Hi all,

I know this topic has been probably been discussed before but, I'm in the market now for a car since my lease on my 97 A4 is running out in a month and I want some opinions from the fellow .orgers

I'm seriously considering ordering a 2000 A4 1.8TQ but the new BMW 323 coupe is mighty tempting....
Driven both cars and honestly, the BMW feels a little more nimble and the steering and shifter is also a little more precise than the A4's. On the other hand, i do not want to give up quattro since i go skiing three time a year.....
Both are going to be in the same price range.... The A4 is going to be due for a complete redesign for 2002 compared to the BMW which is probably gonna stay for another 5 years..

someone help me make up my mind.. what are the pros and cons for each car???

thanks in advance!

Mike,

What helped me in my decision was the fact that I see hundreds of 3-series BMW's everywhere. Not nearly as many Audi's.

Paul

Both entry level cars for their lines.. get a used 8 series or something..(nt)

Well, you've got to know the A4 pretty well after two years with it, have you taken the Bimmer on an extended test drive (over an hour)? I considered the 323i and my observations were simmilar to yours. I chose the A4 for a number of reasons. First, although the 323 handles better and is a bit quicker, the A4 with Quattro (I hate FWD and would have gotten the Bimmer if not for Quattro) is an easier car to drive well. I also preferred the A4's ride and interior. I felt the A4 won on ergonomics as well. Not to mention the A4 had more features and conveniences. The issue of redesign didn't even enter into my mind. I like the way the A4 looks better than the new 3 series, but that's my personal preference, do you really care that in two years it will be redesigned??? In the end, you must decide for yourself, both are great cars, either one will be a blast to drive.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

Personally, I love the look of the new 3-series coupe. It is gorgeous. I love the look of the A4 as well. Do you want a 2-door or a 4-door? I think that most on this forum will agree that the 3-series is a little more precise as far as shifting and steering. If I were you, I would follow your gut instict and get the car you like driving better. I wouldn't let Quattro come into your decision if you only want Quattro for inclement weather.

If you like the feel of Quattro for all-around performance in the wet AND dry, that is something else. However, getting the A4 due to Quattro for skiing ONLY 3 times a year is a bit ridiculous. I mean, a 3-series with good snow tires and the traction-control will get you there as well. I know, because I had a 3-series on loan during a bad snow storm here in the Northeast. The excellent snow tires combined with the traction control provided me with more than adequate snow handling capability. If you said 30 ski trips that may be different.

Hey, it could be worse. You could be comparing an Escort to a Neon. With an A4 and 3-Series, you really can't go wrong either way.

Mike

NT

They're pretty close on invoice prices, especially if you give up a few options on the Bimmer.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

nt

Before I purchased my A4 I test drove the 323i as well as a 328is. I actually cancelled an order on a 328is to get the A4.

Reasons I chose the A4 over the 328/323. There is no attempt to be balanced or objective here, these are my reasons why I chose an A4 over the BMW 328 and the 323.

1. The 328is was coming out as a new model, didn't want to get the last year and I don't like sedans. (Same reason I got the A4 Avant over the sedan, I'm just not a fan of sedans)

2. Rear wheel drive. Great for performance in dry weather, adequate at best during rain and snow(no matter what people say about traction control all it does is attempt to minimize a negative starting point of disproportionately poor traction in moderate to bad conditions.)

3. IMHO the 328 is overpriced for the performance gains over the 323. I think BMW knows this as the 2.8 engine will most likely be replaced with the 3.0 engine soon. On the other hand the 323 seams to renege on the promise offered by the excellent suspension and handling of the car. Audi has this exact situation with the 2.8 and the 1.8T but owners of 1.8T's at least have the option, if they choose, of chipping the cars.

4. Felt even smaller and more cramped than the A4 which is not a big car to begin with.

5. Subjectively I just liked the interior of the Audi better, I think they did a better job with mixing textures and surfaces.

6. I just didn't want the image that BMW's have, too overstated in my opinion.

7. I love Quattro and the sport package, even on the 1.8T, is a bargain.

Hugh

1.8Tqms Avant APR'd

How can you possibly say they are priced the same. I priced the 323ci and no way. It is a beautiful car but when all is said and done the price spread is $4k from an A4 1.8t. Check the archives where I and others have documented the exact numbers. The 323ci does come w/ lots of standard features vs. the 323i sedan but is still a couple of hundred dollars more than the sedan. Also, there is tremendous demand as it is new high deman model so can you say "full MSRP". The best I have heard on a 323ci is $2k over invoice and a 4 month wait.

As far as Audi's new A4 model...BMW is gonna burn ya as well. BMW is upgrading their engines very soon - certainly by 2001 model. The 328 will be redesignated and rebadged as the the 330 and rumour is that the 323 will be redisignated ---325 - as the 2.5L engine will also get more power and is 2.5L anyway.

You can't go wrong either way....but for the $ it's an A4.

Mitch 99.5 1.8tqms

the 323 already has the 185hp that it is supposed to get next year. It is the same engine in there afterall [2.5l]. The reason they say it has 170 is for marketing reasons to make the 328 seem more attractive to some people.

Alex P

I did the same comparison, A4 1.8tms vs. 323i, and no matter how I figured it, the BMW was thousands more. If you add quattro on to the Audi (w/sport package & s/r), and leave the BMW bone stock (vinyl, no sport package, no s/r), the BMW is still more expensive. Throw in a set of snow tires mounted on some half way decent alloys to get the bimmer through the winter and you're talking +$2-$3k easy. Also, it seems demand for the new 3-series makes BMW dealers slightly less eager to deal than Audi dealers at this point.

Having said that, I got a used BMW 5-series over both of them (ouch, I can feel the flames already...). Both the A4 and 3-series are great cars, and I was pulling my hair out trying to decide for a while. The deal I got on the used 5-series from a friend of mine just made my decision easy this time. The good news is either way you go, you get a great car.

I priced the cars last week. In Toronto a 1.8TQMS with computer & sunroof is about the same price as a 323i with the "Premium" package (sunroof, rims).

Furthermore, the lease deal on the BMW is a lot better due to higher residual value.

I was surprised.

While the BMW enthusiast may not care...your average foo-foo biffy and I drive our bimmer to the country club every Sunday and we just luv it...they will care when the badge changes - and hence that will hurt the residual.

BTW...neither BMW nor any other BMW tuner other then JC has come out and said the extra hp is there per dyno testing. JC says it and the entire BMW community goes...yeah - it's now gospel. The BMW inline six is a great engine but don't believe everything a tuner says. I read what JC said and it sounded to me like he was making excuses as to why he hasn't yet come out with a good chip for that engine.

MitchC 99.5 1.8tqms