cntlaw

Has anyone considered between Audi's A3 and A-Class?
The A3 is still not launched to H.K. so I cannot see one
I am considering to replace my Accord 2.4 to either:-
A3 5-door , A-Class coupe , 120i

TiMerc

I have when looking for cars for my Grandmother.

The biggest hurdle with the A-Class for me was just its appearance which seems slightly ungainly to my eyes, although the new one coming looks much better. The Audi feels much smaller inside and is less practical, but is more car-like (lower seat position) to drive. Audi has the classier interior but its also more expensive (In Aus anyway). If you need to carry lots of stuff around its got to be the A-Class.

But both are good cars, neither are class leaders, really. My Grandmother got the A-Class

However, the 120i... this car is an absolute joke IMHO. Awesome to drive so they all say, but its so overpriced its just insane, its also very cramped in the rear. Over here a loaded 120i nearly costs $US40,000 (And no excuses because the Luxury Car Tax does not apply at this price here). And you need to load it up because it comes with nothing standard.

Why not look at the MK V Golf GTi? (if they are available in HK)

cntlaw

Just read that 130i will launch soon , that's 258hp !! Damn powerful for the tiny size!! Must be fun though

elbimmer

Do you still have C55? If so, how long are you going to keep it?

cntlaw

I will keep it for 2years and limit its milege to under 30000km.
Just paid a USD4000 worth MB service plan so this car
will be well maintained. Will be better value if wanna sell.
If the resale value by then is not up to my expectation, I will
sell it after 3 year not 2.

cntlaw

Thanks for reply.
I heard good stories about GTi. It is still not cheap because we are in HK.
For dear price, I would like to buy popular brands for better resale value and status. Who knows and gives a damn about a VW in HK? Forgive me, I am no exception , I pay a lot for both sports and symbol and resale value.
The C coupe is aged, guess I should look at the new A3.

TiMerc

Oh ok fair enough. The new A3 "sportback" or whatever looks pretty good. I'll get to see the new A-Class as well this week as the international motorshow is on here starting today (to coincide with the grand prix).

There have been a few reviews of the A-Class compared to its rivals (A3, Golf, 1-Series), but they are european and do not take HK depreciation into account.

All the best with the research!

cntlaw

Any chance that you have got to see the A3, 120i and A200 ?
They are not yet launchedto HK
Thanks

elbimmer

I really like 120i, have you seen new 130i? Its quite fast, 3.0liters V6....

cntlaw

I only saw a LHD 120i in Bangkok Moto Show back Dec.04
I heard about the 130i.
HK BMW is currently promoting 3 series , particular on 330i launch.
As I been BMW owners , I noticed that BMW HK 's marketing strategy
is very mean. What it means, they seem to force shoppers to buy what they can make more profit. e.g. they been hard selling 318i , 520i all the times.
So I don't think they will launch 120i any quicker.
Another reason is 120i RHD will be a bit late.
Just wonder if any one in the UK already driving the 120i RHD?

pigtail

The RHD 120i is available in Bangkok already.

cntlaw

Really ! Is it made in Thailand or South Africa ?
And do you know how much BAHT

pigtail

Imported one, priced at 2.6 million baht

pigtail

And A170 at 1.9 million, A200 at 2.2 million bahts, both import.

david_101

i guess it was about one year ago that i saw an A3 coupe while driving somewhere between delaware and the carolinas.

i'd never before seen the thing, so i was quite surprised. and traffic kept it nearby, allowing me to view from three sides.

it was a decent-looking car from the outside.

that was the only one i've ever seen.

cntlaw

Just wonder now, I think the new Golf GTi SFI 2.0 200hp is more attractive than the A3 now ;

anyone has tested both of them ?

cntlaw

klab, sawadee

my thai friend told me my C55 sell for 15 million baht in thailand, is this true?

cntlaw

Golf GTI 2.0 SFI Turbo and A3 Sportsback (2.0 or 3.2 Quad )both have launched Hong Kong. It will be ~5 months wait time to order one.
We did not have test drive offered.
By impression, A3 2.0 seems to be more luxury but it is only slightly ~15% more expensive than the GTI ?
It is hard to choose which as both seems to be ~200hp.
My worry is A3 seems to be value depreciated quicker and it may be costly to maintain.
Would like to know if anyone tried both cars , and any comments on:-
1. handling
2. Reliability
3. Fuel economy
4. Performance


tks'
cnt

kash0

Hey, new to this forum. Thought I should help out.

I purchased an A3 Hatch 2.0 FSI Ambition about 9 months ago for my son.
I don't drive it that often but in regards to your query I found that firstly the handling department is quite good and is capable of being driven hard. Its reliability has been bullet proof for the last 9 months; nothing needed other than the regular service. The tank offers great mileage, even with spirited driving. Lastly the performance is adequate (didn't want to get my son an overly powerful vehicle as he just got his provisional licence). From recollection it's about 110kw, same as the BMW 1 series and few of the others in its class. The decision was primarily between this and the 1 series. We both weren't to fond of the 1 series as it had a few quality control problems as evident in the demo we drove, also didn't seem as fast as the A3. The interior quality of the A3 is excellent in comparison, fit and finish is superb.

If you were after something gutsier try the 2.0 TFSI (the turbo model) or the 3.2 Quattro (V6) DSG as they are considerably faster.

Hope that helps.
Cheers.

theitalianjob

Weren't you considering the 330i/CLK280? What made you consider these cars?

cntlaw

Hi

Thanks so much for the detailed information.
Now I am at ease , if ever I choose A3.
It seems my wife is keen on a less expensive model like GTI.
But I tend towards the Audi brand.
The pity thing is the dealer here does not offer Bi-Xenon option for the A3 2.0 FSI; and the A4, the GTI , all come with Bi-Xenon.
We have A3 3.2 V6 Qua here but damn expensive.
Now I short list to A3 2.0 FSI, GTI 2.0 FSI 120i or a 325i
cnt

cntlaw

Damn right , you hit on me - I love CLK280 and 330i , but this
time we want to enjoy a good quality brand but cheaper car :p

pigtail

for cntlaw:

Sorry, no price information on C55 AMG but E55 AMG is priced at 12.9 mio baht in Bangkok.