BMW 3 series 2001 vs Audi A3 2004
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 2.5 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing chain | Timing chain and belt | |
Performance | |||
| Power: | 192 HP | 150 HP | |
| Torque: | 245 NM | 200 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 7.1 seconds | 9.1 seconds | |
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BMW 3 series is more dynamic to drive. BMW 3 series engine produces 42 HP more power than Audi A3, whereas torque is 45 NM more than Audi A3. Thanks to more power BMW 3 series reaches 100 km/h speed 2 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 8.9 | 6.9 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 9.6 l/100km | 7.8 l/100km | |
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The Audi A3 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification BMW 3 series consumes 2 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Audi A3, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the BMW 3 series could require 300 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, BMW 3 series consumes 1.8 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Audi A3. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres | 55 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 700 km in combined cycle | 790 km in combined cycle | |
| 900 km on highway | 1000 km on highway | ||
| 650 km with real consumption | 700 km with real consumption | ||
| Audi A3 gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Audi A3) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (BMW 3 series) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 440'000 km | 350'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a BMW 3 series engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 7 years | 5 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including BMW 5 sērija, BMW X3, BMW Z4 | Installed on at least 9 other car models, including Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Golf, Seat Altea, Seat Leon | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Audi A3 might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Audi A3 2004 2.0 engine: 2.0 FSI engine, part of the EA827 family, features a lightweight aluminum block with cast-iron liners and a unique timing system. A toothed belt drives the exhaust camshaft, while the intake camshaft is driven by a single-row chain, which also integrates with the variable valve timing mechanism. The timing regulator is ... More about Audi A3 2004 2.0 engine | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.26 m | 4.29 m | |
| Width: | 1.75 m | 1.76 m | |
| Height: | 1.41 m | 1.42 m | |
| Both cars are similar in size. BMW 3 series is 3 cm shorter than the Audi A3, 1 cm narrower, while the height of BMW 3 series is 1 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 310 litres | 370 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
1100 litres | 1120 litres | |
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Audi A3 has more luggage space. BMW 3 series has 60 litres less trunk space than the Audi A3. The maximum boot capacity (with all rear seats folded down) is larger in Audi A3 (by 20 litres). | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | 10.7 meters | |
| The turning circle of the BMW 3 series is 0.7 metres less than that of the Audi A3, which means BMW 3 series can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`905 | 1`875 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | below average | average | |
| Audi A3 has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for BMW 3 series, so Audi A3 quality could be a bit better. | |||
| Average price (€): | 2600 | 3200 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
BMW 3 sērija has
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Audi A3 has
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