Vs Hyper-hatches: Audi A3 3.2 vs BMW 130i vs VW R32

[Snake Vargas]

I voted other. The Golf V R32 is a bit of a disappointment, and I don't like that grill. I'll take a GTi, and buy something with the money left over

I would have said exactly the same, but I thought I should try to honour the spirit of the poll. Oh well!

I prefer the looks of the GTI, and the performance should be good, and it should have a bit less weight up front and in the rear (no 4WD) as well.

 

[PanterroR]

Nothing much to say except that i love the A3 and Golf is really growing on me (buying my wife one soon), but none of them can match the 130i. In chasis, performance, engine... Plus when you add an M package to that... Nothing but 130i for me.

 

[MikeJ]

1. The A3. Easily the most stylish of them, excellent build quality and pretty much on par with the others as far as performance is concerned.

2. The Golf. I'm not a fan of the way the Golf V looks in most applications (GTI excepted) and all that chrome in the R32 is not helping things.

3. The 1er. It still does nothing to me.

 

[Yperion]

1-Audi A3
It has the most inviting and luxurious cabin and excellent road abilities. DSG gearbox is the best semi-automatic in the world.

2- Golf R32
Also excelent all arounder, even more capable than the A3 and 130i (see Autocar's review for example) but it has some drawbacks like the relatively poor interior and the ugly chrome grille.

3-BMW 130
Not as luxurious and well built as the A3 and not as good as the R32 on the road so it falls behind the cometition.

 

[PanterroR]

not as good as the R32 on the road so it falls behind the cometition.

What? Based on what you say that, Yannis?

 

[Centurion]

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.

 

[Yperion]

What? Based on what you say that, Yannis?

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

 

[Zafiro]

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

 

[Yperion]

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.

 

[Zafiro]

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 .

 

[PanterroR]

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

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!

 

[Centurion]

Sweet!!

 

[PanterroR]

Sweet!!

Absolutely! Great looking car!

 

[Centurion]

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.

 

[wltsm]

Nice, are those rims 19 inch??

 

[Centurion]

Nice, are those rims 19 inch??

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

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

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.

 

[Yperion]

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!

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.

 

[warot]

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...?

 

[Yperion]

...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_Summary.asp?RT=217244#