New E90 or New Audi B8 A4

[dy5000]

Any comments if I should "skip" boat from BMW to Audi. I'm now using an E46 and thinking of changing to the new E90 or new B8 A4 (both early 2009 got stocks). The new B8 A4 1.8T looks really good and slightly more powerful than the 320. BMW Malaysia's lower interest rate financing option is also good. Euromobil offers nothing. A4 lesser on the roads, E90 everywhere and very often many "aunties" drive them . E46s also

 

[mummygohan]

go for E90 325i Msport.:top:

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Just one thing you missed out... the E90 is still a lot more fun and composed on challenging roads.

 

[bimmerdude]

conversely, if u ask this question in the audi forum u'll get the other answers. so the only way to find out is to test drive em both. having said that, the audi is front wheel drive. that's a minus point for fun driving. to me the style of the audi dates fast too. and i dont like the long overhang in front. bmw's are much better balanced.

but thats just my opinion.

 

[fabianyee]

dy5000, u will be the one driving the car whichever you end up buying, so you would have to drive them yourself to see which one you like and can live with for years to come. There are pros and cons for every car in the market, it's just a matter are the 'pros' what you're looking for and whether you can live with the 'cons'...

However, when in doubt, buy both... hahahahha.. Easy, isn't it..

 

[astroboy]

Since u have driven an E46 before, I guess u oredi know the definition of "... a lot more fun and composed on challenging roads.." as mentioned by JPB.. unless its the different induction system or higher horsepower u r after.. u may even say the E90 is a 3 year old look, not as fresh as the B8 which is fresh from the oven..

The B8 A4 1.8T is it 4WD? If yes, then no question about handling compare to E90..

To me Merc looks old, Audi looks serious while BMW is a lot more fun.. ... to cheer up my dull life..

 

[VKS]

Have a neutral mindset, test drive the both and decide which one you feel suits you...Compare the A4 with E90 320 theres +&- on both machines...I can say A4 is fun to drive too when it comes to engine responce with the low end torque...but if you merely a cornering kaki then you can decide 3series...

As i told you its up to your driving style in the end...:top:

 

[VKS]

Had tested A4 last month 3times and made a booking...loan was approved with 3.8% interest rate...compare to E90 which if im not mistaken 1.88% i loose around 30k the whole tenure....and the biggest headache is new facelifted 3series is coming next year....still undecided

 

[dy5000]

Thanks for comments. Great support always from BMW club members.

 

[dy5000]

I know this may not be appropriate to post some Audi images, but these comparison photos of the new and old are pretty good. Apparently Audi spent US1 billion (read article in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4#B8_A4_.288K.29_.282008.E2.80.93present.29) to develop the new A4 (I think probably includes investing in the factory lines, etc.) Anyway, check them out here:

Front:
http://www.redlineblog.com/autos/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/audi-a4-2008-vs-2007-front.jpg

Side:
http://www.redlineblog.com/autos/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/audi-a4-2008-vs-2007-side.jpg

Back:
http://www.redlineblog.com/autos/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/audi-a4-2008-vs-2007-rear.jpg

 

[bimmerdude]

i can see all the chris bangle 'flame surface' treatment influences... looks like nothing beats a bmw design lead.
look at the new accord. shameless copy of the 5 series.

 

[Schwepps]

Agree bimmerdude! But they still can't better the dynamism and coolness of the style leader, BMW.

Also, although the new A4 looks much better than the old, I can't help feeling that it looks more like a facelift than a new model.

 

[chris1]

dy5000,

Have you considered the fact that Audi is serviced by Euromobil, who is part of EON? If i'm not wrong they are the only authorised service entity. The car is great, no doubt about that, but i wouldn't pay so much for a car that gets serviced by a sub of EON. I was told once by an Audi salesman that we don't have to worry cause its a totally different team than the Proton service people e.g. they receive different training etc etc etc. But i don't believe this will make much of a difference, I owned Protons for 10 years before buying my UDM, and i shudder at the thought of buying a quarter of a million car & taking it back to them for servicing.

 

[dy5000]

Hi Chris1,

Your point is exactly the main factor why many buyers would "think twice" before buying Audi. Sad to say, our Malaysian Audi distributor is way far behind everyone else in terms of service and benefits to customers. Have you checked out their website, it is absolutely terrible. So, after much admiration of the new A4, I may stick with the BMW distributor. I'll be selling my E46 318i soon to make way for the new E90 320i (I think stocks coming in early 2009?). Cheers.

 

[Steven7]

Congratulation, not sure when the BMW 3-series facelift will come to Malaysia, some said end of this year and some said early next year, you better go to any BMW dealer to ask for the actual answere~!!!

 

[chris1]

Hi dy5000,

I currently own a E90 320i. Fantastic car, but my advice if you are upgrading to an E90 next year - please go for the 6 potter i.e. the 325. I bought the 320i thinking that i'll save some money. Now everyday i wish i had just a little bit more horsepower & torque to utilize the car's excellent chassis, and to be honest i regret not biting the bullet at the time & getting the 325. So do it right the 1st time & get the ultimate (if you can afford it)!

 

[fabianyee]

There is talk of Audi coming in to take over the distributorship like what BMW and VW has done.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

There is talk of Audi coming in to take over the distributorship like what BMW and VW has done.

Yeah, but it would take yonks before that is fully in place i.e. they will do all kinds of PR exercises first but there's bound to be teething issues.

 

[dy5000]

Hi Chris1,

So, 325i the better choice. Current model - price difference almost RM30k, worth so eh? Sometimes, we wonder why our Government had to tax the imported cars so high. The amount we pay for E90 325i here, we can get the new M3 sedan in the USA (about USD60k) http://www.bmwusa.com/with spare to buy another car. Anyway, already blessed to live here, but our Government can do better, right?

 

[Schwepps]

Although I'm not in favour of the unbalanced market that the taxes create, we shouldn't only compare the selling price of cars. They are also very cheap in UK and Europe but the cost of petrol is more than double. Okay, okay, petrol in the US is about the same as here, but that's always been the land of milk and honey in so many ways.

Agree with chris1 that the 6-potter is THE ultimate BMW driving experience. Life is short...go into debt for it!