Its an old joke told once too often. Yes, BMW's get stuck in the snow...rarely. My wife felt that she couldn't live without Quattro, even though she liked the BMW otherwise. So she bought an A4. But with Quattro, the BMW would have changed so much, it would no longer have the qualities I bought my Bimmer for.<p>Come on, Audi fans (include me in that group, please) how many BMW owners wish they had bought an Audi instead? And, be honest, were the price advantage of the A4 vs 3 series the other way around, how many of each would be on the road?<p>The Audi, IMO, is a great car. Love driving my wife's (when she lets me). But trade her for good? Not on your life! I got the car I wanted and she fulfilled her automotive needs.<p>On the 14 or so bad winter driving days we get in Minneapolis each year, I'm happy to drive the A4. At all other times, give me my Bimmer.<p>I don't think I've said anything bad about A4's. They undoubtedly share a lot in common with E46's. Great syling, character, sportiness, German engineering. <p>Why not be happy with your decision to buy an A4 and use this forum for sharing ideas and information about A4's without knocking the competition. <p>I'm not against comparisons as long as they are balanced. But as a frequent visitor to both Bimmer.org and this forum, I find there are a lot more silly, "My car's better than your car" comments here than there.<p>

I think you're right about A4 owners being more defensive when comparisons are being made. But it's worth noting that most BMW owners I've met are too much the opposite: i.e., they are completely convinced of BMWs' superiority, while offering few, if any, concrete or technical reasons why this is so. While it can be hard to quantify some of the qualitative "feel" issues that German car owners appreciate, there are some objective things that Bimmer owners often believe they are "above" having to know or understand. I speak from experience (see below).<p>-- David F.<br>1.8TqMS<br>'87 325is

I think most people here (and at bimmer.org) would agree that the Audi's and BMW's are very similiar compared to the rest of the Automotive world. It is this similarity that creates the "competition" feeling in the owners. It's not hostile, it's just competition. Which is the better car? depends on who you ask. Who will win the Superbowl? depends on who you ask.<p>Personally, I like both brands for the different things each brings to the table. Although, having been in So. CA for the past 12 years have turned me off to BMW's. There's just too many of them and I'm tired of seeing them. I also liked the styling of the previous generation 3-series.

a BMW and an Audi. Then they have the best and worst of both.<p> <br>

I think you will not find much debate over which is better in the snow, a 4wd car v. a 2wd car. But as it doesn't snow in where I live in California, you are going to have to come up with something more. Considering how close these cars have finished in direct comparisons it really comes down to personal preference and needs. By the way, wouldn't you enjoy it more if it was a Honda or Acura, lowered with one of those fat pipes and the really short drivers (do they actually lower their seats, it looks like it).

I own a 325iX. No way that little snow would stop it. I got out of a street spot after the January blizzard here in Chicago, when we got like 17+ inches!

I have an A4 AND a BMW. I just get a chuckle out of some things. There's nothing like the quattro in the snow and the Bimmer is my preference for dry, sunny weather (I'm in CO). Also, my wife has an Integra GS-R (no mods, sorry), so we've got that covered too. I think there are good qualities in all cars; it just depends what your needs are.<p>By coincidence, my brother in law just bought a 325ix; that's why I gave the light hearted jab. 8^)<p>Cheers!<br>CraigB<p>'98 1.8Tqm<br>'99 Z3 2.3<br>'97 Integra GS-R (wife's)

M3 came to this board starting arguments about how much better BMW was than Audi. Since then, he toned down, came to admit that he enjoyed the Audi styling better and other aspects of the Audi's, but the two makers kept getting compared and discussions still flared. There seems to be many more BMW owners who frequent this board than Audi owners who frequent the bimmer.org board. So I guess part of it is to aggitate BMW owners.... especially during the winter months when us Audi owners really have something over the BMW's..... with no chance of arguments from the BMW side.