[chriscecc914]

[HasanK]

So the 1 series came 3rd? That sucks
I'd still vote it 1st out of the three!

[ovekvam]

The one series is losing because they don't like the design. Since I think it is the best looking car of these three both on the inside and outside, the choice is easy for me! :-)

Okay, maybe the Audi is equally nice on the outside, but I don't like how the Mercedes looks.

[as7920]

Not a fair fight. 1 series urban? Against S-Line and AMG Sport. They should have picked the M-Sport.

Would it have made a difference? Maybe, just.

[DRIVE'R]

thanks for sharing!

[Carto4]

Originally Posted by as7920

Not a fair fight. 1 series urban? Against S-Line and AMG Sport. They should have picked the M-Sport.

Would it have made a difference? Maybe, just.

+100000000000000! Totally agree.

Mercedes also looks really diferent with out the AMG pack. Audi...at the end they just ALL LOOK THE SAME....

[KoenG]

Strange, they deemed it appropriate to insert a special text frame on the design (or the lack of it) of the 1-series. They also soften their judgement by stating that it will fit possibly better within some years. I don't believe that we'll be so lucky, the horror will stay every time you face the car.

So sad... sales volumes for the F20 will drop very fast now. Also consider that the Golf VII and Volvo V40, together with A-Class and A3 are stealing customers away with great enthousiasm as from previous month. The F20 was alone until now and his controversial styling was less relevant.

A pitty, since the bimmer is still my favourite seen the vehicle dynamics architecture.

[WeekendDriver]

Wondering how the Audi made it in 6.7sec with only 207 lb-ft of torque and 177 bhp.

[AusF20/F48]

Originally Posted by as7920

Not a fair fight. 1 series urban? Against S-Line and AMG Sport. They should have picked the M-Sport.

Would it have made a difference? Maybe, just.

Totally agree,

you have to wonder why they did not insist on the M Sport with M Brakes to balance the others..

I am sure the outcome would have been very different

I will keep my 125i M Sport

[neilwilliams]

The looks of the 1 series do seem to be a love it or hate it affair. Certainly the launch photos did nothing for me, but I think the car is very colour sensitive.

I was fortunate enough to get to the Geneva Motor Show in March where all three cars were on display so I had a good look around them. I thought the front of the A Class was probably the best resolved depending on spec - on some the bars behind the chrome strips in the grille are body coloured and in bright red it really looked bad - we all know the chrome is stuck on but it just stood out like a sore thumb. I also think the rear end reminds me of a Nissan Almera that went out of production around six years ago. From an interior standpoint the screen looks more like a tablet stuck to the dashboard than the more integrated screens in the other cars.

The A3 is a very conservative design which is what Audi generally do and for which there is a customer base. It's not bad, but it doesn't excite. I found the interior very somber but it was indoors and the one I sat in had dark headlining. I think the screen is also motorised so it can be hidden. The ventilation controls seemed rather too minimalist which made the vents seem larger than they actually are. However the problem for me is that the new VW Golf is effectively the same car for less money, and the forthcoming Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon will be the same car for even less.

That leaves the 1 series, as I've said it's colour sensitive but for me it has the best interior, although I'd prefer the seat adjustment mechanism from the A3, but I'll get used to it and as I'm the only person who drives my car it won't be an issue very often.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by neilwilliams

The looks of the 1 series do seem to be a love it or hate it affair. Certainly the launch photos did nothing for me, but I think the car is very colour sensitive.

I was fortunate enough to get to the Geneva Motor Show in March where all three cars were on display so I had a good look around them. I thought the front of the A Class was probably the best resolved depending on spec - on some the bars behind the chrome strips in the grille are body coloured and in bright red it really looked bad - we all know the chrome is stuck on but it just stood out like a sore thumb. I also think the rear end reminds me of a Nissan Almera that went out of production around six years ago. From an interior standpoint the screen looks more like a tablet stuck to the dashboard than the more integrated screens in the other cars.

The A3 is a very conservative design which is what Audi generally do and for which there is a customer base. It's not bad, but it doesn't excite. I found the interior very somber but it was indoors and the one I sat in had dark headlining. I think the screen is also motorised so it can be hidden. The ventilation controls seemed rather too minimalist which made the vents seem larger than they actually are. However the problem for me is that the new VW Golf is effectively the same car for less money, and the forthcoming Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon will be the same car for even less.

That leaves the 1 series, as I've said it's colour sensitive but for me it has the best interior, although I'd prefer the seat adjustment mechanism from the A3, but I'll get used to it and as I'm the only person who drives my car it won't be an issue very often.

I some kind of agree with you, but I realize that +90% of the buyers are ignorant to inner qualities and buy it since it's a sharp looking car with a solid reputation.

In this case, there is too much persistent criticism on the looks of it. On 20 people I asked snapshot judgement, 15 disliked looks rather instantly. When you do the same test with any other random car, chances are high score is better.

This will undermine the long term succes of this car, and potentially also residuals.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by WeekendDriver

Wondering how the Audi made it in 6.7sec with only 207 lb-ft of torque and 177 bhp.

Yes, apparently VAG is also conservative on output figures!

The A3 is significantly lighter than the F20 (~90kgs) and official time is 7.2sec on the 0-62mph, which is already pretty fast. So 6.7 is still overshooting the mark but within tolerance levels I guess!?

Take note that the new Golf VII GTi does the 0-62mph in 6.6sec and is the more suited competitor for the 125i with the comparable price level. Torque is also up with 40% wrt A3 in the test, implying ferocious duels ahead the coming months!

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by WeekendDriver

Wondering how the Audi made it in 6.7sec with only 207 lb-ft of torque and 177 bhp.

AWD cars are quick from a standing start.

[AusF20/F48]

Ah, the love it - hate it debate over the looks of the 1er

I was not that fussed on the look of the sport or urban when the F20 first came onto the scene, however when I saw the 125i M Sport with Xennons in the press I wanted to look at one 'up close'. I did, I test drove, I loved it, I ordered it, I waited, I got it

I LOVE driving it

BTW. Every time I have parked mine somewhere, I get admiring looks and many "love your car" comments from passers by.

I do think the EB colour works.

I have had noone say they did not like the lights.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by AusF20

BTW. Every time I have parked mine somewhere, I get admiring looks and many "love your car" comments from passers by.

I do think the EB colour works.

I have had noone say they did not like the lights.

Same here. It was not until I saw the M-Sport version I liked the looks. I also get a lot of positive feedback about how the car looks in Valencia Orange. Haven't had any negative comments about the lights, and I know a lot of very honest people who would not hold back.

Those who didn't like the looks, complained about lack of lowering, and wrong wheels.

[tawia]

Typical BMW, always a few years ahead of time with styling. Remember the 5 series in 2003/4. Such an ugly car! Turned out to be a total success.

Give the 1er a year to settle and again, total success!

First time I seen one up close I thought 'oh dear' now I look at the book everyday and it gets better and better everyday!

Anybody that says they hate it is just jealous because they cannot have one or have no taste and wear grey clothes lol

[josemiperla]

I'm sure 1 series is the best among these three nice cars!

[ovekvam]

In German Autobild they compared diesels:
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/audi-...h-3659766.html

BMW wins in front of Audi. Mercedes is last.

[js39]

Originally Posted by WeekendDriver

Wondering how the Audi made it in 6.7sec with only 207 lb-ft of torque and 177 bhp.

Also wondering about the same thing here.

And why having a 125i in Urban Line? especially when competing with A250 AMG, and Audi A3 S Line??

To OP - thx very much for sharing!

[ovekvam]

I have read several tests where it has won against these very good competitors, including the important one that I linked into this thread.

Anyway, how can you rate what the "best" car is? It varies from person to person, since we have different needs, priorities and taste. I don't mind if the car doesn't win all the tests as long as fits my needs.

Interestingly, the things I don't like about the F20 are not even mentioned in the tests!

[fuzzer]

I wouldn't take the merc in a lucky bag.. And I'm a big Mercedes fan!

There's an auto express review of the. A250 ,A3 1.8 tfsi and the 125 m sport.

Needless to say the BMW comes top

[rickk]

Originally Posted by Sol01

there was a group test also in whatcar UK magazine and A3 came first there. pretty bad reading for F20.

I read that test too, it was a rave review for the (new) A3. Maybe it's really that good.

In any case, they didn't have any major problems with the F20 apart from the offset pedals (which is worse problem in the RHD cars I think). Now, the Guillieta, that came out really bad..

In the same magazine they chose the F20 as the best green hatchback (or small car, or whatever). The F30 320ed was the overall winner across all categories.

- Rick