Why/Why not Audi A4 better than BMW 3 series

[rp911t]

Interior styling is absolutely phenominal in the Audis, flat out.

More standards than BMW.

Quattro out beats the 38/62 AWD split by BMW. (I've previously owned a '02 325xi)

Better torque and speed than BMW

Lots of neat lil' extra features that take a while to find out and are niffty to have.

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Tom add more to the Why. Someone do the why not. Lunch is over.

 

[epj3]

Huh? Why would you compare the world's best awd system to just an average old awd system?

If you're talking an A4 vs. 330Ci or something, then there's little competition (even interior -- the interior styling of the current 330Ci with the chrome rings around the guages is absolutely one of the best interiors around... it's simple, gets the job done, and is super classy). The audi isn't quite as classy.

 

[HornyHornet]

Why? Quattro
Why not? Everything else.
You just cannot beat the feeling of connection with a BMW. As said before many times, it is an extension of your body.

 

[Tom]

Well I haven't driven BMW's AWD Xi Models so I can't tell you how it compares. But Audi's AWD system is one of the best in the world in my opinion.

Here are some items I like and dislike about the Audi:
Likes
1. Great Handling
2. Great Styling
3. Nice Interior Design
4. Dual Climate Control
5. Good Engine Platform for Upgrades
6. Great Pricing
7. Moonroof Control Knob
8. One Touch Blinkers
9. Great Bose Audio System

DisLikes
1. No Color Navigation System
2. No Radio Buttons on the Steering Wheel(1.8tq)
3. No Memory Seating(1.8tq)
4. Interior Leather feels cheap
5. 4 Cylinder seems underpowered with Auto Tranny Quattro
6. I had a few issues with the shifter not going into park.
7. Poor Fuel Consumption
8. Poor Jack Design
9. Inadequate A/C During Extremely Hot Weather

* Other problems include: Leaking CV Boot and Radio Button peeling

 

[Bad Monkey]

I like the S4, especially when it was priced similar to a loaded 330xi...I would most likely be driving one if it was still priced in the mid 40s. It's a friggin fast car. But at 50+K reasonably equipped, I had to take a pass.

For me, the A4 is a bit boring looking, inside and out. Plus, while its not based on any fact or research, I can't help but think that there are all kinds of mass produced VW bits and pieces in there...

Finally, I've had a passion for BMWs for as long as I can remember, reinforced by many an issue of C&D. When I finally got the means to get something priced in the 40s, there was never a question for me. I didn't even shop for anything else. The only reason I even test drove a 330 was to get a chance to drive it around before my order could be delivered.

Glad you dig the A4, that's the most important thing. What you think of your car is much more important than what I think of your car. And vice-versa.

 

[flashinthepan]

As much as I like the A4 in terms of utility, notably the AWD system, I too, find it rather boring and dull to look at. Audi Needs a body-style change, BMW doesnt.

Both nice overall though & to each his/her own definately applies here.

 

[rp911t]

BMW's e46 interior compared to an 03 a4 interior? Audis simply beats it.

 

[wood_e]

Oh here we go... another debate of personal oppinion....

 

[Imola330i]

Owned both, here is my view……..

I don’t know where this thought of superior “Audi interior build quality” comes from but I didn’t really see it. It seems that on the Audi boards, members like to espouse how great the materials and quality of the inside is I guess this is to compensate for something that it lacking. I can comment because I have owned/own both at one time. I had a 2002 A4 1.8 and currently have a 2004 ZHP. Both interiors are very nice, the A4 seemed a little less cramped, very business like but was a little boring to me. My ZHP inside especially since I have NAV feels highly advanced, the natural brown leather sport seats are also far superior to those in my A4, and the environment just works for me. Once again this is all personal preference and I’m glad that rp911t loves his Audi’s interior and feels that it is superior; I too have the same opinion of mine. Take care drive, safe…..Mark.

 

[ldacpano]

i owned a 2002 1.8t and i'll give you my impressions. i really enjoyed the heck out of it. with the giac chip, it really had some kick in it. although it rev'd kind of high due to it only having five gears, it still was a joy to drive. i always had peace of mind whenever i drove in snow and rain due to the quattro. the interior was erogonomically sound as well. little things like dual climate control, three button home link, red ambient lighting over the center console, automatic windows with the remote, first aid pack, jet cockpit-like lighting of the buttons, great moonroof controls, in dash 6 cd changer. the only complaint i had was that some of the paint started to peel off the radio and window buttons. i was going to get the 2005 A4 3.0q but decided on getting the 2005 ZHP 330ci. I've never owned a BMW before and I'm just excited to see how it compares to the a4.

 

[deutsch100]

Ok....we'll end this now. This is our BMW board, a place where we come to talk about the loves, likes and dislikes of our current, past and future BMWs.

If you love your Audi (and yes I think they have some great cars!!!), that's good...since it is your car. But...our BMW board is not the place for you to be preaching why Audi is better than BMW and how Audi's interiors are better than BMW (the materials used in Audi's interiors are yes top notch, but so are BMWs).

So...you should probably go and find a Audi board that you can talk about your wonderful quattro system, beloved interiors and red dashboard lighting....,just like we have our BMW board to talk about our double vanos, amazing inline sixes and a connection that no other car can give to a person.

So mein Herr Audi, I wish you a fine Auf Wiedersehen!!!!!

 

[MrElussive]

I think the Audi A4 has a better interior than the BMW 3-Series. I love the 3-Series interior but it is very simplistic....classy and luxurious, but very simple and basic. The Audi A4 interior is absolutely beautiful. The gauges are super nice and classy and the dash layout is really sophisticated and just looks so great. The difference of interiors between the two is quite easy to see...maybe you have to see the interior in person when the car is on and everything is illuminated and stuff. The only downside to the Audi interior is the lack of a real full-screen navigation system.

I see the A4 as the cheaper (but still German) alternative to the 3-Series and both are really great cars. Audi just needs a lesson in weight reduction.

 

[ldacpano]

Ok....we'll end this now. This is our BMW board, a place where we come to talk about the loves, likes and dislikes of our current, past and future BMWs.

If you love your Audi (and yes I think they have some great cars!!!), that's good...since it is your car. But...our BMW board is not the place for you to be preaching why Audi is better than BMW and how Audi's interiors are better than BMW (the materials used in Audi's interiors are yes top notch, but so are BMWs).

So...you should probably go and find a Audi board that you can talk about your wonderful quattro system, beloved interiors and red dashboard lighting....,just like we have our BMW board to talk about our double vanos, amazing inline sixes and a connection that no other car can give to a person.

So mein Herr Audi, I wish you a fine Auf Wiedersehen!!!!!

who cares what people talk about. if you don' t want to read a topic, don't click on the link. simple as that. the subject was about A4's and BMW's. replies like this are unnecessary.

 

[deutsch100]

Totally uncalled for use of nasty language. I did not directly attack you, and I find your reference to Hitler personally offensive and very inappropriate. Calling someone Hitler is as offensive as calling someone the N-word or other racial slur. Please think before you attack someone. Thanks!

 

[MrElussive]

who cares what people talk about. if you don' t want to read a topic, don't click on the link. simple as that. the subject was about A4's and BMW's. replies like this are unnecessary.

Dude that's pretty harsh. The opening post of this thread could be taken the wrong way, the way it was written.

deutsch100, the thread was intended as a harmless "Audi A4 vs BMW 3-Series pros & cons" type of thread, not a "Why Audi A4 is better than BMW 3-Series" thread. Audi A4 vs BMW 3 topic comes up a lot. No car is perfect and it's nice to talk about the pros and cons of each car....no shame in admitting a car's flaws.

 

[TheBry]

Bringing this back on topic...

Audi is ultimately Volkswagen. BMW is... um... well... BMW ;-) The switchgear in Audis is really nice, so are the materials used in the dash, etc. However, you'll find a lot of the same components in the VW Passat or Phaeton. Audis are nice, but in some ways I like the exclusivity the BMW badge brings to the table. I also like the fact that the BMW 3 Series interior is "driver oriented" as opposed to the Audi interiors. In the BMW, the center console tilts toward the driver. My Navigation unit is tops too - not the best in the industry, but better than the A4's that's for sure.

As far as exterior styling is concerned, in my opinion the current BMW 3 Series beats the current Audi A4 handliy. The A4 looks rather bland (and isn't offered in a coupe either). And have you seen what Audi plans to do to the front facia of the next-gen A4? Yuck!

Again, as one poster wrote, these are just opinions. We drive what we drive because we like it ourselves. That doesn't make our choices better (or worse) than anyone elses. Buy what speaks to your soul. For me, the BMW 330Cic spoke to me loud and clear -- the styling, the features, the performance -- I love this car.

 

[MrElussive]

Audi is ultimately Volkswagen.

Not entirely true and since when is that a bad thing? Sharing parts, engines, and other things is just another way to keep costs down which keeps costs down for the consumers. The build quality of an Audi A4 is just as good as a BMW 3-Series but with a cheaper price tag. Remember that there are certain things the Audi has that the BMW does not, such as dual climate control, auto dimming mirrors all around, and more (but not much more).
I'm not saying that BMW should start sharing parts or lower their price tag, I think they are well worth it but as you pay more for the BMW, you get more. Keep in mind in this comparison, that the Audi is thousands of dollars cheaper than the BMW.

 

[bahnstormer]

as bmw's get uglier and uglier (in my opinion) audi's are getting nicer and nicer.

my next car might very well be an audi a3 - or s3 =] or if they bring it, an rs3 heheheh!

 

[BMWdude]

as bmw's get uglier and uglier (in my opinion) audi's are getting nicer and nicer.

Sad but true. Although it doesn't mean that BMW is going to be ugly forever now, I'm sure they will change around soon, hopefully

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah I completely agree, bahnstormer but I don't think BMW is completely on the wrong track. Of all the new cars they have, the 7-series' exterior is my only real problem. The Z4 and the X3 are great, I love the face lift of the X5, and the new 5-series has grown on me. It should have grown on me faster but I think my close-mindedness about it made me take longer to like it.