German Car Forum

I have driven a 118i and it feelt sporty and the the rear wheel drive made it fun to drive the car. Since the 130 has more power it should be even more fun to drive still I didn't feel comfortable inside the car since the interior was so cold ans sterile.

The R32 seem to be a good car but still I'm kind of bored with the whole Golf design since I see the gold every where.

Last but not is the A3 which has a fantastic interior quality and even though it isn't as fast as the 130i it's looks makes up for it. The car look amazing with 18 inch RS or A8 rims. As you maybe have figured out my vote has gone to the A3 3.2 Quattro.

If you read my post above i say that Autocar tested both cars and they like the R32 much more.

So autocar decide for you. I suggest we decide that for ourselves

I don't let Autocar decide for me. BMW's strong point always have been the road capabilities in which R32 seems to be better than 130. When 1 series looses even in the aspects it was supposed to be doing very well the third place is inevitable.

Autozeiung said that 130i drive better and is more fun than R32(but r32 won the comparison since it was a better allround car) so again its down to personal prefernces But you already know this, so no need for more lessons about this subject .

That's ONLY acc to Autocar, so that definitely means nothing to me. But please, Yannis, be honest... I know how much you love VW, but please, tell me, when was VW better on road than BMW, when? You can't tell me that VW has a better suspension, engine and stuff than BMW. C'mon, mate... I'm not saying the R32 is not a great car, no, I LIKE IT A LOT, i'd like to own one, but that it's better than BMW, no way. I might be wrong though, but if only Autocar said that, for me it means nothing!

Sweet!!

Absolutely! Great looking car!

It looks even better in black. I don't think the picture posted in on the first pages does the car justice.

Nice, are those rims 19 inch??

I think so because they look really big IRL. I have even seen a Golf with those rims.

I gotta say the Audi A3 is a hottt lil hatchback, same with the R32, they do look kinda similar, makes sense though.

The 130i....the looks don't do it for me, even with the performance boost, Id rather look at the the Audi or the VW all day. Also I'm sure the interior of the Audi would be much more appealing as well....granted theyre all great performing lil hatchbacks. Whenever I think of German hatchback I think of the A3 or the Golf/R32.

It wasn't only Autocar as just_me posted others have said the same. 1 series maybe more fun to drive (see rwd) but R32 is a better car to drive all around.

What does that mean though? In the snow, on the track...?

...So the R32 is fast, but it is also a very accomplished high-speed cruiser. Many cars of this ilk provide rapid acceleration through a combination of short gearing and an engine that’s constantly made to work at high revs, which makes them a real chore over longer distances. Not so the R32, which never feels unduly stressed at motorway speeds thanks to a long sixth gear...

...The R32’s handling matches its pace. There’s masses of grip and taut body control. Arrive at a corner too fast and it understeers, but with the standard ESP switched off you can adjust the line by keeping the throttle down and relying on the four-wheel-drive system to reapportion the power towards the rear. The ride is firm, but not to the point where it becomes harsh and unpleasant over broken bitumen...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/FirstDrive_...asp?RT=217244#

I dont care what Autocar or Autozeitung or anyone else say. I make my own judgement about the cars.
If this carmag say they like R32 better than 130i, dont mean everyone think so.
Even if the R32 happen to be a better than 130i doenst mean that 130i is a bad car and that R32 is a superior car. 130i is a great car and Im certain that this car cover my needs. If 130i was a bad car, noone would buy the car, simple as that. Nah enough of this jumbobadabing talk. 130i is a great car and would be enough for me. Period !!!

Noone said that the 130 is a bad car. Every car has it's advantages and disadvantages. It just seems that R32 manages to be very good or excellent in any aspect and that's it's major advantage cause it doesn't have week sides.

Funny I dont find any weaks parts on the 130i either, except the price. Both R32 and 130i are great cars. R32 isnt much better car, its small differences that why 130i is good enough for me.
Like I said over and over again, its all about personal preferences. 130i got what I want. Anyone has problems with that? Well, you know where I live, welcome to visit me and try to change my mind.

I have to say that overall my vote goes to the 130i... I just prefer rear wheel drive. I think that unless you are driving in adverse conditions or have gobs of power to put to the road the added weight is not justified. I think the R32 is the best looking however.

You mean better looking than the A3?

Strange i always thought that new Golf can't be compared to A3 in terms of looks. As for 1 series it's not exactly beautiful but not ugly either.

Don't get me wrong, I love the A3 as well, but to me it looks somewhat more sedate and refined. I think the R32 and the 130i look younger and more athletic.

I don't know why I voted for the R32. I guess because I didn't read and I didn't know that the BMW was faster!

Same choice for the same reason.