by Adrian Hall

Created on: October 27, 2009

A calm and sunny evening , a looping backroad, and an enthusiastic driving attitude are the perfect ingredients for a driving experience in a new BMW 1 series or the Audi A3. These two entry-level rivals are fighting for position as best in class. Entry-level, not hardly, both are packed full of standard treats and goodies to excite the buyer's appetite for sure satisfaction.

"The Ultimate Driving Machine" are four bold words that BMW makers use to describe all of their automobiles. Judging on Consumer's Digest automobile rating system for the last several years, not too many people disagree with BMW's defining slogan. But the 1 series is the new kid on the block and must earn his reputation on the streets just like any other player in the game. The new BMW 1 series rolled onto the scene in 2008 in two models the 128i and the 135i. Versatile, indeed; the baby of the BMW line-up comes in coupe, convertible, twin turbo, in -line six, automatic, or six speed transmission. You call that entry-level, that's only a fraction of the the side dishes the little bimmer has to offer. The 128i comes with a satin smooth in-line six engine rated at 230 horsepwer and 200 lb-ft of torque. If you set your sights on the 1351, hold on to your horses,all 300 of them with a twin turbo to boost its already brute engine. You like driving 150 mph , well strap up un the 135i and you will be on your way to an ultimate driving experience. Both models can be mated to a six speed manual or automatic transmission. Many upgrades come with both models such as 18-inch tires, satellite radio,ipod and USB adapters and a whole host of other add ons that come with the three different packages that BMW has to offer. The price of any vehicle will persuade or discourage a buyer from making that critical decision at choosing a vehicle. The 1 series 128i model starts out around $29, 200 , as the 135i starts out around $35,600. The Audi A3 better have its gameface on to compete with the all so versatile 1 series.

The Audi A3 is no slouch in its own right. The 5-door hatchback offers both driving excitement and a comfortable ride . The 2.0 T starting out at around $27,745 is the base model for this line-up. The engine has a 200 horsepower turbocharged engine with 207 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0t four - cylinder can be fitted with an all-wheel drive and the six speed S tronic transmission. Pretty impressive for the lowest one on the totem pole. But the A3 did not stop there, the 3.2 liter V-6, 250 horsepower

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