Audi or BMW or Opel

RiderOnTheStorm

Saving my few quid, and going to trade in my old banger, and got it narrowed down to a few cars. So wondering what folk think of the cars above (Audi A3, BMW 320, Opel Astra 1.7 - a;; 3 are the diesel editions). These are my 3 choices, so I want your opinion which is the best one. Even if you think they are the 3 worst in the world, then one of them is still better than the other 2 (so thats why there is no atari-jaguar)

'Best' is subjective, so this is what I am looking at:
I drive long-ish miles (400 a week ... not huge) so need a bit of comfort
I need a bit of poke so I can overtake when necessary (and not have to plan it for the prev 2 miles!)
I want good brakes and handeling
Reasonably fuel efficient


whacha'fink?

Edit: Budget is what I will have saved in 12 months plus my car as trade in - buying power of approx €10k.

EPM

Budget? Petrol/Diesel? Year? Specs?

El Guapo!

The BMW wins hands down IMO

Fizman

We will definitely need to know your budget. You mentioned all 3 are diesel models, so you are dead set on diesel I take it?

robtri

budget would be important

i would say astra..

reason being you should be able to get a lower mileage astra a lot new in years than a BMW or Audi for the same price...

1.7 in astra is a good engine, a bit rough but the 1.9CDTI is a much better engine it it..

Older BMW for me I find very unreliable..

Audi is a nice motor but paying a premium just for the name

RiderOnTheStorm

Budget approx 10k

Yes, heart set on diesel this time. Had diesel before, and want to go back.

bmw535d

you'd get a fair lump of a 320d for 10 grand.. take your pic, test drive all of them, the 320d is a good bit more powerful than the rest and wont be much soarer on diesel around 45-55mpg. a late e46 320d would be 150bhp and early e90 320d's are 163bhp. it's also the only rwd in your options(do you prefer rwd?)

the audi a3 would be next best imo. A smaller car compared to a 320d which is more of a rival to an a4(have you looked into a4's?)the 1.9tdi would be 105bhp in the newer ones or you could get the 2.0tdi 140bhp one. with a budget of 10 you'd nearly pick up a nice 04-05 one with a few extra's these days.

the astra is the lesser of the other too IMO the 1.7cdti is less powerful and sounds like an old mixer. if you where getting a nice Astra with heated leather seats and the sports kit with sat nav etc, you'd be no fool. unless you got the 1.7cdti one,go for at least the 1.9cdti version or better yet the 1.9cdti 150bhp version( alot nicer engine overall)

The astra is probably the most reliable of the 3 if your not into warming up and cooling down a modern diesel. or driving a dmf as a button rather than a lever(dual mass flywheel).

Test drive the lot.all three are great yoks,although the 320d is the odd sheep in your choice i don't know why you've included it and excluded an a4 and vectra of the same size

RiderOnTheStorm

thanks to everyone for their comments and input (and to all folk who have taken poll)

Yes, I know those 3 are a bit of a mix, but I think each one would suit me in many ways, as they all have a lot going for them. But just wanted folks educated opinion, hoping to find someone who has had 2 of them and able to give good compare.

Yes, when the time comes (closer) I will def take each for a long test drive. Maybe a weekend?

galwaytt

lot of people plumping for the BeeEmm badge, I see.

I'm going with Astra, for value. I'm also going with it for interior space. (it's marginal, i know), but the A3 is a shoebox in the back, and the 320 not much better. Astra is the best, that way.

Considering you'll probably buy a newer/nicer spec Astra for the A3/320 money, I think it's better value.

Back to engines: well, the M-Jet engine in the Astra has a good rep, so I'd pick it over the 320 for that reason. A3? Ho Hum, nothing 'wrong' with it, but it won't set the world on fire, either.

And I know you don't want to know, but the engine in the Astra is the same as fitted to Saab's and Alfa/Fiat, too. So if engine's are what's swinging you, they shouldn't be turfed out of the equation too quick. Saab's are very cheap (damhik...:rolleyes:), and usually have a nice spec. Being a GM era car (the 9-3 that is), sure it's half an Astra anyway. But nicer.

Max Power1

Is there even a choice with this? The 320d is a class above the other two, a total no-brainer imo.

Even if it was A4 versus Vectra versus 320d i'd still plump for the beemer.

squod

Aldi A4 wouldn't be near as comfy for big milage IMO.

rebel.ranter

squod wrote: »

Aldi A4 wouldn't be near as comfy for big milage IMO.

What about a Lidl 520?

OP All the cars listed have their foibles. Herself had an A3 & I would never have one in the driveway again, softest bucket of $h1t I ever drove. Any experience of older Astras I have had (via friends) is head gasket & electrical problems. The 320D is well renound for dropping turbos causing catostrophic damage to the engine.
Hard decision, I'd probably still go for the BMW as the Astra would just bore me.