MB A 200 Cdi vs Audi A3 2.0 Tdi vs BMW 118dM

[Zafiro]

MB: 136hp/300 nm, 7G DCT
Audi: 150hp/320nm, manual gearbox
BMW: 143 hp/320nm, manual gearbox

Steering:
It's a tie between BMW and Audi. Second place goes to A-class because the steering react slower compare to the others and doesn’t have the same feel. However all three germans use a steering that’s too light for my taste. I prefer more meaty steering like old bimmers.

Gearbox
1.BMW – more feeling and sportier touch
2.Audi – much much better compare to last A3
3. I know its automatic/DCT but gear changes too slow for my taste. I still prefer a good manual gearbox

Engine
Its a tie between A3 and BMW, both feels quick and like to be reeved. MB slower acceleration but still felt surprisingly quick.

Handling
New A3 much better compare to the last A3. Equipped with Dynamic chassi.
118d felt more glued to the road .
All three handels very well though.

Driving comfort
All three have plenty of driving comfort so here is no winner.

Interior noise
A-class : Wind noise coming from the sidemirrors. Overall I felt A3 to be the most quiet car but neither of them disturb the driving with annoying noises.

Interior Materials
All three use hard plastic in the same places so they are equally bad. A3 have better feelgood factor and all the buttons with nice touch feel. That’s what makes A3 the winner but when it comes down to hard plastic and soft materials then its not better than the competition.
The door on A-class do not have the same heaviness you find in A3 and 1-series.

Design
1.Both Exterior and Interior I think A-class looks the best and equipped with AMG-package of course.
2.1-series desperately need M-package and Xeon lights to be attractive
3.While A3 isn’t ugly, the car lacks road presence which you find with A-class and 1-series. A3 is anonymous and doesn’t stand out much on the road.

Conclusion
From driving point of view the differences between new A3 and 1-series are small. Its not like in the old days. I wasn’t impressed how previous A3 drove but the new A3 is much better. Steering is now on the same level as 1-series. Manual gearbox isn’t matching the 1-series yet but I still found it to be very good.
New A-class looks the best but from a driving point of view the car doesn’t match the A3 or the 1-series.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these cars. Just choose the one your heart tells you to do and you will be satisfied.

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[lukeswiss]

Nice review. What about the infotainment in all 3 ?​

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[Zafiro]

Nice review. What about the infotainment in all 3 ?​

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I havent spent much time with it but Im used to BMW interface and it works pretty well for me. I dont have enough experience with Command and MMI so I dont have much to say.

 

[donkeykong]

I appreciate that Just_me,great job dude!

 

[Giannis]

Andreas, I have one question. Is the A's steering wheel eager to return to its straight position as fast as the bimmer's or is it like the older E-Classes, where you had to return it back yourself after taking a turn?

 

[Zafiro]

Andreas, I have one question. Is the A's steering wheel eager to return to its straight position as fast as the bimmer's or is it like the older E-Classes, where you had to return it back yourself after taking a turn?

No, not something I noticed. The steering returned to its straight by itself.
I took my mum's X1 for a spin and I had to take the steering back myself. I think I need to drive her car again to see if thats what really happen since I never experienced this on any bimmer before.

 

[lukeswiss]

I must be getting old, I really love the simpleness of the A3, followed by the BMW and then the Merc.... It used to be reversed.

 

[martinbo]

That Merc A-Class looks like a dog's breakfast. If it wasn't for the 1er's dopey eyes the A-Class would be the outright hound of this trio. Looks decidedly Korean - and nothing like a Mercedes Benz IMO.

 

[Giannis]

That Merc A-Class looks like a dog's breakfast. If it wasn't for the 1er's dopey eyes the A-Class would be the outright hound of this trio. Looks decidedly Korean - and nothing like a Mercedes Benz IMO.

Many, on the other hand, think that MB should make a radical change in their lower end of the line-up's design. They needed to approach the youth, and it wasn't possible with the current design language. They needed something more sporty, something kind of shouty, something that would create discussions!

The other camp consist just from those that like MB for what it is.

 

[Hofmeister]

I have to agree with martinbo, I despise the A-Class' styling. It looks like a mini-mpv with none of the practicality (worst in class as it happens )??! I'm sure if Mercedes tried hard enough, they could have beautifully packaged the new A (like the previous two ), stretched it a bit to improve proportions further enhancing legroom, and made it good-looking. The A3 is either bland, or beautifully conservative and simplistic, depending on your outlook. Inarguably not ugly.
And the 1 Series ( and I know I sound like I'm a BMW marketeer ) does honestly look agressive and "focused" IMO, though Xenon's do make it look even better.

 

[GS-1905]

Thats a one sexy A!! Kudos MB

 

[Gianclaudio]

Thanks for the review Andreas. It strenghts my thoughts about the A3: it looks and feels premium (looks like their expensiers brothers), is sober in a good Bauhaus sense and practical. The bimmer has the ugliest front, but in general the Merc is the worse and amazingly after the past two generations of wonderfully packed A class, is the less practical (How could Mercedes did it so wrong?). Is completely overdesigned and doesn't look Benz at all.

Some people may say Mercedes needs to appeal to younger people, with something sporty... well, sporty doesn't mean to make it ugly. An Alfa Romeo is "young" and sporty but is also beautiful. The Merc as Martin says, looks like a korean car.. of the past generation, b/c Kia is making much nicers hatchbacks. (In the same way the B class looks terrible compared to the CST concept by BMW)

That Merc A-Class looks like a dog's breakfast. If it wasn't for the 1er's dopey eyes the A-Class would be the outright hound of this trio. Looks decidedly Korean - and nothing like a Mercedes Benz IMO.

Completely agreed Martin.

Regards!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Thanks for the review Andreas. It strenghts my thoughts about the A3: it looks and feels premium (looks like their expensiers brothers), is sober in a good Bauhaus sense and practical. The bimmer has the ugliest front, but in general the Merc is the worse and amazingly after the past two generations of wonderfully packed A class, is the less practical (How could Mercedes did it so wrong?). Is completely overdesigned and doesn't look Benz at all.

Some people may say Mercedes needs to appeal to younger people, with something sporty... well, sporty doesn't mean to make it ugly. An Alfa Romeo is "young" and sporty but is also beautiful. The Merc as Martin says, looks like a korean car.. of the past generation, b/c Kia is making much nicers hatchbacks. (In the same way the B class looks terrible compared to the CST concept by BMW)



Completely agreed Martin.

Regards!

In short: Not bad but not Benz

 

[Zafiro]

Pricing for the new A3 in Sweden is wrong I must say. Its the most expensive car when I add similar equipment for all three germans.
S-line, M-package, AMG-package and much more.
Also A3 only have 180 hp, 17"wheels while the others come with 211hp/218hp and 18"wheels.

Based on price/performance/equipment Audi isn't a winner. Weird since I was under impression that Audi is cheaper than BMW and MB.

 

[Zafiro]

I drove the new A-class again today and now I appreciate the car much more. This time I actually enjoyed the steering and the gearbox. Only difference is that I drove gasolin version, maybe the gearbox and steering fits the gasolin engine better?

I also went to drive the new Vw Golf. Smallest engine ever (105hp) and no extra goodies like adaptive suspension or xeon lights, pretty basic car. The drive didn't left me impressed. I mean its a great car. You fit in the backseat, interior materials are good and so are the feel of the buttons. Some hard plastic in certain areas but overall its a quality car.
DSG-gearbox is great and the steering is accurate but way too light. I don't like the way new cars are getting lighter steering. The car handles well and the engine is alright but still the car left me cold. I didn't get GT86 halleluja moment (not that I expected it).
I hope GTI and R version are getting better and with more soul.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

We want more info! Any more A-class pictures from yesterday?

 

[Human]

Great review, photo's and in short I just love comparisons as it gives great perspective. In the end I also feels Benz is the loser of the trio. the A-class needs more German-ness and aslo Benz-ness. Don't get me wrong I do like alot about the A-class.

Edit: Long time since I've seen/read/heard our Martin being so harsh: "dog's breakfast" LOL, well point is, that it has Korean overtones.... nearly justify such a remark.

 

[Deckhook]

Finally the A180 cdi arrived for our sub-manager today. First impressions are promising as it's a very attractive looking car and it has a well appointed interior.

I've yet to drive it as it's he's new baby and only came in to collect it as he's presently off on a week's leave it will be next week before I get a chance to take it for a spin but his first comment was how light the steering felt compared the A1 we got him before.....a Merc with a lighter steering than an Audi, that's a first.