Hello all. Im new here as a Mercedes turned BMW possibly turned Audi guy. Im not yet ready to get out of my M3, although I've been a big S4 fan for a few years. But my wife is currently leasing a 2002 330i and is ready to turn it in. I think the A4 is probably the best looking car in the class, especially with the Ultra Sport package. I am very interested in the 3.0, since I dont think the 1.8T is quite fast enough and I probably wouldnt mod it since it will be another lease. So I have a few questions:

1) What made you go with the A4 over the 3?

2) Any known major problems with the A4 3.0?

3) Is the 3.0 worth the extra money over the 1.8T?

4) What seems to be the overall satisfaction with CVT?


I may need to place these questions in the A4 section. But I appreciate any help you can give. Thanks again.

 

Well, i dont know where you live, but the quatrro is great for the winter time. If your not going mod i would go the 2.8 just because of the extra power. But the A4 is great car you will be please with it.

 

Welcome to the forum mfarrm3!

This is a great site. We keep the dialogue friendly and the attitude positive. The info is well received by all and we are here to help anyone with the need. I hope you find it to your liking as well.

If you're not familiar with this forum, please click the START HERE!link. There you will find a forum vocab list, an Audi forum terminology list and an Audi lexicon list. They should be very helpful to you if you're not familiar with the jargon.

Please feel free to ask any question, but double check the archives first. Many questions have been archived and, quite often, the answers are comprehensive.
================================================== ====================================
For any mods, you'll want to go with the 1.8t engine. THere really isn't much difference between the two engines for performance. If you want a greater peace of mind for reliability and maintenance, then go with the 3.0 engine, but then again... it is just going to be a lease, right?
DO NOT go with the CVT unless you want bragging rights to be the only/first one on your block to have the CVT. It just isn't what it's cracked up to be. It's a marvel of a design and it has it's merits, but I don't know if it's going to make a difference in the long run - it very well may lose its cachet in a short time. Furthermore, a performance transmission it is not!

 

Well to answer your questions...

A4 over 3 - assume your talking about the M3 as I didn't see a mention of A3, Bimmers never impressed me. Not to dog them, it just seemed like everyone had one... like it was the only German car out there. Audi seemed a little more exclusive to me, go figure.

No major problems with 3.0 that I've heard of since the B6 body style.

3.0 worth extra $$ - drive each and you tell us. Personally, I plan on modding soon, so that's why I went 1.8T.

CVT - good stuff, but suggest you go with your "mad rowing skills" for maximum enjoyment.

... and welcome to the site.

 

while the CVT is not a performance tranny it does make for a superb daily driver read some of the reveiws on it and theyll say the same.

If you looking for performance wait for the DSG tranny thats in the new TT I believe. so far from what I hear it hasnt crossed over to the A4 yet but, I beleive that to be inevitable.

 

Hi mate, I feel qualified to answer your post since I had two BMW's before moving to Audi (sorry - would never consider a Merc less than an SL55 and can't afford one of those!). I test drove loads of Audis before buying the BMW 325 sport (after further testing the 330i coupe) but after 18 months I wanted another motor. Saw the S4 4.2 Quattro Avant, drove and thought...no Audi I've driven before drives or sounds like this. Without a doubt I believe the built quality is better and lots of bits are better thought out. I thought about an M3 but saw too many of those around. The S4 is a wolf in sheeps clothing and is so subtle you don't get buzzed.

Anyway, if I was you I would find it difficult to go for any Audi less than the 3.0 Quattro cos they're too slow. Especially after your 330i. Oh and don't consider anything other than Quattro - it's nothing short of awesome in the wet!

Hope that helps.

 

I have never owned a German car before I bought my Audi but I always dreamed of owning a BMW M3. Anyway, when my wife and I were looking for a car back in May 2004, we saw a 330ci in the lot with my Audi. I took the 330ci out for a test drive and my wife and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately my wallet cannot afford the price. So we ending up testing the Audi and I tell you, the BMW was nice but for the money I will say the Audi ranks up there with the quality and feel.
My wife brother owned a 325c and he thinks that my Audi is worth the $$$ that I paid. Now if I can only afford to pay for the repair.
So, to sum it up - my motivator is value. I love my 1.8T and I think I will buy another one if I win the lottery.

 

We just bought a 330 ZHP this summer - and I have to say - it is a great car and we are supremely satisfied. It is a totally and amazingly balanced drive - very easy to drive & drive fast - and handles like a champ. The 330 is nimbler then the A4 - handles better and is generally more comfortable on the road (nicer ride). I agree - it is both more common and perhaps a bit less luxurious and sleek as opposed to the A4 - but is a very nice looking car in itself - inside and out (and probably gets more recognition as a "luxury/sought after" German car - as opposed to the Audi if that matters to you - and I would guess that resale is a little better) (. Much is a toss up - matter of preference between the two - inside and out...but I have to say - having been an Audi lover for a few years now...the BMW is really growing on me. (you should note that this is the last year for the e46 modle 3 series with the somewhat larger E90 comming out next summer/fall. One thing the A4 has going for it is the superiority of quattro vs BMD AWD used in the 3 series (but the new model should be consideraby better - using the moe advanced AWD from the X3/5). If the price were about the same and driving in lots of snow & such not a ig concern - I would recommend the 3 series (and the 330 ZHP...but of course)...arguments can be made both ways however...and certainly the 1.8t (soon to be 2.0?) is a very fun and moddable engine - where options for the BMW are less significant and tend to be costly....

 

i like bmw's but audi;s i think are nicer, and i heard there more reliable