I know I am chatting to a biased group (Audi-owners, like myself), but I am having a dilemma in choosing between the new Bimmer 330CI and the TT 225HP coupe.
Similar price, same HP, different cars.

Anyone???

Boils down to whether you want rear drive, front drive or quattro, no?

Christine,

If it came to that, I might still habve the dilemma. Bimmer has an all-wheel drive option these days, 330XI. I think the discussion revolves around the engine and philosophy perhaps.

Do I want 225HP being delivered from an inline-6 or a turbo-charged 4?
Both are good-looking cars. But in very different ways. One is robust, sophisticated, the other is a sheer eye-catcher, different.
Maybe I won't get to an answer after all....

I have driven it and it is a great car!
Fabulous looks, great performance, and if you can handle the space a FUN drivers car.

I think both are sophisticated...but I think it would come down to which one you enjoy driving more. My bet is the TT

I just test drove the 330i and 330Xi yesterday and they both are fine cars in my opinion. I myself own a chipped 225Q Coupe and I could very well imagine driving also the BMW 330i (my father has a 500 series touring BMW which I drive quite often). Both cars were equipped with Steptronic gearbox and it worked just beautifully.

Accelerations were smooth and seemed pretty effortless but the engine made a bit more noise than I anticipated, though. I got the impression that from 0 to about 40 mph the BMW seemed to be a bit quicker than the TT but after that there was no comparison - but I'm talking about a chipped TT. I don't think that the BMW is actually faster (on the contrary!) but it's just so simple and easy the get the maximum performance with the Steptronic: just step on it and enjoy. With the TT's turbo it's a bit more difficult and less civilized but more rewarding IMHO.

The BMW is clearly more like your everyday car with softer suspension, lighter steering and not-so-exciting looking interior design. It's very civilized, comfortable and high quality all the way. I enjoyed my test drive very much but honestly speaking I was happy to step back into my TT! TT is all about the excitement and enjoyment of driving and the BMW 330i is just a high-quality vehicle when moving from A to B...

But the new M3, hmmm...

Petri

same thing, but with SO MUCH more style. When I go to my car everyday after work, I'm excited to drive it, I feel like I'm in a spaceship--it's that much different than anything else on the road. The 330Ci can't make the same claim. I was going from a 94 accord, and the similarities with the 330 turned me off. Hear me out... Same target consumer, but the BMW buyer has a little extra dough. Same philosophy, kinda. Accord and BMW are both sporty for their classes, etc. You may not agree with my opinions, but when I sat in the TT, the sightlines were completely different. As was the cabin size, as was the engine note (the turbo whine is one of my favorite noises ever). The aura of the TT emitted sexiness and intruigue. The 330 emitted good (not great) looks, but not much soul. That's what it came down to for me: soul. The TT has loads, 330 has little.
I've heard the same gripe against the 911 turbo. When compared to other similar cars like the Ferrari 360, the porsche, although statistically superior, was downgraded for being a speeding utensil, and not a car you can connect with.
Sorry for the long diatribe, but it's hard to describe the soul of an automobile..

Except for their SUV, they haven't had an AWD car for a few years now, a possible strike against them.

A lot also depends on whether you want a sedan or not; perhaps if the 330xi has stronger appeal for you, you should instead take a look at an A4 or S4...

Now I'll have to find an excuse to go test drive one. I just looked and the 325xi is around 180hp like the 180TT, except with four doors and maybe an automatic....
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Ok I feel better now... I'm done deciding on what car to get... Just need to figure out how to get it.

My TTQC is due next week (week 36 build) - it's at the port of Boston and I'm just outside Boston so won't be long. The thing that made up my mind regarding BMW's is that all the models have the same lines - and there are so many of them around here (and everywhere else for that matter). Don't get me wrong - fine automobiles, but I hate being seen in a car that you see that often. I think the BMW stylists are in a bit of a rut.

On second thought - go ahead and get the Bimmer....

Actually, isn't it great to be in this dilemma - having to make a decision to buy one of two fine automobiles.

An inline-6 is naturally balanced compared to the the turbo-4. It makes power effortlessly; however, aftermarket performance gains are modest compared to the turbo-4.

TT drivers are capable of deciding for themselves. ;-)