4 cyl to US

[haglem]

I don't think I would go for a 118d, and certainly not for one of the 4banger i's petrol either. I drove a 118d for a day and though it was comfortable it just wasn't enough. The 123d is much more impressive with its ample torque. Just last weekend we were driving behind a 130i 5dr hatch...here in Heidelberg though. Anyone know if it's the same engine from the 330?

[Harry135]

Owned a 120i for a couple of years, it was adequate - just on power, never really felt like it had the 170bhp BMW claimed. The diesels are much better with great lumps of torque, tried the 120d - fantastic. Not tried the 123d but had heard its a little on the gruff side albeit with plenty of power....this may be a re-post but have any of you seen
this..\http://fwd.five.tv/videos/shootout
Sorry - don't know how to do full link - click on the shootout between Audi TT diesel and 123d

[wmo168]

Remember the 318ti, slow, cheap, and it is like Honda Civic which can be found everywhere...

[imported_mega]

remember the e30 318is that they call the baby m3, I want one, hot little car

but they are very very overpriced now

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by wmo168

Remember the 318ti, slow, cheap, and it is like Honda Civic which can be found everywhere...

I owned a 318ti Club Sport, and it was a great little car. Underpowered, but it drove well and looked good. They're pretty uncommon these days.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Add1ct

My brother has an A3 and it's a nice car, but I actually think some of it's interior bits are cheaper than the 1ers, mainly the dash panel material, much everything else is super nice, especially Audi's std driver info system display between the odo and speedo, and the Audi MMI. The seats aren't as nice as the BMW sport seats, that's for sure. But the one thing I hate about the 1er now that it's hot again, the ac vents just cannot be positioned right to blow enough air on the driver, whether the passenger is open and pointed my way or closed and only the driver is pointed my way. all that said, I think the BMW is by far the better car, even with a smaller engine, but if the Audi A3 TDI had been here last fall, I'd have gotten that over a gasoline 1er for sure.

The air flow thing, I notice that too. It seems I'm always trying to get it to blow harder towards me. The left vent has nearly 0 lateral adjustment.
Overall though, the system is ok and works well.

I am concerned about the level of heat coming from the vents and under the dash. Even when it's cool out, and I'm using just the outside air flow vents, the air coming from the vents feels warmer than the outside air.
Yes, I have the temp set to the lowest 60F setting.
I'm not a fan of these "auto" HVAC systems. If the outside air is 60F and I want that cool air through the vents, then THAT'S what I want.
I can't tell if the HVAC is adding heat in this situation, or if there that much residual heat coming in from the engine compartment.
I remember this condition in my 325i too.
However, the 325i had a cool/warm air control on the center vents.
It helped bring cool air in even if you had the heat on.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Cost.
Why would they do it with 6 cylinders when they already have 4 cylinders making that much power?

True. But, a small 6 is a very smooth engine. Mazda had one a long time ago, tiny little 6 cylinders, how cute. yet, smooooth.

I'd love to see a V4. I had a Honda VFR moto with a V4. It had a sweeeet sound. Great torque at low revs with great pull at high revs.
I can't remember now, but a V4 has been used in cars in the past.

So, I'd answer, why? Smoothness, at idle and at accel.
Yes, counter balancers do help 4's idle smoother. Still they aren't as smooth as the 6's. With a manual trans the idle is a minor issue as you can disconnect the trans from the engine at a stop. You can't do that with an automatic, and there's always anywhere from a "grainy" feel to a course vibe at idle in gear. Oh, and then when the AC compressor kicks in, it shakes. As nice as the 4 cyl turbo is in the Audi line, it still has very noticeable vibe with an auto trans.
A dual clutch auto-manual helps a lot, like in the GTI or A3.

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by Add1ct

My brother has an A3 and it's a nice car, but I actually think some of it's interior bits are cheaper than the 1ers, mainly the dash panel material, much everything else is super nice, especially Audi's std driver info system display between the odo and speedo, and the Audi MMI. .

My wife wanted an A3. It was on her short list, from the outside...

We went to see it at the auto show and the dealer, and the inside is so cheap/chintzy for a "premium" grade car that she bought a VW Rabbit instead and saved the $$$.

I wouldn't call the A3 a leader in any class or segment. Had it had a TDI and the rabbit did not, we would have bought an A3, but since both were ga$$ers, we saved the dough and have been really happy. Probably saved $16k, and have a better looking dash, plus less to maintain/go wrong. The rabbit was made in Germany, not Mexico, BTW.

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

remember the e30 318is that they call the baby m3, I want one, hot little car

but they are very very overpriced now

I drive an E30 318i as my DD. I wouldnt call it underpowered, it is a great commuter/city car. I won't mistake it for a 135i, but I did feel like the 128i was underpowered compared to the M42-based 318i I drove to the dealership in!!!

[Jake C]

The 4cyl will go in the Z2. Not sure about the 1 Series.

- J

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

My wife wanted an A3. It was on her short list, from the outside...

We went to see it at the auto show and the dealer, and the inside is so cheap/chintzy for a "premium" grade car that she bought a VW Rabbit instead and saved the $$$.

I wouldn't call the A3 a leader in any class or segment. Had it had a TDI and the rabbit did not, we would have bought an A3, but since both were ga$$ers, we saved the dough and have been really happy. Probably saved $16k, and have a better looking dash, plus less to maintain/go wrong. The rabbit was made in Germany, not Mexico, BTW.

True, the A3 is not an A4 in terms of interior. But, given it's near luxury price point, I think it's nicer than what the 1 gives you. The VW is quite nice on it's own. I LOVE the GTI, and when they were first introduced, they had a nice leather seat, wheel/tire, and audio pkg that made the GTI look fantastic for a reasonable price, and it road and handled beautifully, even for a FWD.

[Monterra]

[QUOTE=JHZR2;5571772]My wife wanted an A3. It was on her short list, from the outside...

We went to see it at the auto show and the dealer, and the inside is so cheap/chintzy for a "premium" grade car that she bought a VW Rabbit instead and saved the $$$.

Good for you guys... New Motor Trend echoed my feelings on the A3: why pay (substantially) more for a golf? They did drop the ball on our 1ers though awarding 2-1/2 stars (same as A3) down from last year's 4 star rating. What up with that MT?

[and 1]

glad to see bmw is finally giving us access to more of their engines. the 1er comes in like 6 different engine specs in the EU, right??