..joke again??

S4 ... I figured out a competition package, navigation, premium package, cold weeather package M3 coupe with SMG. I also figured ona a fully loaded RS4. I have driven the RS4 and it is hands down the best "audi" that has ever been built ... The car is awesome. As far as the best sports sedan, I will take a 2006 M5. I was just responding to 195speeding & his str8 line performance based acquisations ...

Carnut ... str8 line acceleration was all that 195speeding posted to, so that is what I commented on. read before your reply?! Yes, I am american. I am a car enthusiast. I currently work for a BMW dealership in sales for the past 11 years, my brother is one of the top mechanics at an Audi dealership for about 5 years now. One of my good friends used to race in Formula 2000, then Toyota/atlantic series and now Nascar Trucks. So believe me, I talk about cars all the time. The facts in the US are that Audi's are outsold in the US on about a 3 to 1 basis. Most of it due to the lack of performance , resale value, and value for the car. Performance = handling, balance, braking, acceleration ... This is what it means to me. From the stats and write-ups in magazines and such, Audi doesnt really compete with BMW on a performance and sports sedan market.. The only cars that they do well are with the RS model line-up. RS4, as I have said before, is truly one of the most amazing cars that Audi has ever built.

I am pretty sure that both of those top speeds that you quote are because they are electronically limited. I would think that someone whose name is 195SPEEDINGTICKETS would know that.

Does not Matter
Fact is one is limited to 150mph while other is limited to 155mph

Second is that the same Engine and Running Gear are in the Flying Spur & Phaeton (Minus Turbos) and both have been tested on Tracks & Roads to Speeds in Excess of 190mph so I can safely Assume that the A8 can reach those Speeds
NOBODY CAN CLAIM THAT FOR THE BMW OR S-CLASS

Footage in case you need it:http: Top Gear
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFStC-cJSfs

Phaeton W12:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLJKvfNeSiw

PHAETON W12 Top Speed 201mph

And since you question my automotive knowledge

All the Electronically Limited BS you see from MB & BMW on their vehicles are for:

1) Cheating on Emission Regulations (Most Manufacturers guilty of it)
2) Limiting top Speed Lets them put Smaller brakes on the cars
3) Same for Suspension Setup that can cope with 200mph Bumps

Hence Why The Continental/Flying Spur Brakes are Largest Fitted to Any Production Vehicle.

SATISFIED ??????

Eh, German cars are usually limited to 155 mph because of an agreement they signed. Porsche and VW I believe didn't sign it, but Audi, BMW and MB did.

BMW 530i

This is very important so read it carefully

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1901370,00.html

Start at about 3/4 of the way down and read on to the next page.
He is not Lying one bit.
What you stated is partially true but like i said, it helps BMW & MB to stick to the Emissions Limits and it is Much Much Cheaper to produce vehicles Limited to 155mph thah those that can safely top 200mph.

Good article. Thanks for having educated me. ;)

MDalle
Again I do not Dispute the Reasons Initially Used for the Limiting of Vehicles to 155mph, However by your own words, you will then agree that it would be Idiotic to build Vehicles that will cope with 200mph Stresses when it is going to be Restricted to 155mph so why would you Take your Vehicle to 185+ without Brake Upgrades at the very least ?

I have friends with Both an M5 and an M6 and they both complain of Brake Fade under Hard Braking.
I currently have a Deposit on an M6 conv in NY and I am still deciding if I should buy one (Thinking about moving back to the states next year) as I consider Brakes an Integral part of a SuperCar's Package.(I Digress)

Anyway I am sure It would be unwise to Unrestrict the vehicles in order to reach speeds of 200mph without doing some brake/Suspension Upgrades.

there's a bunch of factors to consider in this case and things i'd like to point out:

1. rs4 has an extra 1000cc +/-50 of displacement and $$ factor over the m3. the s4 would be a better competitor for the m3. but in the end, i believe all reviews claim the m3 is a more fun car to drive, which is what matters to me. besides, the m3 csl is actually a better car to compete with the rs4. and i'm pretty damn sure that the csl would eat rs4's on any track, except on snow/dirt of course.

2. the 1-series doesn't have a coupe version yet. and the r32 has the advantage of 2 less doors, 200cc more displacement, and awd/better traction off the start. nothing more.

3. the rs6 cannot compete with the e60 m5, it's currently too outdated.

4. gti 2.0T is force-fed. 120i isn't. the fact that the 2.0T only putting out 200hp is somewhat pitiful. your failure to point out force-induction makes your arguments weak.

5. rwd is more fun than fwd, hands down.

6. honda still makes the best fwd cars, not audi.

R32 is available as 5 door hatch (Most sold over here are 5 doors)
(5 door has exact performance figures as 3 door)

Same 2.0L Engine in S3 makes over 280hp so Whats your point ?
BMW could plunk a Turbo unit into the 120 if they choose to.

Your Honda V Audi statement is an Opinion not FACT.

But I Respect your views. : )

"but in the end, i believe all reviews claim the m3 is a more fun car to drive, which is what matters to me. besides, the m3 csl is actually a better car to compete with the rs4. and i'm pretty damn sure that the csl would eat rs4's on any track, except on snow/dirt of course."

Actually, most of the presses have said the RS4 is pretty damn close to perfect in terms of driving. I've driven one myself. I was blown away- easily the best-driving Audi ever, and that's saying a lot. It has an ultra-comfortable driving position (with a pretty good view of the elegant dash), a slick shifter, unbelievable torque from the same creamy V8 that I'm used to (but I see it as taken off my car's virtual leash), and an overall fantastic impression of thrust and precision.

M3 CSL is a lot more money than the RS4. Isn't in the $80K range? It's more of a CLK63 AMG competitor. The RS4 is faster than any M3 in a straight line, though, so I'd have to disagree with your last statement.

Both are explosive cars, but the RS4 just makes the M3 look so, so... 2005!

^^^^^But I know the new M3 will be a more formidable competitor. Can't wait.

yeah, i guess in the end, all cars with mind blurring power would be fun to drive regardless of whether rwd or awd. maybe all this comparison arguments is tiresome, and barely entertaining at best. it may really be down to which badge do you rather drive in and be seen in.

on the track, it's hard to tell which car fits your driving personality the best until you really push it to its limits. when you can start chucking the cars sideways and start seeing how the car grips and flexes at its absolute limit, then you'll know which car is good for you. most ppl won't get anywhere close to this on the road.

maybe what we're all looking for in these cars is how luxurious and how beautiful the car is. in that case we're all subject to our own beliefs and points of view.