E90 BMW 325i vs Audi A4 2.0T Quattro
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Bimmer910
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The biggest question is, what are you expecting out of the car ?
I've driven the A4 as well and it has better performance and handling. However, the interior is very retro and in need of some major grafting. The biggest downside to the audi is that its resale value in malaysia isnt very good. Having said that, most audi drivers maintain brand loyalty and tend to keep their cars for long periods.
Cosmetically and in terms of brand image, the bimmer comes second to none (Im sure merc owners will disagree, but hey, TOUGH! This is a bimmer forum aye))
And finally, if you bought an A4, you wouldnt get to hang out with the E90ers at our next meet up. So there, my 90cents worth !!
I've driven the A4 as well and it has better performance and handling. However, the interior is very retro and in need of some major grafting. The biggest downside to the audi is that its resale value in malaysia isnt very good. Having said that, most audi drivers maintain brand loyalty and tend to keep their cars for long periods.
Cosmetically and in terms of brand image, the bimmer comes second to none (Im sure merc owners will disagree, but hey, TOUGH! This is a bimmer forum aye))
And finally, if you bought an A4, you wouldnt get to hang out with the E90ers at our next meet up
. So there, my 90cents worth !!
anaksarawak
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Without further consideration... I vote for AUDI for a driver's car. But if budget is of your concern then have the BMW as your upgrade will be easier.
ALBundy
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Since the price of both is very similar, I would go with the E90...2 cylinders extra (with 18hp more), silky smooth 6 speed transmission, active steering, advance Dynamic Traction Control and etc. Not forgetting the better looks, branding and resale value!!
Yes, I am biased. This is a BMW enthusiast forum!!
Yes, I am biased. This is a BMW enthusiast forum!!
infinityKL
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drove this 2.0T audi...IMO..not as responsive as the Bimmer, Im serious...
cheers..
cheers..
JCKL
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Something that I've posted in a cute car forum:
I did a back to back test of the 3 cars on last Sun, it started with the Passat, followed by the A4 Quattro and ended with the 325i. my brief comment as follows:
VW PASSAT
Exterior
The car looks bigger than the A4 from outside (was told that it's based on the chassis of the coming A5), the front end is distinctive with the "tear-drop' headlights. The rear lights are of LED but I found the design a bit out of tune with the overall design (same feel as the Honda Civic's rear end).
Interior
I don't like the interior at all, the wood trim does not match with the aluminium trim, and it looks plastic (but was told that it's real
) Driving position is good (electronic seat adjustment for front passengers), leg room is the most generous amongst the 3 cars. The car feels airy, and can sit 5 pax comfortably.
Driving
The Passat shares the same engine with the A4, a 2.0 TFSI lump (also same as in the Golf GTI), with power up to 200hp and max torque come early at the 1,800 rpm band. The car feels urgent the moment the throttle is floored (as expected in a FI car), but it's let down by the auto box which hesitates in changing gear especially at lower gears. Once the car is on the move, it's smooth and quiet, executive in feel. The presumably longer wheel base makes the car more planted at high speed, and the softer suspension makes it less bumpy compared to the other two car. There's an annoying chime which comes on, together with a message in the central LCD screen, when the car exceed 100km/h > the worst feature of the car or any car for that matter!
AUDI A4 Quattro
Exterior
The car looks the most sporty of the trio, with aggressive front and lower stance. The large grille may not be to everyone's taste but it gives it that menacing look that makes lesser cars move aside when seeing it coming from rear. I generally have not bad comment on the look. The car is due to be replaced with a totally new model in 2009.
Interior
The sporty feel extends to the interior, the driver is surrounded by the cockpit (very much like the early BMWs), which has loads of buttons and LCD readouts. The car feel tighter inside after the Passat, and rear seat is tight for 3 passengers. As in any Audi, the material used is top notch. The design is conservative in mainly black, complimented by some aluminium trim.
The 2.0 Q TFSI is equipped with paddle shifts at the rear of steering wheel for swapping cogs.
Driving
The car drives as it looks:SPORTY. The multi-tronic gear box is way better than the Passat's auto. The shifts are smooth and jerk free, no matter how you floor the throttle, the response is quite instance. It also has the best exhaust note among the 3. With stiffer suspension, it's noticeably more bumpy than the Passat, but it's a small trade off for a more sporty drive IMO. The paddle shift works well too, although can't compare with the DSG shift if the Golf GTI.
BMW 325i
Exterior
The E90 325i gives mix feeling on how it looks exteriorly. It's not a car that makes my heart beats faster the moment I lay my eyes on it. I still don't like the rear end, although the front looks quite aggressive HEAD ON.....yes, only head on, once you move around you see a different view (typical of Bangle's design).
Interior
Bland.......that's was the immediate reaction after sitting in the other two cars. The push button start/stop ignition is cumbersome, it's block by the steering and you have to bend your head to insert the key and then push the button. The car feels more airy than the A4, but the interior panels feel plasticky, and this the MOST expensive car of the trio.
Driving
Ah........this is the strong point of BMW, and it doesn't disappoint. The IL6 engine fires to life when the button is pushed, the engine note is so sweet. I grinned immediately when I took the big curve infront of AB Glenmarie, yes, this's what I am familiar with and LOVE it. The 6 speeds steptronic gearbox is seamless, with the IL6 engine (218 bhp) singing when pushed, and rear wheel drive, it's like heaven!
The 325i drives and handles the best among the three, although it's quite bumpy due to the run flat tyres.
CONCLUSION?
The Passat doesn't appeal to me at all, although it's relatively good value at RM228k with it's long list of features. So it's straight fight between the A4 and 325i. The A4 costs RM 265k (Euromobile is offering it at RM245k now, limited unit), the Quattro version is at RM 285k and both come with 4 years warranty, where as the E90 325i is retailed at RM 288k with only 2 years warranty. A4 looks better, feels and drive sporty, cheaper to buy and has double the warranty period (hence cheaper to maintain?), but due to be replaced soon. The 325i has a more understated look, but drives and handles better, and the model will last a few more years but it's more expensive to buy and less well equipped.
Tough choice, so which one will you all choose?
I did a back to back test of the 3 cars on last Sun, it started with the Passat, followed by the A4 Quattro and ended with the 325i. my brief comment as follows:
VW PASSAT
Exterior
The car looks bigger than the A4 from outside (was told that it's based on the chassis of the coming A5), the front end is distinctive with the "tear-drop' headlights. The rear lights are of LED but I found the design a bit out of tune with the overall design (same feel as the Honda Civic's rear end).
Interior
I don't like the interior at all, the wood trim does not match with the aluminium trim, and it looks plastic (but was told that it's real
Driving
The Passat shares the same engine with the A4, a 2.0 TFSI lump (also same as in the Golf GTI), with power up to 200hp and max torque come early at the 1,800 rpm band. The car feels urgent the moment the throttle is floored (as expected in a FI car), but it's let down by the auto box which hesitates in changing gear especially at lower gears. Once the car is on the move, it's smooth and quiet, executive in feel. The presumably longer wheel base makes the car more planted at high speed, and the softer suspension makes it less bumpy compared to the other two car. There's an annoying chime which comes on, together with a message in the central LCD screen, when the car exceed 100km/h > the worst feature of the car or any car for that matter!
AUDI A4 Quattro
Exterior
The car looks the most sporty of the trio, with aggressive front and lower stance. The large grille may not be to everyone's taste but it gives it that menacing look that makes lesser cars move aside when seeing it coming from rear. I generally have not bad comment on the look. The car is due to be replaced with a totally new model in 2009.
Interior
The sporty feel extends to the interior, the driver is surrounded by the cockpit (very much like the early BMWs), which has loads of buttons and LCD readouts. The car feel tighter inside after the Passat, and rear seat is tight for 3 passengers. As in any Audi, the material used is top notch. The design is conservative in mainly black, complimented by some aluminium trim.
The 2.0 Q TFSI is equipped with paddle shifts at the rear of steering wheel for swapping cogs.
Driving
The car drives as it looks:SPORTY. The multi-tronic gear box is way better than the Passat's auto. The shifts are smooth and jerk free, no matter how you floor the throttle, the response is quite instance. It also has the best exhaust note among the 3. With stiffer suspension, it's noticeably more bumpy than the Passat, but it's a small trade off for a more sporty drive IMO. The paddle shift works well too, although can't compare with the DSG shift if the Golf GTI.
BMW 325i
Exterior
The E90 325i gives mix feeling on how it looks exteriorly. It's not a car that makes my heart beats faster the moment I lay my eyes on it. I still don't like the rear end, although the front looks quite aggressive HEAD ON.....yes, only head on, once you move around you see a different view (typical of Bangle's design).
Interior
Bland.......that's was the immediate reaction after sitting in the other two cars. The push button start/stop ignition is cumbersome, it's block by the steering and you have to bend your head to insert the key and then push the button. The car feels more airy than the A4, but the interior panels feel plasticky, and this the MOST expensive car of the trio.
Driving
Ah........this is the strong point of BMW, and it doesn't disappoint. The IL6 engine fires to life when the button is pushed, the engine note is so sweet. I grinned immediately when I took the big curve infront of AB Glenmarie, yes, this's what I am familiar with and LOVE it. The 6 speeds steptronic gearbox is seamless, with the IL6 engine (218 bhp) singing when pushed, and rear wheel drive, it's like heaven!
CONCLUSION?
The Passat doesn't appeal to me at all, although it's relatively good value at RM228k with it's long list of features. So it's straight fight between the A4 and 325i. The A4 costs RM 265k (Euromobile is offering it at RM245k now, limited unit), the Quattro version is at RM 285k and both come with 4 years warranty, where as the E90 325i is retailed at RM 288k with only 2 years warranty. A4 looks better, feels and drive sporty, cheaper to buy and has double the warranty period (hence cheaper to maintain?), but due to be replaced soon. The 325i has a more understated look, but drives and handles better, and the model will last a few more years but it's more expensive to buy and less well equipped.
Tough choice, so which one will you all choose?
KL2DC
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"The A4 a better driver's car over the E90"?, y'all out of your minds :laugh:
I'll give the Audi the thumbs up for interior/build quality and the awd availability.
Styling is subjective.
The A4 is inherently fwd biased, even with quattro, the natural inclination is for push understeer. The E90 walks over it in the area of steering feel and brake feel and has better handling balance overall.
And let's face it, no turbo 4 cylinder engine is ever going to beat a munich straight six in terms of character and silky power delivery.
If you take into consideration free maintenance and resale value, the cost per mile factor should tip in the E90's favor over the A4 and Passat.
I'll give the Audi the thumbs up for interior/build quality and the awd availability.
Styling is subjective.
The A4 is inherently fwd biased, even with quattro, the natural inclination is for push understeer. The E90 walks over it in the area of steering feel and brake feel and has better handling balance overall.
And let's face it, no turbo 4 cylinder engine is ever going to beat a munich straight six in terms of character and silky power delivery.
If you take into consideration free maintenance and resale value, the cost per mile factor should tip in the E90's favor over the A4 and Passat.
danc
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Well coming onto a bimmer forum and asking, guess what you tend to get- Pro Bimmers.
Anyway here is my take. I have been test driving a few of this for sometime before I took the plunge. Somehow the A4 shocks are not setup properly. I always tend to get a bit of a headache after driving the car, slow or fast. There is just a constant bobbing motion.
Agree, interior wise the A4 rocks, external styling well it's up to your taste. The thing that sold me on the E90 ------ it's steering feel. Man the A4 steering is just dead and toooooo light, even when driving fast.
Lastly I am just a sucker for RWD cars, FWD of 4WD just makes the steering feel too busy. When I first drove the E90, I was asking myself, heh whats the big deal, it doesn't feel special. It's only after driving the E90 for a week, that's when you get to know the car and then gosh!!
EVen after owning the E90 for almost a year now, I still look forward to getting behind the wheel and drive.
Lastly, the new A4 (B8) is about to be launched and with the current lower resale value of Audis, it's gonnna be bad for A4 buyers now. (Big hit in depreciation) But hey, to some this is the least important.
So it's your call buddy!
Anyway here is my take. I have been test driving a few of this for sometime before I took the plunge. Somehow the A4 shocks are not setup properly. I always tend to get a bit of a headache after driving the car, slow or fast. There is just a constant bobbing motion.
Agree, interior wise the A4 rocks, external styling well it's up to your taste. The thing that sold me on the E90 ------ it's steering feel. Man the A4 steering is just dead and toooooo light, even when driving fast.
Lastly I am just a sucker for RWD cars, FWD of 4WD just makes the steering feel too busy. When I first drove the E90, I was asking myself, heh whats the big deal, it doesn't feel special. It's only after driving the E90 for a week, that's when you get to know the car and then gosh!!
EVen after owning the E90 for almost a year now, I still look forward to getting behind the wheel and drive.
Lastly, the new A4 (B8) is about to be launched and with the current lower resale value of Audis, it's gonnna be bad for A4 buyers now. (Big hit in depreciation) But hey, to some this is the least important.
So it's your call buddy!
KL2DC
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I agree 100% with danc on steering feel, it was a major selling point for me. I looked at the A4, C230, Acura TL/TSX, Lexus IS250 before deciding on the E90. And you know me, I take my car evaluation/test drives seriously I gave up a lot of standard equipment to take the E90 home...and I'm big anti badge whore :burnout:
I gave up a lot of standard equipment to take the E90 home...and I'm big anti badge whore :burnout:i tested the A4 and the E90 325i before finally decided on the E60...must say the A4 is nice to drive...but coming from japs background of course its anytime better than any japs...until I tested the 325 and my mind is set...on BMW...see? its always BMW...:rock:
Juan Powerblow
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I totally agree with KL2DC that you must be out of your mind to say that the A4 handles better than the E90, even if the former is a Quattro. I would choose the E90 cos it's far more entertaining and unlike the A4 which is due for a model change, the E90 should hold its appeal longer.
KL2DC
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azuree;235179 said:Very general indecisive choices you put up here
In terms of handling: Audi
Packages at initial buy: Audi
$$$ saves: Audi
Higher positioning: BMW
My 2 cents
:laugh: are you sure you're not an Audi sales guy
Hi guys, couldn't help giving my 2 cents worth! Firstly, I've driven both cars...back to back. Next, those of you who think the E90 is good looking have bad taste, obviously. Its the most insipid 3 series of the lot, ask any motoring journo or read a few UK car mags. The new Lexus IS200 is how the E90 should have turned out. Most people with the money took one look at the E90, shook their heads in horror and ran out and bought the last available stocks of the E46. The Audi is awesome to look at, has an interior and build quality that totally outclasses the bimmer. E90 owners, open your car booth and look at the pathetic quality of the material inside and the way its put together. The Audi engine has far more torque, but its a bit gruff. The BM has a nice steering feel, handles better, and has a sweeter, high revving engine. But its also typically BMW... bit edgy and has over-sensitive brakes. I'd buy the A4 anytime if not for the fact that the replacement model is due next year. This maybe a BMW forum and i'm a proud Bimmer owner, but credit has to be given where due...just look at how the RS4 has trounced the old M3. Lets hope the E93 M3 does better. Cheers guys and i"ll be waiting for your machine guns to start firing....:burnout:
KL2DC
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We weren't talking about the RS4 vs M3, we were talking about the B7 A4 2.0T vs a 325i....
Styling is subjective, but I can't help sense that your posted opinions are quotes and paraphrases from UK publications and not your own founded opinions. We've all read the various reports and articles back when the E90 was first launched. The E90's styling is frequently chided as boring but never ugly by the UK presses. I doubt anyone ever 'shook their heads in horror and ran out and bought the last available stocks of the E46'. The worldwide sales of the E90 can attest to that.
Time (since) has shown the E90's lines to be classically balanced and perhaps the best looking (i.e. the least controversial) of the current lineup. Perhaps you might want to update your reading and get back to us on that...
But I'll give you that the VW group has the lead on interior quality and design. They are the benchmark of teutonicity imho. The BMW's are a tier down but nowhere as bad as the recent Mercedes-Benz models.
Your other 'findings' on the dynamics of the car is also subjective and you certainly have the right to your own opinion.
Styling is subjective, but I can't help sense that your posted opinions are quotes and paraphrases from UK publications and not your own founded opinions. We've all read the various reports and articles back when the E90 was first launched. The E90's styling is frequently chided as boring but never ugly by the UK presses. I doubt anyone ever 'shook their heads in horror and ran out and bought the last available stocks of the E46'. The worldwide sales of the E90 can attest to that.
Time (since) has shown the E90's lines to be classically balanced and perhaps the best looking (i.e. the least controversial) of the current lineup. Perhaps you might want to update your reading and get back to us on that...
But I'll give you that the VW group has the lead on interior quality and design. They are the benchmark of teutonicity imho. The BMW's are a tier down but nowhere as bad as the recent Mercedes-Benz models.
Your other 'findings' on the dynamics of the car is also subjective and you certainly have the right to your own opinion.
