zishan03

I know the Compact is not available in the US, but some of you must have looked into it. So if the Compact were available, would you still be driving your C Coupes?

Also any drivers from the UK who had to make the decision themselves, please tell me what the deciding factor for you was!!

I personally think the C Coupe looks better but the Compact is far better to drive, being that BMW make excellent Manual gearboxes and MB arent exactly kings of that trade!!

Zishan

tommy

Couldn't have said it better myself. Plus, to be nitpicky, I like the fact that BMW's rear windows pop out - wish my ccoupe's did! Try both cars with a manny on a curvy road - the choice should be clear then!

vadim

No, the BMW compact looks like a sedan with the rear end chopped off (budget solution), and its altezza-style rear lamps look awful, IMO. The C Coupe is a model that doesn't share any exterior details with the C Sedan, it is very peculiar. Whether people like it or not is a different question, but you can say the same about red wine.

bzcat

I think the C copue is overall a more successful design. BMW Compact always struck me as a coupe with butt chopped off, including the new one - it's not very stlyish.

I never driven the Compact so I can't say anything about its handling but judging from the difference between my 325i and C coupe, I would assume it will beat the doors (and hatch) off the Benz.

FrankW

IMO, the C-coupe is indeed better looking than the 3-Ti. I loved my 00 328Ci coupe, but the Ti is pure uglyness.

But, with the new A3 out, I wouldn't pick either one of these over the A3.

RedC230K

You mean the Audi Golf? Or is it Rabbit?

FrankW

the new A3 is based on the A4's all new platform. The next Golf will be based/benefit from the same platform in the future.

RedC230K

I like VWs and Audis both, so that's cool by me!

amdeutsch

My sister in Germany has an A3. What she tells me is this:
A Golf is a Rabbit is a Golf is a .........etc. The only difference is a more luxurious package. They are all part of the same company; VAG; kinda like GM and Caddy.
Just wasting a boring Friday and getting a discussion going.

Outland

Ah, Frank, I see you still have that poor eyesite. I normally love Audi designs, but the NEW A3 is one ugly *** car. The old A3 was better. Just wait till the other "new and improved" Audi's come out with there 'angry chevy truck' front end...the A3 won't look so bad anymore. The new corporate nose is hideous- its dull yet offensively ugly. If it weren't for the rings, you'd mistake it for a Kia.



The C230 is absolutely gorgeous in comparison to the Kia-like A3.

session

Does anyone know what the BMW goes for and in what currency, so I can convert it into US dollars? I prefer the 3er sedan to this, but I dont think that the Compact is ugly. I do, however, like the C coupe a lot more.

Pictures of the 3er Compact, for those who haven't seen:

FrankW

to each of his own. btw, unlike you, I also consider price + package. The new A3 is a better buy for the money, but of course we don't get'em yet in the states.

or if you want me to say something about that comment: Still trying to justify your purchase eh?!

FrankW

oh yeah, one thing very cool about the 3 compact is this M technic pkg.

amdeutsch

Pricelist in Euros

oggle

That's one of the NASTIEST HIDEOUS things I've ever seen BMW build!

Outland

I wouldn't say its super ugly...but in the context of this discussion its a much less attractive car than the C-Coupe. The pop open windows on the BMW are a nice thou...they look ugly and easy to break into, but they sure help with ventilation. My Opel GT had them.

From the rear the BMW looks like a Tercel with a pair of Altezzas

Originally posted by Coke Bottle Glasses

Quote:

to each of his own. btw, unlike you, I also consider price + package. The new A3 is a better buy for the money, but of course we don't get'em yet in the states

This has little to do with price + packing. Its just an ugly, dumpy car. And since you can't get it here in the states(yet, anyway), its not fair to make a comparison based on price. The pricing structure isn't always the same here vs on the continent. Given how much a duded VW version goes for over here anyway, an Audi branded one would likely cost just as much or perhaps more than the C anyway. At the price of a Saturn ION it might find a market.

The -previous- A3 was a nicer, cleaner looking shape, in fact it looked just like an A4 without the trunk. I think Audi is really missing the boat by sending it over with that ugly wagon hatch roofline. Give it a fastback, and fix that nose first!

Quote:

or if you want me to say something about that comment: Still trying to justify your purchase eh?!

Oh, I forgot....since I purchased my car, you told me I have to continually justify it. Next time I'll try your plan.

FrankW

I'm not even gonna argue with you. Here's couple picture of the last A3 and new A3. Let the people be the judge.

the last gen doesn't look bad either, but the new one looks better.

charnchon

I agree with Outland about the design of new A3.

But hold on...
Just found this.

This aero kit from Oettinger makes the car look a lot better.

hehe I want the new A3 with Oettinger.

nevide

I think it looks like a next gen golf.

tsberkey

Outland,

You went way too far. Please remove everything from the word "in" to the end of the sentence.

Tim

tommy

So, assuming it's coming here, what would the difference be between an A3 and a GTI, other than badging and some cosmetics?

Frank, if you're talking "price + package", isn't the GTI always going to trump the A3, especially if you spend the price differential on the GTI?

The new one looks like a 2-door wagon, I'm with Outland. If I'm going to get that kind of thing, I like the Saab variant that I've seen - Audis to me, in general, are as warm and inviting as an operating room.

FrankW

I'm only comparing three premium German brand. VW is not yet a premium brand. Of course all three of these cars will cost more than the Golf. btw, if you guys read TopGear, they just compared all three in their current issue. A3 costs the less.

The A3 will probably get a 3.0 v6 as an option to go along with quattro and other luxury item. The Golf will only have it's vr6 and typical VW options such as Monsoon stereo system.

vadim

I'm afraid this notion is a little outdated: how about their W12 Passat and Phaeton (a rival of Audi S8) - if this vehicle isn't premium, than the 7-er and the S-class aren't, either.

http://www.autoweek.com/specials/gal.../phaeton/6.htm
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/gal.../phaeton/8.htm
http://www.autoweek.com/specials/gal...phaeton/10.htm

tsberkey

I think you are right on this one, V. When I was in Santa Monica last month, my daughter asked me to pull into the VW dealer because she spotted the new SUV. Forty-five freakin' thousand dollars!!! If they don't consider themselves a luxury brand, they are pricing themselves like one!

Tim

FrankW

yeah, the Passat W8, Touraeg and Phaeton are great cars and luxury cars, but overall VW has not yet estabilish it self as a premium like the image when people think of luxury cars. It's not yet popularized as a premium if you know what I mean.