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There’s another niche model in town – the ‘premium’ compact drop-top. Audi’s new A3 cabriolet and BMW’s 1-series convertible are leading the charge, but which is the better buy? We put the pair head-to-head...
Typical – you wait ages for a new premium convertible to turn up, and then two arrive at once! So what better way to greet the new Audi A3 Cabriolet and BMW 1-Series Convertible than by putting them head-to-head in an exclusive twin test?
It was only a matter of time before Audi and BMW entered the compact cabrio sector. With prices for drop-top versions of the larger A4 and 3-Series starting at £26,545 and £31,025 respectively, the German firms were in danger of abandoning the lower end of the market, handing the advantage to models such as the Volkswagen Eos and Vauxhall Astra TwinTop. But now Audi cabrio ownership starts at £20,745 for the new model, while BMW’s drop-top is available from £22,335. In order to keep costs down, both use fabric roofs and proven underpinnings – the A3 is based on the three-door hatchback, while the 1-Series Convertible follows on from the coupé launched last year.
Both of these four-seater soft-tops hit dealers within a month of each other. The BMW arrived two weeks ago, while the Audi will appear in showrooms on 10 May. Among a raft of tempting features, both have roofs that can be lowered on the move, while Audi’s lid claims to be one of the world’s fastest.
There are two petrol engines and two diesels available in the A3 from launch, and here we try the 197bhp 2.0T FSI with optional £1,400 S tronic twin-clutch gearbox. It’s up against a car costing just a few hundred pounds less, the BMW 125i SE, which employs a 3.0-litre six-cylinder 218bhp powerplant.
Both are very evenly matched on paper. Will that continue to be the case as we hit the roads of southern France?
BMW 125i SE Convertible
These are the entry-level convertibles for Audi and BMW, but they’re not actually that small. Take the 1-Series, for instance. At 4,360mm long, it’s bigger than the original 3-Series drop-top.
The 125i is also narrower and lower than its rival, and looks better proportioned overall. We’re not entirely convinced by the near vertical sculpted sides, which give it a vague resemblance to a bathtub. But overall we feel that BMW has done a better job than Audi at turning its compact model into a stylish drop-top.
The hood mechanism is more traditional than the A3’s, with the fabric folding into a covered compartment. It leaves a clean shape, but it takes 22.7 seconds to open – more than double the Audi’s 9.6-second time. However, the operation can be completed at up to 31mph.
At 260 litres, the BMW’s boot capacity is identical to the Audi’s. The rear seats don’t fold, but the compartment the roof stows into can be raised if you keep the hood up, which adds another 45 litres. Rear passengers aren’t as well catered for. Not only is there 30mm less legroom than in the A3, but the narrow rear seats result in an uncomfortably twisted body position.
The driver’s seat is comfortable, if a little narrow. It’s supportive, though, and you sit low, which makes the car feel sportier, as well as more secure. It’s a shame the layout isn’t as user-friendly as the Audi’s. The materials aren’t as tactile and less light enters the cabin with the roof up.
But all of that is forgotten on the road. At 1,585kg, the cabrio is 100kg heavier than the coupé, yet the stiffening has had the desired effect. There’s barely a trace of shake or shudder, and when you do hit a pothole, the vibrations are absorbed quickly.
As a result, it feels much more together on the road, so although the suspension is firmer, the BMW is just as comfortable as the Audi – and it’s quieter, too. The 1-Series doesn’t have the A3’s tall roll hoops which poke up into the airflow, so consequently there’s less wind roar with the top down. A measurement of 73dB is only a decibel quieter than the Audi, though.
And the 1-Series isn’t only good for cruising. Keen drivers are more likely to opt for the coupé, but the soft-top is nearly as much fun. Its rear-wheel-drive layout gives a 50:50 weight distribution and means the BMW feels much more balanced on the road. Turn into a corner, and the nose doesn’t plough straight on like the Audi’s. Instead it grips hard, allowing the car to slice through corners. Sharp steering and strong brakes also inspire confidence.
The engine is a central part of this appeal, too. It’s not as smooth and torquey as the A3’s unit, but the 3.0-litre motor sounds great and has immediate throttle response. Yet despite the straight-six’s capacity, it doesn’t have a very meaty mid-range, with acceleration not really picking up until the needle swings past 5,000rpm.
Nevertheless, considering they’re intended to be stylish rather than sporty, these are both rapid cars. And although the 1-Series has no answer to the A3’s superb S tronic gearbox, the six-speed manual’s shift is robust. The long-travel clutch takes some getting used to, though.
Cost-wise, the BMW has the edge, although you’d save £1,400 if you chose the manual A3. However, unlike the Audi, the 125i SE has parking and rain sensors as standard – but you have to pay £220 for a removable wind deflector.
Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI
Some facts worth knowing about the new Audi A3 Cabriolet... Firstly, it’s claimed to be only one decibel louder than the hatch on the motorway. And it also has a longer roof than the larger A4 Cabriolet.
Impressive, certainly, but apart from the folding top, fundamentally not much has changed over the three-door. The cabrio is fractionally longer, yet the width and wheelbase are unaltered, and the bodywork clearly displays this car’s relatively humble origins – although it’s not quite as glamorous as the BMW.
Audi has sharpened things up with new lamp clusters – the LED running lights will only be available on S line models in the UK – but the two parts of the A3 that really stand out are the rear deck and the fabric hood. The former is tiny, the latter absolutely huge. Indeed, the roof seems to have been designed for a much larger car. This makes the A3 look top-heavy with the lid up, and it highlights the abrupt tail.
The narrow boot opening is awkward to use, but the load area itself is generous. What’s more, Audi has fitted split-fold rear seats. These boost the 260-litre capacity to 674 litres, and give the A3 the ability to carry 1.5-metre long loads.
This is possible because the soft-top folds neatly on to the rear deck. Lift the button on the centre console, and the whisper-quiet electric motors go to work. Less than 10 seconds later, the whole operation is complete. Open gaps around the side of the stowed hood mean it’s not as neat and tidy as the BMW’s folded lid, but the speed and silence of the operation, plus the fact that it can be carried out while driving at up to 19mph, impressed us.
Top down, the white paint and red leather of our test car heightened the A3’s visual appeal, but be warned that in more sober shades with a darker hood, it looks rather anonymous. The cabin upholds Audi’s standards for solid build quality. It’s ergonomically flawless, and a genuinely spacious four-seater. Larger side windows mean more light and better visibility, although the twin roll hoops badly restrict the view out of the glass rear window.
The modifications to the sills and bulkhead to increase stiffness have added 100kg, but the A3 lacks structural rigidity compared to the 1-Series. BMW has almost totally banished scuttle shake, yet the Audi is prone to tremors on rough surfaces, which rattle the A-pillars and steering wheel.
This harms the car’s overall comfort – the suspension is more absorbent than its rival’s, but the chassis shakes upset refinement and mean the A3 isn’t as relaxing as it should be. Cruise on a smooth surface and it’s quiet, although body control and composure suffer elsewhere.
That’s a shame, because comfort should be the Audi’s trump card, since dynamically it’s not a match for the 125i. The handling is nose-heavy, the steering isn’t as sharp and the brakes are soft. Generally it’s a much less sporty car.
But this is not a major failing, as few people buy convertibles for the driving experience. Owners will be happy to note that the combination of the 2.0T FSI engine and S tronic gearbox is as excellent as ever. The front wheel-drive layout meant the A3 couldn’t match the BMW from 0-60mph, but in every other assessment the Audi was faster, while its engine was more economical, flexible and punchier in day-to-day driving.
Is this enough to overcome its humble hatch origins and give it an advantage over the BMW?
Results and Video:
Audi vs BMW | Car Group Tests | Car Reviews | Auto Express
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