Let me first start off my saying that I am the current of owner of a 2001 B5 A4 1.8T.....I've had it for almost 8 years once this July hits and it's been a great car. I've got 125k miles on it right now and i'm currently in the market for another car. I would love to purchase another Audi, but it's just so underpowered when comparing it to the other cars in it's class.

I am considering either the Lexus IS350, BMW 335 coupe/sedan (not sure which I want yet), or of course the Audi A4. I'm currently leaning towards the IS350 because I could get into one for about $40,000 with 306hp, navigation, luxury package. The Audi A4 3.2 that is similarly equipped would cost me about 42,000 but would be wayyyy under powered at only 255hp. I just don't get why Audi doesn't get with the rest of the industry and offer the same amount of power as the others in it's class. The BMW 335 sedan has 300hp and will cost me about 45,000 which is pretty high.

So my question to you guys is.........what other cars did you guys consider before buying your Audi and what were the main reasons you chose the "underpowered" A4 for? I know you guys will be somewhat biased but I would love to hear your opinions because i'm really on the fence on which one to go with.

For me the V6 has always been a non-starter and with the B8 the 2.0T is clearly the superior mill, so that'll up the value of the A4 relative to the competition considerably. It's nice to have so many AWD choices available in the segment finally. The BMW offering is always going to have the better driving dynamics out of the box, but the premium for that is pretty high and the A4 comes pretty close for considerably less IMHO.

For me the biggest positives for the B8 A4 are:

1) First A4 since the B5 that I find to be appealing/beautiful from a design standpoint.

2) Technology wise there is some very interesting stuff going on with the 2.0T. That's a lot of grunt with excellent fuel economy which has become even more important recently. And the 3.0TDI is super compelling since it turns that power/economy ratio up to 11.

3) The interiors in the Audi are superior to anything else in the segment and I do like me some luxury now and then.

4) The B8 Avant is dead sexy.

5) They finally got porky to drop a quarter ton

6) The revised drive-train layout should improve the vehicle dynamics quite a bit.

I do like the styling of the A4 too, but coming from a 1.8T which i'm sure you know just as much as I do is lacking in the power department. That's why I want my next car to have enough power to satisfy my needs. I definitely like a little luxury as well and I think either the IS350 or Audi A4 are better in that department over the 335i. Decisions, decisions.

Significantly more torque than the 1.8T in our cars... it's not far from a B5 S4 in terms of output but it's got a much lighter engine. I wouldn't discount the turbo four without giving it a try.

Since AWD is a deal maker or breaker for me, the only car I seriously, well, sortof seriously, considered was the Infiniti GX -- deck one to the max and it will likely be within the range of the upcoming A4 2.0T (fully decked out) -- and it will have over 300HP (but remember, the torque is what you feel, even if it is not what you buy.)

The Infiniti G35X (see the glitzy pics of the 2009) is, in some ways, superior to the A4 -- yet despite multiple test drives: the new A4 vs the CTS vs the BMW 5 vs the A6 vs the G -- I went with the A4 BECAUSE it got so damn close to the size of my current 2005 A6 3.2, which is certainly "adequately" powered (and because there is "something" about the feel of an Audi, and the Infiniti can't quite muster that feel, yet.)

If I wanted the bragging rights re HP, I would probably chose between the CTS and the G, the A6 and 5 are so much more expensive and I'm convinced the new A4 is close enough to being a full on LPS, rather than "just" an ELPS, that I can't justify the uptick in MSRP.

Besides the A6 with the blown engine will be here too late -- my lease is already over and I'm coasting on my "one time 6 month extention."

Still the Infiniti G (if AWD and MSRP are of any consequence to you) is the ONLY (he said as if he were right) alternative.

Now, then, IF the new Saab X cars would be, er, about $5,500 less or so, MAYBE, just for the "sentimental" vote.

Make is $6,500 less.

I'm sticking with the all optioned out B8 A4 2.0T and praying for the promised power and smoothness -- for, I agree, the 3.2 is underpowered (regarding torque to nearly 5K rpm.)

And, while I'm waxing -- the upcoming S4 will certainly be a highly desirable car, but it will be more $$$ than the BMW 335xi -- at that point, depsite the extra inches in the wheel-base the S4 will probably be too expensive.

Got it?

I just don't get why so many people are hung up on HP numbers. I think there are very few cars on the market that can compare in fit and finish and quality of materials used as Audi does. That alone means alot in my decision making purchase.

Everyone says that this is THE engine to get in the B8 A4, even the people on top gear said thats the best, see a few posts below. With rising fuel prices and the excellent performance from the TDI it seems as though it is definitely better than any of the petrol engines on offer.

However, the current 2.0t is enough power for me. Coming from a 1.8t VW which is lighter and faster than the audi version, the 2.0t is much quicker. All this with over 30mpg on the highway. If the current turbo 4 is this good, I can't wait to drive the next one with mega-torque and better efficiency...go for the a4!

Even though the "new" V6 will be similar in output, the redesigned B8 will be a lot nicer than the B7. I'd wait until this fall and then pass judgement. Moreover, the IS is getting a mild facelift this fall. Speaking of the Lexus, I went from a 2003 A4 1.8T to a 2008 IS250. I like the Audi better. It drives sportier, feels more solid, is better finished inside, and is more exclusive/rare. The Lexus looks stylish and is plush, but isolating and everyone has one around here (ho-hum). It's certainly not a bad vehicle, but it's no German ride. I had no choice due to an accident with the A4. But if the new one was out, I would have gone for the Audi. Now I am waiting till my IS lease runs out to return to the Audi fold. Use my story as something to go by. The asian cars are just not the same as the German cars. As far as BMW, they fail in my book due to their cold coold interiors. Good luck with your choice.

It's not about HP "numbers" it's about POWER. Sometimes you just want that extra ummphh while you are on the freeway to pass up cars, get into a passing lane because someone is driving too slow on your lane, or you are at a red light and need to switch over to the next lane so you can get somewhere but you need some extra ummph so you can gas it and get over in time.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not only looking at HP numbers and making my decision, but at the same time, for relatively the same price......why should I settle for a underpowered car? I do love the look and feel of how Audi cars are made, but I wouldn't say that the Lexus or BMW is by any means a low quality/fit/finish car either.

The 3.2L A4 is plenty quick for typical street driving. Hell, even my 2002 A4 3.0L with a lowly 220hp never felt underpowered to me, unless I was hammering on it. Even then, it was never really disappointing. You just can't expect it to be a physics-defying rocket ship.

It's funny that you say that, however I see that many of people on these forums "upgrade" or "mod" their cars to make it..........go faster. I see you have a stage 1 on your A6. I am not expecting a physics-defying rocketship, but for the amount of money I am spending I do expect it to be up to par with all the other cars within it's same class.

I'm not planning on doing any street racing, but when I do want to do some spirited driving on occasion I would like for my car to put a smile on my face as opposed to saying......."damn, I wish my car was faster". You know what I mean?

You pointed out my A6, which is probably a good example. Stock, it was certainly fast enough to put a smile on my face, but for the $600 I paid to have it tuned, how could I resist? :)

Whatever happened to him? Did he finally get banned from AudiWorld? If so, HALLELUIAH!!!!!!!!!! to that! :) ROTFLMDO!!!!!

Stop making stuff up