Thursday 18th October 2012

Chris Harris video: BMW M135i vs Audi RS3

Harris gets to grips with menu pricing and finds the taste most appealing

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I think, and I hope, that somewhere in this test lies a significant change for the motor industry. The clues lurk within the M135i's pricing.

As tested, this car was a tickle over £37,000, which to any of us is monstrous for a three-door hatchback. However, contained in that price are over £7,000 of optional extras. But the big news is that so few of them are crucial for enjoying the car. The fundaments of the M135i are available for the price of the base vehicle and the ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox (no, I haven't gone mad). That's under £32,000. The forthcoming Mk7 Golf GTI, with a smattering of toys will not be that much cheaper. When you have driven this little BMW, that rice will seem a bargain.

Desirable but overpriced: Audi, in a nutshell

What we have here is the emergence, albeit not in name, of a menu pricing system. If you want all the clever gubbins, it costs you big wedge, but BMW will supply you a base car for far, far less money. Instantly, the £39,850 Audi wants for the RS3 looks unreasonable.

We drove the cars on road and track and cruised and flagellated them for a week. Many people came into contact with the RS3, not one of them came away feeling that the driving experience in any way matched that perfectly judged bull terrier stance, the undeniable Audi sex-factor and the excellent powertrain.

Should the BMW have a mechanical locking differential? You'll need to watch the vid to find out. Can I really be serious about wanting an automatic gearbox? If it was my daily driver - yes. You need to experience the BMW's powertrain in this configuration to believe just how exciting and capable it is. Do I think the M135i looks dull as cold porridge? Of course, but it's not my job to judge the way things look on your behalf.

All this and much more (road, track and a drag-race) is covered in the vid. A faulty radio mic caused a few audio issues at the end - apologies for that.

Enjoy.

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[tommy vercetti]

finally!!

[tommy vercetti]

Chris, off topic, but at the start of this vid around 20 secs, is that the same place where you drove your M3 in the autocar feature?

[tommy vercetti]

Just watched the whole video, brilliant. Love the Beema, not really a fan of the RS3. BMW looks brilliant in white too.

[tommy vercetti]

nick30 said:

m3sye said:

Wolands Advocate said:

Yes, grey jobs.

That's a shame...

there are some quite tasty looking wheels available under the winter wheels section that im thinking about..

http://www.bmw-wintertyres.com/iris/bmwwcw?page=wc...

I can be on that website for years

[tommy vercetti]

jon- said:

0836whimper said:

The real issue is whether you are allowed in the 'M' forum if you want to talk about the M135i....

[tommy vercetti]

The auto box in the M135i is quite brilliant from what I've heard, great to see that BMW are offering a manual too though

[tommy vercetti]

kambites said:

I assume the BMW can be had with a manual gearbox and the Audi can't?

I think your right.

[tommy vercetti]

T16OLE said:

Are there any other Chris Harris Videos about?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8kqjlyMv5k 599 gto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOKDP6AOU5A Aston Martin DBS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Vt3ybz0t0 How to drift

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcSAiRxmm0w Left foot braking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NszVXttN0R4 BMW M3 p1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JSrm83uPKo BMW M3 p2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhR2lXJNg3M Ferrari F40 v Porsche GT2RS v Noble M600 v Jaguar XJ220!!!!!

[tommy vercetti]

There's something about the RS3, I want to like it, but I just don't. It looks good, is quick and sounds good too, but if I had serious money to blow, I'd pick the M135i and not give the RS3 any thoughts.

Actually I'd buy the 1M, much better looking than the RS3, and much more loved too.

[tommy vercetti]

astirling said:

I'm shamelessly whoring this picture around threads everywhere, but I don't care

Looks good

[tommy vercetti]

Digger said:

A certain Mr Clarkson has witten a piece in todays Sunday Times!

Link?

[tommy vercetti]

Petoz said:

tommy vercetti said:

Link?

I came across it on the babybmw forum. Not sure the original article can be read without subscription. Link to babybmw forum
here.

Thanks