Testing as many cars as I do can be exciting. But at the same time it can also prove to be puzzling. As an example, take the pleasing BMW 125i Convertible I tested in July that impressed me. Problem was I was unaware that we would belatedly run it against the Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 manual.

By virtue of its fresh approach in format and design values, the A3 led to a change in the way I view cabriolets — to start with, when it comes to looks, the Audi now takes the cake.

In fact this is a fine example of Audi's tradition of uncluttered, smooth, flowing forms that were the basis of geometric shapes first aired and conceived on the TT. Thank goodness those Bangle-uesque 'flamed' surfaces that bedeck the Z4 are not visible on the BMW 125i Convertible — but that unsightly 'sunken-back' character line just above the door sill still imparts a feeling of, yes, old Dachshunds.

Fresh breath

This all-new Audi A3 Cabrio imparts a fresh breath in the design of four-seater open-top cabriolets. That short, sharp and neat rear end combined with the smooth front end offers a sweeter and more complete aspect to make the 125i look somewhat long in the tooth. And it's not that the latter is not good looking, but more so that it's ageing.

Also, the marriage of the front and rear styles of the Beemer seem designed by two separate teams with seemingly little knowledge of what the other was up to. The Audi by comparison has a simple and unifying design with both ends following the similar parameters where the Beemer relies on itty-bitty additions to its rear, front ends and sides.

The interiors are another area in which the Audi scores when it comes to looks. Again it's a matter of a unified whole instead various shapes being bundled together. Those brushed metal door grips, handles and simple but effective air vents on the dash are truly pleasing.

Traditional values

However both have stuck to keeping traditional values with their canvas tops instead of the metallic versions, with Audi even introducing a novel way of folding theirs into and behind the rear seats without a moulded cover to offer a fresh and neat touch. In fact with the hood up, the Audi seems more complete, the combined visual effect more pleasing than that of the 125i.

Both hoods can be operated at speeds of up to and around 30km/h. And for those who prefer not too much wind in their hair, the Audi's able wind deflector mounted simply above the back seats and can easily be removed and packed into a small bag and stored in the boot when not required.

However, with the hood down, the 125i still seems to attract more attention; the longer and more flowing lines with the longer boot add more to the poser's wants. It is imbued with a more show-off attitude than the sweeter and cuter looking Audi.

On the road

On the road there is little to choose in handling terms, both are stars and oh-so positive when it comes to handling and steering response, with perhaps the Beemer more preferred due to its rear-wheel drive layout. And it's to do with the front-wheel drive antics of the Audi when you want that sudden getaway, and due mainly to its rather high outputs that hamper control under such conditions.

This is particularly evident when on an inclined stop-street and you floor the Audi with the wheels slightly turned — it can be unnerving and even more so when the surface is wet. With the Beemer, the pull-off is far more controllable with its rear-wheel powered set-up doing the traction and the front wheels solely having to direct the car.

Scuttle-shake is not a problem on either car, with the 125i carrying an extra 200kg of weight for the reinforcing beams to achieve this end and, in so doing, allowing for its refined road holding credentials. Instead the Audi is fitted with V-shaped braces in the subfloor.

Free revving engines

But I did enjoy the way engine power comes at you in the Audi, this more so than the BMW that in fact, though bigger in cubic capacity, does get delivered in the same way. Both are wonderfully free revving engines and among the best in their categories. Yes, turbo-charging is a must at Reef altitudes with its oxygen-robbed atmosphere. At the coast the clever waste gate on the turbo will offer almost the same outputs as a normally aspirated engine of equal size would, this via the gain attained by the 18 percent more oxygen available.

Effectively it's the same as adding some 35 percent more cubic-capacity to the engine — so a 2.0-litre turbo engine has more or less the same outputs as an engine of around 2.7 litres at either altitude or at the coast. The two are in fact rather evenly matched in our road tests with the Audi however somewhat better in overtaking terms in the mid range rev bands.

But as mentioned, when I tested the Beemer back in July, what impressed was its boulevard traffic cruising abilities at extra low revs. In fact that still stands and mainly due to the turbo-lag bugbear the Audi suffers with at extra-low revs.

Space and safety

In the Beemer rear cabin, space is rather limited, but luggage space is 260 litres with the roof up and 305 when closed. But that transit bag in the boot is a winner — and can take a full size golf bag — and with the roof open, two full sized golf bags can be stowed crosswise with a zip offering access to the bag's contents from the rear of the car. For those seeking more luggage space in the Audi, its 260-litre boot can be expanded to 674 litres.

Both have passive safety features such as longitudinal supports with defined deformation characteristics at the front and rear with tough profiles in the doors for side collision safety.

Impressive on the Audi are those daytime Xenon running lights with the seven white-light-emitting diodes that have a space-age feel about them while at the rear, wraparound rear lights with optic rods powered by LEDs generate a sweeping band of light in the dark for improved recognition. To add to visual impact and better stability, a neat trailing wing and striking diffuser panel finish are in place.

At the end of it all, I prefer the cuter and sweeter shaped Audi Cabriolet that adds a new dimension to the more poser-like shape and form of the Beemer. But I'm of the conviction that you'll be noticed more in the BMW 125i Convertible than in the Audi A3 Cabriolet with the hood down.