My wife is looking at this car. We compared the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T (170 hp/5900rpm, 166/1950-5000) torque to the 2004 BMW 325xi 2.5l (184 hp/6000rpm, 175/3500 torque). Power wise, the BMW is a little peppier. It also has an inline 6 compared to the Audi's 4 cyl turbo. Mileage rating is within 1-2 mpg in favor of the Audi. Interior (I think) is better in the Audi, but the BMW has more toys and gadgets. Wind noise is greater in the Audi, as well as the body roll in corners.
weight- 325xi: 3527#, A4:3550#
oil capacities- 325xi: do not know, A4: 4.2 qts.
0-60- 325xi:8.8 sec, A4:8.7 sec. Both auto transmissions.
Both are all wheel drive-Audi has had it for about 20 years, BMW has had it 1-2 years.
4yr/50,000 mile warranty on both, as well as all maintenance included for this time.
Oil change interval- 325xi: 15,000 mi with synthetic (BMW oil), A4: 5000 mi.
Both retail around 38,000 for what we are looking at.

Any and all opinions on both-good and bad-is needed. DO NOT HOLD ANYTHING BACK!
This is a lot of money and I need to know your experiences

Thanks,
Mike

 

If you can get your hands on a 330dx over there it would really be worthwhile. Diesel 3.0l engine,inline6. They are called the "eco-M3s" over here. The smaller brother with the 2.0l engine won the 24hrs Nürburgring touring car championship.... wouldn't let the 3.0 compete due to turbo.
New version of the engine called 335 isthe same 3.0l I6 but with twin turbos stock...

On the 4x4 system: Audi has 20 years of experience, right. But the system underwent many changes since then. The Audi is still basically a 50-50 4wd with some electronic gadgets, whereas the BMW is roughly 33front 66 back- much more fun to slide it. The system was developed in Austria in cooperation with Puch Allradtechnik (and their successors) sporting 4x4 experience since the early 50ies.


AlpineRAM

 

How about steering her to a model with domestic heritage? I wouldn't buy either in respect to our WWII vets. Just my $.02 Nat

 

I would look more at the BMW than the Audi.
I am sure they are both very nice but the BMW has always been a little more reliable.
The wife is trying to talk me into a 330ci convertible.
Good luck with which ever one you choose.
Rich

 

I also would go the 330 route. That is the next car lined up for us this fall when I dump the F250. From my research I think they are the best bang for the buck.

 

Can't go wrong with the BMW. I've never been in one I didn't like. Everything just seems to be where it should be. The A4 is a little cramped on the inside IMO. Resale should be a little better with the Bimmer too.

 

I can't comment on that year, but I will say that my 1986 325, with a straight 6, 2.7L engine is absolutley the BEST car I have ever owned. It currrently has 311,000 miles on it, and I have put 158,000 miles on it myself. The thing corners like it's glued to the road and I wouldn't hesitate to jump in and go with it on a long trip at a moment's notice. I switched it to Amsoil at 175K and have run with 25K oil changes since. The engine doesn't smoke and it uses only about a quart of oil every 12.5K, when I switch out the filter anyway. I think that oil leaks out rather than being burned.
When I bought it I got a car with bent valves as the former owner did not do the maintenance of changing the timing belt (why I got it for a song). I repaired that and change it every 50K. No more problems in that area. I put a clutch in it at 173K, and now have 131,000 on that. There have been other minor problems, but nothing big, alternator, clutch master cylinder, etc.
I do have thoughts of trading, but only for something bigger and a diesel, if BMW offers one in this country.

Chris

 

Thanks for all the replies.
Alpine- They do not offer a diesel in the U.S. That was the first question I asked. The power distribution is 62 rear/ 38 front.

Natstayl- Being a U.S. Marine, I understand your sentiment. The great thing about this country, having protected its interests, is that everyone is free to make a decision. If that entails buying from a foreign manufacturer because they make a better product, I support it. With that said, if you drive a Dodge Truck, you are supporting the German economy as well, as Daimler Chrysler is a German company.

Stamey- You have some good points about the BMW, and I am changing the post title to see if I get any posts about the A4.

Thanks, Mike.

(keep the posts coming)

 

It's a shame they don't make the Passat TDI in an AWD... or do they?

 

This is the first year that they make the Passat 4motion in TDI, but it is the new (to the U.S.) 2.0l. I like the Passat, and it would be my choice, but the wife thinks that everyone has one. That is why she is not too hot on the Passat (don't get me started on THAT).

The mileage on the new Passat TDI is 35-40 mpg. Spokane has 2 on order (cannot get more than this), and 1 is sold already-sight unseen.

Mike

 

Just on the point of buying foreign etc: The Dodge RAM truck is a US truck made by a German owned company in Mexico. The parts for this vehicle come from all over the wold. (As for every other vehicle)
With a BMW your chances are good to buy a German vehicle made by a German company in Spartanburg.
Some interesting reading: http://www.bmwworld.com/bmw/assembly/spartanburg.htm

AlpineRAM

 

I guess the mileage is due to the weight. My Golf got 55 MPG !!!

 

Yes. Also due to the fact that it is a 1.9l compared to the Passat's 2.0l.

Mike

 

Mike, I thought your wife was the one shopping, why did you become defensive? I’m simply urging you, I mean her, to look again at makes whose trademarks are not foreign heritage. The cars themselves are fine automobiles but two of them have corporate trademarks of WWII airplane propellers. I think it’s the trademark that repulses me, not the product. Please don’t presume to understand my sentiment because I hardly understand it myself. What do the foreign marques offer that the domestics don’t other than a higher cost of ownership? Insurance and maintenance alone on Mercedes, BMW’s and Porsche’s far exceeds my quarterly auto budget.

Markus, The plant is between Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina two hours from here. No doubt the laborers in Spartanburg are just like me, happy to be working and wondering where have all the jobs gone. Textile plants in China have put many of my friends out of work, not the Germans and Japanese. My Michelin tires were made in Spartanburg less than 15 minutes from the BMW plant. The quality of products made in the south U.S. I think are as good as anywhere on the globe. Am I prejudiced against Germany? Nope. I hope Germany (and Austria) and every other country continue to be our allies against terrorism and wars are things of the past. I might even own a BMW or Mercedes if they would stop reminding me of WWII with their props. Nat

 

You are mistaken. I am not defensive at all. What I meant by understanding your sentiment is that I see the reasoning of not wanting to buy from a company that was building equipment to be used against us during WWII.

What does corporate trademarks of WWII airplane propellers have to do with anything? What are their props on?
What is the difference between the makes whose trademarks are of foreign heritage compared to the ones that are of our nation, but owned by a company with foreign heritage?
You have to indulge us on the prop issue, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who is missing pictures of the puzzle.

Yes- you are correct in the fact that is going to be my wife's car, but we make decisions together.

Mike