Okay, so awhile back I was trying to get a list together of what would be some good convertible options for my parents who are in their early 50's. Well, it's down to two options now and we're (it's a family decision, though the vehicle will be my mother's) having a difficult time choosing now.

The two options are a BMW 330cic or an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro (or possibly S4) Cab. So what do you guys think? The BMW is definitely the ultimate driving machine, offering a better drive, better acceleration, and is aggressive and beautiful in its own way. The Audi has an artful, substantial, heavy feel to it, and offers teutonic handling, and a beautifully understated design theme.

I hate to say it though, but the BMW seems to be a dime a dozen and just did not feel as solid and well built as the Audi (the doors closed with a "tinny" sound when compared to the Audi, and body panels and interior pieces had much larger gaps, comparatively). But the Audi just is not as strong of a performer and seems to lean a bit towards the anonymous side (which is both a downfall and an advantage). Overall, I think we like the Audi best, but it's so close I thought it would be good to hear others' arguments.

Lemme hear it.

 

Well, the S4 Cabriolet looks a little weird in my opinion. How about a hardtop vert? 330Ci's are pretty hot, get em b4 they change them to the E90's... ew...

 

My mom religiously drove Audi's for 15 years. Her car now is a MB e320 wagon. She had always driven A6 wagons, until her last one. It was champagne and she LOVED it, and was going to keep it past the 3 or 4 year warranty, whatever it was. Well, i shit you not, the day after the warranty was up, the fucking rearview mirror fell out ($800), the audio had to be replaced for malfunctions and the last straw was when she was driving through town and lost all electrical function, including ABS. If your parents are only counting on keeping it for its warranty, when everything is covered, then fine, but after that, i wouldn't recommend it

 

Sounds like she didn't have that great of an experience with the Audi. We're really feeling optimistic about this and I'm sure that our fingers will be crossed upon delivery that we don't get a lemon. But my father goes through cars pretty regularly anyway, so I think we'll be okay.

The Audi and the BMW are the only vehicles that fit the criteria for what my mother wants, so I know it's going to be one of those. But I think the problem is that we like them both equally as much.

 

Does your mother care about 0-60 times or just want a nice convertible? A Toyota Solara Convertible is nice, less expensive and probably the most reliable convertible out there. If you have bad weather all the time AWD would be nice, so I would go Audi.

 

Audi cabrio is a beautiful car.

 

True, the Solara is nice, but not what they're looking for, I think. They want a performance drop-top that can occassionally carry around two extra people in the back.

The Solara doesn't fit the requirements because:
-Too soft
-Not terribly attractive
-Too bland for our liking
-Not incredibly "special"

If they wanted a cruiser, they'd be considering an SC430. My father has been trying to talk my mom into one, but they both want something more performance oriented (and younger )

 

The interior is incredible. Audi/VW really pay attention to the details. I'm pretty sure that the leather they use on the steering wheels is of a higher quality than that on the seats because it is so incredibly soft (I'm assuming they use Napa leather on the steering wheel). All of the plastics are substantial and the panel gaps are needle-thin. The use of wood and aluminum is tasteful and shows attention to detail. The way the roof was designed makes this car incredibly quiet. There are no mechanical lock indicators to get in the way of one's elbow--just an LED on either door. The aluminum finished A-pillar and band that wraps around the waistline give the car an elegance. The details are just incredible.

Overall, quality wise, the Audi makes the BMW feel like it's on a lower level (just in terms of build quality and materials). We all know that the BMW offers a tighter, more performance oriented drive (it does have more HP and is a lighter vehicle) but either way I don't think they can lose.

But I think the whole family is leaning towards the Audi for its rarity (in the Portland/Vancouver area) build quality and style.

Has anyone else around here researched this segment much?

 

^^
I know I'm speaking out of line between the two narrowed down options, but for an extra $10k I would get an M3 convertible. You don't see many around and they hold value better than an 330 or Audi will. If it has to be your two choices I would get the Audi then.

 

I like your thinking and I've been trying to sway my father. I just need to coax him into taking one for a spin. We were going to drive an S4 vert yesterday, but it was still in the warehouse. The salesman informed us that they have already ordered all of the '06 cabs they will need for the year--they have only seven A4 cabs (including 2 S4s). So the A4/S4 cab has "exclusivity" going for it...

The M3 vert is out because they don't want a manual. But the S4 is still a serious possibility. The problem is tracking one down...

 

Ahem :cough: S2K

 

I was thinking 4 seater, but you are correct.

 

Anyone else with ideas/opinions?

 

Lexus SC

 

How bout the new 06 VW EOS, think it should be out this summer, factory hardtop, sorta new style, pretty much Audi luxury inside...

 

Thats an Audi TT