bmw 3 series vs audi a4

[z0mb13]

Hi all
I'm planning to buy a new car
either a bmw 325i or audi a4 3.0
I know that the audi cost a little more (because its a 3.0 liter engine) but I'm thinking to get the bimmer with full option (navigation and all) while the audi I can only get some standard option (like moonroof and stuff) ... my budget is under 40 k

which one do you think is better?

thanks in advance

 

[yakko]

I prefer the Audi but you will probably be happy with either.

 

[isekii]

Why get an A4 ?? when you can get an possibly new S4 or a 2001 used one for about 40k~


I'd choose an S4 over any 3 series bimmer~ ( excluding the M3 ) of course~

 

[Ns1]

i'd get a used 5series bimmer

mmmmmm 5 series

 

[GiGoLo]

does it absolutely have to be new? cuz if not, for under 40k you can get a 2000 or 2001 Audi S4.... twin turbo V6, AWD, best sleeper car around otherwise, i'd have to agree with you. i'd love a new A4, but if you get more options with the 3series, then i'd go for that instead. i'm one of those people that would rather get a fully loaded top of the line "lesser" car, than a bottom of the line with no options "Better" car (does that make sense?)

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: GiGoLo
does it absolutely have to be new? cuz if not, for under 40k you can get a 2000 or 2001 Audi S4.... twin turbo V6, AWD, best sleeper car around otherwise, i'd have to agree with you. i'd love a new A4, but if you get more options with the 3series, then i'd go for that instead. i'm one of those people that would rather get a fully loaded top of the line "lesser" car, than a bottom of the line with no options "Better" car (does that make sense?)

hmm how much is a used s4?? but the model is the old a4 though... I kinda like the new model....
also regarding used cars.... I'm quite afraid about that it may break down when I use it...

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: GiGoLo
does it absolutely have to be new? cuz if not, for under 40k you can get a 2000 or 2001 Audi S4.... twin turbo V6, AWD, best sleeper car around otherwise, i'd have to agree with you. i'd love a new A4, but if you get more options with the 3series, then i'd go for that instead. i'm one of those people that would rather get a fully loaded top of the line "lesser" car, than a bottom of the line with no options "Better" car (does that make sense?)

hmm how much is a used s4?? but the model is the old a4 though... I kinda like the new model....
also regarding used cars.... I'm quite afraid about that it may break down when I use it...

2000's go for around 33k ? I believe and the 2001 should be about 36-38k ??
If you purchase one of those I'm sure it comes with the remainder of the warranty~ and Yes it has the older A4 Frame.. but anyone can easily distinguish a S4 from an A4 even from a distance~

Btw~ the seats in the S4 are to die for ~ truly a work of art if you ask me~

Also you should be able to purchase exteneded warranty through a third party .. if you're so unsure about their reliability~
I would personally get it .. since German cars are mad $$$$$$ to fix up~

 

[divinemartyr]

I've been pricing 2000-1 S4's recently and they go anywhere from $29k-35k depending on what deal you find. If you find a really good deal you can score one for under $30k but they're rare. Audi reliability is very good, but the BiTurbo IS Audi's first attempt at that engine so purchasing an extended warranty for anywhere between $1,200-1,500 might not be a bad investment.

If you don't care to go that route however, the BMW 3-series and Audi A4's both have good points, but the A4 3.0's are on HUGE discounts right now because the 1.8t's sold so well. The dealerships are selling them $1,000 above invoice, just to get rid of them right now. Styling, go with the Audi, reliability, probably go with the 3-series. I'm a style man and comfort man, so the Audi would be my choice

dm

 

[GiGoLo]

i know this sounds like a dumbass kid trying to say how cool his brother is, but neways.... my brother bought a 2000 S4 with 3300mi. on it for 36k. That was last year. I believe the 2001's are going for around the same now. Yes they have the same body style as the a4, but there are suttle differences that differentiate it. also, check out Audiworld.com, goto the S4 forum, and read about the hundreds of members who get an instant 60hp inrease by installing a $700 ecu chip (my brother did this as well and he was pushing close to 320hp before the other mods). here's a link to the picture... the dork by the car is me, the car is his Audi S4

 

[Turkey]

What are you looking for in a car? Best performance for the buck in a new car is the Subaru WRX. Best performance and lux for the buck in used cars is the S4, and the S4 also takes very well to cheap mods. Best lux in a new car is either the A4 or 325i, or maybe an Acura or Lexus. Best poser car is the BMW . Personally, I wouldn't buy a used sports car (unless it's an older American muscle car) because it's most likely been driven hard, but if you can handle the possible reliability concerns I'd go with the S4. You won't regret it. Between the two you mentioned, I'd go with the BMW.

 

[GiGoLo]

ditto to everything turkey said just to add to his post... the wrx also gets great performance from relatively cheap mods. the wrx-sti in japan is a 280hp turbo i-4... in america, they installed 3 catalytic converters to meet u.s. emission standards. by removing them or by getting a straight exhaust, you get alot of that power back

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Turkey
What are you looking for in a car? Best performance for the buck in a new car is the Subaru WRX. Best performance and lux for the buck in used cars is the S4, and the S4 also takes very well to cheap mods. Best lux in a new car is either the A4 or 325i, or maybe an Acura or Lexus. Best poser car is the BMW . Personally, I wouldn't buy a used sports car (unless it's an older American muscle car) because it's most likely been driven hard, but if you can handle the possible reliability concerns I'd go with the S4. You won't regret it. Between the two you mentioned, I'd go with the BMW.

subaru is out of the question for me coz Im looking more towards luxury, s4 is sweeet... how much was it new? does it depreciates quickly?? Reliability is kind of a concern for me. I'll never buy an american car coz I can't find any that I like.
I kinda like lexus also, but the only model that is under 40 k is the lexus es 300, which uses the toyota camry as a base so I kinda dislike it.... the only lexus that I like is the GS series.... but It'll fetch way over 40k
about the acura... it looks to similar to a Honda... not luxurious at all IMO

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
i'd get a used 5series bimmer

mmmmmm 5 series

yeah I really like the new 5 series especially with the new headlamp and taillight,
the 525 is too weak I think (the body is way too heavy for a 2.5 liter engine)
it is really hard to find a used 530...

I heard that you can change the lamps for the 528 so that it looks like the new 530... how much is it?? is it easy to change??

 

[z0mb13]

bump..

 

[ultravox]

Go for a used Audi. Save a bundle.....drive circles around the BMW in the winter time! Always buy used..12-24 months

 

[Doggiedog]

The S4 is no sleeper car!

I can see those things a mile away, especially when they are in one of those nicer S series only colors.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Both are good cards and you'll have fun with either. However I'm not to fond of the styling of the new A4, but that's my opinion and not yours.

You could also look at the new Infiniti G35, which is substantially cheaper than those two (similary equipped). In the new Road&Track comparo, it came out on top, beating the 330i and the A4. Unfortunately I don't have the link for that, but if you scour the BMW 3-series forums, you'll see many members posting about it.

 

[CraigRT]

I agree with Mad Indian about the G35.. go Japanese... save on repair costs.

 

[Hammer]

Easy choice, go with the BMW.

If you can spend the extra bucks, go with the 330 though.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Turkey
What are you looking for in a car? Best performance for the buck in a new car is the Subaru WRX. Best performance and lux for the buck in used cars is the S4, and the S4 also takes very well to cheap mods. Best lux in a new car is either the A4 or 325i, or maybe an Acura or Lexus. Best poser car is the BMW . Personally, I wouldn't buy a used sports car (unless it's an older American muscle car) because it's most likely been driven hard, but if you can handle the possible reliability concerns I'd go with the S4. You won't regret it. Between the two you mentioned, I'd go with the BMW.

Honestly, you are wrong about the best performance for the buck. An F-body is the best performance per dollar. I hate GM, and i still give them that. No one can touch 300+ HP for $20k.

Best lux. car is not an A4 or a 325i, unless you are not that rich. A bentley is the ultimate car for luxury.

 

[cipher00]

I've got an '01 S4 Avant and love it. No problems with reliability, and it's fast. Much preferred to the BMW, IMO. Note, however, that quattro or no, these things do not like the snow. You'll need a set of snows with wheels, so figure on adding that in. Can't say about the Beemer.

...the BiTurbo IS Audi's first attempt at that engine...

True, but remember that Audi built the Porsche 944 Turbo circa late '80s and learned a lot from the experience.

 

[CtK]

i just got a new 2K2 BMW 325Ci
and it is one sweet ass car!!!
i test drove the Audi A4 and it is not as nice to drive kinda loose IMHO
and it looks to boxy and like a Passat

i wanted a 2dr car anyway and i test drove everything!!!
the only one i really considered was the Acura CL 3.2 Type S
it had more HP was faster but it just didnt drive as nice as the BMW

so i'd say get the BMW you wont be disappoited i promise!!!!

 

[Kopit1am]

I'm for BMW. Always.

 

[sohcrates]

My dad drives an '01 325xi and i drive an '02 Audi A4 1.8T

The bimmer *is* faster than my 1.8 (of course), but the "feel" of the car is quite different.

I happen to feel that the Audi is more "substantial"...steering wheel is thicker, interior seems more plush (though both have very nice interiors)

I also fit better in the Audi (i'm 6'4")

Anyway, the A4 3.0 is a really sweet ride, and you seriously can't beat quattro, i'd go Audi all the way.

Have you *seen* the new A4s? and i mean in person, don't go on pictures alone.....Get sport package, manul tranny, and you're in heaven! 3 series look smaller and a little more dated IMHO

 

[Corn]

Sticker on my 2000 S4 was $41,400 loaded with everything except the navigation system.

Here's a breakdown of my service records:

Oil changes and tire rotations/balancing--for some reason, the tires need to be re-balanced every 5000 miles, go figure.

This car chews up tires, I've got 40,000 miles on the car and have eaten through the original RE040's (only lasted 12,000 miles), are nearing needing replacement of my current set, and have pretty much chewed up my set of winter tires (on seperate rims). Perhaps it's just the way I drive.............

Clutch was weak from day one and started slipping and needed replacement at 35,000 miles. According to the service tech I probably had a bad clutch from the get go and the new clutch is much stronger than the original clutch ever was.

Cheap mods: Chip and exaust (both from APR) were less than $1500 combined. Can't remember what I paid for my UUC short shifter (40%), but it was worth it--the stock shifter has unbearably long throws IMHO.

Car is fast. Mine's black and is definately a stealthy sleeper. Lots of 'Stang GT kiddies don't have a clue what it was that just blew their doors off.

This is not Audi's first turbo. I believe it's the same turbo (just two of 'em) that VW/Audi have been using in their 1.8t's for many years now. Audi also had Turbo's in their previous generation UrS4.

If you find an S4 in good shape and do buy it, you won't be disappointed. If I were to buy one, I would buy one that hasn't been chipped: The car is "undertuned" at the factory, that and the fact that is has a rev limiter will ensure against damage caused by hard driving.

Good luck with whatever you choose.