Audi??
02-23-2006, 04:58 AM
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Audi??
G/F is considering getting an Audi TT or A4 anyone here owned either of the two cars? looking for some info on how reliable the car is and how well the dealers work with customers.
02-23-2006, 09:00 AM
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i owned an A4 for five years before trading it in for my 8. Audi's fit and finish is second to none, the car still felt like new after all those years. Make sure she gets Quattro because, fwd audi's just aren't worth the 30K+. My only gripe were the little things that went wrong which were pretty costly especially after warranty.
02-23-2006, 10:02 AM
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similarly equipped vehicles at the same price, you get more in the audi. Better awd system, better dsg tranny, interior is beautiful. BMW is a better performer around the track and makes you feel connected to the road, the audi's are just nice cars.
2.0T is the way to go, IMO. Very tuneable engines.
2.0T is the way to go, IMO. Very tuneable engines.
02-23-2006, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Hightshoe
If she wants a TT thats fine, but dont let her get an A4. You can get a 3 series BMW for the same price which is by far the best car in that class.
02-23-2006, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Christianv
Name the new class leader, pls.
02-23-2006, 11:57 PM
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whatever money you save in buying the cheaper Audi over the bmw... you might likely stand to loose even more from having to fix it and maintain it considering how poor the whole brand's dependability is. not to mention the potential pain and inconvenience of having to take it to the dealership/shop to get it fixed over and over again
Last edited by playdoh43; 02-24-2006 at 12:03 AM.
02-24-2006, 02:51 AM
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Originally Posted by playdoh43
whatever money you save in buying the cheaper Audi over the bmw... you might likely stand to loose even more from having to fix it and maintain it considering how poor the whole brand's dependability is. not to mention the potential pain and inconvenience of having to take it to the dealership/shop to get it fixed over and over again
Keep in mind there are certain models with certain engine configuratios that make the ratings seem worse. Personally I rarely own cars for more than 4 years so I don't see an issue with buying an Audi even if it does have a few issues.
02-24-2006, 03:21 AM
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Hi:
I owned an A4 for 5 years, which I just recently sold to get the RX8. certainly if you're talking about current A4 models, they're completely diff. than the car I had. But in general I was very happy w/ the Audi, reliability was not as bad as many will claim for VAG cars. The only major work required was timing belt/WP replacement at 65K miles (and this was preventative...neither had actually failed at that point). this was with the 1.8T engine, btw. The new 2.0FSI engine is better still, and with DSG tranny even better (DSG not available in the A4 yet, it's available though on the A3 which I really like also)
The interior of my A4 still looked great, IMO, even at 80k miles. as much as I like my RX8, I have a feeling the interior won't wear quite as well as it ages, compared to my A4.
I owned an A4 for 5 years, which I just recently sold to get the RX8. certainly if you're talking about current A4 models, they're completely diff. than the car I had. But in general I was very happy w/ the Audi, reliability was not as bad as many will claim for VAG cars. The only major work required was timing belt/WP replacement at 65K miles (and this was preventative...neither had actually failed at that point). this was with the 1.8T engine, btw. The new 2.0FSI engine is better still, and with DSG tranny even better (DSG not available in the A4 yet, it's available though on the A3 which I really like also)
The interior of my A4 still looked great, IMO, even at 80k miles. as much as I like my RX8, I have a feeling the interior won't wear quite as well as it ages, compared to my A4.
02-24-2006, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Ike
Audis come with 4 years 50,000 miles free scheduled maintenance. In addition, I've known too many friends and family who have owned Audis to put much weight in the poor reliability ratings. My best friend has a new A4 and it has been trouble free, he owned his last A4 for 60k miles and it was also trouble free, he made about 10 trips to the dealer for various problems with the Mazda 6 he owned between those two cars. My brother has owned an Audi in one form or another for the last 6 years, he has never had a single problem other than having his headlights stolen 3 times.
Keep in mind there are certain models with certain engine configuratios that make the ratings seem worse. Personally I rarely own cars for more than 4 years so I don't see an issue with buying an Audi even if it does have a few issues.
Keep in mind there are certain models with certain engine configuratios that make the ratings seem worse. Personally I rarely own cars for more than 4 years so I don't see an issue with buying an Audi even if it does have a few issues.
If you're a person that likes to actually drive, Audi doesn't begin to touch BMW. In fact, if you enjoy driving BMW>Infiniti>Audi. The fact that some people pick the A4 over the 325 based on price just means that they can't afford the 325, not that the 3'er is not the class leader.
02-24-2006, 03:20 PM
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when I had my A4, I used to abuse their free maintenance warranty. Complained about brake squeals everytime and either got new rotors or pads... but they kept squealing. Sometimes I questioned why a $38k car would sound like a kia when stopping for a light.
02-24-2006, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Christianv
Audi just did away with free scheduled maintenance. After all the problems my friend has had with his S4, and other people at work with A4's, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole. Both my 3'ers have been 100% trouble free.
If you're a person that likes to actually drive, Audi doesn't begin to touch BMW. In fact, if you enjoy driving BMW>Infiniti>Audi. The fact that some people pick the A4 over the 325 based on price just means that they can't afford the 325, not that the 3'er is not the class leader.
If you're a person that likes to actually drive, Audi doesn't begin to touch BMW. In fact, if you enjoy driving BMW>Infiniti>Audi. The fact that some people pick the A4 over the 325 based on price just means that they can't afford the 325, not that the 3'er is not the class leader.
I agree, a BMW is usually a better drivers cars, but again you're overstating. There's nothing ultimate about the driving experience in a 325 or 330. The people buying a Audi A4 over the 325 are making wise buying decisions, it's not because they can't afford it. In fact, the 325 is for people that can't afford a BMW with a proper engine. I recently drove the two cars (save it was a 330) as did my friend and he had plenty of money to get the car he wanted, he came away with an A4 and I agree with his purchase.
The new G35 will also most likely knock the base 3 series off its pedestal just like it did before the 3 series was redone.
02-24-2006, 07:51 PM
#16
We've got an '03 A4 Quattro. Awesome car. Almost 60k miles and not a bit of trouble. The interior has everything in it's category beat (IMO) and it's wearing very well. This is our commuter and distance tourer so I have no illusions of tuning it to 400hp and carving through traffic like a jackass. But as comfortable, mildly entertaining, dependable, effective transportation, it been flawless. Great in the snow too. The 3 series is a great car, but to completely dismiss the A4 makes one sound like an uneducated fanboi.
02-24-2006, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Christianv
The 3'er is still the benchmark by most enthusiasts' accounts, and it's a moving one. More HP doesn't exactly translate into better car. HP is only part of the equation. Of all the manufactures, Infiniti seems to have gotten the closest to the 3'er recipe not because of hp alone, but because of driver feel.
Price out a new A4 2.0 with a decent set of options and you're already into 330 territory price wise. There is no price advantage in getting the Audi. Btw, remind me again why buying an Audi is a smart option but buying the cheaper 325 - which btw has performance matching the outgoing E46 330i - with the same (albeit detuned) 3.0l I6 is for "people that can't afford the 330". The Audi's bang for your buck factor over BMW is not there anymore.
The new G35 is still over a year away, so until then your last sentence is just speculation. BTW, as far as reliability reports, JD power rates both BMW and Audi ahead of Mitsubishi.
PS Good luck and congrats to your friend on his purchase.
Price out a new A4 2.0 with a decent set of options and you're already into 330 territory price wise. There is no price advantage in getting the Audi. Btw, remind me again why buying an Audi is a smart option but buying the cheaper 325 - which btw has performance matching the outgoing E46 330i - with the same (albeit detuned) 3.0l I6 is for "people that can't afford the 330". The Audi's bang for your buck factor over BMW is not there anymore.
The new G35 is still over a year away, so until then your last sentence is just speculation. BTW, as far as reliability reports, JD power rates both BMW and Audi ahead of Mitsubishi.
PS Good luck and congrats to your friend on his purchase.
The 3'er is a benchmark for people who use terms like 3'er and bimmer. No, more horsepower doesn't translate into a better car, and thanks for backing up my statement that the A4 is the better car (it has less hp than the 325). Look I like the 3 series, it's a good car, but quite frankly they bore the snot out of me, and then there's the stereotypical BMW series driver...
My friend got a few nice options with his A4 and is paying $369 a month for his 15k a year lease.
I have a history with BMW, and it's a good one, my first time laps on a track were in an E30 M3, and then later an E36 M3. My friend's mom also owned a 328, we both liked that car quite a bit, but we both agreed the A4 2.0T is better than a similarly priced A4 2.0T.
02-25-2006, 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Ike
Lets see...
The 3'er is a benchmark for people who use terms like 3'er and bimmer. No, more horsepower doesn't translate into a better car, and thanks for backing up my statement that the A4 is the better car (it has less hp than the 325). Look I like the 3 series, it's a good car, but quite frankly they bore the snot out of me, and then there's the stereotypical BMW series driver...
My friend got a few nice options with his A4 and is paying $369 a month for his 15k a year lease.
I have a history with BMW, and it's a good one, my first time laps on a track were in an E30 M3, and then later an E36 M3. My friend's mom also owned a 328, we both liked that car quite a bit, but we both agreed the A4 2.0T is better than a similarly priced A4 2.0T.
The 3'er is a benchmark for people who use terms like 3'er and bimmer. No, more horsepower doesn't translate into a better car, and thanks for backing up my statement that the A4 is the better car (it has less hp than the 325). Look I like the 3 series, it's a good car, but quite frankly they bore the snot out of me, and then there's the stereotypical BMW series driver...
My friend got a few nice options with his A4 and is paying $369 a month for his 15k a year lease.
I have a history with BMW, and it's a good one, my first time laps on a track were in an E30 M3, and then later an E36 M3. My friend's mom also owned a 328, we both liked that car quite a bit, but we both agreed the A4 2.0T is better than a similarly priced A4 2.0T.
Frankly, boring (albeit well executed) is the first word that comes to mind when I think of both Audi and MBZ. I'm not exactly sure where thought I said the Audi was a better car. I was pointing out a double standard. Out of curiousity, which engine did your friend pick?
Please tell me more about the typical BMW driver. I'd love to hear more about how people perceive us and how we compare to people who drive Evos.
02-25-2006, 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Christianv
Again, enthusiasts and the automotive press beg to differ.
Frankly, boring (albeit well executed) is the first word that comes to mind when I think of both Audi and MBZ. I'm not exactly sure where thought I said the Audi was a better car. I was pointing out a double standard. Out of curiousity, which engine did your friend pick?
Please tell me more about the typical BMW driver. I'd love to hear more about how people perceive us and how we compare to people who drive Evos.
Frankly, boring (albeit well executed) is the first word that comes to mind when I think of both Audi and MBZ. I'm not exactly sure where thought I said the Audi was a better car. I was pointing out a double standard. Out of curiousity, which engine did your friend pick?
Please tell me more about the typical BMW driver. I'd love to hear more about how people perceive us and how we compare to people who drive Evos.
I think all 3 cars makers you mentioned are pretty boring unless you get one of the works models. You said hp doesn't always make a car better, I agreed since the 325 has more hp than the Audi 2.0T. He got the 2.0T by the way and it's a better car than the V6 IMO.
There is a large percentage of douchebags that drive BMWs, brand snobs that could care less about the car other than the pretige they think it brings. Not saying it's universal, but I used to do trackdays with the BMW club, used to drive a BMW, and used to speak with and know a lot of BMW. The douchebag percentage is high with this group.
02-25-2006, 02:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Christianv
Audi just did away with free scheduled maintenance. After all the problems my friend has had with his S4, and other people at work with A4's, I wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole. Both my 3'ers have been 100% trouble free.
If you're a person that likes to actually drive, Audi doesn't begin to touch BMW. In fact, if you enjoy driving BMW>Infiniti>Audi. The fact that some people pick the A4 over the 325 based on price just means that they can't afford the 325, not that the 3'er is not the class leader.
If you're a person that likes to actually drive, Audi doesn't begin to touch BMW. In fact, if you enjoy driving BMW>Infiniti>Audi. The fact that some people pick the A4 over the 325 based on price just means that they can't afford the 325, not that the 3'er is not the class leader.