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Beautiful build? I know it's subjective but man the Jetta is so ugly sandra bernhard was heard making fun of the car's appearance. Really, the Jetta GLI is outrageously bad looking in person. It looks like someone crossed a 4X4 with a pill bug.
Same performance? not really. The A3 has returned 6.3 0-60 sprints with DSG. The Jetta GLI is consistenly getting 6.7 and above.
As for handling there's no comparing them either. Yes, the have some of the same underpinnings but the displacement of the weight is different and the cars handle markedly different ways.
I have not driven the GTI yet but for now the next year or so it won't have the utility of the A3's 4 doors.
Very different cars. And the prices differences...aren't there. A3 with dsg, open sky and sport is about 30k. Same stuff on a Jetta GLI is 28k.
Translation:
A good 20 years after the entry of a turbo charger in the 745i for an increase in performance, BMW as of 2006 once again turns to the turbo in order to pry out more power.
The 335 makes its debut as the strongest Model of the 3er Series below the powerful M3. The nomenclature would lead one to err, as was the case in the 1980s.
Instead of a 3,5 l motor (literally "equipment") there is a 3 l straight 6 cylinder with two Turbochargers and piezo direct fuel injection by Siemens.
This will put out ca. 340 PS (horsepower). Visually the potent 3er will show its power with dual exhausts.
Along side the 3er we can expect an M version of the 1er and further BMW will test a 4 l V8 biturbo as well as a 2 l 4 cyl. turbo.
If that's true, I may have to return to bmw sooner than i originally planned. 340 hp and it's biturbo? Egad that thing'd smoke an e46 M3. And with biturbos one of my chief complaints about bmw (torque-less engines) will be answered. you gotta expect at least 300 ft-lbs of torque.
Quattro for the Audi 3.2 is a key selling point for me! Would pick a Quattro over any comparable FWD VW.
This will put out ca. 340 PS (horsepower). Visually the potent 3er will show its power with dual exhausts.
:surprise:
Same performance? Well, I haven't driven either one, and I haven't seen any head-to-head tests of the Jetta and A3. I'm basing my opinion on their specifications (if you've driven them side-by-side, then I'll concede to your first-hand experience). Based on my reading, they both have the same underpinnings, same wheelbase, same engine, and weigh within 50 lbs. of each other. My conclusion is that they are going to perform in a similar manner.
Price differences? If $2,000 is insignificant to you, I'll e-mail you with the address where you can send my check...
Supposedly the Audi service/warranty is superior to VW and that initself may be worth the price differential.
Then again I owned an Audi many years ago and I cant even imagine how services could get any worse!
So a 340HP 335i would get you back to BMW even when you all holla that its not about HP or speed ??? Hmmmm..... We'll see how the 335i turns out, and what price you'd have to pay to acquire one....
I have driven both. gearing can make all the difference. the a3, being that it's an audi may be geared to offer a bit more zest in performance. i'd hope so!
Price differences? If $2,000 is insignificant to you, I'll e-mail you with the address where you can send my check...
For my happiness 2k is well worth it. I'm not going worry about a lousy 2000 dollars if it's the difference between me being 90% happy and 95% happy. I paid a good 7k difference opting for the 330i performance package or a g35 mt. haven't regretted it once.
i can always make more money...but being happy, that's something worth paying for.
Do you have any idea why I'm not opting for a e90 330i?
1. Because only the handling is better than my e46's.
2. The setup's not as engaging as my e46 perf pack.
3. If i have to put up with how unreliable BMWs are, then I want the car to be ludicrously fun. An e90 is not ludicrously fun. Neither is my e46.
My plan, assuming an e90 335i is not announced, is to buy something simple and cheap - like an S2000 or Miata. I'll drive that for 2 or 3 years and wait for the e90 M3 sedan. The e90 M3 sedan, assuming it comes out, should satisfy me to a level of 91-92%.
The 335i allows me to avoid having something as garish as an M on my car and no ostentatious gills on the fenders. Plus the 335i would address something i hate about the current 3 series line up - no torque. I have stated several times I prefer VW's 2.0T to my e46's inline 6. I like the full blast of torque from 1800-5000 rpm. Having over 300 ft-lbs of torque over a broad range of the powerband in an e90 would suddenly take the decent car to a higher level - nice handling (ideally tightened up more for the 335i), matched to power for once.
The G35 is faster than an e46 and e90. So what, the car's got snap oversteer issues. I want the whole package. sublime handling, crazy power and 4 doors.
As for price, BMW bumped the price of the 325i to 330i about 4-5k. I'd hope the same bump would occur to the 335i and then the M3 would ring in at 50-55k starting. If I can outfit a 335i at 45k with just leather, sport, paint, I'll be happy.
Right, it's not all about HP and speed..... but when you add HP and speed to an existing BMW with the handling and feel, then it's even better!
I totally agree with you.
Just consider that drivers as picky and enthusiastic as you and I are in the minority. For 90% of buyers out there, the only significant difference between these two cars is the cargo configuration and badge on the hood.
All of these on a 70MPH freeways ? The most notable thing about these cars is their pronounced hash rides where you feel all the ruts and imperfections of the road. If that is your idea of driving, more power to you.
I want to feel it all come through my steering wheel.
You are a rare breed indeed amongst performance car buyers! Unlike you, if my BMW would have major reliability issues---I would seek any car but a BMW.
Just after my warranty expired I received a 5.5k dollar bill of repairs at a BMW dealership. Got a alternative quote from an independent of $650(brake pad replacements). If I had to pay 5.5k in repairs I can guarantee you I would be owning a Japanese performance-luxury sedan.
So after 7 years why do I still own my Bimmer--because currently my car's maintenance costs can out-Lexus any Lexus.
If I am going to enjoy any performance car(though I am pushing the definition of performance by calling my 168hp 99 BMW323 a performance car) then it would have to be reliable!
To each their own!!
I think your definition of performance is spot-on.
You may not have M3 horsepower, but you also don't carry the extra 300 lbs., and you don't feel the road through wheels/tires that are almost a foot wide and weigh 50 lbs/corner!
Anyone can drive a 300+ hp car quickly, but it takes real skill to go fast with only half the horses (and it's more fun).
I'll take light weight and a responsive chasis over HP any day - that's my definition of performance.
I agree! HP in itself does not make performance.
I just can't see spending 40k on a 330i e90 - great handling, nice ride, perfect interior, but lacking in verve. It's easy to improve handling with simple mods (wheels, sways, springs, etc) but really getting extreme hp comes from the factory or it requires some warranty crushing mods (like the folks who turbo their e46 330is).
Going fast in corners driving a slow car is fun.
Going faster in corners driving a really faster car is way more fun.
The 65 mph speed limit thing is a weak argument position regarding hp. HP has little to do with top speed or acceleration. A car with 135 hp can break the limit without breaking a sweat.
There's nothing illegal about strongly accelerating away from the on-ramp stoplights or accelerating out of a corner strongly.
Also many people track their cars..
Remember this forum is about cars that luxury items. Toys! These are not necessary vehicles. They're toys.
Err... The 400 hp Corvette gets 18/28 EPA. Not that different from most V6 sedans.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
And that applies to most other cars, including all cars in this class.
Excellent point. How many people with lots of HP under-utilize their vehicles in city/suburban mundane type of driving - going back and forth to work each day or out shopping. I suppose their answer is that they could go fast if they wanted to.
How many have lots of HP and handling and live way out in rural areas where they can truly put handling and HP to use. Probably not too many. I see many folks in Corvettes, BMWs driving very sedately on Interstates when I pass them in one of my vehicles (minvan). Many are driving about the same pace as golden seniors in their full-size Fords and Mercurys. They don't want to be noticed by police I guess. Maybe a large point of it all is "to be seen in it" and the perceived prestige. Notice that a lot of BMW, Corvette, Hummer, etc, type of owners like to park their vehicles in the driveway of their McMansions in the suburbs rather than pulling into the garage. They will even put them in prominent angles so that drivers-by can view them better.
I drive my Cinnabar Red BMW pretty sedately around town and on the freeway - not much fun no matter what your speed. Except for an occasional on-ramp apex or Sunday AM country back-road romp, I basically save my tires/brake pads for the racetrack, where I can really enjoy them in a controlled environment.
Oh yeah, I always park my BMW in the garage. It keeps my car cleaner longer, which means I wash/wax less frequently. It also protects the dash, seats, and paint from premature fading or cracking, and helps keep the interior temperature more comfortable year-round. Finally, it also keeps the car out of view of potential thieves.
So much for stereotypes, huh?
How many garages are big enough to fit a Hummer? That's my guess as to why you see them in the driveways.
You are misquoting me. You said that I said "all", but I used the term "lot". Big difference. My quote from previous message:
"Notice that a lot of BMW, Corvette, Hummer, etc, type of owners like to park their vehicles in the driveway of their McMansions in the suburbs rather than pulling into the garage."
A stereotype is a stereotype. Comments like that are insulting, and don't belong here.
"The 2006 G35 sedan adds minor features.
Enhancements to the 2006 G35 Sedan include:
· Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone system and satellite radio added to all Premium Packages
· New exterior color – Liquid Platinum"
"GARDENA, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2005) – Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc., today announced 2006 model year pricing on the Infiniti G35 sedan. The 2006 G35 sedan adds minor enhancements for 2006, including available Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, available satellite radio (XM® or Sirius™ providers) and a new exterior color – Liquid Platinum.
The 2006 G35 sedan is offered in three well-equipped models. The G35 sedan model features a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $31,300, while the G35 6MT model features a MSRP of $31,050. The G35 AWD model, with the ATTESA E-TS Intelligent all-wheel drive system has a MSRP of $33,100."
So to that end, all magazines that are self proclaimed car-review specialists get reviewed and the information promptly ignored.
Having said that, I like cars over $25K also. But most magazines such as Forbes, Money, etc that publish these recommendations carry the same weight as my friends opinion.