Since the board is always up for a good car discussion:

Here are the facts:

Since I am not rich, not even remotely rich lol the E-55 fund was just short the 68K or so I would probably need to pick one up. I'll just keep that going, but in the meantime...

My car has to be replaced. My lease is officially up in July of 2003 and I don't want to keep the car for a host of reasons.

So..... I've been through 1001 different cars and in and out of many decisions but now that realism has set in...... I need to make a decision in the next 3-4 months.

First off, before you pick one over the other, realize one thing. There shall be no engine mods done to either car and very few if any cosmetic / audio changes. With that being said leave all of the tuning concerns outside lol. This will be my 4th vehicle and the 1st one I'm not going to spend thousands on mods for.

Here are my two finalists:

Audi A4 Quattro 3.0
Six Speed Manual
Denim Blue Pearl
Black Leather interior (may get tan, does not affect price)
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Bose Sound Package
17" 5-spoke cast alloy wheels w/ all-season tires
Price $37,500

BMW 330i Sedan
Steel Grey Metallic
Black Leather Interior
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Sport Package
Bi Xenon Headlights
Price: $41,570


Right now I am leaning towards the Audi for price and drivetrain. I did not pick an XI 3 series due to costs already over 40K. I've test drove everything out there.

 

Geeze well you really can't go wrong with either. If i didn't have to deal with shitty weather all the time the 330i sedan but since weather is an issue the a4 would probably be the choice.

 

i'd go BMW.

 

Definitely Audi. You'll get AWD for all-season traction and spend less $$$$ too.

Plus, 4 door BMW 3 series look like shit (IMO) compared to their 2 door counterparts.

Did you ever notice just how much wider/sleeker a Ci looks next to an i?

Any particular reason you're only considering a 4 door?

 

I'd go with the BMW. Audi's are nice, but just don't have that BMW feel. I know there are a million 3 series on the road, but it's a great car IMO.

With either choice, you can't go wrong.

Finally, did you consider the G35 sedan? It now comes with a 6 speed manual

 

When I compared here is what I saw:

Audi A4
Better interior overall of design.
AWD
6spd
Better warranty (All maintenance covered)
Slightly bigger car
More options for the money.

BMW 330
Only slightly better handler and possibly speed
You get to say you have a BMW and be like that Audi commercial of a BMW owner always pimping in the mirror and the audi driver casual getting ready for work.

The A4 1.8t will take a 3.0 after a chip, but you said no mods, so the 3.0 would be a better decision overall. The seats in the A4 are much softer to me than the BMW.

 

Have you considered the 1.8T? I know you don't want to mod, but all it takes is a simple $350 chip and you're up there in HP, plus you save thousands w/ the 1.8T

OR

What about the RX8?

 

Since he really isn't looking for performance it seems. He wants out of the box better. I think he might be steering away from a G35 because of how crappy the interiors are on that car. The G35 doesn't have a nice look like GERMAN cars do either.

 

You can get more HP out of the 1.8T, but it will never be as smooth as the 3.0.....that's a nice engine.

Are you getting a 6spd? Or an auto?

Anyway, I would go Audi. Looks better, newer design, AWD, handles well, cheaper. Most of this was mentioned above.

If you go the Audi route, definitely get that small rear spoiler (kind of looks like an M3 spoiler, comes on the new S4 as well). It makes the rear of the A4 look infinitely better, small touch but makes a big impact IMHO.

 

No Sport or Rear side bags on the A4? Plan on doing your own sport package?

A4 all the way. AWD is nice . A 330/325i is too common and dated.

 

since you are not modding I would say the BMW since its probably a little sportier. Why not the 330ci?

Can't go wrong either way but $4000 in your pocket doesn't sound bad if you get the A4 of the bimmer.

 

I've always been an Audi fan.

No one is voicing their concerns about bimmers' reliability issues???

If all goes well after the wedding and house, I might just see myself in an A4. I'm keep my fingers crossed.

 

I think you should also seriously consider g35 sedan or coupe.


I would lean towards the bimmer just because when you drive one after the other you realize the difference in the BMW's handling and feel.

The way you want to think about it, aside from the cost aspect, which would you be more happier with? Meaning if you buy an Audi, would you stop looking at the BMW thinking maybe I should've gotten that?

 

Tom2: 4 door time. Need to cart around customers and stuff, a coupe is very limited.

cusdaddy: I do not like the G35 at all. The 4 door is fugly imo.

Silverbullet, Chikai: The 1.8t engine is soo underpowered it's scary. ALL the dealerships around here are assholes when it comes to chipping and honestly, I am going to want this car to last a while so I really don't wanna do mods. The 3.0 is a very smooth ride with alot of balls. I actually prefer the wood trim in the 3.0 over the 1.8t.

Beltfed: The Audi mos def. in six speed

Bluto: The sport package in the audi is really rough, I kinda like the soft ride. BUt, I want to test drive it again.

 

i would go with the audi....

why doncha just get a TSX and pocket the rest of the money. you can pick up some nice stocks and when the economy comes back up, buy yourself that E55.

you havent looked into the S60R at all?

 

I thought my 1.8t was very underpowered for stock, but now after it has 1k of miles and running 93 octane in it not 87 which dealers put in it, its very peppy. This past weekend was my first time pushing her hard. I thought I may loose, but I ran a friend that has a Escort ZX2 with alot of mods, he runs mid 15s, and I beat him by 1 car. I started to leave him harder after 80 mph and we let off at 100. The car isn't that slow if you put 93 octane. I found that out right away.

Well if you don't want rough, do not touch the BMW. The sport suspension on my Audi is actually pretty nice.

 

My GF has the 1.8T...very sweet car. I love Audis for the AWD and the fact that they are much less commonplace than the 3 series....go with the A4 3.0....which, by the way, I priced out with the EXACT options you chose just last week!! Good luck with whatever you decide to get, pal.

 

Check the S60R fully loaded is like $42K... Ibet you can have it for $40k flat.

 

s60r....all the way.....cmon ern you saw it at the auto show and were droolin over it.....that should be out by july 03!!!

imo the audi is way too underpowered and drives like a truck, although the interior is sweet!

bmw you gotta pay for everything and you know once your done the 42k is an understatement!

 

both cars r good choices, but...

Audi

u might b giving up a smidgen of luxury and feel of the interior, but IMO u more than make up for it in looks and performance

ever considered the Infiniti FX35/45 AWD???

 

Mine is coming in a little under 44k or so, if I added the Untreated leather it would be around $45,200 give or take (that's loaded).

They are selling for MSRP and the lists are getting longer, very few Rs are being imported for the 04 model year (about 2,000-2500 S60Rs).

 

OMG, i am a fucking moron.

Forgot all about that Volvo S60R.

Back to the drawing board folks.

That's why I love this board, you fuel my indecisions !!!!!

Ok, who's going to the volvo test drive? I'm there.

I'd feel bad NOT giving the S60R a chance..

 

i dont like the 4dr 3 series, if u decide to get a coupe get the bimmer

but if u stay w/ 4dr go with the audi

ever consdered gettin a used gs4??

 

Cool, take a look at the options.....then start making some calls and see what the dealers say. They are going to arrive starting in May, on a real limited basis.

http://www.swedespeed.com/news/01_03...03/index.shtml


Here is cool wallpaper of the interior, neat shot.

http://216.117.199.209/diceman/Volvo/Volvo-001.jpg

 

I know this is about buying a car but I know I will never buy German. Why support their economy at all? There are plenty of good automotive options from countries who back the US in the current conflict. I never used to feel this strongly but they are not opposing us in the name of peace. It is all about $$. And no, I am not a pro-union redneck who blindly buys only American. This is just my strong opinion.

 

What do you mean drives like a truck? lol

 

Im not going to penalize german car companies for their governments decisions. That's just my strong opinion.

 

if u can get up at the crack of dawn, pops and i r doin the 8 - 10 slot at Shea

 

pops? lol

where is that webpage again?

 

http://www.volvordrive.com

 

Good review site....

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...ch...Cadillac*

 

Theres a reason why the 3series is soo common. Cuz its a bad ass car.


But seriously, i didnt like the 330i. Main reason was the doors seemed too small to get in and out of. I know sounds weird, but thats how i felt. But if you can get past that, then then car rocks in everything else.

Isnt the audi 3.0 pretty slow? Isnt the quattro system heavy as fawk? I mean only way i would have gotten the A4 is if i got the 1.8t and modded it. The 3.0 doesnt seem to be worth it. IMO

Yea check out the volvo!!! I bet thats gonna be one hot car. When does it hit the showrooms?

 

Audi,

I was also looking at that car, I really liked the A4 Quattro. I liked the way it handled and it looked, but I decided on the Acura for monitary reasons.

 

Audi...performance is probably on par with the BMW. The interior is probably one of the best looking out there. The exterior is all new...and looks a lot better in person than it did in the publications. AWD is nice.

 

Hmmm, a 4k difference is 10%. That BMW image may or may not be worth that to you. I like both cars but IMO, the A4 is a hot sedan. The 3 looks hot too but I like the slabness of the A4. I mean it looks like an A6. You can't lose with either car. They come with scheduled maintenance too correct?

 

Between all 3 of them i'd first go for the Audi, however test drive the Volvo and compare them together. I'd keep the BMW in a distant 3rd slot.

 

I change my vote to the Volvo. The Volvo is a HOT car. I was seriously considering one, but I realized it was slightly out of my reach right now

 

how about the tsx bwhahahaha uhhh sorry.

I'm thinking about a new car too since my was hit and I was thinking about the a4 and 330 as well. I haven't driven either one yet but I'm leaning towards the A4 because of the AWD. I got my Cl stuck in the snow, and that wasn't fun.
And I don't know if I consider the volvo. That is admitting that I'm growing up. Volvo's just seem too adult and family like cars.

 

if your not going to modify it -- bmw.

if your gonna do a lil sumthin... audi.


stock the A4 just has no fucking nuts. it is not fun to drive at all...

but it is did sexxy and you can make it enjoyable for the cash you save over the bimmer.


the 3 is fun from the factory... but youll be no faster then the 1 billion others you encounter on the road every day hehe.

still the bmw is the better car from the factory.

 

Have you looked at the recent changes for the 330 series? The 330i sedan can be had with the performance package which has 10hp and 10lb torque increase/alcantra seats and steering wheel/m3 suspension/body kit/18inch rims/lower gearing/6sp tranny/155 top speed...
Also the regular manual 330's are going to have 6 speed trannys.

The coupes are getting adaptive headlights that steer with the car...
All these changes are starting with all 330's starting this month's production = April dealer availability.