Comparo: Audi A3 3.2 Quattro versus BMW 135i

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

As higher fuel costs cause midsize luxury sport car buyers to move en masse to smaller cars, automotive industry analysts are predicting that the biggest growth in the Canadian new car market over the next few years will come from premium compacts.

The idea of combining city-friendly dimensions with a basketful of sport and luxury features usually associated with larger cars originated with Audi’s A3. It debuted 12 years ago in Europe, essentially as a dressed up Volkswagen Golf.

The small Audi’s more-is-less ethos caught on quickly with urban drivers. This success overseas encouraged Audi to bring its second-generation A3 five-door to Canada in 2004.

Other premium brands have recently joined the premium compact ranks, like the Acura CSX, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Saab 9-2X and Volvo C30/S40/V50, but Audi’s natural rival — BMW — is the latest, with the arrival earlier this year of its 1 Series coupe and convertible.

Which leads to the question: Between Audi and BMW premium compacts, which one is best from the driver’s seat?

SECOND PLACE: Audi A3 3.2 quattro

All told, the Audi is a sporty, stylish, well-crafted ride. But practicality takes priority over driver satisfaction.

Where the 135i is strictly a 2+2, the A3 can carry five in a pinch, offers better access to the back seat and nearly twice as much cargo room at 552 L. And even though the A3 weighs 130 kg more, both cars sip gas at around 12 L/100 km in the city, and 8.0 on the highway.

Then there’s the mandatory (yet exemplary) dual-clutch manumatic transmission with the A3’s V6 engine. Introduced on the TT two-seater, the Direct Shift Gearbox is now branded S Tronic in Audis. With steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, the A3’s S Tronic gearbox engages one gear while changing into another. Shifts are video game-like in their swiftness — even swifter in Sport mode. Or leave it in D for shopping mall lot crawling.

After S Tronic, the Audi pretty much comes up short against the party crashing BMW in every category driving enthusiasts care about.

The range-topping A3, granted, does deliver a smoother highway ride at speed than the tauter 135i. But it feels less happy as soon as you punch it on a curvy back road or a highway on-ramp, rolling in corners where the Bimmer is stone-cold flat.

The Audi’s steering feels overly light as well. And although there are obvious advantages to its all-wheel-drive system in slippery conditions, on dry roads it creates terminal understeer; the BMW’s tail can be brought around with a goose of its throttle. And the A3’s extra avoirdupois also hinders braking distances, with less initial bite and staying power than the 135i.

BUY THIS CAR IF … You need the practicality of a hatch and seating for five. You like the ease and performance of the dual clutch S Tronic tranny and AWD.

DON’T BUY THIS CAR IF … You want to shift gears for yourself … and you consider the driver the most important person in the car.

FIRST PLACE: BMW 135i Coupe

Starting at $33,900 for a 128i Coupé with 230 hp, the 1 Series is essentially a shortened version of the larger 3 Series. Except for one less seat in the back, the smaller two-door coupé has equally impressive manners from the driver’s seat plus it’s more nimble around town than its larger progenitor.

For two, so equally refined (and priced) compacts competing in the same segment, the Audi and BMW’s driving personalities couldn’t be more opposite.

With its lighter weight, slick shifting six-speed manual (a manumatic with the same number of gears is available as a $1,700 option) and locomotive mill, the 135i spanks the A3 3.2 in any straight line that’s not covered in snow or ice. And the BMW’s 338 mm front disc brakes and six-piston calipers bring things to a halt more quickly than the Audi.

In regards to on-road antics, it’s no surprise the 135i drives a lot like a smaller version of the car it shares a lot of hardware with: the $51,600 335i Coupé.

Simply put: From Point A to B, the BMW is faster and more eager than the relaxed Audi. That said there are a lot of practical reasons not to buy a 135i Coupé.

First, there are only four seats. And even then the two in back are cramped. Its trunk can’t match the gaping maw the A3’s hatchback possesses. And, of course, there are some drivers who see rear-wheel drive as antiquated and a sure fire way to end up in a ditch at the first trace of snow.

But for those who are looking for a compact car and love to drive, BMW’s 135i Coupé can be considered the most “premium.”

BUY THIS CAR IF … You want a smaller, more nimble, more affordable car (compared to the 335i). You put steering, handling and a superb chassis as No. 1 on your premium compact wish list.

DON’T BUY THIS CAR IF … You need a real backseat or flexible cargo room.