Help M135 or New S3
Discussion
So I'm trying to decide which car to buy WC 27th I've pretty much got the best deals around, and they are more or less within 30 quid each month of each other but I can't decide.
M135 I test drove this today, internally it's pretty pants but liveable, but man was it quick, and the sound was nice. Still not a fan of RWD having owned subaru STIs for the last 4 years, but none the less even in mile damp wet conditions it rarely seemed like it was losing traction other than flash on the dash... Review are always great, but to look at it's nothing....
S3 not driven this yet, but internally with super sports seats this is very nice, it's 4WD and nearly the same stats as my old saloon sti, mpg is good tax is low, was looking at the 5 door but wife said I can get 3 door, I can also get the new saloon, but I think that looks a bit like the old A4.
I'm also hearing stronic or dsg isn't really reliable anybody comment on that, compared to bmw 8 speed auto, I don't want manual as I travel a lot and autos a nice to have
Thanks guys
M135 I test drove this today, internally it's pretty pants but liveable, but man was it quick, and the sound was nice. Still not a fan of RWD having owned subaru STIs for the last 4 years, but none the less even in mile damp wet conditions it rarely seemed like it was losing traction other than flash on the dash... Review are always great, but to look at it's nothing....
S3 not driven this yet, but internally with super sports seats this is very nice, it's 4WD and nearly the same stats as my old saloon sti, mpg is good tax is low, was looking at the 5 door but wife said I can get 3 door, I can also get the new saloon, but I think that looks a bit like the old A4.
I'm also hearing stronic or dsg isn't really reliable anybody comment on that, compared to bmw 8 speed auto, I don't want manual as I travel a lot and autos a nice to have
Thanks guys
The BMW is definitely the better handler and has a cracking engine, however the latest S3 is a massive improvement over the old car and is a very complete car indeed! It arguably has the better interior and imho looks nicer (bmw looks a dog).
It all depends on where your priorities lie, I'm sure the Audi bashers will be here shortly!
It all depends on where your priorities lie, I'm sure the Audi bashers will be here shortly!
Every review I’ve seen recommends the M135i if you care about driving dynamics and the Audi if you care about interior quality and the badge.
There’s also a M135i X-drive now if AWD is an absolute must have.
Did you see Chris Harris flog the old RS3 on the track and cursing the driving dynamics of the thing? I wonder if the new S3 is any better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...
Also I believe that the 1 series is due for a facelift in Q1 2014. If they put the 2-series front on the M135i, that would turn it form an ugly duckling to a really nice car in my opinion.
There’s also a M135i X-drive now if AWD is an absolute must have.
Did you see Chris Harris flog the old RS3 on the track and cursing the driving dynamics of the thing? I wonder if the new S3 is any better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...
Also I believe that the 1 series is due for a facelift in Q1 2014. If they put the 2-series front on the M135i, that would turn it form an ugly duckling to a really nice car in my opinion.
Edited by EricE on Tuesday 14th January 19:57
I have an M135i but still see the appeal of both the S3 and the Golf R (having owned a mk4 R32 when they first came out).
Price wise they are similar but the BM seems to have better discounts, spec wise they are similar.
If you want 4WD (many do) then I'd get the R but you do have to sacrifice a lovely six pot engine and some chassis finesse.
A major turn off for me though which is merely aesthetic is the quad exhausts on both S3 and R - WHY?!!!
Price wise they are similar but the BM seems to have better discounts, spec wise they are similar.
If you want 4WD (many do) then I'd get the R but you do have to sacrifice a lovely six pot engine and some chassis finesse.
A major turn off for me though which is merely aesthetic is the quad exhausts on both S3 and R - WHY?!!!
I've had the previous shape S3 with the fantastic bucket seats - while it was quick in any weather (ironically bought to replace my blob STI) and easy to drive quick at any time. Ultimately it was not that much fun- clinical & V effective would be my best description.
I replaced the S3 with a BMW 123D, while it was more economical then the S3 - which I needed at the time, the lack of 4wd really got to me, and it was terrible in snow and never had that ultimate feeling of security the Audi gave me. Maybe some of that was like you I've been used to 4wd cars that dont have to really think about traction at junctions etc. I did look at the M135i but did not want another 1 series BMW, but bought another Audi.
I would take a long drive in both and see what suits you best.
I replaced the S3 with a BMW 123D, while it was more economical then the S3 - which I needed at the time, the lack of 4wd really got to me, and it was terrible in snow and never had that ultimate feeling of security the Audi gave me. Maybe some of that was like you I've been used to 4wd cars that dont have to really think about traction at junctions etc. I did look at the M135i but did not want another 1 series BMW, but bought another Audi.
I would take a long drive in both and see what suits you best.
EricE said:
Every review I’ve seen recommends the M135i if you care about driving dynamics and the Audi if you care about interior quality and the badge.
There’s also a M135i X-drive now if AWD is an absolute must have.
Did you see Chris Harris flog the old RS3 on the track and cursing the driving dynamics of the thing? I wonder if the new S3 is any better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...
don't think the X-drive is available over here unless you go for a dieselThere’s also a M135i X-drive now if AWD is an absolute must have.
Did you see Chris Harris flog the old RS3 on the track and cursing the driving dynamics of the thing? I wonder if the new S3 is any better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...
I've a customer with a M135, he really rates it, except when driving in icy/snow which he then says is nigh on impossible.
I have a 61 plate 3 door S3 and I love it, can be a soulless standard runabout if you drive normal, put in sport mode and drive like you stole it and it's fantastic, great fun.
I have a 61 plate 3 door S3 and I love it, can be a soulless standard runabout if you drive normal, put in sport mode and drive like you stole it and it's fantastic, great fun.
Disco You said:
It sounds like you prefer 4wd cars, so the S3 might be for you.
Is the latest S3 still haldex controlled? So it will be FWD until it slips, with a maximum of 50% going to the back wheels?
I believe the latest system is much much better! someone technical will hopefully be along shortly to explain why Is the latest S3 still haldex controlled? So it will be FWD until it slips, with a maximum of 50% going to the back wheels?
Xdrive is Haldex as well. Just reversed. Either way its not crap as some people on here will have you believe. Quite the opposite.
Both are great cars and I would struggle to choose between the two if it was my own money. I would say if you used the boot and rear seats often the S3 would suit you better. It would be cheaper to run over 3 years too.
Both are great cars and I would struggle to choose between the two if it was my own money. I would say if you used the boot and rear seats often the S3 would suit you better. It would be cheaper to run over 3 years too.
Thanks for the positive comments guys, I agree rich with you, at present I'm in a new e350 merc, and it was nice for the first 2 weeks now it's just boring, and as some of you commented after driving 4wd for so long and knowing on those dark nights when th snows settling and your on the M1 you do get the sense of security with the car.
I know in the Subaru it helped being able to use the SI drive and make it more frontal driven in the snow, but none the less it does help, and being able to be like a bullet from a gun at roundabouts, there's many a time I've gunned it in the merc to just stand still LOL.
The M135 was impressive in the speed and execution I can see why they rave about it, but it just looks a dog, I even priced up the m perfomace kit for it at 5 grand the wheels alone at 3500 but I knocked that on the head as it made no a bean diff to the end value after 4 years......
Ok so let's talk S3
3 door or saloon , where's ya money. The spec is as follows
3 door auto in amalfi white or red
Super sports seats
Cheap sat nav not tech pack
Comfort pack
Hold assist
Bang and olufson speakers.
Roof bars
Spoked wheels titanium grey
And the jury is still out on if I should get the panoramic sunroof, what I noticed was with it the cabin feels open and nice, without it , it feels a bit close, the 5 door doesn't suffer this as it's larger....
Thanks guys
Pas by the way yes I have considered the A45 but the PCP on that is over 100 more than these and leeds merc said they had to send them back for some engine issue, so that doesn't look great... Still a bucket list car, but I expect being a full amg, service will be expensive so I sacked it off...
Oo and I did look at the Golf R but I felt the audi had the better insides and wife also approved of the audi.
That as well as there isn't actually any RS out yet nor can you drive one... But some bloody cheap lease deals on them if anybody's interested blue chilli cars are doing them for under 300 a month
I know in the Subaru it helped being able to use the SI drive and make it more frontal driven in the snow, but none the less it does help, and being able to be like a bullet from a gun at roundabouts, there's many a time I've gunned it in the merc to just stand still LOL.
The M135 was impressive in the speed and execution I can see why they rave about it, but it just looks a dog, I even priced up the m perfomace kit for it at 5 grand the wheels alone at 3500 but I knocked that on the head as it made no a bean diff to the end value after 4 years......
Ok so let's talk S3
3 door or saloon , where's ya money. The spec is as follows
3 door auto in amalfi white or red
Super sports seats
Cheap sat nav not tech pack
Comfort pack
Hold assist
Bang and olufson speakers.
Roof bars
Spoked wheels titanium grey
And the jury is still out on if I should get the panoramic sunroof, what I noticed was with it the cabin feels open and nice, without it , it feels a bit close, the 5 door doesn't suffer this as it's larger....
Thanks guys
Pas by the way yes I have considered the A45 but the PCP on that is over 100 more than these and leeds merc said they had to send them back for some engine issue, so that doesn't look great... Still a bucket list car, but I expect being a full amg, service will be expensive so I sacked it off...
Oo and I did look at the Golf R but I felt the audi had the better insides and wife also approved of the audi.
That as well as there isn't actually any RS out yet nor can you drive one... But some bloody cheap lease deals on them if anybody's interested blue chilli cars are doing them for under 300 a month
Edited by Tobamory on Tuesday 14th January 20:38
EricE said:
Did you see Chris Harris flog the old RS3 on the track and cursing the driving dynamics of the thing? I wonder if the new S3 is any better.
Completely relevant to the average German hatchback driver! 
S3 for me out of those two, could live with the looks of the BMW (but I'd be taking a close look at the A45 AMG).
The m135 will be much more fun towards the limit. As an everyday proposition I think the S3 will be a better choice.
I gather it is a vast improvement over the previous shape.
I had a 61 plate S3 sportback in white for a few months. I did find it rather clinical, with a horribly dated cabin, but it was effectively quick point to point if a little dull.
This new S3 would probably get my vote.
I gather it is a vast improvement over the previous shape.
I had a 61 plate S3 sportback in white for a few months. I did find it rather clinical, with a horribly dated cabin, but it was effectively quick point to point if a little dull.
This new S3 would probably get my vote.
It's a tough call.
I dont think the Audi interior is that much better than the BMW.
I cant (personally) live with the looks of the 1 hatch in either 3 or 5 door form. New 2 series a different matter, but that doesnt help you much!
Is the A45 in budget lease-wise? Not the prettiest thing but ticks the 4wd box and goes like the clappers. Not convinced on the "ipad" style nav screen though. Also coming in saloon form.
I actually quite like the S3 in saloon form fwiiw.
I dont think the Audi interior is that much better than the BMW.
I cant (personally) live with the looks of the 1 hatch in either 3 or 5 door form. New 2 series a different matter, but that doesnt help you much!
Is the A45 in budget lease-wise? Not the prettiest thing but ticks the 4wd box and goes like the clappers. Not convinced on the "ipad" style nav screen though. Also coming in saloon form.
I actually quite like the S3 in saloon form fwiiw.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff