Trying to decide between a 1.8 and a 2.8. The 1.8 is more in my price range, but I could probably swing a base 2.8Q. <p>Question 1:<br>Does anyone find that the 1.8Q revs excessively on the highway (4000 @ 75)? Has anyone found this buzziness to be annoying? I couldn't tell after several short test-drives. I'm trying to decide if this engine will become tiresome on long trips-- chip or no chip.<p>Question 2:<br>I love the price, Quattro and looks of the a4. I like the engine sound and feel of the 323i. So my logic goes: If i'm willing to spend the money for a 323, why not step up and buy a 2.8 Audi... For those of you who looked at both, which a4 did you choose and why? Did anyone choose 1.8T over a 323?

You didn't mention if you're interested in the manual or auto. But I don't find my 1.8T 'buzzy' at normal highway speeds.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

I have a 98 1.8TQ, and don't find prolonged high speeds annoying..I recently took a 2 hour trip and averaged 70-85mph. Of course, I never drove the 2.8 so I have no frame of reference.<p>btw, I've yet to find anything very annoying about the car, including the low price...

I looked at the A4 1.8T and the 323i. Both are quite nice. Even though I felt the 323i handled slightly better and accelerated better in normal driving conditions, I chose the 1.8T because it came with Quattro (i.e., better handling in less-than-ideal conditions), was $5000 cheaper than the 323i with the options I wanted, was cheaper to insure, and was still a pretty darn nice and fun-to-drive car.

My engine was buzzy when new , but a few thousand miles have smoothed it out (for that matter the steering wheel would shake at idle, and that's gone also). The car is a very quiet crusier. I looked at both, but at my altitude the 1.8TQ didn't give up anything over the 12V six, and the car had a lighter and sportier feel (less weight in the nose), so I went the 1.8TQ.

I just picked up my 99 1.8TQ last night and driving to work this morning on the highway in 5th gear I did notice that it does seem like it revs high. I found myself looking down at the shifter a few times to make sure I wasn't accidentally in 3rd gear instead of 5th!!! Other than that the car is very sweet!!<p>JMS<br>

That just about sums up exactly my process and conclusion for purchasing the 1.8T

The problem with the 323 is the price. The two cars, from a driver's perspective, are a toss-up to me. There are several subtle differences in performance between them, and I think it comes down to what type of driving you like to do. Personally, I don't like being afraid to drive in rough weather, and in fact I prefer it, so the quattro was a big selling point (I also have a subaru wagon that's not afraid of anything but pure ice). Even in the dry, I feel that quattro is better for cornering than rwd. I also like the classy cockpit of the A4 cf the 323. Its a classier sports sedan than the bimmer. The major difference is in 0-60 times, but if that's your #1 criteria, check out a camaro. <p>Back to the price. The base 323, sure, is ~ $26K, but with it you get steel wheels w/wheel covers and no cruise control. To get a 323 with a better (HK) stereo, 16" alloys, sport package, sunroof, no quattro, trip computer, cruise control, and a CD changer, you're talking more like $33K. Big difference. List on my A4 with the above was $29.7K, and I paid $28K. You'll not get a 'discount' like that on a 323 (I've checked), so the difference is roughly $5K, and you don't get quattro ($1600). <p>So, figure out what you like. I find the 1.8T motor to be _very_ smooth and composed, and moreso the harder I drive. The manual transmission in both cars is smooth as silk, and one thing I like better on the 323 is the clutch release point - it's more sporty (lower) than the A4's rather high (~ 4/5) release. Overall, though, I find the A4 significantly classier and better looking, and while the headlights are rather anonymous, I don't like the current BMW 'eyes' - I like the look of the 2-model back design (E30???). <p>I don't regret for one moment that I got the turbo - it's an excellent powerplant and after I chip it, it'll be faster than a 323 anyway. <p>Finally, just buy one of these two cars and enjoy it. Both are outstanding, and any faults you find will be nit-picking. Go drive'em, and just do it. In fact, you might just find out which dealer has a better service department and choose your car that way! You can't go wrong, IMO.<p>Good luck,<p>Darryl <br>98.5 1.8T qmsb, Santorin/opal

I agree on the looks department. I find the new 3 series overdone in the styling department. Where the 5-series has a nice clean elegant look, the 3 has too many creases, moldings, contours... for me. Where Audi excels is in it's simple yet aggressive look - clean, unique lines. In 5 years I think the A4 will still look modern and fresh. In 5 years I think the 3 series will look dated.<p>IMHO<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

really a dream with the chip. More power at lower rpm. Makes the car more driveable at all speeds.<br>Cheers,<br>andrew<br>98 1.8 tqms wett 1.0 bar.<br>

<br>nt<p><p>

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I love BMW 6's...always will.. But the interior of the E36 didn't sit well with me, and when I found out $600 would have me running as fast as the 328, and the tuning potential of the 1.8, if was close..<p>Oh yeah, the thing thast knocked the Bimmer right off the decision chart? quattro. Drive it, and you'll know why!!!!<p>Rich Quinlan<br>Nowhere near stock 1.8tqms<p>P.S. I can never leave my cars alone, so that's why the potential of the car was very important to me.<ul><li><a href="http://home.att.net/~richquinlan">Quinland</a></li></ul>