Objectively speaking here, how do you guys think the Audi compares with the TL-S? I've heard that Audi isn't really that reliable, and if you're gonna go german, go bmw. Anyway, just looking for some two pennies around here.

 

Two different cars for different purposes. I own both.

The A4 has superior AWD handling and better fit and finish on the interior. IMO better styling but that is preference.

The TLS has more power and better ergonomics and is a great smooth highway cruiser.

BTW for German reliability I would rank Mercedes, Audi, then BMW in that order based on what I have seen and many of my friends/family with recent model C class and ML class have had nightmare experiences wrt reliability.

Drive both and you will know which one suits you better.

The Audi does come with 4yr/50k miles total coverage which is a bonus.

 

and as far as reliability goes, no German car will be like an Acura. Audis aren't bad, they seem to rattle more than an Acura...trust me here. The NA engines and the 1.8T are both pretty reliable, it's the 2.7T that has some poor design features to it that makes the Audi name a bit unreliable. As for BMW's, I love them, but they are the biggest rip off in the industry. But if I had 50 large to throw down, i'd be drivign an M3 in a second.

As far the the A4 and TLS go. they are very different cars. TLS is pretty mich the faster straight line car and much better highway cruiser. If you are into modding and autox/track the 1.8T Audi has some great potential. People are running them at 300 hp reliably and as much as 450 hp with big turbo kits that aren't so great as far as the low end power goes. The AWD and option for manual tranny are what sold me on the A4. But if there CLS 6 speed was available a coupel of years ago...!'d probably have stayed with Acura.

If we are talking about the 2002 A4, then forget what I've said, they gained too much weight in the redesign and are underpowered. They handle better but are less tossable. I don't like the new interior or exterior as much as the previous.

 

I owned the first generation A4, but without the quattro. The exterior styling in my opinion blows away the TL, the interior materials are great too, and the car feels larger inside than it actually is (first generation, not the 2nd). The car speaks quality throughout, and I would go as far as saying it's almost overdesigned. However, I had plenty of problems with it in 4 years of ownership: frequent front control arm replacements, cv boot replacements, a front broken spring, AC condensor leaked and had to be replaced by removing the whole dash, small engine oil leak I just dealt with (2.8 v6), frequent thermostat failure. To change the thermostat in these cars was a huge job, including removal of front bumper, radiator, and timing belt cover, costing huge in labour. Also, after a couple of years of sun hitting the black dash, it started to peel and curl upwards.

My biggest beef with the car was the lack of throttle response, and the auto transmissions shift program. This transmission robs so much power from an already underpowered car, it was just plain slow.

I test drove the new A4 and it felt small inside, even though it's supposedly larger. The exterior looks of the new one I feel is better than the old, but the interior of the old is better than the new!

Then I test drove the TL-P (thousands less than an A4), and it was way faster, way more responsive, bigger, and had way more options for the money. Then I test drove the TLS and fell in love with the tight feel, great throttle response, and supportive seats.

I drive the TLS now and it gets far less attention than my old A4, but it's a way better car, and I would choose it over the A4 anyday. I don't expect the reliability issues I had with the Audi to appear with so much frequency on the Acura either. Anyhow, the Acura is the way to go... or the G35! Both I think blow away the A4.

Dirk Diggler.

 

All these guys make great points! I will say that I am not sure how much longer people are gonna equate acura/honda with reliability since this LA times article regarding the trannys! I love my TLS but I hate this doubt in the back of my mind regarding the tranny! Oh well, as of right now my car looks good and is still prettt fast for a family sedan! Still loving it and enjoying it!

 

couple points about the audi. my friend drives an S4. great power, and cuz he's an average stick driver, we run neck in neck with my mods. but in terms of finish, while the S4 seems more solid, it does admit more road noise, u can feel the wind coming in through the door handles (which i find annoying in a $40k car, or any car for that matter) and finally, as he just found the, they have really bad positioning of the oil pan. its right below the radiator all the way at the front bumper. so at some point he bottomed out, and he's not really sure when, he's a pretty good driver in those terms, and busted up his oil pan, so it was leaking pretty badly. i was there with him at the audi dealer, and the mechanic said its a big problem with them and VW, and there's not much u can do. now an A4 will actually have a softer suspension, so ur risk of that happening is much greater.

 

The only thing that makes the A4 worthwhile buying is its superior Quattro AWD system. Audi makes the best car platform AWD system in the world, par none. Those who buy front wheel drive Audi's are just plain stupid.

 

the Audi...AWD. I'm not sure why people buy the FWD Audi's over other FWD cars.

 

Yea, I went in to look at the A4, and it was way small. I mean the front seats are fine, but in the back, it could get cramped back there. The A4 looks more luxurious though. Damn, why is the Bimmer so expensive??? The bastards...

 

Screw the Bimmer. I'd take AWD over RWD anyday.

And if I wanted RWD, I'd take the G35 coupe of sedan.

Do you know that the 6 speed G35 coupe is MORE expensive than the auto? It's because of some fancy transmission from Germany.

 

Damn, this is a tough one. For the money, TL-S> A4 though I love how the new A4 looks. But I like the interior of the TL better.

 

I have both cars now 03 Acura TLS and 01 A41.8TQMS Chipped
really two different animals quattro allwheel drive awesome in the wet dry snow ect handling very good interior very handsome and quality materials but I feel the same about the TL except for the plasti-wood . Only two down sides to the A4 IMO very small back seat and turbo lag other than that a really fine car paint fit and finish is very good to date 25k and no problems. TL only down sides plasti-wood, non-RWD, poor sun roof button location no maual tranny and of course tranny problems with the sport auto other than that you could not ask for a better sport sedan for the money

-Norcalsguy

Go here to see my Audi :

http://groups.msn.com/ErickOnline/yourwebpage1.msnw

 

Audiworld? I kept thinking about that every time I saw you post here, but figured it was a coincidence. Lucky man....2 great cars.

 

Thanks Ray yeah my wifes car was just about at the end of it life so we need a new car so I did the research and decided the type S was hands down the best value for the buck. I have liked Japanese cars because they are usually feature rich and I like gadgets

C-ya,
-Eric aka Norcalsguy

 

audi imo has a much sportier look. a look younger buyers prefer over the tl or tls. But if your past the looks and the hype about how audi a4 is much more desirable, then the tl will win in every aspect. lets see its cheaper, more powerfull, has more room, more gadgets, comes from a history of reliability though it does seem a little off because of the recent tls tranny problems, and just overall a much better choice since acura is known for lurxury and reliability.
overall a4 scores a 7
tls scores a 8.5

 

Hey Ray and Norcalguy

I am yet another audiworlder/TLSer

We should start our own cult!

And my reasons were very similar. Wanted a larger sedan for the baby seat. A6 was way too expensive so it came down to TLS

To be honest I find myself seduced by the power of the TLS so I actually drive it more often now

Hemants
2002 TLS EBP
2001 A4 1.8TipQSX

 

If you want German, want AWD, don't mind the smallness of the car, and don't mind paying almost 40K, go for the 330xi over the A4.

 

"If you want German, want AWD, don't mind the smallness of the car, and don't mind paying almost 40K, go for the 330xi over the A4"

And don't forget "if you want an inferior all wheel drive system and cheaper lookig interior fit and finish"

 

yes....another name I recognize from AW. I kept wondering if you were the same person. We really are a cult huh. Unfortunetly I don't have a TLS to compliment my Audi. But I live vicariously through this board. My parents own a 93 Legend and a 2001 RL...so that is my acura connection I suupose. Well, I do have my CBR, that's a Honda after all. The TLS's smooth power of the, and the simple, elegant interior are a great combo. I would definitely want one as a family car as the A4 really doesn't meet that need. But I don't have a family right now so it's no biggie. Not to say that the TLS isn't a great sport sedan. I just prefer a manual tranny and the damn CLS 6 speed took too long to come out.

With the specs of the new S4 finally out, I can say I'm definitely going to keep my car and go big turbo. And if Acura decides to step up where Audi didn't and go with the 3.5 liter engine and 6 speed manual in one of their cars......it will be a tempting proposition.

 

i have a TL-S and my roommate has an 02 audi A4 1.8T.
in my opinion, i made the better choice we bought our cars at the same time, and he paid about the same amount as i did. i got 90 more hp, navi w/ onstar, and A LOT more room, while he got the advantage of quattro. also the audi's red instrumentation is reallie nice too. when we roll out together, my car gets more attention than his and i smoke him like nothing and after springs, sways, strut bar, my handling feels better than his. so over all i feel that i made the better choice of getting a TL-S rather than an audi or bmw in the same price range (my other roommate has a bmw 325 ci, and that is definitely a rip off...) pretty much if you are looking at a lil over 30k price range, get TL-S, if u can afford to spend more, then u have other choices

 

Acura is crap. I just recieved my Acura after having the tranny replaced (Keyes Acura in Van Nuys, CA) and there was a ton of sawdust in the engine bay, the engine cover was scratched up and some items were missing several screws (like the battery case cover). My engine bay was so clean you could eat off it, and now it is filthy, sawdust and grease everywhere

Is this the way an Acura dealer treats their own products?

SHAME! I contact Keyes and they vehemently deny it. I just called Acura Client Services and they told me to send them a report by writing. I am pissed off!

 

I've also been looking into the Audi 1.8T's.... basically, I'm tired of wondering when is my tranny gonna die on me..... Well, I'm doing some research on the audi's, love the way it looks too bad its underpowered.