A3 3.2 Quattro vs 130i
Poll: A3 3.2 Quattro vs 130i
Total Members Polled: 170
Discussion
I've been given the go ahead to ditch the family bus in favour of something a little smaller and a bit more fun.
After being denied access to a 996TT, i'm left looking at something a bit more family friendly.
I've thought about it a lot (mainly from wishing I was anywhere but behind the wheel of my dag dag at times) and these two stand out the most.
A3 Pros:
Looks ok, beautiful sounding engine, DSG, 4WD, pretty compact, safe looking
Cons:
Heavy on fuel, 4WD (tyre tread tollerance), not a fan of any other Audis, possible future DMF failure, VAG haven't been the most reliable brand for me
130i pros:
The looks, the engine, the power, supposedly pretty frugal for the CCs, nice handling?
cons:
small inside, no LSD, the looks
I love both, and I'd probably be happy with either on the driveway, but which would you go for and why?
After being denied access to a 996TT, i'm left looking at something a bit more family friendly.
I've thought about it a lot (mainly from wishing I was anywhere but behind the wheel of my dag dag at times) and these two stand out the most.
A3 Pros:
Looks ok, beautiful sounding engine, DSG, 4WD, pretty compact, safe looking
Cons:
Heavy on fuel, 4WD (tyre tread tollerance), not a fan of any other Audis, possible future DMF failure, VAG haven't been the most reliable brand for me
130i pros:
The looks, the engine, the power, supposedly pretty frugal for the CCs, nice handling?
cons:
small inside, no LSD, the looks
I love both, and I'd probably be happy with either on the driveway, but which would you go for and why?
Edited by VB on Thursday 19th January 22:52
VB said:
RX8s scare me a little. Although I've driven one many years ago on a test drive and was quite impressed.
I suppose buy cheap, save the cash for a rebuild when req'd. Could work
Fuel economy is supposed to be dire though, isn't it?
no worse than the V6 which is pretty useless, i got 18mpg out of mine I suppose buy cheap, save the cash for a rebuild when req'd. Could work
Fuel economy is supposed to be dire though, isn't it?
id pick an S3 over both of these cars
VB said:
Fuel economy is supposed to be dire though, isn't it?
Probably not much worse than the Audi, and that would be offset for a lot of miles by the difference in purchase price.I've never actually known first hand of one needing a rebuild. I don't know how much of that is internet folk-law.
The rear and boot of a 1-series aren't very spacious if that's part of your criteria. Driven an R32 and it was great, amazing grip and beautiful engine note. Head says Audi, heart says BMW for me.
Don't the Audis come in a few £K cheaper than the 130s? Might also be something to consider.
Don't the Audis come in a few £K cheaper than the 130s? Might also be something to consider.
Dave Hedgehog said:
VB said:
RX8s scare me a little. Although I've driven one many years ago on a test drive and was quite impressed.
I suppose buy cheap, save the cash for a rebuild when req'd. Could work
Fuel economy is supposed to be dire though, isn't it?
no worse than the V6 which is pretty useless, i got 18mpg out of mine I suppose buy cheap, save the cash for a rebuild when req'd. Could work
Fuel economy is supposed to be dire though, isn't it?
id pick an S3 over both of these cars
I'm liking the idea of an RX8 though. Hmm, time to add it to the poll
VB said:
I'm liking the idea of an RX8 though. Hmm, time to add it to the poll
It's really a question of your priorities: IMO it runs rings around the other two as a drivers' car; the engine's characteristics are a bit Marmite; it will certainly be less economical than the BMW; space for two in the back is somewhere between the A3 and the BMW, but it's a strict four-seater; the boot is substantially bigger than either but the seats don't fold. Reliability, I don't really know. I know a few owners and they've been fine, but not a big enough sample to draw meaningful conclusions from.
kambites said:
The 1-series, purely because it drives (a bit) better. I would probably do my best to avoid either though - could an RX8 be suitable?
The 1-series will drive a LOT better I am afraid. The A3 is what I would call old-school Audi before they started to make their cars handle and drive properly (after the recruited a lot of engineers from BMW!). Too many A3's have the sport suspension which just means they replaced the shocks and springs with solid tubes and put massive tyres on them. Lots of mechanical grip (with 4wd) but little driver interaction. Driven a few A3's and they are OK, but not really a premium product. Modern A4's are much better than they used to be, so fully expect the new A3 to be a right good car.
I wasn't that impressed by the 130i I drove to be honest. It was ok, but not the revelation that people make it out to be.
Maybe it was the tyres, but it just, well, wasn't all that amazing. The e36 318is I used to have was a better steer if I'm honest. Slower, but better as a drivers car.
Maybe it was the tyres, but it just, well, wasn't all that amazing. The e36 318is I used to have was a better steer if I'm honest. Slower, but better as a drivers car.
Colonial said:
I wasn't that impressed by the 130i I drove to be honest. It was ok, but not the revelation that people make it out to be.
Maybe it was the tyres, but it just, well, wasn't all that amazing. The e36 318is I used to have was a better steer if I'm honest. Slower, but better as a drivers car.
Really?Maybe it was the tyres, but it just, well, wasn't all that amazing. The e36 318is I used to have was a better steer if I'm honest. Slower, but better as a drivers car.
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