URGENT HELP NEEDED!! AUDI A3 or BMW 1 Series?

[Yperion]

Congrats Mr. Mercedes (or is it Mr. Audi now? lol... ). I think you made the right choice.

As for improving the car's look i suggest you take a look at Audi's S line kits first.

 

[Mr. M]

So I bought the Audi.

I went for a final test drive and found the Audi noticeably more comfortable on our rough roads ( as phaeton already mentioned we have really bad roads here). In the end though it basically came down to buying an almost brand new vehicle (with all the benefits i.e roadside assistance, loan vehicles etc.) as opposed to the older BMW. While the Audi was lacking a few features I found it was actually a 09/06 car (so only 4 months old) compared to the BMW which is around 2 years old already. While the BMW's manual transmission was excellent, over time I may have wished i bought an auto (I'm lazy ) and the Audi's auto is excellent and has the useful paddle shift option. The feel good factor of the Audi interior and the excellent sound system were also in its favor. The price i was able to get the Audi down to was also the final nail in the coffin for the up until then extremely tempting BMW.

I take delivery on Friday!

Now all I need is an understated body kit to make it look a bit more sinister! Any suggestions?

Once again thank you everyone for all your input and advice. It was very much appreciated.

Sorry I'm late to the party Mr. M, but I'm glad you chose the Audi. It was where my vote was.

Welcome to VWAG ownership, you'll enjoy your car for a long time.

 

[PanterroR]

never liked the 1er and its very pointless
the 3er does everything the 1er is trying to do already
did I MENTION it looks hideous also
the A3 is pointless also but the look is great especially the S3
So my choice is the A3

Mind telling us what's so pointless about those cars?

 

[Osnabrueck]

Mr. Mercedes, presently I'm in the middle of figuring out what I'll be driving at the end of the year, so many of the factors you're presently weighing have also been heavy on my mind. (I'm cross-shopping BMW, Audi and Honda, go figure)

From the information you've presented, I suggest the Audi. The security provided by the remaining warranty is very important, especially since "entry premium" can become very costly if you're not covered. There's always the possibility that you could protect yourself by extending the warranty on the BMW, but I'd only do so if you're dead-set on the car and can still eke out a good value with another 2k tacked on to your purchase price.

Personally, the A3 is on my radar because it's an all-rounder with a nice interior. The maintenance risk puts me off, but a 2.5 year warrenty is a good hedge against that.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Hi Mr. Mercedes your a Aussie

Why don't you buy a Golf or Golf GTI ?

Also if the 120i has runflats I'd go the Audi for our roads, runflats suck on our roads for ride quality.

I looked at the Golf and Golf GTI. I found the design of the standard Golf too ordinary and unfortunately did not come across a single demo/used GTI within my price range. The car is extremely popular here!

About the BMW, I drove the 120i and during the brief test drive found the suspension just this side of being too firm. I feared it would become tiresome in the long run. Unfortunately we don't have super smooth european roads.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Congrats man!
Now we wil be waiting for some pics!
And about a body kits:

VOTEX:


I would check out Votex. They have good and easy modded stuff for good prices.

The votex looks almost identical to the Audi kit available?

I do so far prefer the audi (votex) kit, but the salesman advised me that their kit is rather expensive and almost identical kits can be sourced much cheaper. Something I'll be looking into.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Congrats Mr. Mercedes (or is it Mr. Audi now? lol... ). I think you made the right choice.

As for improving the car's look i suggest you take a look at Audi's S line kits first.

lol...I am a closet Audi and BMW fan, and the A3 and 1-series are so much more appealing than the A & B for a guy of my age. Ultimately though I still aspire to one day own an absolutely loaded Benz of my dream (whatever that may be at the time, no comprises!).

Who knows though, this vehicle may suck me into the dark side forever.

 

[Zafiro]

About the BMW, I drove the 120i and during the brief test drive found the suspension just this side of being too firm. I feared it would become tiresome in the long run. Unfortunately we don't have super smooth european roads.

I never been in Australia but your roads sound like the worst roads in the world since when you say the 1er you drove is very firm ride, almost like you suffer when you drive one I mean I have driven almost every new BMW and I would never use the word tiresome, in fact I found them comfortable.

Can you describe the roads in Australia?

Ps I live in Sweden.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Mr. Mercedes, presently I'm in the middle of figuring out what I'll be driving at the end of the year, so many of the factors you're presently weighing have also been heavy on my mind. (I'm cross-shopping BMW, Audi and Honda, go figure)

From the information you've presented, I suggest the Audi. The security provided by the remaining warranty is very important, especially since "entry premium" can become very costly if you're not covered. There's always the possibility that you could protect yourself by extending the warranty on the BMW, but I'd only do so if you're dead-set on the car and can still eke out a good value with another 2k tacked on to your purchase price.

Personally, the A3 is on my radar because it's an all-rounder with a nice interior. The maintenance risk puts me off, but a 2.5 year warrenty is a good hedge against that.

That was one fear of mine, the expense of ''entry premium'' ownership should anything turn sour. I'd rather save/invest the money than face costly repair work, so the peace of mind offered by the Audi warranty is very comforting.

Good luck with your ongoing search Osna. Are you still considering the 3-series or new Accord coupe? How about a nice w204 C-class?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I never been in Australia but your roads sound like the worst roads in the world since when you say the 1er you drove is very firm ride, almost like you suffer when you drive one I mean I have driven almost every new BMW and I would never use the word tiresome, in fact I found them comfortable.

Can you describe the roads in Australia?

Ps I live in Sweden.

Maybe the car would have proven more than comfortable enough in the long run, but I did prefer the ride quality of the Audi. Our roads are nowhere near the worst in the world (I've driven on some shockers in Africa ) but they're not outstanding either. Recent BMW's have recieved extensive criticism from local automotive press for the 'harsh' ride caused by the first generation of runflats. On the other hand my cousin has a 118i with the stiffened M-sports suspension and has no complaints at all.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Good luck with your ongoing search Osna. Are you still considering the 3-series or new Accord coupe? How about a nice w204 C-class?

Thanks for asking. Right now in contention:
• Honda Civic Coupe
• '08 Honda Accord
• Audi A3
• '02 or '03 E39 5er
• '05 Z4
• Or maybe just a slightly old Honda

Of course a w204 would be nice, but it isn't me and it's certainly out of my budget. Right now I'm stuck between the idea of getting the car I really want, or just getting some decent wheels to tide me over for the next few years while I save up some sheckels for something really cool.

My current line of thinking has me leaning twoards something like a modestly equipped '07 Civic, or maybe even something like a '01 Accord on the cheap. Still, when I look at how much an '03 5er can be had for, I start getting second thoughts. Right now you can find a well equipped 530i with low miles, clean, in the mid $20k range. Better yet, the deprecation on the 540s have been pretty hard, so you can find them for around $27k in some places.

Of course, with a E39 I'd have to extend the warranty, and naturally there's a cost of ownership there that I wouldn't have to worry about if I was schlogging around an Accord.

There's also the factor that my wife loves the Audi A3, and wants no other car on earth. The Z4 is an indulgance, but both my wife and I like the car, and lots of folks seem to be unloading them, putting some downward pressure on residuals.

At present, I have zero commute. Usually I walk to work. So I'll probably end up veering towards the most sensible solution unless there's some change in my work / living situation that requires more time on the road.

 

[PanterroR]

Osna, diesel or petrol?

If it's not relevant, go for the '03 530d witth auto tranny and many options... You can't go wrong with that one.

 

[Mr. M]

Thanks for asking. Right now in contention:
• Honda Civic Coupe
• '08 Honda Accord
• Audi A3
• '02 or '03 E39 5er
• '05 Z4
• Or maybe just a slightly old Honda

Of course a w204 would be nice, but it isn't me and it's certainly out of my budget. Right now I'm stuck between the idea of getting the car I really want, or just getting some decent wheels to tide me over for the next few years while I save up some sheckels for something really cool.

My current line of thinking has me leaning twoards something like a modestly equipped '07 Civic, or maybe even something like a '01 Accord on the cheap. Still, when I look at how much an '03 5er can be had for, I start getting second thoughts. Right now you can find a well equipped 530i with low miles, clean, in the mid $20k range. Better yet, the deprecation on the 540s have been pretty hard, so you can find them for around $27k in some places.

Of course, with a E39 I'd have to extend the warranty, and naturally there's a cost of ownership there that I wouldn't have to worry about if I was schlogging around an Accord.

There's also the factor that my wife loves the Audi A3, and wants no other car on earth. The Z4 is an indulgance, but both my wife and I like the car, and lots of folks seem to be unloading them, putting some downward pressure on residuals.

At present, I have zero commute. Usually I walk to work. So I'll probably end up veering towards the most sensible solution unless there's some change in my work / living situation that requires more time on the road.

Osna, you seem to be choosing a new car all the time, looks like you're still undecided.

There's no place for a Golf GTI in your heart?

 

[phaeton]

Osna have you thought about a Passat ?

 

[Osnabrueck]

Osna have you thought about a Passat ?

You know, I really want to, but given VW's recent track record I just couldn't do it.

Anecdotally, I know somebody who just recently bought a the new Rabbit, and has the thing at the service station almost a dozen times. Sure, experiences like these must be the exception, not the rule, but the overall maintenance risk associated with owning a VW is just too much for me to bear.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Osna, you seem to be choosing a new car all the time, looks like you're still undecided.

There's no place for a Golf GTI in your heart?

You're right, I have serious car ADD. The problem lies in that I've planned the commute right out of my daily routine, so I just use my car for errands and not much more. So I don't really have a particular time aside from the point where I lose patience with chipping teeth in my old Honda Civic.

It also doesn't help that my car was recently rear ended by a - get this - blonde, underage girl driving daddy's SUV.

As for the Golf, I just couldn't. See my above post.

Aside from that, my wife has no desire to get into a Golf / Rabbit. Since she's German it would be akin to me buying a Ford Escort. It's just a turn-off for her.

 

[martinbo]

First of all, congrats to Mr Mercedes on the recent acquisition of his totally fabulous new A3. A truly lovely car and what would most certainly have been my choice in this instance.

Oh and Osna, can you stretch an A3 2.0T Sportback into your car buying equation? In my humble opinion the A3 SB is the best hatchback in the world right now - in any of its engine guises. Wish I could have an S3 SB if there ever were to be such a thing...

 

[Osnabrueck]

Osna, diesel or petrol?

If it's not relevant, go for the '03 530d witth auto tranny and many options... You can't go wrong with that one.

Almost certainly petrol. Also, there's a pretty thin market of pre-owned 530d's. When it comes to the 525s, 530s and 540s there's healthy amount of private sellers to deal with, so you're bound to find the configuration you're lusting after if you search long enough (and are willing to travel out of town for a test drive or two).

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Thanks for asking. Right now in contention:
• Honda Civic Coupe
• '08 Honda Accord
• Audi A3
• '02 or '03 E39 5er
• '05 Z4
• Or maybe just a slightly old Honda

Of course a w204 would be nice, but it isn't me and it's certainly out of my budget. Right now I'm stuck between the idea of getting the car I really want, or just getting some decent wheels to tide me over for the next few years while I save up some sheckels for something really cool.

My current line of thinking has me leaning twoards something like a modestly equipped '07 Civic, or maybe even something like a '01 Accord on the cheap. Still, when I look at how much an '03 5er can be had for, I start getting second thoughts. Right now you can find a well equipped 530i with low miles, clean, in the mid $20k range. Better yet, the deprecation on the 540s have been pretty hard, so you can find them for around $27k in some places.

Of course, with a E39 I'd have to extend the warranty, and naturally there's a cost of ownership there that I wouldn't have to worry about if I was schlogging around an Accord.

There's also the factor that my wife loves the Audi A3, and wants no other car on earth. The Z4 is an indulgance, but both my wife and I like the car, and lots of folks seem to be unloading them, putting some downward pressure on residuals.

At present, I have zero commute. Usually I walk to work. So I'll probably end up veering towards the most sensible solution unless there's some change in my work / living situation that requires more time on the road.

Quite a range of vehicles your considering there. I faced the same problem, save a few more pennies for the next year or 2 and get somthing really wicked or take the plunge now. My patience wore thin (I could only wait so long and who knows where we'll be 2 years down the road).

The used car prices their seem UNBELIEVABLE. Mid 20's for a 03 5er...only in our wildest dreams here in OZ. I can only imagine how difficult the choice must be.

@ Mirage...lol...dont confuse Osna more.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Oh and Osna, can you stretch an A3 2.0T Sportback into your car buying equation? In my humble opinion the A3 SB is the best hatchback in the world right now - in any of its engine guises. Wish I could have an S3 SB if there ever were to be such a thing...

I certainly can, and it's on the radar. Right now, lighly used A3s are starting to trickle onto market, and I like the peppy 2.0T engine I've experienced in the A4, so who knows.

Seems like the A3 hasn't made a big splash in the states, so I may be able to score one at a resonable value.