Your thoughts please on the Audi A3 - MINI Cooper Forum

vaper · #1 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 04:04 PM

First off, I am not a troll. Nor do I have any connection, financial or otherwise, with Audi.

I'm planning on ordering an '06 MCS just as soon as they can be ordered. In the meantime, I took a test drive in an '06 Audi A3 (2.0, six-speed, sports package, etc) and was impressed and just a little bit torn between the two. As it's been a while since my last test drive of an '05 MCS, I was hoping that some members of this forum could take one out for a spin an give me your impressions and comparisons to you Minis.

Thanks.

rawk · #2 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 04:23 PM

Welcome to MINI2, vaper...my wife took delivery of an A3 about 10 days ago and it's truly magnificent for a $25K Audi. The 2.0 litre turbo has a lotta kick and it's a well finished product. The only drawback in comparison with an MCS is the handling...not too shabby, but it lacks the go-cart feel. We haven't reached the break-in mileage yet, so the car hasn't been thrashed about, but in 300 more miles, I will have better knowledge on what the car is capable of.

I think that the decision between the two is purely personal...I wouldn't have given up my '02 MCS for the A3 because of the handling, but as a second car in the family, it's a kick.

Good luck!

ImaVunDerBrah · #3 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:12 PM

I'm a big fan of Audi (have an A4 sharing the driveway with the Cooper). I can't imagine buying an Audi without quattro, so the A3 is out... at least for another year.

rawk · #4 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ImaVunDerBrah

I can't imagine buying an Audi without quattro, so the A3 is out... at least for another year.

I agree...my wife had already been anxiously awaiting the A3 for a year, so waiting another year was not gonna happen...we'll have to look at the resale values when the AWD comes out...bigger engine too!

Cooper76 · #5 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:30 PM

Save your pennies for another 18 months when the BMW 1er comes out. It'll look better than the already stylish A3 and out-perform it as well.

Olly. · #6 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper76

Save your pennies for another 18 months when the BMW 1er comes out. It'll look better than the already stylish A3 and out-perform it as well.

NOOOOOO

The 1 series is a horrible looking thing. and very expensive in comparison to the audi

Olly. · #7 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:48 PM

My brother has just taken delivery of a 5 door Audi A3, its absolutely fantastic, its a 2 litre TDI so its quick and it doesn't handle too badly either. It looks really mean with the huge grille on the front.

There is a real feeling of quality inside the cabin

rawk · #8 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 05:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ollymale

NOOOOOO

The 1 series is a horrible looking thing. and very expensive in comparison to the audi

I'm with ya there ollymale, the BMW is lacking in the looks department, and sales are gonna reflect that...again!

MINIAC · #9 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper76

Save your pennies for another 18 months when the BMW 1er comes out.

Is the 1-series going to have an optional SMG transmission?

Olly. · #10 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rawk

I'm with ya there ollymale, the BMW is lacking in the looks department, and sales are gonna reflect that...again!

Too true, you don't see that many of them over here.

They just don't have the look of elegance and the feeling of quality that the Audi has

Olly. · #11 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC

Is the 1-series going to have an optional SMG transmission?

Just had a quick check on the BMW UK online configurator.

No sign of the SMG box on there at the moment, could well change for when its released in the US though

MINIAC · #12 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ollymale

Just had a quick check on the BMW UK online configurator.

No sign of the SMG box on there at the moment, could well change for when its released in the US though

Is the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) on the Audi A3 like SMG?

Olly. · #13 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC

Is the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) on the Audi A3 like SMG?

Yeah the DSG is available in the UK on the 2.0 turbo engine, the 3.2 V6 and the 2.0 diesel engine.

All the other engines have the option of a normal triptronic auto box

Olly

MINIAC · #14 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ollymale

Yeah the DSG is available in the UK on the 2.0 turbo engine, the 3.2 V6 and the 2.0 diesel engine.

All the other engines have the option of a normal triptronic auto box.

I'd have say that the A3 looks much better than the 1-series and with DSG it's even more attractive

Dark · #15 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2005, 06:43 PM

Vaper why are you waiting for the 06 S? What is it going to have that you already cant order? Am I being dumb?