Yeah I know, wasn't referring to the 135. Just the fact that i'd fancy an M5 if it wasn't Rwd since the M's will eventually be X drive optioned
New S3, New Focus ST or M135i
- Thread starter Andy White
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That's a good point and I'm sure the auto Audi would even things up a bit but I've got a real soft spot for that BM.
It's true it's not an M car but it would give them a run for their money having driven a mates M3 a few times!
It's true it's not an M car but it would give them a run for their money having driven a mates M3 a few times!
The S-Tronic feels very different to the ZF8. I drive a 435i usually for 2 days during the week and the S-Tronic feels much sportier and more engaging with the shifts. You also have TCU tunes available for the S3 which aren't available for the M135i which further improves the gearbox. I find that on take off the ZF8 is more responsive but when driving the S-Tronic is quicker to downshift and put power down.
thebluefox
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He forgot to mention it's so damn ugly from a couple of angles too lol
I was so interested in a m135i but there are so many on the roads!!!!!!!! The m sport plus package with side decals do improve the looks massively. Rwd though...no thanks. However, for that noise I could be tempted. I went in to bmw a few weeks ago about an m235i and the price is mental. It isn't even all that...strong crazy prices. Not a chance
Well I'll probably be swapping mine for either an M135i or M235i sometime next year - personally I like them. After 18 months of ownership and 12k miles, I'm losing the love for the S3.
The only good looking car BMW build is the 4 series each to their own l couldn't buy as unattractive as the 1/2 series yeah big 3.0 litre engine/noise but ye have got to admit they are far from being a looker inside aswell looks matter a lot
I agree they are not the best looking car BMW have made, but then I think also that AUDI could have done more to make the S3 stand out. Horses for courses. On the other hand also looking at second hand RS4's always loved them, not sure why. We'll see, I'm trying to get a 135 for a day to play with my view may change then!
6 series grand coupe is a very handsome car to my eye.
Back on topic, the 2015 facelift to the 1 series is a big improvement. 5dr looks better than 3dr too.
Pound for pound I'd say the 135 beats the S3 in most departments.
Another handsome bmw....
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151013100064/2016-bmw-m2-goes-official-with-365-bhp
http://www.worldcarfans.com/1151013100064/2016-bmw-m2-goes-official-with-365-bhp
To answer the OPs question at 345bhp, 324lbft and a base price of £28,940 It has to be the Focus.
Options look reasonably priced too with the sunroof at £575 I paid the best part of £1,000 for mine. Looking at the 'old shape' it has pretty good residuals too so I'd imagine the new shape will too.
Options look reasonably priced too with the sunroof at £575 I paid the best part of £1,000 for mine. Looking at the 'old shape' it has pretty good residuals too so I'd imagine the new shape will too.
The thing with the Focus RS, Rob is the lack of nice colours there's only 4 in total l think, plus the alloy wheel choice is only 2 both not very nice at all,not a fan of the blue theme running through the interior also
The audi is a bit more advanced when it comes to exterior lights these are far better, xenons led tail lights etc
As for the interior quality it's up there very nice indeed.
One thing l noticed between the audi S3 and the Focus l had,was the Ford was far,far more planted a very stable car at any speed the audi aint especially at speed,Audi need to address this handling defect ASAP
Ps the Fords sunroof is gash lol tiny and doesn't enhance the cars exterior aesthetics at all
They put in a 300PS engine in the S3, but not the steering or suspension to match that. It's gash.
The suspension revisions are *slightly* better in the RS3, but it also unravels to reveal the fundamental flaws at speed and challenging situations, and it's such a frustration when trying to drive it hard and fast. You end up just having a drag race in between the bends, which is not a rewarding car/drive.
One of the issues in both the S3 and (more so the) RS3 is the static balance (weight distribution) of the car, in this respect the M135i is a better balanced car. And it shows, when driven hard.
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Blackwhite
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It would have been interesting if Mercedes were also
mentioned in this thread.
mentioned in this thread.
Hi J I know you like your pano roof mate ;o)
Does it come in white ?
If I was buying now I'd have a very hard decision if I could pick one of these up forgiving the typical Ford centre console layout and cheapish looking plastics for 345bhp, dynamic torque vectoring and up to 70% RWD then maybe £7k back in my pocket I'd be having sleepless nights - would have to put a paper bag over that roof spoiler mind !
Sat in my bosses Focus ST yesterday the seats were so narrow and supportive it felt like sitting in my lads booster seat !!!!
It would have been interesting if Mercedes were also
mentioned in this thread.
Awe naw it's even uglier than the BMW lol and far too expensive
I am 52 year's young lol by the time l want to change cars hitting 54,focus RS no,my Don Johnson days are over no matter how good it is over the competition BMW hell will freeze over sooner than jassy buying one, so l thought today, actually,l did about the timing of me changing car's should be good for the new A3/S3 coming out,then again l saw a new Audi TT tonight S-Line very very nice
Blackwhite
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When I was deciding on my new car, it was between BMW and Audi.
I liked the looks of the Audi A3 Saloon better.
Yip frozen white, 2 black metallics,and the chavvy launch colour powder blue
Yip them seats are amazing would love them the audi way
Eh.....your boss has focus and you have a S3.?.. Bit topsy-turvy that mate lol
Hah lol I'm a jobber mate same as you no sick or holiday pay.
Seats were good not a creased bolster in sight !!! Not a fan of the 3 gauges to the left of the instrument binnacle.
Hi mate the saloon is a fine looking car very photogenic but in the metal not as nice especially in light colours
But ye never know l may eventually get a sedan????? Na thought about it,l would look like a chauffeur lol forget it hatch or coupe for jassy
Blackwhite
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After driving one for awhile you don't notice them at all,matter a fact they stopped working in my car l didn't even notice lol
You could chauffeur Simon L around!
Lol yeah but one with a drinks cabinet fitted in the back lol barfly that he is lol
Oh no ! What are they guessing one is boost ?
Like you mate tied in to current motor for couple of years else I'll be homeless and single in double quick time hence started to tweak a few bits.
My lad who's 4 wants a blue convertible then a black convertible when it's dirty. His mom told him you don't change cars when it's dirty his reply was that daddy does !! I'm not that bad lol !! 2nd year of facelift could be a good option they'd have sorted out the issues by then and may be offering discounts.
Yeah yer wee boy is a chip of the old block by the sound's of it lol
Yeah boost, oil pressure, and depreciation gauges lol
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What? Where? When? ................................ jeez, there's too much to catch up on here!! lol
So what have we established now? Beemers are still ugly, Focus, great value but no colour choices and still a bit chavvy (and ugly for me)........................so pretty much where we started!!
Funnily enough saw a brand new TT S-line myself parked in town earlier today. Wasn't bowled over to be honest, the slight make-over is a bit too sharp and angular, seems to have lost some of the subtle, sexy curves!!
I still think the S3 and S5 are hands down the best of the best in the looks department
So what have we established now? Beemers are still ugly, Focus, great value but no colour choices and still a bit chavvy (and ugly for me)........................so pretty much where we started!!
Funnily enough saw a brand new TT S-line myself parked in town earlier today. Wasn't bowled over to be honest, the slight make-over is a bit too sharp and angular, seems to have lost some of the subtle, sexy curves!!
I still think the S3 and S5 are hands down the best of the best in the looks department
What? Where? When? ................................ jeez, there's too much to catch up on here!! lol
So what have we established now? Beemers are still ugly, Focus, great value but no colour choices and still a bit chavvy (and ugly for me)........................so pretty much where we started!!
Funnily enough saw a brand new TT S-line myself parked in town earlier today. Wasn't bowled over to be honest, the slight make-over is a bit too sharp and angular, seems to have lost some of the subtle, sexy curves!!
I still think the S3 and S5 are hands down the best of the best in the looks department
Getting close to a deal with a local dealer! Will keep you posted!
Just shows how subjective looks are as slot of people are describing the a3 as dull looking. I quite like the looks but see where they're coming from. A5 look superb in the right spec but the 4 series pushes it close. The 6 is one of the best looking out there imo
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Yeah, for sure mate looks are definitely subjective, only my opinion and have no intention telling others what to buy!
Not keen on the 4 series tbh, looks like a 3 after eating too many big macs!! (don't tell BH I said that though ..........although if he's really honest I reckon he'd agree lol) 6 series and up.......just too big for me
Blackwhite
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Yeah, for sure mate looks are definitely subjective, only my opinion and have no intention telling others what to buy!
Not keen on the 4 series tbh, looks like a 3 after eating too many big macs!! (don't tell BH I said that though ..........although if he's really honest I reckon he'd agree lol) 6 series and up.......just too big for me
A big shark eating the Big Macs.
.The 6 series is certainly improved on previous efforts, are they comparable to the A7's ? (God that car looks a **** on wheels).
Agree on the A5, exterior certainly holds up well today, less said on the interior though.
I've always liked BMW's for no real explicable reason. Just can't stomach RWD in the real world. Now with X Drive popping up everywhere though....
I'd say Audis are for looking at, BMW's are for driving. I guess my S3 saloon experience has shown I want something to 'drive'
Agree on the A5, exterior certainly holds up well today, less said on the interior though.
I've always liked BMW's for no real explicable reason. Just can't stomach RWD in the real world. Now with X Drive popping up everywhere though....
I'd say Audis are for looking at, BMW's are for driving. I guess my S3 saloon experience has shown I want something to 'drive'
s3_trev
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Somehow, in some way, this thread will end up with a Golf R being chosen. There was never a car built like it in the history of the world and its the no brainier choice. You really would be a fool not to buy one. Everyone else has!!
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