Vs Poll: BMW 1er vs. Audi A3 vs. MB A-Class

mini_cooper4

Autotechnik Ace

• Mar 6, 2012

• #1

You guys asked for it and here you go

BMW 1-Series

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Audi A3

 

south

Vorsprung Visionary

• Mar 6, 2012

• #2

Finally! Man, that's a tough one between F20 M Sport and A-Class AMG but I still prefer the A-Class.


Best regards,
south

 

K-A

Banned

RPM Ruler

• Mar 6, 2012

• #3

The design stands for so much that I'm against from M-B, but since it's such a playful and unimportant segment that I wish M-B didn't engage in anyway, to me, I gotta go with the A-Class. I think it might get tiring after a while, but you can tell that they injected as much visual excitement into it as they could.

 

Sunny

Premium

• Mar 6, 2012

• #4

Exterior - Audi, MB, BMW. Interior - Audi, BMW, MB.

 

HighestOfHigh

Cornering Kingpin

• Mar 6, 2012

• #5

A-class...Love everything about the 1 except for the front.

 

bmwownage

Kraftkurve King

• Mar 6, 2012

• #6

The 1series is great if you delete the front and tail lights. Proportions, shape is best of all so what a pity they threw some ugly lights on it. That A-class interior actually looks pretty cheap in real life pics, especially that apparent hook-on screen. If I got to choose one I would go for the A3 now, that's it, won't get the other two.

While the F20 interior "looks good" and some says BMW has up-ed the game, have you guys sat in one? I dont' know, but with F20 and F30 interior, I think BMW is losing a bit of plot, not doing what they were famous for before. The F20 (and F30, but more so on the F20), feels and looks very busy, you can see on the pics yourselves, even the A's interior is "cleaner", while you have all these curving trims, plastic bulges etc., it does not feel relaxing, and it isn't exactly "upscale". What they were famous for before, was making practical interiors that feel good more than looking good. The dash on the E87 was small, but it felt OK with the whole layout, this one seemingly sport a similar sized dashboard, but it feels so damn small, feels like the car is running out of space so it needs a tiny dash. F30 is a better but ok let's stay on topic.

 

deity

Highway Hunter

• Mar 6, 2012

• #7

After digesting it for a while, I'm beginning to like the A3's interior and rear a lot more than the Merc's. The display (like everyone has been saying) does look a tad too aftermarket; even the previous generation seemed to have better integration. The A3 with the brown interior is really quite stunning, and if you ask me, looks way beyond its price. If the A1 is any indication, the quality of the A3 will be great. What I've also developed a liking for is the A3's rear. Very classy, simple, and elegant. Oh, and the lines too. The front is my only "problem" as of right now, but there's definitely nothing wrong with it- I just wish it was a little more imaginative.

The A on the other hand...it's way more striking, but I feel the execution on MB's part seem a little sloppy. Like Human said; the color of the paint shouldn't be showing on the side, and the hot-hatch look seems a little borrowed and overused. The interior is a major step-up in quality and atmosphere, but still seems a little amateur alongside the mature A3's.

I don't hate the 1er per se, but at this point its just not as nice inside or out. So for now, its the A3 without doubt.

 

ateekt

Nürburgring Navigator

• Mar 7, 2012

• #8

Audi for me please, closely followed by the Merc. I hate to say but the face of my favorite brand's product here (1er) makes me sick to stomach!

 

SKY

Kraftwagen König

• Mar 7, 2012

• #9

If the 1er had a nicer front, I´d go for it. But, aw it´s not the case, I pick the A3.

 

3

330CIZHP

Chicane Challenger

• Mar 7, 2012

• #10

I think the Mercedes is probably the best looking.

 

D

Deckhook

Autotechnik Ace

• Mar 7, 2012

• #11

Smart move to post pictures of the 1er in M/sport trim and black so it's ugly face is sort of covered up. Still a two horse race between the Audi and Merc.

 

NarutoRamen

Kraftwagen König

• Mar 7, 2012

• #12

MB without a doubt. Second would be the A3 with the 1er a DISTANT third.

 

hoffmeister_fan

Kraftwagen König

• Mar 7, 2012

• #13

So the question posed is "which one do you prefer?" and to which I have interpreted as "which one would you buy?" To that question, I would answer the BMW 1er, purely on the fact that it's the only one to offer RWD. The front ain't pretty, but the car has a good stance and nice proportion, as does the A3, which looks like it would stand the test of time. The A-class' exterior does nothing for me, however, the interior is quite nice, but M-B has only shown top-spec versions so far. I hope the lower and mid specs are good as well. The A3's spartan interior has grown, on me but the BMW has the sportiest interior with right kind of layout for me.

But what really would seal the deal for me is RWD. If I were to ever step up to the premium marques, especially the Big German 3's, it better have RWD or at least a rear-biased AWD. Otherwise I just don't see the point when I could get a nice Mazda3 Skyactiv hatch and be perfectly happy with the styling, amenities, and efficiency it provides without having to splurge on something that's too lifestyle-oriented for me. The other car I'd consider would be an Impreza hatch, but they are not terribly attractive, but I'd get AWD. I don't deny there's a market for the A-class and A3, but, for me, there's no two ways about, it's RWD or bust.

 

klier

Premium

• Mar 7, 2012

• #14

south said:

Finally! Man, that's a tough one between F20 M Sport and A-Class AMG but I still prefer the A-Class.


Best regards,
south

Click to expand...

Seriously, a poll between premium hatchbacks, and leaving the new 1er out of it is seriously beyond me. When you do that, it's waiting for a thread to derail with 'off topic' talk. This is much better, and hopefully this will be the active thread and not the A3 vs A class poll.

I vote for the A3 first, Bimmer second and A class third. But the front of the 1er is BY FAR the ugliest of the bunch, and it basically ruins the whole damn car for me, which is an absolute shame!
The A class is just too weird for me, although the backside is brilliant and the best of the three, including those stunning rearlights..
The A3 is just handsome, but it's boring and a VW clone car...

Btw, off topic but completely hilarious and quite frankly telling a lot:

The new A3 comes with full LED lights and the brand new SL doesn't.....loooooooooooool!

 

vedjo01

Cornering Connoisseur

• Mar 7, 2012

• #15

You know whats funny?MB and Audi made a favor to BMW releasing those cars..LoL,I never though I´d say this BUT,1er looks good among this crowd..and I´m not joking.

 

FC123

Quattro Commander

• Mar 7, 2012

• #16

If the 1-series had different headlights it would almost get the nod alone on offering a straight 6 option. I go for the A-class on looks, but am not yet excited about the drive train options, this could of course change with the advent of more detailed info. The A3 is so very Audi, I'm sure it would be a great long time ownership proposition but I'm not taken aback by the photos at all.

Based solely on pictures my vote would be 1. A-class 2. A3 3. 1-series (this is purely based on the face of the car).

 

Human

You. The Road. Nothing else.

• Mar 7, 2012

• #17

I like the f20, never hided the fact. Sportiest of the three and it will be the most dynamic.

A3 and F20 on par in the cabin, though the F20 looks as if will have the best driving position.

A-class, poor perceived quality CLEARLY visible on the photo's (Betty), again really M-B was it really necessary to go that route with the materials in the A-class. I am so disappointed. VW Golf has better quality.


Well folks, there we have it the small three: A-class looks funky and fresh, F20 sporty and A3 probably has the most premium look (or is it just too conservative?)

 

Tumbo

RPM Ruler

• Mar 7, 2012

• #18

Let me put it this way.

I simply can not understand, I can't figure it out, and it's absolutely not logical for me, that a person would choice that horrible horrible looking car, called the 1 series F20. I want to puke just I see ANY picture of it. Yes, it may be a good car underneath there, but it doesnt change the fact that it looks absolutely terrible and makes the Multipla a beautiful car.
Againt the A3 and the A class. It doesnt stande a chance. I cant believe that it even got votes here. You really gotta be a die hard fan boy to the fullest, to see the 1er and beat your self in the face and think "yes its good looking, yes its good looking". Sorry, I would be embaressed to drive such a car.

Both the A3 and the A-Class are two beautiful cars. As I said before, I pick the A3 just a small inch before the A Class.
This is my only post in this thread, since I'm getting sick to the stomach of beemer fanboys try to defend one of the ugliest cars in the world, just because it's a BMW. The 5er GT and the old 7er are a trilion times better looking then this one.

Im out.

 

fortuner

Autotechnik Ace

• Mar 7, 2012

• #19

I go for it this way..

Exterior A Class then A3 and lastly............1 series
Interior A Class Closely followed by A3 and the 1 series.

Human just a question mate i dont know how you judging the quality off interior...I dont think any car quality can be taken from pics..Also remember in the A class thread the Mercedes Blog guys say the quality is almost as good as the ML..So i think we need to see it first.

Oh i forgot i think the 1 series needs a face lift asap.

 

Human

You. The Road. Nothing else.

• Mar 7, 2012

• #20

fortuner said:

I go for it this way..

Exterior A Class then A3 and lastly............1 series
Interior A Class Closely followed by A3 and the 1 series.

Human just a question mate i dont know how you judging the quality off interior...I dont think any car quality can be taken from pics..Also remember in the A class thread the Mercedes Blog guys say the quality is almost as good as the ML..So i think we need to see it first.

Click to expand...

Firstly the B-pillar inner is painted the cars exterior color i.e Golf, Polo, KIA etc. Whereas in the A3 and 1er its covered-up by a good quality plastic trim AS with i.e the A4 and 3er, thus premium.

Secondly the color difference of the center console (between the two front seats) is mainly two parcel shelves and looking closely (Hi-Res photo) it's a nasty hard and will be a cheap hollow plastic. It has a lighter color.

Also the HVAC controls looks and layout is something you would expect in a Korean product. It's a shiny black background with cheap looking knobs.