Most old timers will know me as I have frequented this board for MANY years. I recently sold my '96 A4 to get my cash equity out of it (I owned it). I am using this money towards my summer home. I made a deal to lease a '99 but cancelled it because I didn't want more debt to compromise my debt ratio even though I can afford it. My wife and I leased a '99 Explorer Sport (she drives it) and I picked up a used '88 BMW 528e in the interim. I plan to lease the car after I close on the house in March. Here is the problem:<p>I went to the BMW dealer to get a part for my car and browsed the showroom. I ended up test driving the '99 328 and let me tell you, this car is much more refined than the 328 of just a few years ago. I must confess that it feels more sporty, and the engine is MUCH more responsive than the a4. I always put Quattro in the equation but since I have my wife's truck, it is not an issue. Does anyone know what Audi has in store for 2000? Will the a4 not feel as lethargic as it does now? The 30 valves help over my version (96) but I didn't get that pressed back in the seat feeling from Audi. Advice would be appreciated.<p>Jason<br>

First, if you MUST have a BMW do NOT get the 328. Get the 323. The HP is negligable and the 323 is cheaper for the same car. Don't waste the money.<br>Secondly, if you can wait the S4 and the 250hp TT will be available toward end of year 99. Both of these cars can be had with Quattro at this time and will smoke any 3series BMW except for the M3 maybe.<br>Trust me do a little research with Audi and you'll find that if you can wait it WILL be worth it.<br>Just my 2cents. Hope this helps.

Hello McFly....{bang....bang....bang}<p>Jason, get a nice 99 1.8T and chip the thing (Greedspeed $189 job)...it is refined...you know about the car....get it with or without quattro and save yourself a bunch in payments over the 328i.<p>Just my 2 cents worth.<p>Words of wisdom from another oldtimer<p>Obewan Kanobi<br>

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Have you driven a 30v that was broken-in? The engine really loosens up at around 4000rpm. Also, a chip helps liven up the 30v. I have the Wett chip, and it does make the engine more responsive. Just a thought. <p>Personally, I think that the 328 is a beautiful car. I think that the 323 is the value leader. However, I would rather have a 30v A4 than the 323 for the money. The 328 is nice, but more expensive than both.<p>The good new is that I don't think you can go wrong with any of the cars. The A4 and 3-Series are both excellent cars which are satisfying to own and drive.

I have test-driven both, 328 and 323, and 323 was a lot weaker and less refined than 328. However, the price difference was significant, about $8k (26.4K vs. 34.4 for base 323 and 328 respectively), so, that eliminated the latter. But, as I love Beemers, and consequently wanted to replace my 98 1.8Tm with 323, I found that the price difference between A4 and equally equipped 323 would not justify such "exchange". I would rather go for a 1.8T with Sport, Quattro and Neuspeed chip, which would kick Beemer's butt in any respect... and for the same, or even lower price...