If there was just the 128 would you still have bought a bmw

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ptack

I disagree entirely. I test drove the 128i and the A3 3.2 on the same day, on the same course and they fairly similar (not the same, but similar). They are much more like each other than either are to a 135i. If it were not for a 135i, I probably would have gone with an A3 and be trying hard to mod it for more power.

If you were to go the A3 path and want to mod, then the 3.2 would have been the wrong choice.
The 2.0T is THE engine to get in the A3 and even A4.
With software about $600-$700 you get quite a nice bump in power.
For the 2.0T in the A3, stock is 200hp/207lb ft.
Software moves it to around 245hp/295lb ft, though the advertised and real power aren't the same.
Still, the difference is quite noticeable.

Mods for the 3.2NA are expensive and do pretty much nothing.
Now, if you put on a SC, then that's a different story, but that's big coin.
An A3 or S3 with the new SC V6 and quattro?
That would be some real competition for the 135i!
333hp, quattro traction, nice.

For me, the 2.0T A3 is nice, but compared to a sport suspended 128i, the A3 is soft in handling. The engine is nice, but not as powerful as the 128i.
Modding goes to the 2.0T.
Overall balance and handling go to the 128i in my view.
The better handler and most fun version of the A3, in the US, is the GTI with the dual clutch. LOTS of fun driving that FWD.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Not many folks admit to having owned a Fiat Spider these days! My first one came with non-ventilated brakes (1970, IIRC) and required expensive rotor replacements every 8~10k miles, but the '72 I owned was much better. Although the 1.6 litre 4 didn't put out much power (0 to 60 in about 11 seconds), mine would cruise at 90 with no problem.

And I'm also enjoying my 128i as much as my Fiats - especially with a 4 year warranty and the knowledge that parts are easily available.

Tom

I had one for a (short) while. The damn clutch cable kept breaking on it, and it would put me in horrible situations, trying to make circles in parking lots waiting on lights to change, and my friend peeing in a bottle on the way home because we couldn't stop the car.

I will say that I really liked that little car though. I've never owned another vehicle that women literally JUMPED into.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by RPM90

If you were to go the A3 path and want to mod, then the 3.2 would have been the wrong choice.
The 2.0T is THE engine to get in the A3 and even A4.
With software about $600-$700 you get quite a nice bump in power.
For the 2.0T in the A3, stock is 200hp/207lb ft.
Software moves it to around 245hp/295lb ft, though the advertised and real power aren't the same.
Still, the difference is quite noticeable.

Mods for the 3.2NA are expensive and do pretty much nothing.
Now, if you put on a SC, then that's a different story, but that's big coin.
An A3 or S3 with the new SC V6 and quattro?
That would be some real competition for the 135i!
333hp, quattro traction, nice.

For me, the 2.0T A3 is nice, but compared to a sport suspended 128i, the A3 is soft in handling. The engine is nice, but not as powerful as the 128i.
Modding goes to the 2.0T.
Overall balance and handling go to the 128i in my view.
The better handler and most fun version of the A3, in the US, is the GTI with the dual clutch. LOTS of fun driving that FWD.

Yeah, I spend time in the Audi boards and I'm glad I have an N54. The 2.0T is just too small. You can mod it, but chipped A3s are still not in the 135i class. It would have been pretty frustrating.

[cagekicker]

if there was no 135, i would of bought the 328i. never the 128!

[e82vette]

Originally Posted by cagekicker

if there was no 135, i would of bought the 328i. never the 128!

lol why not

[JimD]

I don't want to hijack the thread but cannot resist a couple Fiat stories. I lived in Pittsburgh when I owned it and should have run away when I saw it was stored outside with a leaky top by the previous owner. Rust was one of the several problems. The goofyier thing is that it always seemed to break on the West side of Pittsburgh when we lived on the East side. The starter failed in the parking lot of the airport. I got my wife to pull me with her station wagon to start it and the bumper pulled off when I let the clutch out (rust). I was keeping it running waiting for her to to get behind me to leave the parking lot and got impatient. Then I saw her struggling with the bumper (she was putting it in the back of her station wagon). Another time I had to replace the key switch in the parking lot of the airport with hand tools because it had failed locking the steering wheel up. The electrical never seemed trouble free for two weeks in a row.

But the top went down in seconds manually with no problem. And is cornered well enough to be fun. Power was sparse but enough to feel a little lively.

128 handles better, has a lot more power, but I may miss the very simple top mechanism. But the top of the BMW stores under its boot to look a lot better. If you put the cover on the Fiat top it would be a much bigger hassle.

Jim

[jkp1187]

This thread really should've had a poll...

@RPM90: how have you found the Audi customer service/reliability so far? My wife will need a new car in a year or two, and the A3 diesel is one of the ones up for consideration. (Especially if BMW doesn't bring any of its 4-cyl diesels over.)

[fmxomar]

i wouldnt have got the 128,
would have gone with 335 coupe, e46 m3, or s2000

[Yablonski135]

I would have gone 370Z or new WRX

[halcon1]

My wish list went in the following order:

1) 135i
2) 125i (same as 128 down here) with M Sports, 6 Speed Manual
3) Mini Cooper JCW.


At US$ 91,000 here in Colombia, a 135i was and will be completely out of the question.

A Mini Cooper JCW is US$60,000, but already had a Mini S, so I wanted something differente.

I will pay US$51,000 for my 125i with M Package when I get it in September 09. I am EXTREMELY happy with my choice: the 135 is almost too easy to drive, the 125i forces me to be a better driver to really extract the best out of the car. I find that to be more fun. Also, I think I would not use the 135 to its full potential due to speed limits, so it would be a waste of $$$.

Plus, the 125i will hold its value much better than the Mini Cooper JCW and have much more demand than the 135 if I ever want to sell it, which. I just cannot wait...

[M2]

If no 135i, I would have purchased one of the following:


Z4M
M3 E46 coupe (POC)
or maybe even 335d (great gas mileage w/ tons of torque)
What I really wanted was a 1 series 3 door hatchback. (currently not sold in the States) crossing my fingers on the future possibility.


No matter what, it would have been a BMW for sure.

[Quick1 TO BE]

would have got a C6 Z06 slightly used..

Ash

[Gumball]

Would have got an S3.