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      03-01-2010, 12:47 PM   #1
Notion-Za
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bmw 125 vs s3?

Hi guys,

So ive had my 125 coupe for close to 3 years now and the circumstance has come up where i can either choose to keep my 125 or go for an s3 sportsback (4 door)(new). I test drove an s3 today with the S-tronic and wow!!!

The handling in that car is awesome! the gearbox, awesome!! but it just doesnt feel like the bm. I really did punch the s3 on the drive. tail sliding and all the jazz :P the 60 40 split on the rear and front wasnt a problem, i didnt feel much under steer at all!

sure it has a lot of power over the 125 but i didnt feel all 195kw. the 125 also feels a lot more responsive than the s3.

Theres also more tuning potential with the s3 but im only considering a chip.

The steering is heavier on the 125 which is nice with cornering and higher speeds, the s3 has active steering but didnt get to much of a chance to play with it.

I would really like some 3rd party advice? biased or not

Whats your take on the 125 vs s3?
Never thought id be comparing an audi to a bmw
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      03-01-2010, 01:59 PM   #2
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i'd keep the 125i bro!

RWD > FWD ... you can have much more fun in your car imo.

and if you are looking at S3 pricing territory, why not go for a 135i? i'd take that in a heartbeat!

cheers man..

on a side note: sigh this section is so droog lately... i think i'm the only one that checks here a few times every day or so...
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      03-01-2010, 03:04 PM   #3
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Hey Dude!

I'm guessing you're up in JHB? If so I'd suggest going the S3 route, since the N/A cars just aren't able to really unleash their awesome power at the reef

When I was looking for a car I was choosing between the S3 and the 135i, and I must admit, the S is a truly awesome vehicle and the S-Tronic box is topline..but the difference in power took me on the 135i route.

At the end of it all, it boils down to what kind of drive you prefer.

Take Care dude, good luck
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      03-01-2010, 03:07 PM   #4
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Another SIDE:

"on a side note: sigh this section is so droog lately... i think i'm the only one that checks here a few times every day or so..." - aacabriolet

I check the forums daily, just not much going on lately hey...maybe we need to organise a meet to keep things going..Later
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      03-01-2010, 03:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 135iFreak View Post
Another SIDE:

"on a side note: sigh this section is so droog lately... i think i'm the only one that checks here a few times every day or so..." - aacabriolet

I check the forums daily, just not much going on lately hey...maybe we need to organise a meet to keep things going..Later
I agree... Or come join us on the local BMWFanatics in the 1er section?
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      03-01-2010, 10:26 PM   #6
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Hey freak!

I do live in jhb so the turbo is very tempting!

obviously a 135/335 is ideal but the prices are to high.

Another problem is that im currently doing my articles at an auditing firm so we do travel in groups and 4 doors does help. so that knocks out the 135. As for the 130, im just not sure.

as for the forum, it had been a bit dead lately. I think a breakfast run is in order
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      03-02-2010, 02:02 AM   #7
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bro if you want 4 doors then guess you answered it.. S3
S-Tronic gearbox is like a million times betta than steptronic lol
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      03-02-2010, 03:08 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by fatjoez View Post
bro if you want 4 doors then guess you answered it.. S3
S-Tronic gearbox is like a million times betta than steptronic lol
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      03-02-2010, 03:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Notion-Za View Post
Hey freak!

I do live in jhb so the turbo is very tempting!

obviously a 135/335 is ideal but the prices are to high.

Another problem is that im currently doing my articles at an auditing firm so we do travel in groups and 4 doors does help. so that knocks out the 135. As for the 130, im just not sure.

as for the forum, it had been a bit dead lately. I think a breakfast run is in order
Yet again, I'm guessing that you're looking at the 4door Sportback version of the S3 right? When you consider the rear leg room, the S3 wins - a slight bit more rear leg room the the 1er Coupe. 130 is great, will give you the power hike that you're looking for but without the sleek look of our Coups!

I'd hate to be in your shoes right now, went through it once already and the decidinf factors are endless. Cheers dude!
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      03-02-2010, 08:18 AM   #10
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well it seems like you've already narrowed your decision down to 1 choice... lol
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      03-02-2010, 08:57 AM   #11
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No question - S3.

The A3 Sportback 2.0T (147kw) FWD DSG was easily able to take my old 325i AT (160kw) in a straight line at Jozi altitude. The 325i got off the line faster (it had M-Sport pack with 255 R17's at the back) while the A3 burnt its front tyres, but the A3 caught up and overtook quite quickly. The 125i is only a little lighter then the 325i and has thinner tyres, so I don't see it having much of an advantage.

Now you're talking about the S3 which has AWD traction off the line and 195kw less ~5% altitude loss rather than 147kw less 17% altitude loss, and it's in a different league. The biggest issue with the A3 was the shocking understeer which the S3 *should* quell.

As for RWD fun, I honestly couldn't unsettle my 325i M-Sport in the dry. It didn't have anywhere near enough power to overcome the grip of the 255's at the rear. The 135i is a different story; you can really play with it in a way that is quite difficult with the quattros.

Despite all the raving about the DSG gearbox, it may be great once on the move but I have my doubts about the electronic clutch actuation combined with turbo lag on take-off. You get a double-lag effect. The multitonic A4 3.0 Cabrio I owned really showed the intermittent failures of the electronic clutch actuation system and after three years of fighting with Audi I eventually sold the car and made it a somebody else's problem. Thankfully Audi changed the clutch system in the >= 2004 multitronic boxes and the DSG boxes. Also, gone are the days of over-engineering the gearboxes. E.g. on my A4, the engine torque was 310Nm and the gearbox tolerance only about 330Nm. If you have plans of chipping the S3, the engine may cope with the extra torque, but the DSG box may not; be sure to do your research. Honestly, if I was going to chip my S3, I'd buy the manual; if I bought the DSG, I'd keep it stock.

I've never driven an S3 (or in fact any Haldex-based AWD vehicle). Before the last two Beemers I had an Audi RS2 Avant which had the more traditional Torsen-based AWD system (with 50/50 split, 232kw / 410Nm) [which was fantastic to drive]. I have also driven the old B6 S4 4.2 [good drive] and A6 3.2 quattro [may as well have been FWD].
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      03-02-2010, 01:25 PM   #12
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hey guys,

at @ri, i havent narrowed my choices down ive given my side on the s3 cause its points ive picked up, thats why im asking on a bmw forum to see if i havent missed anything on the 130

@ freak, Yes I am looking at the four door, a new coup is out of the question which is sad and im not to much of a fan of the 4 door hatch! but that engine in the 130 is a beaut! not to sure on space comparison between the s3 and the 130? I test drove a 130 and it was an amazing drive, linear power, great sound so again, mixed feelings on both cars! The 135 is in a different league to the s3! No doubt about that, you def made the right choice

@ gm, I know what you mean against the a3 2.0T. I kept up neck in neck with an a3 3.2 but the 2.0T just ran away. You mentioned another big point, the altitude loss.. If i lived at the coast i would definitely keep the 1'er. Its a machine down there! slipping the tail out in the car is hard but it can be done. ill always miss that but when i get a bit older and have more $$ ill definitely return. I test drove an a4 2.0T (155kw) today to check out the differences between the multitronic and S tronic gearbox. What a piece of crap. It hesitates on launch and is not nearly as smooth as the S-Tronic. Funny you mention the chipping problem with the gearbox. I called a contact I have at Sportech and he told me that he refuses to chip a multitronic gearbox beacuse it just eats itself. I asked him about the S-Tronic gearbox and he said it should be fine because the gearbox is a lot stronger. Seems like you loved your audis at one stage. Do yourself a favour and go test drive the new Haldex system. The 60/40 split to the rear is MUCH better.

sorry, quick edit to add: I also organised a proposed deal on the 130. That would explain the next paragraph

Guys I havent made my choice yet, the 130 is still a huge contender. 200Kw, RWD and lets face it, nothing feels like a bmw. Im going to keep this car for a very long time and I think the 130 will definitely age better.

If only a 335 was on the shorter end of the price range.
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      03-07-2010, 11:23 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Notion-Za View Post
Hey freak!

I do live in jhb so the turbo is very tempting!

obviously a 135/335 is ideal but the prices are to high.

Another problem is that im currently doing my articles at an auditing firm so we do travel in groups and 4 doors does help. so that knocks out the 135. As for the 130, im just not sure.

as for the forum, it had been a bit dead lately. I think a breakfast run is in order
LOL, finished my articles last year...what a waste of time

If you want you can try my 135 out, im also in jozi so its no hastle.

Let me know!
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      03-08-2010, 12:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shifty View Post
LOL, finished my articles last year...what a waste of time

If you want you can try my 135 out, im also in jozi so its no hastle.

Let me know!
Lol dude, its quite kak hey. So im guessing u no all u get for the first few months is revenue testing and company tax :P and the occasional filing job!!! Drives me mad!!!!

Ive driven 1 or 2 135's. I would ideally love to get it! but one of the necessities is 4 dours

Thanks so much for the offer though!!
we must definitely organise another breakfast run or something guys!!!!
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      03-09-2010, 12:19 AM   #15
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Thanks so much for the offer though!!
we must definitely organise another breakfast run or something guys!!!!
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      02-10-2011, 01:56 AM   #16
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      02-18-2011, 02:41 AM   #17
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Cool

Yeah Booi, Its Mr135iM in this space....I drove a Black Sapphire, 130iM for 3 years and the car was awesome, but hey F** the 5 door ish man, I traded my car in for a Black Sapphire 135iM, the looks and power all in one super beemer.....now this is the real deal..ok, I just got tired of being a taxi driver man, people must not constrain other people to make decisions like this...
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