Should my next car be a BMW M140i or Audi S3?
Discussion
Yesterday I test drove an S3 Sportback and on Saturday I had a test in an M240i (there are no M140i’s in the area) but at least it gave me some idea to ‘maybe’ help with my decision making…..
M240i
Sounds better than the S3.
I felt the gearbox was a little better (more responsive).
Goes very well.
IMO the BMW seemed a little more ‘alive’ than the S3.
Things to possibly put me off a little – seems a little smaller inside than the S3, and doesn’t look as nice (inside or out) as the S3.
S3
Nicer interior.
Externally I think it looks better than the BMW.
More space.
Things to possibly put me off a little – not as fun to drive as the BMW & the seating position seemed rather high. I’m only 5’8 and seemed to be sitting ‘on’ the car rather than ‘in it’ even after pumping the seat down to the lowest it would go.
My other half was with me on both tests and after we had been out in the S3 she did comment (I hadn’t said anything at this point) I seemed to have enjoyed the drive in the BMW more and wondered if I would soon get ‘bored’ in the S3.
Both seem to be good cars, if there was a car that looked like the S3 inside/out but drove like the BMW I would have already put my order in
Another thing is the price of both…… I could get a brand new M140 with some nice options for the same price as what a 1 – 2 year old S3 would cost.
In a way I was hoping I was going to dislike one of them more than the other, to make the decision easier but alas, it doesn’t appear to be the case.
One main thing for me is going to come down to price, I was initially looking at a used M135i but any that were anywhere near the spec I would like (5 door, auto, HK, Pro Media at least) are about £24k for one that's a couple of years old. With the discounts available I could get a brand new M140i with these options and a few more for a bit over £27k (Depending what options I go for) but this really would be my limit as I was never going to spend this much until I found out by throwing another couple of £k at it I could get a brand new one, to my preferred spec....... the 2016 S3 (6k miles on the clock) I tested yesterday was at a bargain price of £32,987! and the sales girl told me it's quite a good price as they have just recently reduced it by £1k (that was not sales bull either as I had seen the car at that price a few weeks back)!
If I was to get an S3 it would have to be a used one, probably a couple of years old so it would be around the £25k-£26k bracket, so again, for the extra, I would end up getting my first ever brand new car (BMW)
So, looking for some unbiased opinions on either of the above as asking on the relevant Audi/BMW forums tend to give one sided opinions
Decisions decisions!
M240i
Sounds better than the S3.
I felt the gearbox was a little better (more responsive).
Goes very well.
IMO the BMW seemed a little more ‘alive’ than the S3.
Things to possibly put me off a little – seems a little smaller inside than the S3, and doesn’t look as nice (inside or out) as the S3.
S3
Nicer interior.
Externally I think it looks better than the BMW.
More space.
Things to possibly put me off a little – not as fun to drive as the BMW & the seating position seemed rather high. I’m only 5’8 and seemed to be sitting ‘on’ the car rather than ‘in it’ even after pumping the seat down to the lowest it would go.
My other half was with me on both tests and after we had been out in the S3 she did comment (I hadn’t said anything at this point) I seemed to have enjoyed the drive in the BMW more and wondered if I would soon get ‘bored’ in the S3.
Both seem to be good cars, if there was a car that looked like the S3 inside/out but drove like the BMW I would have already put my order in
Another thing is the price of both…… I could get a brand new M140 with some nice options for the same price as what a 1 – 2 year old S3 would cost.
In a way I was hoping I was going to dislike one of them more than the other, to make the decision easier but alas, it doesn’t appear to be the case.
One main thing for me is going to come down to price, I was initially looking at a used M135i but any that were anywhere near the spec I would like (5 door, auto, HK, Pro Media at least) are about £24k for one that's a couple of years old. With the discounts available I could get a brand new M140i with these options and a few more for a bit over £27k (Depending what options I go for) but this really would be my limit as I was never going to spend this much until I found out by throwing another couple of £k at it I could get a brand new one, to my preferred spec....... the 2016 S3 (6k miles on the clock) I tested yesterday was at a bargain price of £32,987! and the sales girl told me it's quite a good price as they have just recently reduced it by £1k (that was not sales bull either as I had seen the car at that price a few weeks back)!
If I was to get an S3 it would have to be a used one, probably a couple of years old so it would be around the £25k-£26k bracket, so again, for the extra, I would end up getting my first ever brand new car (BMW)
So, looking for some unbiased opinions on either of the above as asking on the relevant Audi/BMW forums tend to give one sided opinions
Decisions decisions!
It seems to be a bit of a no brainer in favour of the 140 when factoring in the finances, OP.
Recently released upgraded, brand new junior supercar (
) vs. used (albeit slightly) alternative for comparable money.
Also, whilst you prefer the interior of the S3, IIRC, it has just been refreshed, with the virtual cockpit etc. This, to me, would be massively appealing, but I assume you'd be missing out on that too. In which case, you would end up with a car with a nicer interior, but not as nice as the current crop of the same car.
I suspect it will also take a long time to grow bored of the sound of the 140, relatively speaking.
Recently released upgraded, brand new junior supercar (
) vs. used (albeit slightly) alternative for comparable money.Also, whilst you prefer the interior of the S3, IIRC, it has just been refreshed, with the virtual cockpit etc. This, to me, would be massively appealing, but I assume you'd be missing out on that too. In which case, you would end up with a car with a nicer interior, but not as nice as the current crop of the same car.
I suspect it will also take a long time to grow bored of the sound of the 140, relatively speaking.
S3 residuals seem stronger looking at the sort of prices 2013/ 2014 examples are achieving.
EDIT: I was also trying to decide between the two and have just today left a deposit on an M135i, so I shall shut up now
mbr72 said:
There is - seriously - only ONE reason to choose the S3 over the M140, that's the availability of adaptive cruise control (not to underestimate if you use the car on a daily basis).
A Owner of mid 2015 models of both the M135i and the S3 sportback
Surely the S3 must have more advantages than just that? I'd expect it to grip quite a lot better since its Quattro, and perhaps better mpg?A Owner of mid 2015 models of both the M135i and the S3 sportback
EDIT: I was also trying to decide between the two and have just today left a deposit on an M135i, so I shall shut up now
Edited by va1o on Sunday 22 January 18:00
arj7 said:
Put a photo up!
I'm considering? these options.
Did you buy it new or did you get it used?
Sorry it's taken a while to reply (notification email was in my SPAM! lol). Anyway, couple of pics from collection day here - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6CSkS1tbMXkbGMt...I'm considering? these options.
Did you buy it new or did you get it used?
I went for a new one as there are, well were when I was looking at them, good discounts available if you speak to the right person....... I got over 8k discount on mine so paid just over £28k for on the road price.
M140i from TRL on BabyBMW forums.
Brother has new S3 I had an M140i for a few hours last week, the M140i is a better car. Understeer is ridiculous on the S3, I had a Golf R and that was nowhere near as bad.
S3 is a terrible drivers car, if you want to drive the car hard it won't reward you much.
Brother has new S3 I had an M140i for a few hours last week, the M140i is a better car. Understeer is ridiculous on the S3, I had a Golf R and that was nowhere near as bad.
S3 is a terrible drivers car, if you want to drive the car hard it won't reward you much.
Yeah you're probably right, I had one of them crazy lease deals where I was paying £230 a month for a brand new Golf R with a small desposit.
However, this does have its benefits... the OP should consider buying a 2 year old Golf R. Much better than the S3 and you can get a genuinely decent one now for £20k!
However, this does have its benefits... the OP should consider buying a 2 year old Golf R. Much better than the S3 and you can get a genuinely decent one now for £20k!
JS2808 said:
M140i from TRL on BabyBMW forums.
Brother has new S3 I had an M140i for a few hours last week, the M140i is a better car. Understeer is ridiculous on the S3, I had a Golf R and that was nowhere near as bad.
S3 is a terrible drivers car, if you want to drive the car hard it won't reward you much.
Yep, TRL is the man to contact, that's who I got mine from, no messing about and great service.Brother has new S3 I had an M140i for a few hours last week, the M140i is a better car. Understeer is ridiculous on the S3, I had a Golf R and that was nowhere near as bad.
S3 is a terrible drivers car, if you want to drive the car hard it won't reward you much.
When I test drove an S3 I just didn't find it exciting to drive, it felt the sort of car you could drive flat out but could fall asleep at the same time.
For me the M140i just fits the bill as a good all rounder and if your looking to go the new route the price is hard to ignore if using the likes of TRL.
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