[MatrixNeo]

Hi All, I'm new to this forum and love for BMW has brought me to this group. I've been going through all previous threads, but still can't finalise between Audi A4 and BMW 3 series . I did test drive for both.

Audi A4
- love the interiors
- MMi
- comfort
- less road noise

BMW
- love the kidney grill, a BMW identity
- sport mode was awesome
- felt too much of road sound inside when compared to Audi

Suggestions, please !!!

[enjoythemusic]

Having repeatedly dealt with the VW Group, including many of my car friends, who own Audi, Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, VW, etc that are all part of the VW Group's 'umbrella' of brands, i'll gladly buy and stay with BMW all day long.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Having repeatedly dealt with the VW Group, including many of my car friends, who own Audi, Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, VW, etc that are all part of the VW Group's 'umbrella' of brands, i'll gladly buy and stay with BMW all day long.

For quality, or looks, or driving dynamics, all of the above ?

I for one think Audi is doing great job in competing with BMW and Benz and personally had better luck reliability wise with "WV group" than BMW, but of course that's impossible to predict.

[donkey]

Honestly, I'd go for the A4. You get a lot more bang for the buck with VW/Audi.

It depends what you're looking for of course, but it's harder to make a case for BMW these days (not that I don't love mine).

[P1 PET]

Not sure about A4, but would prefer S4 to any 3 series including 340i. A4 interior also feels better quality. Looks more modern with virtual cockpit and blue ambient light. Exterior styling is okay I'd say.

[madmonkey]

A4 is nice, but shares its platform with the Passat. S4 is better.

The F30 platform is really good, but it has flaws to be sure. Wait for the G20 to come out and see how it compares.

[otay]

I was also looking at A4. Problem 1 is that I want the Sport Plus package, and that only comes with 6MT. I am happy to drive 6MT, that's not the issue, it's that I'll need to order and therein lies the problem.

The sales guy is indicating I'll get only a couple % off MSRP for an order, thus driving the lease price up into 340i territory (Audi residuals are a bit lower, too). Plus, it would be nice to do a test drive. But, there are no manual A4's within 300 miles of me, and even even harder to find one with Sport Plus package. To aggravate matters, the sales dude didn't even know the difference between Sport & Sport Plus.

Problem 2, and probably most important, I did drive an automatic Quattro with the regular Sport package (essentially lower ride height), and found it to be boring. Got back into my 335i and went, "oohhh yeahhh".

I do think the A4 is quieter, but believe that it's at the expense of feeling connected to the road. Personally, I'll take the "connected-ness" with bit more road noise.

My 2 cents...

[BEM-S4]

If you're looking at entry level offerings the Audis are very nice. Once you get up to the S4 vs 340 though you're after better driving dynamics and the BMW is tough to beat.

If you're buying do whatever, but if leasing the Audi is stupid expensive compared to the BMW.

[MatrixNeo]

Exact one am looking for is 320 / 330 vs Audi A4 40 TFSI... any 320i/330i users here?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by MatrixNeo

Exact one am looking for is 320 / 330 vs Audi A4 40 TFSI... any 320i/330i users here?

320 vs 330 is a big jump but whatever. Are you buying or leasing?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by MatrixNeo

Exact one am looking for is 320 / 330 vs Audi A4 40 TFSI... any 320i/330i users here?

First of all, I wouldn't keep either a VW/Audi nor an BMW over 70k miles, but that's just me. Too much maintenance after 60k. With that in mind, the residuals on a BMW are a bit better than Audi, so you get more bang for the buck overall.

• Do you want AWD? The Audi Quattro system is arguably better than the XDrive system.

• RWD BMW is a far better option than a non-awd Audi, which is FWD.

• Styling is completely subjective, so make your own decision there

• BMW consistently under-reports their numbers as far as power and torque, so don't reply on them alone. Test drive both, see which one is right for you power wise.

[MatrixNeo]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

320 vs 330 is a big jump but whatever. Are you buying or leasing?

am buying and its my first one.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MatrixNeo

Hi All, I'm new to this forum and love for BMW has brought me to this group. I've been going through all previous threads, but still can't finalise between Audi A4 and BMW 3 series . I did test drive for both.

Audi A4
- love the interiors
- MMi
- comfort
- less road noise

BMW
- love the kidney grill, a BMW identity
- sport mode was awesome
- felt too much of road sound inside when compared to Audi

Suggestions, please !!!

Regular FWD A4 or Quattro? I'm guessing in the UAE we're talking FWD A4. Either way the A4 is built on a FWD architecture and is nose heavy. My choice is the balanced RWD 3er.

[Buzzo]

Originally Posted by MatrixNeo

- felt too much of road sound inside when compared to Audi

First thing I did was swap the RFT's for MPSS's: huge upgrade!

Originally Posted by otay

I am happy to drive 6MT, that's not the issue, it's that I'll need to order and therein lies the problem.

The sales guy is indicating I'll get only a couple % off MSRP for an order, thus driving the lease price up into 340i territory (Audi residuals are a bit lower, too). Plus, it would be nice to do a test drive. But, there are no manual A4's within 300 miles of me, and even even harder to find one with Sport Plus package. To aggravate matters, the sales dude didn't even know the difference between Sport & Sport Plus.

Have you approached more than the one sales guy? They all prefer you buy a car off of their lot, but when they realize you will only order to spec I'm sure a few more % can be shaved off of MSRP. Personally, I will not compromise on specs when it comes to a new car.

[MatrixNeo]

Originally Posted by jmg

First of all, I wouldn't keep either a VW/Audi nor an BMW over 70k miles, but that's just me. Too much maintenance after 60k. With that in mind, the residuals on a BMW are a bit better than Audi, so you get more bang for the buck overall.

• Do you want AWD? The Audi Quattro system is arguably better than the XDrive system.

• RWD BMW is a far better option than a non-awd Audi, which is FWD.

• Styling is completely subjective, so make your own decision there

• BMW consistently under-reports their numbers as far as power and torque, so don't reply on them alone. Test drive both, see which one is right for you power wise.

- AWD doesnt really matter.
- Is RWD BMW safe option during rain?
- I love the front grill and headlight( looks like an eye) in BMW than Audi

Am going to test drive both, again. Is there anything specific I need to look for.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by MatrixNeo

am buying and its my first one.

Expat? Most folks I know in UAE would buy a dozen of each and throw them out when they got dirty at that price point

Just kidding - since buying the Audi isn't automatically disqualified. Still I'd go for the BMW I've had a lot of Audis and honestly the A4 isn't one of the fun ones any longer. I'd try to find a leftover 340 if you can otherwise the 328 with a Dinan tune is more than enough. I bought my father a wagon and he loves it. 320 just isn't enough in my opinion at least.

[bimmer456]

I wish BMW would do what Audi does and offer a DCT in the 340i as Audi does in the competing model.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

For quality, or looks, or driving dynamics, all of the above ?
t.

A vareity of factors over the years that has to do with customer service by the company and how they are willing to properly handle defects from minor to major. Looks and driving dynamics aside, once you buy their product you are at their mercy for how the factory honors their product's quality, and repair known defects. Of course there is always expensive legal action, and a few have done such.

The choice is yours, so choose wisely. Am over 50 and been a car guys since i was, well, waxing the then new Pantera. The Internet has been great for bringing car enthusiasts together for both good, and not so good, factory experiences. When a parent company, the VW Group in this instance, seems not to care about their customers, guys like me boycott them.

[P1 PET]

So hard to say 3 vs a4. Op should mention which 3 series model he's considering to buy. A4 Is a newer car so it will have fresher interior. 3er has been out since 2012.

[anotheran]

Based on the original post, Op should get the A4 and opt for the sports suspension. It won't look like a BMW on the outside but you're on the inside most of the time anyways and you seem to like those a lot.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I wish BMW would do what Audi does and offer a DCT in the 340i as Audi does in the competing model.

BMW does one better an actually offers a manual in the 340. S4≠Manual at least for now.

[MatrixNeo]

Is RWD more safe than FWD?