Author Topic: 128i vs a3 (Read 2460 times)

kevlar · « **on:** May 19, 2010, 04:31:33 pm »

this is a simple question. my friend is buying a car and he has narrowed it down to the 128 or a3. he likes them both but is leaning toward to 128i. in the gta area which are the best dealers for bmw? also, does anyone know what the deals are on these two cars? ie discounts. thanks

vdk · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2010, 04:39:50 pm »

Bimmer. The 1 series is in my view an old-school BMW dressed in new clothes.

rrocket · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2010, 05:03:14 pm »

Quote from: vdk on May 19, 2010, 04:39:50 pm

Bimmer. The 1 series is in my view an old-school BMW dressed in garish new clothes.

Fixed!!

Flinter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2010, 07:30:54 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on May 19, 2010, 05:03:14 pm

Quote from: vdk on May 19, 2010, 04:39:50 pm
Bimmer. The 1 series is in my view an old-school BMW dressed in garish new clothes.

Fixed!!

I happen to think the 1 series is quite handsome, but I might be a little biased.

Not sure about dealers in the GTA but I think the 128i has about a 8% dealer mark-up according to my recent experience. There are some incentives on 2010 models if he can find one configured to his liking. When I was looking, I wasn't able to find a 2010 model that fit the bill. It was difficult to even find a 2011 model optioned the way I wanted so it was tough to play hardball with the dealer. I got about a 3% discount from MSRP so it was certainly not a killer deal.

kevlar · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2010, 11:55:46 pm »

hey thanks for the info flinter. i think you are "cornered" by the dealers a bit in ottawa. i think he is leaning toward the 128i. i was read somewhere on the internet there is about a 12 percent margin over invoice and the pdi freight is 2200 dollars!! then there is the 400 bucks admin, 75 ac tax, etc etc. the car pretty well equiped even as a base model. he really just wants to get a 6spd manual. i am wondering who gives the best deals in the toronto area.

evil_twin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2010, 08:59:08 am »

Though both are small, german luxury-brand cars, they are quite different. The A3 would be way more practical. But the 128i comes with RWD and a super sweet 6sp manual. The only way to get a manual in the A3 is to stick with FWD....at which point, I'd save the dough and buy a GTI.

If he needs some hauling space and isn't a 'manual purist', get the A3 quattro DSG. Otherwise, he'll probably enjoy the 128i more.

inco · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2010, 09:13:03 am »

I doubt there will be much price variance between the BMW dealers, but still it would be my choice afterall it is a BMW and that brings it's own rewards. A3 - not so much - to me.

quadzilla · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2010, 09:25:57 am »

Quote from: evil_twin on May 20, 2010, 08:59:08 am

Though both are small, german luxury-brand cars, they are quite different. The A3 would be way more practical. But the 128i comes with RWD and a super sweet 6sp manual. The only way to get a manual in the A3 is to stick with FWD....at which point, I'd save the dough and buy a GTI.

If he needs some hauling space and isn't a 'manual purist', get the A3 quattro DSG. Otherwise, he'll probably enjoy the 128i more.

The only way to get a manual in the A3 is to stick with FWD....at which point, I'd save the dough and buy a GTI.

Have to agree with this. We looked at the A3 and ended up with the GTi for the same reasons. I'd take the BMW unless I needed the practicality of a hatch.

ovr50 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2010, 09:36:40 am »

Quote from: inco on May 20, 2010, 09:13:03 am

I doubt there will be much price variance between the BMW dealers, but still it would be my choice afterall it is a BMW and that brings it's own rewards. A3 - not so much - to me.

+1 Never been an Audi fan.

toolatecrew · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2010, 10:41:19 am »

With the redesigned interior and aditional soundproffing on the 2010 there are very few reasons to get an A3 FWD over a GTI anymore.

A3 still has some plus over the BMW (ability to get big boost in HP and torque from a reflash) but it probaly comes down to FWD vs RWD as a determining factor.

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2010, 11:05:29 am »

They are very different cars.

BMW option pricing is really quite reasonable but combined do add up. The 128i's Premium Pkg (roof, xenons, heated wheel, auto-dimming mirror) for $2,200 is excellent value IMO. With that package about $2,885 margin. Great selection of content on that car.

For 2010MY see BMW suggests Freight & PDI charge of $1,995.

It's hella nice!

kevlar · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2010, 01:43:58 pm »

the xenon lights are standard now. i think the premium package is 1800 bucks. hey aqua, do you suggest any particular dealer?

TopGun · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2010, 01:59:19 pm »

Funny...upon my first glance I thought it was BMW 128 vs. a BMW 3!!

128 all the way vs the A3...but that's not saying much.

airbalancer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2010, 02:26:32 pm »

I did like Parkview
try
John Ghasabani
Assistant Manager
johng@parkviewbmw.com
416-444-4269 ext. 2260

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2010, 03:34:37 pm »

Quote from: kevlar on May 20, 2010, 01:43:58 pm

the xenon lights are standard now. i think the premium package is 1800 bucks. hey aqua, do you suggest any particular dealer?

I have zero experience at BMW retailers. But luckily plenty of other forum members do!

kevlar · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2010, 03:37:26 pm »

wow i didn't think the 128 would be so popular over the a3. i did mention the 5 door gti comparison with the a3. we are going to test drive it this weekend. he needs to drive the 1 series again since the car we drove had 18 inch wheels and sport suspension. i must be getting old because i told him i thought the 18/sport combo was way too stiff for toronto driving. thanks for the suggestion. i will keep parkview in mind. aqua, i thought you were the "insider".

vdk · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2010, 03:43:04 pm »

I think someone here got a good deal at Budds.

TopGun · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2010, 05:18:04 pm »

Ya...Budds BMW gets a good deal everytime.

DKaz · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2010, 05:37:56 pm »

128i hands down.

Flinter · « **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2010, 06:02:05 pm »

Quote from: kevlar on May 20, 2010, 03:37:26 pm

wow i didn't think the 128 would be so popular over the a3. i did mention the 5 door gti comparison with the a3. we are going to test drive it this weekend. he needs to drive the 1 series again since the car we drove had 18 inch wheels and sport suspension. i must be getting old because i told him i thought the 18/sport combo was way too stiff for toronto driving. thanks for the suggestion. i will keep parkview in mind. aqua, i thought you were the "insider".

I did test drive a 128 without the sport package and the ride is a little more forgiving. No doubt the ride is stiff with the sport suspension and I can see how many people would find it uncomfortable. So far I'm liking it... from what I read on this forum, swapping out the run flat tires some time later also helps.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the sport package also gives you the most excellent sport seats.