A4 Vs IS220d Vs Passat

Ban Ki Moon

teednab-el wrote: »

My 00 Audi A4 imported from the UK has much more spec than this 06 A4. That 06 A4 is a typical Irish spec model.

+1

Ban Ki Moon

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd go for the Passat.

-The A4 is too low spec compared to the other two, and it's the oldest of the three.

-I'd have a hard time stomaching the road tax on the IS.

-I like the spec on the Passat - leather, heated seats etc. - it's in the new tax bracket and it's probably still in warranty (which may be true of the Lexus too).

Almost the perfect reply except for forgetting that the A4 is the best drive

JHMEG

Ban Ki Moon wrote: »

Almost the perfect reply except for forgetting that the A4 is the best drive

Haven't driven that model A4, but it is FWD and shares a lot with the Passat. I'd say the Lexus takes the honour of best drive. At least you can do dough-nuts in it

Ban Ki Moon

JHMEG wrote: »

Haven't driven that model A4, but it is FWD and shares a lot with the Passat. I'd say the Lexus takes the honour of best drive. At least you can do dough-nuts in it

Id rather carry me granny in it:)

JJJJNR

The A4 is actually very nose heavy due to the engine being mounted ahead of the wheels, only a fanboy could think the A4 is a better car in this instance.

There's plenty of power in the 2.0 Tdi but there are obvious reasons other than the badge that makes the passat the better car here.

pburns

Ban Ki Moon wrote: »

Almost the perfect reply except for forgetting that the A4 is the best drive

Sorry but that's complete b0llix...

JJJJNR wrote: »

The A4 is actually very nose heavy due to the engine being mounted ahead of the wheels, only a fanboy could think the A4 is a better car in this instance.

There's plenty of power in the 2.0 Tdi but there are obvious reasons other than the badge that makes the passat the better car here.

+1

As he's considering the Lexus the OP's dad is obvoiusly not blinkered towards thinking German marques are higher quality. Also, the OP doesn't mention whyit's so vital to deal with Sheehys. Like I said I think an Accord would be the best buy in this segment but if it has to be one of those three the Passat is probably the best all-rounder.

maddness

Almost the perfect reply except for forgetting that the A4 is the best drive[/QUOTE]

You are kidding right?

The A4 chasis could'nt handle a wet week.

eamon234

Avoid the Passat like the plague company I work for bought 50 odd in 2007 had nothing but trouble with them - replaced them all last year with the Avensis ugly and all as it is it's reliable and the spec is far better for the money.
I'd go for the Audi myself though.

catiny

anything but the lexus!!

bazz26

catiny wrote: »

anything but the lexus!!

Wow, that's it settled them.

spartacus93

Thanks for all the replies lads. Had a closer look at a few over the weekend. Have plenty to be thinking about!

bazz26 wrote: »

The 1.9 TDi doesn't have a bad reputation, it is just an old engine originating back to the begining of the 1990s. These days it is unrefined, noisy, has a very narrow power band and not particularly quick despite what some of the fans say. On the plus side it is tried and tested technology, doesn't have fancy common rail injectors or dual mass flywheels which fail regularly on modern day diesel engines. Given the choice though I would still pass on it.

If you do not need alot of space would your father consider a Volvo S40 2.0d? The SE spec is pretty decent which includes, climate control, leather seats, cd changer, etc. The 2.0d is a Peugeot/Citroen Hdi unit with 136bhp. For the same prices as those 3 you would probably be looking at a 2008 on the new tax system. Down sides are that rear leg room is a bit tight and access to the boot is narrow being based on the Ford Focus. Volvo parts and servicing are also on the expensive side.

Thanks Bazz.

They have a 08 S40 for ok money. Nice car, not sure if i'd take one over a Passat to be honest.

JHMEG wrote: »

I think the class leaders are BMW (eg 320D) and Honda (eg Accord 2.2). (BMWs had a propensity for blowing turbos tho, dunno if that's still the case)

Cheers, thanks. Must look into the Accord more.

copacetic wrote: »

Just a note that the IS can be a bit impractical as it can't be spec'd with folding rear seats. So anyone who does a bit of diy or ever wants to carry anything long (flatpack furniture etc) should rule it out straight away.

I did not know that. Not a problem, but it's a bit odd.

malcox wrote: »

I dont agree on that, maybe an a6 wannabe allrite. An a4 is cramped and small. The new passat is way way more spacious. A4 is bog standard too, no rear elecs in a 06 executive class car..

Madness!

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd go for the Passat.

-The A4 is too low spec compared to the other two, and it's the oldest of the three.

-I'd have a hard time stomaching the road tax on the IS.

-I like the spec on the Passat - leather, heated seats etc. - it's in the new tax bracket and it's probably still in warranty (which may be true of the Lexus too).

Cheers Chris, you make a good argument.

pburns wrote: »

Also, the OP doesn't mention whyit's so vital to deal with Sheehys. Like I said I think an Accord would be the best buy in this segment but if it has to be one of those three the Passat is probably the best all-rounder.

That's irrelevant, will only be buying off Sheeys tho (Naas or Carlow). I doesn't have to be one of them 3 by any stretch, but there's a good chance it will be, or something very similar.

catiny wrote: »

anything but the lexus!!

Let me guess, a Range Rover, Discovery, Saab, or an A4?

Scienceless

bazz26 wrote: »

The IS220d engine is a bit unrefined for this class of car and gearing is very odd unless you go for the Sport model

What do you mean by that exactly?

sundodger5

i think he means that first is very short and 6th is useless below 120kmh. at 120kmh you will be doing around 1800rpm the engine is labouring below that.
i find engine ok. bit tail happy when pushing on though.

Fishtits

In fairness, the Lexus is the honest offering here.

VAG have dumped dirty engines on us for years, we have been on average 2 years behind the German market in terms of CO emissions, and even then they were nothing spectacular ...

PPS, are VAG still using a timing belt?

Disclosure: Mrs Fishtits has a 150K Golf tdi with no faults. I hate the damn thing, it has to be the roughest, nose heavy, wallowy machine ever built.

But its never let her down...