What Car? Audi or BMW

stepbar

Folks,

I'm in the market for a new(er) car. What i'm looking at specifically is the

Audi A3 (2000 onwards) / A4's (2001 onwards)

and

BMW 3 series (Coupe and Saloon 1999 onwards new shape).

I really have a preference for the 3 Series Coupe but TBH I think a lot of them are overpriced.

How in ever, lets say you had about 11k to spend (realistically) which car would you be throwing the eye over if you are looking at the entire picture (i.e Maintence Costs, MPG, Car Tax)

And what's the view on buying in the North, Good / Bad / Indifferent? (If anyone has the link for buying cars from the UK can you post it up).

Thanks

Oilrig

Audi vs BMW... here we go, ho hum.

watsgone

I dont claim to know any thing about cars. But if you would like this girls view, Audis are to flashy are a a penny to a dozen on the road, a bmw is classer and more refined.

JHMEG

There you go. BMW it is then. If only everything in life was so simple.

listermint

watsgone wrote: »

I dont claim to know any thing about cars. But if you would like this girls view, Audis are to flashy are a a penny to a dozen on the road, a bmw is classer and more refined.

bmw's arent 10 a penny on the road???? emmm.........:rolleyes:

Audi's very refined, alot of a4's out there though, alot.

bazz26

OP what size engine are you looking at in these cars. This will have a big bearing on people's suggestions here.

stepbar

Realistically between 1.8L and 2.5L.

yayamark

Well i've driven audis more than ive driven bmw's but i've sat in a lot of bmw's and i just dont like the interiors of bmw's, i think the audi finish inside is a better one.

Im thinking of selling my audi A4 its a 02 audi and upgrading to a 04 Audi. so pm me if interested.

bazz26

Realistically it would have to be BMW then either a 320i/323i petrol or 320d diesel. These engines would be superior to anything similar Audi would have in comparision imo.

The straight six BMWs have a nice sound to them but if going for a 320d try and avoid the late 2001 to 2003 model as they suffered from premature turbo failure, expensive to put right.

I would say the way the second hand market is at the moment, now would be the time to buy a large engined petrol motor on the cheap.

TomMc

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=1&xMakeID=1&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=7&xModelID=7&Doors=&BodyID=&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Alfa GTV)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=8&xMakeID=8&ModelID=66&xModelID=66&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E (Fiat Coupe)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=10&xMakeID=10&ModelID=95&xModelID=95&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E (Honda Prelude)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=22&xMakeID=22&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=303&xModelID=303&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Pug 406)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=31&xMakeID=31&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=262&xModelID=262&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Toyota Celica)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=19&xMakeID=19&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=168&xModelID=168&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Mits FTO)

If you prefer a coupe then the world is your oyster, although bills/running costs will to a large extent depend on engine cc - Don't think German by default - Life is too short!:D

(& If the added practically of a saloon or estate is not really required as such).

JHMEG

TomMc wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=1&xMakeID=1&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=7&xModelID=7&Doors=&BodyID=&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Alfa GTV)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=8&xMakeID=8&ModelID=66&xModelID=66&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E (Fiat Coupe)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=10&xMakeID=10&ModelID=95&xModelID=95&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E (Honda Prelude)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=22&xMakeID=22&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=303&xModelID=303&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Pug 406)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=31&xMakeID=31&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=262&xModelID=262&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Toyota Celica)

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&MakeID=19&xMakeID=19&ColourID=&xColourID=&ModelID=168&xModelID=168&Doors=&BodyID=4232&Engine_Min=&Year_Min=&Engine_Max=&Year_Max=&Price_Min=&Price_Min_integer=Minimum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&CountyID=&xCountyID=&Price_Max=&Price_Max_integer=Maximum+price+entered+was+not+an+integer.&BusinessID=&xBusinessID=&IsPrivateSale=&FuelID=&Mileage_Max=&Mileage_Max_integer=Max+mileage+entered+was+not+an+integer.&SortBy=MakeAsc&MaxRows=50&InsertPeriod=&ResultFormat=&submit=Find+%3E%3E (Mits FTO)

If you prefer a coupe then the world is your oyster, although bills/running costs will to a large extent depend on engine cc - Don't think German by default - Life is too short!:D

(& If the added practically of a saloon or estate is not really required as such).

None of those have badge. OP wants a badge.

Rowley Birkin QC

JHMEG wrote: »

None of those have badge. OP wants a badge.

316 it is then, knock yourself out.
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&sortby=PriceAsc&maxrows=50&MakeID=3&ModelID=18&Year_Min=2001&Year_Max=2002&GroupID=738

Yawn.

Alfa GTV for me I think, my mind has been changed about them lately since I saw a youtube of a 3.0 Irish GTV going up the Stelvio Pass.

watsgone

JHMEG wrote: »

There you go. BMW it is then. If only everything in life was so simple.

Why over complicate things

RobAMerc

Almost every BMW in the range dynamically outshines its Audi counterpart, I agree the interiors of the Audi's are a nice place to be and they are very well screwed together - but as a keen driver its got to be the BMW - only the R8 and latest TT come close to anything BMW have on offer as drivers cars.

Personally I also would look at some of the ones TomMc suggested - the 406 coupe is stunning, good to drive and a nice place to be in generally. ( although 2.0 is totally underpowered )

Biro

watsgone wrote: »

Why over complicate things

Remember that next time you're wondering what to wear!

craichoe

Bimmers seem to have more extras included as standard, to get the audi with the same spec adds on a hefty price tag

Mc-BigE

3series 320d or 320i, but for 11k, might be looking at a high mileage 2004 6 speed 320d model (to avoid the already mentioned turbo problems)

to match the bmws road handling, might also consider a quattro 1.8t A4 or 1.9/2.5TDI quattro (rare car and probably UK import)

watch out for suspension wear on bmw and audi (more expensive on the audi then bmw as more arms to replace)

wait till after 1 july before buying any of the above, as a lot of these will be traded in.
and haggle like fcuk!

geoff29

i know a few bmws that have gone boom...

its the magazines that go on about them - but they arent the ones forking out the $$$. I remember reading about the V8s in the 90s - best engine ever etc. - but in reality oil sludge city!!

im undecided on anything VW/audi at the mo - from friends I have totally mixed views of reliability. I have heard of A3s giving problems (what though I cant remember) - and yet I know others who swear by the A4 even though its essentially the same car..!!

of all the cars around - i expected the new passat to be a winner - but its reliability has apparently been woeful.. VW not doing well in usa either in this respect.

but anyway, if you do insist on a bmw - i would not buy one with more than 65k on it - and more than most other cars i would want a fsh - cooling probs and head gaskets do go... ie, you'll have to spend some for a good one

Eoin

craichoe wrote: »

Bimmers seem to have more extras included as standard, to get the audi with the same spec adds on a hefty price tag

I don't know about Audis, but BMW do not come well equipped as standard.

stretchaq

i would like to know as mentioned above where you can get a 320d for 11k,

i will admit BMW are a fantastic car i have had three 2 nr. 318is( eats petrol)
316(to slow) purchased a Audi A4 last year (which is now for sale on adverts 2001) 130bhp 1.9 diesel and can say for the money beemers are just overrated

Audi
50mpg
130bhp
cheaper insurance tax and services and none of the trouble associated with earlier year 320d i am currently selling mine and buying a 2004 one think they are a fantastic car

watsgone

Biro wrote: »

Remember that next time you're wondering what to wear!

ha, if its clean and it fits thats all I need!!

From what I gather bmws are more of an investment its rare to see a audi from the early nintys or the eightens.
The few(few) bmw s I have been in have a nice interior, the audi's interior is nice to, maybe more on the comforter side.

NiSmO

This post has been deleted.

watsgone

NiSmO wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Yup

mark_eire

I'm selling my silver 2001 Audi s3

MODEDIT: on adverts. ie, please

unkel

eoin_s wrote: »

BMW do not come well equipped as standard.

Traditionally they didn't. The old term "poverty spec" springs to mind. But since BMW bought back the distributorship in Ireland a good few years ago, BMWs here have the same standard spec as UK cars. Which is pretty good as the UK market demands good specs (more so than any other EU market).

If comparing two competing cars, e.g. a low end BMW 3-series and a low end Audi A4, you'll have to take it on a case by case basis though...

stepbar

Thanks for the views so far. It would seem that the view is the Audi's are more comfortable and have a better spec overall than the BMW's. How in ever style would be more important to me. As long as it looks well I'm happy enough. Not too bothered about what toys come with it. I suppose my main issue is the cost of maintence. In an ideal world I'd like a car that's easily maintained (one service a year thanks very much) and won't cost the sun and the earth to run (40 - 50 mpg).

unkel

stepbar wrote: »

It would seem that the view is the Audi's are more comfortable and have a better spec overall than the BMW's. How in ever style would be more important to me. As long as it looks well I'm happy enough. Not too bothered about what toys come with it. I suppose my main issue is the cost of maintence. In an ideal world I'd like a car that's easily maintained (one service a year thanks very much) and won't cost the sun and the earth to run (40 - 50 mpg).

All you seem to be interested in is a low budget low end trouble free car WITH A PREMIUM BADGE. You're not that interested in spec. All the cars you mentioned are fine. Test sit in them and you'll know which to buy.

Mind you won't get 40-50MPG in any of them with a petrol engine. You will get that kinda mileage with a diesel engine, but you'd be pushing to find one within your budget.

Eoin

unkel wrote: »

All you seem to be interested in is a low budget low end trouble free car WITH A PREMIUM BADGE. You're not that interested in spec. All the cars you mentioned are fine. Test sit in them and you'll know which to buy.

Mind you won't get 40-50MPG in any of them with a petrol engine. You will get that kinda mileage with a diesel engine, but you'd be pushing to find one within your budget.

You'd easily get a tidy 2000 320d for 11K. My old one is going for less in a dealer, and I'd like to think it was a good example.

HJL

eoin_s wrote: »

You'd easily get a tidy 2000 320d for 11K. My old one is going for less in a dealer, and I'd like to think it was a good example.

Does the 136 bhp 320d have any known problems?
Being casually browsing them on websites, thinking of potential next cars
when the funds allow a change!

stretchaq

what is your price on the 318ci my audi is currently for sale im looking out for another A4 bout 04 but maybe ci is it m tech heres the audi

MOEDIT: oh no, it isn't

Eoin

HJL wrote: »

Does the 136 bhp 320d have any known problems?
Being casually browsing them on websites, thinking of potential next cars
when the funds allow a change!

Certainly not to the extent of the turbo problems on the 150bhp one. I had a few expensive bills, but the mileage was 120K, so you'd expect a few things like that.

Mc-BigE

eva11 wrote: »

I've a 2004 BMW 318 Ci SE Coupe for sale if your interested???
MODEDIT: sales ad deleted.

for 11k?

S.I.R

stepbar wrote: »

Folks,

I'm in the market for a new(er) car. What i'm looking at specifically is the

Audi A3 (2000 onwards) / A4's (2001 onwards)

and

BMW 3 series (Coupe and Saloon 1999 onwards new shape).

I really have a preference for the 3 Series Coupe but TBH I think a lot of them are overpriced.

How in ever, lets say you had about 11k to spend (realistically) which car would you be throwing the eye over if you are looking at the entire picture (i.e Maintence Costs, MPG, Car Tax)

And what's the view on buying in the North, Good / Bad / Indifferent? (If anyone has the link for buying cars from the UK can you post it up).

Thanks

you can't go wrong with either tbh, though generally the older the audi/bmw the better but thats just me

just make sure it has a Full service history and is in immac mechanical order as though there very relyable... every car breaks down now and again and the important thing is to keep your costs low without making the car suffer...

eaiser said then done.

stepbar

stretchaq wrote: »

what is your price on the 318ci my audi is currently for sale im looking out for another A4 bout 04 but maybe ci is it m tech heres the audi

http://www.nosales here

Stop pimping your car. If I was interested I would have contacted you by now :rolleyes:

LolaDub

As a girl i think both cars are lovely but the bmw is definitely flashier. I think used audis are more reasonable. Audis are generally more understated and both are common enough. I used to drive a 00 a6 and the clutch was very very heavy. I drove a friends 99 a4 and it was the same so i would definitely test drive both and see what you think. I had pretty much no trouble with my a6. If it was me i'd go with th bmw but i know my boyfriend would go for the audi.

stepbar

LolaDub wrote: »

As a girl i think both cars are lovely but the bmw is definitely flashier. I think used audis are more reasonable. Audis are generally more understated and both are common enough. I used to drive a 00 a6 and the clutch was very very heavy. I drove a friends 99 a4 and it was the same so i would definitely test drive both and see what you think. I had pretty much no trouble with my a6. If it was me i'd go with th bmw but i know my boyfriend would go for the audi.

Interesting thoughts there from a female perspective. Not so worried about a heavy clutch in a car. My Clio has this problem and it doesn't really bother me too much. Actually I find it easier to control TBH. So far I've drove the Audi A3 (1998) and the A4 (2002 & 2004). TBH I'm actually more inclined towards the A4 at the moment having drove the A3 and all. However, the light clutch is hard to get used to. The first A4 I drove felt like I was driving a car on Nitro Gas ( I tend to drive hard ). Haven't drove a BMW yet so that maybe clouding my judgement. So much to think about

LolaDub

There is a lot, just test drive both and get a feeling then make up your mind later. Around town traffic the clutch on that a6 was murder. Recently i drove a saab 93 and i think that was a better car.