Why/Why not Audi A4 better than BMW 3 series
- Thread starter rp911t
- Start date
Hi All,
I'm new to this forum for all of you...but I have been coming to this forum for 1 year now....
I don't own a BMW, but was on the verge of buying one....I have a 2004 A4 3.0 6MT....
After reading the comments on this thread, it seems that there is a lot of inconsistency in comparing Audis and BMWs
I don't dislike BMWs....both, the Audis and BMWs are great cars. But I don't see any point in comparing a rear wheel drive car with an all-wheel drive car....what do you tend to expect out of it......
Frankly, if you want to compare, compare an Xi with the Audis. I test drove an XI before buying the A4....I was not impressed at all...The XIs are no match for the worlds best all-wheel drive system that Audi has....drive it to believe it...
While, if you compare the front wheel A4 with rear wheel BMWs...FWD Audis are no match...
Also, I don't understand why people think A4s are similar to Passats....If you guys don't know ... VW also owns Lamborghinis....that doesn' mean that Lambos are bigger Beatles....
They are different cars.....They share components to keep the costs lower....As far as exclusivity goes even lamborghinis are not exclusive in that case .... but I'm sure all of you on this forum will give up your BMW for a lamborghini....
I too feel that the new Audis interior is superior to BMWs...if you pay for better leather ... you get better leather ......I have Cold Weather package and premium package.....and have compared the interior with my friend's 325i which also has leather + cold weather package...Audi anyday is better....specailly when the dash is lit...
On navigation system....I don't care about navigation system....If I did care so much I would have bought an ACura or HOnda....(They have the best navi...)
All said, BMWs are the best to drive in rear wheel drive cars and Audis have no match in AWDs.....I live in Mass. and love to drive my Audi - ALL YEAR AROUND.
Have fun ppl... and drive safe...
I'm new to this forum for all of you...but I have been coming to this forum for 1 year now....
I don't own a BMW, but was on the verge of buying one....I have a 2004 A4 3.0 6MT....
After reading the comments on this thread, it seems that there is a lot of inconsistency in comparing Audis and BMWs
I don't dislike BMWs....both, the Audis and BMWs are great cars. But I don't see any point in comparing a rear wheel drive car with an all-wheel drive car....what do you tend to expect out of it......
Frankly, if you want to compare, compare an Xi with the Audis. I test drove an XI before buying the A4....I was not impressed at all...The XIs are no match for the worlds best all-wheel drive system that Audi has....drive it to believe it...
While, if you compare the front wheel A4 with rear wheel BMWs...FWD Audis are no match...
Also, I don't understand why people think A4s are similar to Passats....If you guys don't know ... VW also owns Lamborghinis....that doesn' mean that Lambos are bigger Beatles....
They are different cars.....They share components to keep the costs lower....As far as exclusivity goes even lamborghinis are not exclusive in that case .... but I'm sure all of you on this forum will give up your BMW for a lamborghini....
I too feel that the new Audis interior is superior to BMWs...if you pay for better leather ... you get better leather ......I have Cold Weather package and premium package.....and have compared the interior with my friend's 325i which also has leather + cold weather package...Audi anyday is better....specailly when the dash is lit...
On navigation system....I don't care about navigation system....If I did care so much I would have bought an ACura or HOnda....(They have the best navi...)
All said, BMWs are the best to drive in rear wheel drive cars and Audis have no match in AWDs.....I live in Mass. and love to drive my Audi - ALL YEAR AROUND.
Have fun ppl... and drive safe...
CrazyBlueBoy, welcome to the forum. If you compare the 330xi to the Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, you'll see that they both feature the same 0-60 acceleration, but the BMW offers better handling and better steering feel. As a driver's car, the A4 3.0 is really great, but the 330xi is just a little bit better. For the $$ though, I think both cars need to be faster. 0-60 in 7 seconds (A4 3.0 Quattro 6MT, 330xi 6MT) just isn't quick enough anymore and both Audi and BMW want well over $40K when you can get an 04 Acura TL fully loaded to the rim for $10,000+ less and it will toast both cars in straight-line acceleration.
I must say though, that deciding between a BMW 330xi and an Audi A4 3.0 is a near-impossible decision. Both cars are really great at what they are/do and neither one is a wrong decision.
I must say though, that deciding between a BMW 330xi and an Audi A4 3.0 is a near-impossible decision. Both cars are really great at what they are/do and neither one is a wrong decision.
lets be realistic.. the Audi is a really nice car.. Audi was leaders for many years in racing because of the AWD system.. i think that they got banned because it was an unfair advantage.. I own an M3 and would not go with anything else.. but I have to say if i have kids or something and need a four door.. its Audi time. freakin audis look nice inside and out.. they may need a minor facelift.. but all in all bad ass cars...
Exactly. If you're into the People's Car parts bin, the Audi should be your choice of sheet metal. Audi's business plan is to ape BMW, pure and simple. Maybe Audi will step out, but that is not clear yet.
Regrettably, this does seem to be the way things are going. Let's hope Bangle's "promotion" is everything I hope it is. vanHooydonk has some serious work to do. Having said that, I'm not exactly running to vanilla Audi any time soon. I just wish BMW would hire the designer of the new Aston Martins.
Regrettably, this does seem to be the way things are going. Let's hope Bangle's "promotion" is everything I hope it is. vanHooydonk has some serious work to do. Having said that, I'm not exactly running to vanilla Audi any time soon. I just wish BMW would hire the designer of the new Aston Martins.
And I used to OWN a Passat. It was a 1999 model and had the exact same engine as the A4 (2.8L V6) same tranny (5 speed auto) as the non-quattro version. It even had the same seats... same headrests (with the little adjustment button on the side), same seat-mounted side-impact airbag (with the same font and stitching saying "airbag")... same door pulls... same Tiptronic shifter... same chrome Tiptronic shifter plate cover... same door locks... same window / door lock control switches, etc. I could go on and on, but you get my point. I drove the Passat for five years, and over that period of time, noticed all the things it shared with the A4. It doesn't make me feel like the Audi is all that special when I think about it.
It's similar to the feeling I got in the 80's and early 90's when GM took "badge marketing" to a whole new level by taking essentially the same car and selling it under different badges -- Olds, Buick, Pontiac, Chevy - even Cadillac -- remember the Cimaron? Just an upscale Cavalier! There was no mistaking it was essentially the same car. Sure, some of them were fine cars, but it was hard to say that any one of them was "exclusive" in it's class.
Don't even get me started on the Japanese stuff -- Toyota / Lexus; Honda / Acura; Nissan / Infiniti, yadda yadda yadda...
All I was saying with my original comment (for which I was sortof flamed) is that I feel like I have something exclusive (in it's class) because I don't see other cars sporting other badges using the exact same visible parts (like interior and exterior stuff) as my BMW.
It's similar to the feeling I got in the 80's and early 90's when GM took "badge marketing" to a whole new level by taking essentially the same car and selling it under different badges -- Olds, Buick, Pontiac, Chevy - even Cadillac -- remember the Cimaron? Just an upscale Cavalier! There was no mistaking it was essentially the same car. Sure, some of them were fine cars, but it was hard to say that any one of them was "exclusive" in it's class.
Don't even get me started on the Japanese stuff -- Toyota / Lexus; Honda / Acura; Nissan / Infiniti, yadda yadda yadda...
All I was saying with my original comment (for which I was sortof flamed) is that I feel like I have something exclusive (in it's class) because I don't see other cars sporting other badges using the exact same visible parts (like interior and exterior stuff) as my BMW.
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All I was saying with my original comment (for which I was sortof flamed) is that I feel like I have something exclusive (in it's class) because I don't see other cars sporting other badges using the exact same visible parts (like interior and exterior stuff) as my BMW.
As another poster pointed out, you have to pay for that exclusivity. That's one of the reasons why BMWs are so much more expensive than comparably equipped Audis. By the way in addition to the parts sharing that goes on within a company, there's also sharing that takes place between companies. The Chevy Prism and Toyota Corolla were identical cars except for the badging. Nevertheless because of Toyota's perception of quality in the minds of the buying public, the Corolla commanded a higher selling price than an identically equipped Prism. Also, the Prism depreciated much faster than a Corolla. Last summer I went shopping for a used car for my teenage son. '99 Corollas with 35K miles were selling for around $8500 in my area. I was able to buy a decently equipped '00 Prism with 38K miles for $6K.
As another poster pointed out, you have to pay for that exclusivity. That's one of the reasons why BMWs are so much more expensive than comparably equipped Audis. By the way in addition to the parts sharing that goes on within a company, there's also sharing that takes place between companies. The Chevy Prism and Toyota Corolla were identical cars except for the badging. Nevertheless because of Toyota's perception of quality in the minds of the buying public, the Corolla commanded a higher selling price than an identically equipped Prism. Also, the Prism depreciated much faster than a Corolla. Last summer I went shopping for a used car for my teenage son. '99 Corollas with 35K miles were selling for around $8500 in my area. I was able to buy a decently equipped '00 Prism with 38K miles for $6K.
Sly -- I'm glad to pay for the exclusivity... I never indicated that was an issue in any of my posts. This is just my opinion.
aNoodle -- good point about the Phaeton LOL! I recommend rp911t stay away from the Audi VW showroom, because he's going to see a LOT of the parts content from the Audi A8 in this VW Phaeton (or is it the Audi that has the VW content?). Same W8 / W12 engine choices, same switchgear, yadda yadda yadda. I was told the Phaeton is for someone who wants a really nice luxury car, but doesn't want the "exclusivity" that an upscale badge would bring to their parking lot. What's that all about? Just weird.
I stand by my original opinion about "badge marketing." Clearly a lot of manufacturers share parts and the economies of scale bring prices down in their motor group (like GM, Daimler Chrysler, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, etc.). But I think sometimes you've got to go your own way -- forge something new and unique -- something exclusive. I think Cadillac is trying this, but they still draw heavily from the overall GM parts bin.
I'm glad BMW is staying on the path of exclusivity within the BMW lineup. I used to think Mercedes was similarly unique, but since they bought Chrysler things are starting to get muddy again. The new Crossfire (fine looking car) shares a lot of visible components (interior and engines) with the Mercedes SLK but costs tens of thousands less.
Anyway, please don't flame me. These are my opinions. We all have them. I'm just glad to be a B'mer owner. That could change one day, but for now I'm happy with a car like no other brand. The Ultimate Driving Machine!
aNoodle -- good point about the Phaeton LOL! I recommend rp911t stay away from the Audi VW showroom, because he's going to see a LOT of the parts content from the Audi A8 in this VW Phaeton (or is it the Audi that has the VW content?). Same W8 / W12 engine choices, same switchgear, yadda yadda yadda. I was told the Phaeton is for someone who wants a really nice luxury car, but doesn't want the "exclusivity" that an upscale badge would bring to their parking lot. What's that all about? Just weird.
I stand by my original opinion about "badge marketing." Clearly a lot of manufacturers share parts and the economies of scale bring prices down in their motor group (like GM, Daimler Chrysler, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, etc.). But I think sometimes you've got to go your own way -- forge something new and unique -- something exclusive. I think Cadillac is trying this, but they still draw heavily from the overall GM parts bin.
I'm glad BMW is staying on the path of exclusivity within the BMW lineup. I used to think Mercedes was similarly unique, but since they bought Chrysler things are starting to get muddy again. The new Crossfire (fine looking car) shares a lot of visible components (interior and engines) with the Mercedes SLK but costs tens of thousands less.
Anyway, please don't flame me. These are my opinions. We all have them. I'm just glad to be a B'mer owner. That could change one day, but for now I'm happy with a car like no other brand. The Ultimate Driving Machine!
You probably wouldn't after driving an M3, heck a 330i (ZHP or not) is equal in speed, if not handling (especially with the ZHP). I ran into a boxster about 2 months ago on a windy road on my way into work, right after I got my new suspension put in. I was more than adaquate to keep on him in the twisties (he actually had to slow for some points that I blasted through), and he only pulled slightly away from me on straightaways (My 18x hp did ok to keep 22Xhp close at hand).
But this thread is about Audi/BMW?
Styling is a concern, I like the interior of Audi's over a BMW (except the new ZHP package interior, love the alcantara..). They have the best AWD, comparing the 2 isn't fair unless you say the tranny is out, or unless you're comparing to only a Xi.
It's just their look that doesn't sit good with me. We had a big BMW rally back in February, and we held it on the same day as an Audi rally. We actually piled into the same parking lot - Lets just say alot more folks were checking out the bmw's then the audi's. They are more visually appealing (imho).
Here's some photos, notice where the crowds are? (by the BMW's)
And a few rabbits that showed up too.
Even modded and dropped, I just wasn't feeling them.. And there were some nice Audi's there believe me..
But this thread is about Audi/BMW?
Styling is a concern, I like the interior of Audi's over a BMW (except the new ZHP package interior, love the alcantara..). They have the best AWD, comparing the 2 isn't fair unless you say the tranny is out, or unless you're comparing to only a Xi.
It's just their look that doesn't sit good with me. We had a big BMW rally back in February, and we held it on the same day as an Audi rally. We actually piled into the same parking lot - Lets just say alot more folks were checking out the bmw's then the audi's. They are more visually appealing (imho).
Here's some photos, notice where the crowds are? (by the BMW's)
And a few rabbits that showed up too.
Even modded and dropped, I just wasn't feeling them.. And there were some nice Audi's there believe me..
1.) The car needs to be a stick shift model, otherwise it's a piece of shit.
2.) Porsche puts like 1% of the cost of the car into making it luxurious and nice and stuff. The other 99% goes towards performance and sheer driving pleasure. I'm sure you noticed this as interior materials are quite shitty.
3.) The Boxster S is one of the nicest-handling cars on the road. Very few vehicles can compare to its handling skillz.
2.) Porsche puts like 1% of the cost of the car into making it luxurious and nice and stuff. The other 99% goes towards performance and sheer driving pleasure. I'm sure you noticed this as interior materials are quite shitty.
3.) The Boxster S is one of the nicest-handling cars on the road. Very few vehicles can compare to its handling skillz.
I don't know why you guys keep saying this, but I really do think Audi's styling is absolutely amazing. The new A4 is such a beautiful car, as are the TT and the new A8. Even their wagons look great.
And I don't know about you guys, but I don't have a problem with sharing parts. If they're good parts, why the hell not? Audi makes some of the best engines out there...5 valves per cylinder, great turbocharged setups, and really smooth power delivery.
I'm sorry, but here's what I'm trying to say: The 3-Series is NOT the end of all cars.
And I don't know about you guys, but I don't have a problem with sharing parts. If they're good parts, why the hell not? Audi makes some of the best engines out there...5 valves per cylinder, great turbocharged setups, and really smooth power delivery.
I'm sorry, but here's what I'm trying to say: The 3-Series is NOT the end of all cars.
1) That must be it. It was a 2003 non-S Boxster with Tiptronic. I was like, this is a famed Porsche?!?!
2) I'm kinda ok with the crappy materials. Some of Mercedes' recent offerings weren't exactly high quality in the materials dept. either. As long as the money is in the performance, crappier materials in the Porsche is ok. They felt better than GM cars I've been in so it's not like they were total crap or anything.
3) I need to get in one of those. G/f's old roommate has one. Stickshift too. We need to visit her.
2) I'm kinda ok with the crappy materials. Some of Mercedes' recent offerings weren't exactly high quality in the materials dept. either. As long as the money is in the performance, crappier materials in the Porsche is ok. They felt better than GM cars I've been in so it's not like they were total crap or anything.
3) I need to get in one of those. G/f's old roommate has one. Stickshift too. We need to visit her.
Never said the 3-Series was the "end of all cars." I have said it gives me the feeling of having something exclusive in it's class (due to the lack of shared content with another brand) and used Audi and VW as an example -- specifically the A4 and Passat. Both are four-door sedans in the same class under separate badges but with heavily shared parts content. Clearly the Audi is more upscale, but it bothers me that the upscale brand so obviously borrows from the lower-end Passat (or vice versa), which is why I'm not a target customer for Audi (or Lexus or Infiniti or Acura). BMW's cars are purpose-built to be BMWs.
Let's agree to disagree. We're just different people with different opinions.
Let's agree to disagree. We're just different people with different opinions.
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