Car choice help audi or bmw wagon?

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FoNX

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#261785 15-Dec-2019 08:56

Looking at buying a wagon and could use some input, especially from those that have owned either. Looking at 2008 to 2012 audi a4/s4 avant wagon or 2008 to 2012 bmw 335i 'm sport touring'. I have test driven both and love each equally, however a short test drive is not enough really. Both range in price from 12k to 20k. Stereo differences? Tech options ie cruise control, multimedia? Ease of use? Reliability, expense of maintenance, repair? What are they like on fuel? Thanks for the info!

Benjip

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#2375588 15-Dec-2019 09:45

Are you looking for AWD? If so, I would stick with Audi as they are the kings of AWD wagons.

davidcole

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#2375590 15-Dec-2019 10:05

Is comparing the audi and wagon, A 335i is a v6 petrol, The audi? Are you looking at the 3l tdi? Or a 2l petrol tfsi(or s4 which is a v6 petrol).

I have the A4 3l tdi v6 diesel. I did look at the 335 before buying, but preferred the idea of awd.

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FoNX

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#2375594 15-Dec-2019 10:14

Thanks for the replies, looking at the awd audi, petrol for both Audi and bmw. So for the Audi would be the 2l or the v6, bmw the v6. Have driven the 2l Audi and the bmw. Liked the smoothness of the power, didn't really feel the need for more from the audi, but the s4 is higher specced. Would still be interested in hearing your experience with the diesel variant.

networkn

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#2375625 15-Dec-2019 10:48

Benjip: Are you looking for AWD? If so, I would stick with Audi as they are the kings of AWD wagons.

I have been a 4 rings guy my entire driving career until recently where I have owned BMW's. I would say BMW xDrive is pretty much on par or better than the Quattro systems now. I do things with my xDrive I wouldn't have even attempted with my S4 AWD (though admittedly there was an age difference in the cars).

I would happily buy either (though BMW has pulled away in both interiors and what's included in their 3 series compared to the A4, and even Merc are putting in some pretty good efforts at this stage.

networkn

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#2375642 15-Dec-2019 10:51

FoNX: Thanks for the replies, looking at the awd audi, petrol for both Audi and bmw. So for the Audi would be the 2l or the v6, bmw the v6. Have driven the 2l Audi and the bmw. Liked the smoothness of the power, didn't really feel the need for more from the audi, but the s4 is higher specced. Would still be interested in hearing your experience with the diesel variant.

Take a look at a 335D xDrive. They are *exceptional* vehicles. My 335D is the best car I've ever owned (Though I am considering upgrading and will be selling my fully spec'd model soon I think), though I loved my v8 S4 too, but for different reasons. The S4 can only really come close if you find one with Dynamic Suspension (Not what they include free which is called adaptive suspension) and Sports Differential, which are very hard to find in NZ.

The BMW Adaptive M-Sport Suspension and Steering is best in class in my opinion.

Don't even consider a 335i without xDrive. I had one for 3 years, it was a nightmare. There is too much power for the amount of grip and the back wheels are always spinning, then the safety features kick in and you are stopped dead in the middle of the road. That's without giving it too many beans as well.

davidcole

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#2375705 15-Dec-2019 11:58

FoNX: Thanks for the replies, looking at the awd audi, petrol for both Audi and bmw. So for the Audi would be the 2l or the v6, bmw the v6. Have driven the 2l Audi and the bmw. Liked the smoothness of the power, didn't really feel the need for more from the audi, but the s4 is higher specced. Would still be interested in hearing your experience with the diesel variant.

Took me a bit to get used it it. I was used to a 3l v6 petrol. So having turbo was a bit different. I took a few of these for a drive, including a 2l fwd. Hated it. Also took a q5 with the same tdi as my car, it performed very differently. Must have been something weird with that one as my brother in law ended up with the same 3l tdi in a q5. And it feels like mine.

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mclean

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#2376132 16-Dec-2019 10:01

Wasn't the 335 a straight 6?

martyyn

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#2376205 16-Dec-2019 12:04

mclean:

Wasn't the 335 a straight 6?

All BMW 6's are straight 6's. They don't do V6's because they don't believe they fit their "brand" for performance.

I currently have a 1990 e34 535is which is a keeper, an e90 320d 6speed manual with motorsport goodies as a daily and an F10 535D for cruising. They are all brilliant cars in their own right.

Every time I replace a car I check out the competition and nothing ever comes close. If you really need AWD then the xdrive is fantastic. Although I'm not sure what networkn is doing to be getting such a bad ride from the standard 335i :)

networkn

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#2376211 16-Dec-2019 12:13

Haha once I'm moving it's a great car, but the lack of grip at the get go was horrifying. There's plenty said about it in BMW forums.

The xDrive is a different thing altogether, I woudn't buy a non AWD car ever again. I came from Subaru's :)

ratsun81

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#2376221 16-Dec-2019 12:30

You should also consider Skoda and VW since they are part of the same group as Audi.

I personally have had skodas and love them and will always recommend people take a look.

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#2376223 16-Dec-2019 12:35

I came from a Wrx to an f10 535, I'd thought it was going to be a huge problem but so far it's a lot less of an issue than expected, in fact I'd consider it a non-issue entirely. I must confess I haven't tried to break the back loose much, I've only had the stability control/traction control light flash up a few times in the 2 months I've had it telling me that it's doing its thing.

I'm not prone to doing much snow driving unless it snows in Christchurch and then I usually use that as an excuse to stay home.

I won't be going back to fwd any time soon but rwd with sufficient grip for my driving habits seems to be more than adequate.

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martyyn

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#2376224 16-Dec-2019 12:42

networkn:

Haha once I'm moving it's a great car, but the lack of grip at the get go was horrifying. There's plenty said about it in BMW forums.

Yeah, I have a number of friends with 335i's, some with stage 1 or 2 tunes. All bemoan the lack of LSD but none have any problems in normal driving situations.