Since most people on this board have had the pleasure of owning an A4, who better to ask this question. Please be honest, don't answer to justify you purchase. Here it is:<p>IF PRICE and QUATTRO were not factors, would anyone buy the A4 over the BMW E46? <p>Having owned an A4, does anyone wish they had purchased a BMW?

I know that I'm not directly answering your question, but it's the only one I can honestly address...<p>I would definitely by an A4 1.8T over last year's 318i, regardless of price or quattro (I test drove them both).<p>I haven't test drove the 2.8 or 328 - so I can't say for sure. I'd definitely consider the BMW.<p>Tom<br>1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

NO, I don't wish I had purchased a BMW or anything else for that matter. That was the exact case for me...price wasn't a big factor. My original intention was to get a Bimmer but after seeing and driving the A4 I knew it was a better car FOR ME. Of course both have their pros and cons, a big one for me is that I'm from a rich area and while i was in college everyone and their mothers had a BMW 3-series. So after I graduated my goal was to get a bmw 3-series car (and honestly i like the way they look but the inside was kind of crappy and "fake" IMHO) and so when i saw the A4 i thought (and still think) the body is much nicer and cleaner to look at, and the interior is hands down much nicer. Also, my car now stands out more when i drive around town. So to again reiterate my answer to your question...i don't regret at all buying an A4.<p>Jason<br>98.5 1.8T pearlescent

But if that's the case, yes I would. A 323 over a 1.8, and a 328 over 2.8. Simply because I prefer rear wheel drive over front, but prefer all wheel drive over front wheel drive!

Hell, if price were and quattro weren't factors, I'd buy a Ferrari. But, in truth, they are factors, so your question is at best rhetorical.<p>I haven't driven an E46 328 yet, so I can't give a comparo there. I have, however, sat in one and still believe the interior design of the A4 beats the bimmer by a whisker the size of Minnesota. The rear seat space is better in the new 3, but will doubtless be better in the 2000 A4.<p>I do not regret my choice of the Avant QMS for a nanosecond.

Please don't flame me for posting this message here. As A4 owners, you guys should be able to hear and tolerate differing opinions. I think it is relevant to the topic posted.<p><p>Posted by Doug Thom on November 11, 1998 at 09:13:28:<p>For all those out there considering the Audi A4 1.8T or 2.8 consider this: I bought a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T in November of 97 and had the car just a few months (5 months) before I sold it. Why, because I wasn't happy with the way it drove. Specifically- its front wheel drive and nomatter what anybody tells you theres no way a front wheel drive car is going to drive/feel as good as a rear wheel drive car. Another consideration for buying the Audi 1.8T at the time was the lower price than the BMW 3 Series. It seemed like good value for the money and BMW's E36 body style had been out there a while. I think the Audi A4 is the type car that initially comes on strong and is of great interest to those who are looking into one but over time will leave owners wondering it they should have bought a BMW 3 series. As a previous owner of a 93 318iS it wasn't long after I bought the Audi that I found myself realizing the Audi wasn't the same caliber of vehicle as the BMW. Oh well you live you learn. I was able to sell the Audi for $23,700.00 when I paid $24,700.00 5-months earlier. <p>Something else happened while owning the Audi 4A. Over time, the more I viewed/saw the car the less appealing its shape became. The front end is really uninspiring and the side isn't much better. The only view I feel looks good on the A4 is the rear-end of the car. Whenever I see one now I am glad I sold mine. The BMW E46 has a shape that will be as attractive years from now as it does now. I'm glad BMW made relatively small changes to its body shape.<p>I now have a Alpine White (almost went with Titanium Silver) 99 323i on order for mid/late December delivery. My opinion is that when you buy a BMW you get your money's worth in many areas. BMW is an engineering company and its reflected in the way there cars drive and are built. Now that we have the new E46 to choose from I would not advise anyone to opt for the Audi A4. To be pleased you'll want to go with the BMW. Its not good to have second thoughts after you've bought a car. From my point of view the BMW E46 is much less likey to create any doubts in any driving areas. <p>BE HAPPY - buy the E46 323i or 328i.<p>Doug Thom<p>

First of all, I like 2-door Coupes over 4-doors, so that would be a plus for the Bimmer (I THINK they're still offering Coupes?). Also, performance and handling; feel BMW is superior over A4. I dont care for new Bimmer body styles, however. <br>If I was down in the sun belt (or at least non-snow belt), would have strongly looked at a 328.

I have test driven the E46 328i, the A4 2.8 FWD, 2.8 Quattro and the 1.8T FWD. I have not driven the E46 323i.<p>With your criteria (price and quattro taken out of consideration), I would take a 328i over any A4. I would also take a 323i over the 1.8T A4. However, I would pick an A4 2.8 over a 323i.

The bimmer has NO quattro, a couple more cylinders, and few dozen more horses. It should perform better. Now if you want to compare the 318 and the 1.8 then i will listen. The last one that took me on payed the price by getting beat by 15 car links, but then agail I am a better driver.<p>this is not meant as any disrespect and is not a flame. Just my experience.

If BMW made a 328ix (remember the all wheel drive BMW), for $28,000.00, with sunroof, CD changer, sports package (steering wheel, seats, better wheels, suspension..so on),trip computer, and a really good lease rate, then maybe I'd have picked it, but that will happen when bats fly out of my but!

(nt)

/

WTF is he talking about: "BMW is an engineering company and its reflected in the way there cars drive and are built." ?!? And what, Audi is an apple grower?!? <br>*sorry, but I am not happy about his little post* <br>Audi was born a automotive manufacturer, from the union of other automotive giants in Germany! He made it sound like someone (maybe a brew master?) just got bored with his/her work one day and created Audi to make cars. <br>HELLO! Just because your friends and family and every other person on the street drives a BMW, doesn't mean they know anything about their cars - such as Doug here. <br>He shouldn't have bought the A4 in the first place. <br>If you want to be a sheep, go ahead...<br>As Apple would say: "Think Different"<p>Cris<p>To other BMW owners, if you bought your car base on experience, driving style, power, and not on TV ads/movies/MTV... you are turely an enthusiast, like other A4 enthusiasts on this board.<p><br>

IMHO, and it really is humble, you'll do ok whichever car you get. The A4 offers refinement that the 328 (at least the E36) just didn't have. I know you're asking about the E46, but I haven't really taken a close look at the interior. The interior of the A4 seemed a bit more luxurious to me when I bought mid last year. I actually have an Avant which I am extremely happy I bought, because of it's distinguished and practical. Again, both cars offer an amazing driving experience--it comes down to driver preferences and nuances. -rob

Even without quattro and price, I'd still get the A4. I'm not a fan of the new BMW interior (and this is after driving one for an entire weekend + BMW Ultimate Driving Experience + Susan Koman drive-for-the-cure). The ONLY things I wish the A4 had was 17" wheels and xenon lamps from the factory...<p>But in real life, quattro and price ARE factors. Rear seat room means nothing to me (my groceries and computer bag still fit behind my seat), the car drives very well, I actually like the A4 manual tranny (and Tiptronic) better than the 'notchy' BMW 5-speed manual, and I believe the A4 shape to be "timeless." Even better is the ability to get an even lower-priced version, the Passat... The refinement of even the Passat and A4 1.8T makes me proud to be an owner for much time to come.<p>-josh<br>98.5 2.8qms

Forgetting the fact that if price were no option we'd probably all be driving Porsches and Ferraris, I assume you mean within reason.<p>First, regarding Quattro, who cares where you live, it is a great option and improves the overall driving experience. Don't be concerned with extra weight; its such a minor issue. If you don't want the Quattro, lets stop right here. I would never recommend a front drive only car to anyone, so I can't recommend the A4 front wheel drive. If you love torque steer, by all means get one.<p>Apples to apples comparison, the A4 is a better car than the 323i, no question. And IMO, much more attractive...subtle, muscular lines versus BMW's chopped, creased look. Regarding the 328i, the A4 is so close to the 328i that it's more an issue of personal tastes than performance or quality. The problem is this. If price really isn't an issue, within reason, the 328 makes no sense because the M3 is only a couple grand more and it is twice the car. I don't see why anyone would settle for a 328 when the could pay a few dollars more a month and drive the M3, which is clearly one of the best, if not THE best, performing car on the road today.<p>Finally, in terms of quality. Neither marque has a deserved reputation for quality, no matter what Bimmer owners love to spout. I think selective memory must come standard with Beemer ownership. If you don't believe me, check the reliability statistics. Beemers tend to become rattle traps at light speed compared to Japanese cars for example. I looked hard at both marques before buying my Audi, and from the outset I assumed neither would be the most reliable or inexpensive car I've ever owned. IMO the Germans over-engineer and under-build.<p>Peter 98.5 2.8QM <p>

Too many questionably rational factors in your question: but, if price & Q were not a factor, I would buy NEITHER the A4 nor the BMW. I'm not a big BMW fan (nice cars, just don't think they're reliable long term vehicles IMO). And I would not have gotten the A4 without quattro, probably. So your question just doesn't hit near the mark for me. Like Cathleen, if neither price nor quattro were an issue, I'd get a newer Porsche 911 (to go along with my '73).

Can you tell me where I can look at some of these reliability specs? thx<br>

Thanks for those comments. I'm on teh fence right now as to which to buy (A4 or 323si). Can you tell me what the E46 means. I have not run across that term yet. thx!<br>

you do not mean: price no object<p>but with out quattro probably would not get audi. <br>1 major requirement for my next car was all wheel drive, so i would probably consider another eagle talon (last car) or maybe lexus sc400. (wo all wheel drive)<p>BMW is WAAAYYY to common in toronto, i like a little exclusivity (cachet,panache,etc).<p>tough question, i need to do more research!!!<p><br>1996 a4 2.8 qms

I agree. 3 series are too common. In Vancouver too they are just about everywhere. I didn't like the E36s too much because when I was in school there were about 20 325s and 318s in my high school alone and even more in my college. I have to admit that I fell in love with the new 328 when I test-drove one, and I think the E46 is a better car than my A4 both performance and style-wise, but I need Quattro and that's why I bought it. So the question comes down to: would I buy a E46 2.8 for its performance alone? NO. But would I buy a A4 for its quattro feature alone? YES. And if I only want performance I won't rush out and buy an E46, because there are simply many good choices other than a 328i.

Well said!

<br>nt

In a simple answer to your question.<p>No I wouldn't have bought a BMW 3 over the A4, price and quattro aside.<p>Why you might ask?<p>1) I had previously owned an older Audi 5000S and <br> was quite happy with how it ran and held up.<p>2) Here in Silicon Valley BMW's, esp the 3's are <br> a dime a dozen. The Audi is (was?) a little <br> more unique and has a different character than<br> the BMW.<p> I have a good friend that has a 328i and it is<br> by all means a nice car but interior wise,<br> not quite as 'warm' as the A4. Though in the<br> new 3, I do like the more cockpit like <br> approach to the dash.<p>And yes, I would buy another Audi.<p>-randy, daring to be different<br>98.5 2.8qms<br>93 Saab 9000 CSE