A4 or 3series

Madame Razz

2.0 TDI A4 or 320D; which would you choose and why??

colm_mcm

what year?

Madame Razz

New

jaffa20

Skoda Superb!:p

Madame Razz

Can't be a Skoda unfort.

copacetic

new 320D, a fair but more powerful than the 170 and a lot more than the 140. Faster, handles better and rear wheel drive. Assuming they are issues that affect the buying choice?

Berty

Audi A4 2.0 TDi Sport

The 320d is badly specced unless you buy it in the UK because they are offering Free Upgrades on new BMW's.

Tea 1000

The 3-series is a long way ahead of the A4 in almost every respect, but particularly dynamically. A Passat CC is cheaper and better looking and rarer than an A4 if you must go VAG!

Gumbo

3 series for me, in M-Sport trim with a few little goodies like xenon, bluetooth and iDrive if funds allow.

Stevie Dakota

The A4 is at near the beginning of its life cycle, the 3 near the end, just something to consider.

af_thefragile

Go with the A4.
Its nicer looking and will be better specked.
BMW loves ripping people off with putting everything as an option.

And if you're looking to stretch your budget a little bit, I'ld seriously consider the Jag XF.
Much better car to either of those. Better looking, better interior, much better equipped and its a Jaaaaag!!

Berty

Then again a Lexus IS220d is only €33k or so. Like I said the A4 is a better choice IMO.

R.O.R

Irish Spec BMW's are the same as UK spec BMW's, and have been for about 5 years at this stage. Not sure why people keep trotting out the tired old line about buying a UK spec BMW because it's so much better :rolleyes:

I prefer the look of the new A4, and it is at the start of it's life cycle compared to the 3 which is near the end. Also more room in A4 interior than the 3 series.

Currently, with us in that sector the A4 is outselling the 3 series 6 to 1, so the A4 is the one to go for. Will also work out cheaper than the 3 series to own and run. I just couldn't drive an A4 manual as my left foot catches the foot rest whenever I use the clutch and that would p1ss me off everyday.

I'd rather a high spec Insignia than either of the above, but that may not be in scope.

The age old advice is - test both and see which you prefer.

bigbadbear

I'd definitely have this one!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/2.0-TDI-/201010197219580/advert?channel=CARS

washiskin

What about a SEAT Exeo?

Gophur

Two very nice cars, but two very different cars.

For dry roads, and most of the year, it would have to be BMW

for the icy roads, it's got to be the Audi.

R.O.R

betafrog wrote: »

A4 purely for the DSG

There's an A4 DSG now? News to me..................

Unless you go S-Tronic in the 3.0Tdi or S4

CoDy1

If you like driving, its got to be the BMW for me.

pajo1981

The 3 series in in a totally different league to the A4 IMO.

An A4 is just an expensive passat.

maddness

BMW is a better drive but the Audi is a better place to sit in. Mind you I've had both and now have a Skoda Superb which I reckon is miles ahead of the other two.
Mind you I agree with ROR and reckon a good Insigna is a better bet too.
Still go for the BMW out of the two though, the new A4 is common as muck.

colm_mcm

I'd be more inclined to go for a top spec repmobile than a mid spec A4, which to be fair isn't much more than a repmobile itself.

maddness

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd be more inclined to go for a top spec repmobile than a mid spec A4, which to be fair isn't much more than a repmobile itself.

Totally agree.

Ten or twenty years ago a bmw or an audi was special but now there really are just repmobiles with a posh badge and lttle else.

People look at a bmw or audi but no one notices a insigna/superb/mazda 6 etc. which for me is part of the attraction.

EPM

I'd agree. There has never been so little between rep mobiles and junior execs. The main difference is the badge these days

Madame Razz

In terms of comfort then?

Has the new type 3series improved any amount?? My memory of them is that the seats are very 'bucket like' and not so comfortable??

copacetic

Neither the 3 series or the A4 are particularly comfortable. although the A4 is a bit moreso.

Madame Razz

That's what I thought. It's for a slightly aged person with some back problems.

Vtwin

depends a lot on the engine, the 2.0tdi comes in with 4 different outputs, the BMW has 177 bhp, which is plenty, the 2.0tdi 143bhp is a great engine. Since the 5 series has dropped in price the 3 series hasnt been selling well, new facelift model looks a hell of a lot better than the old one.
I have owned both in the past, and Audi build quality is top notch, also Audi is more discrete, so I would go for the Audi.:cool:

copacetic

Vtwin wrote: »

depends a lot on the engine, the 2.0tdi comes in with 4 different outputs, the BMW has 177 bhp, which is plenty, the 2.0tdi 143bhp is a great engine. Since the 5 series has dropped in price the 3 series hasnt been selling well, new facelift model looks a hell of a lot better than the old one.
I have owned both in the past, and Audi build quality is top notch, also Audi is more discrete, so I would go for the Audi.:cool:

a new 320d has 186bhp.

However I wouldn't think either the A4 or the BMW is suitable for an older person with back issues to begin with.

Tea 1000

You couldn't pick two worse saloons than those for someone a bit older with back problems. Both would be shown up in terms of comfort by everything in the class below, and both are far too firm over rough roads at low speeds particularly, with zero benefits in the twistys from the A4 to compensate.
Either stretch to an A6 or 5-Series, or stick with the Superb, Passat, Insignia, Accord, 6, Mondeo, Avensis class of car for better value, more space, higher spec and more comfort.

Vtwin

didnt realise they had upped the power in the 320d again, that should certaintly shift. The new E220 is a gem of an engine with twin turbo- serious poke.

Tea 1000

Speaking of Merc, go for the C-Class. That'll have comfort, excellent handling, and less common and nicer looking than the Audi or BMW.
Job done!

Vtwin

Agree- Merc is tops for comfort, bit staid, but armchair driving at its best,

Tea 1000

Vtwin wrote: »

Agree- Merc is tops for comfort, bit staid, but armchair driving at its best,

All reviews for the new C-Class put it practically on par with the 3-series for handling, and with even better steering feel. That's as high a praise as it can get!
I haven't driven one yet to confirm, but usually Autocar aren't all that far off the mark, and they are biased towards Ford and BMW, so it probably pained them a bit to say the Merc was as good!

Vtwin

havnt driven one either, but had a W212 E Class for a few months and was very impressed, its right up there with the 5 series in terms of dynamics, but the power delivery was way ahead of the BM, max torque from 1400- 2800 rpm, only prob was it broke down - injectors went. BMW feels better built though.

copacetic

Tea 1000 wrote: »

All reviews for the new C-Class put it practically on par with the 3-series for handling, and with even better steering feel. That's as high a praise as it can get!

Haven't read anything like that, never mind 'all reviews'. It's a fine car, but it's not got better feel or handling than a 3 series, or even close. It's much better than the old c class though.

autocar say:

As good as a BMW, then? Not exactly. The chassis and steering feel of the 3-series isn’t quite matched by the Mercedes and that extra weight does tell; point to point we’d expect the BMW to prove both more agile and involving. The gap, while reduced, is still there.

Tea 1000

copacetic wrote: »

Haven't read anything like that, never mind 'all reviews'. It's a fine car, but it's not got better feel or handling than a 3 series, or even close. It's much better than the old c class though.

autocar say:

I'd scan in the magazine report from Autocar (which reads differently than the on-line one), but I couldn't be arsed.
You say it's not even close, professionals in the UK say it is close, which ever way the end result goes.
In any case it is more exclusive than the 3 series, has very decent handling, is comfortable, and still blows the Audi out of the water in terms of driving dynamics, which isn't difficult.

bigbadbear

Tea 1000 wrote: »

All reviews for the new C-Class put it practically on par with the 3-series for handling, and with even better steering feel. That's as high a praise as it can get!
I haven't driven one yet to confirm, but usually Autocar aren't all that far off the mark, and they are biased towards Ford and BMW, so it probably pained them a bit to say the Merc was as good!

If you go for a c-class you will feel so ****ty when after 4 years it looks like the oldest car ever. so far in it's history the C-class has always been old looking after 2 years from it's release. If you buy one you'll never forgive yourself.Great as an old second hander but not new.

Plus mercedes have the potential to ruin themselves with their new man 'designing' their new models (he is a kia man)

The Recliner

Madame Razz wrote: »

That's what I thought. It's for a slightly aged person with some back problems.

That would sum up my Dad

He has the Insignia and is very happy with it, very comfy and a lovely place to be, has a high quaility finish

Madame Razz

Family ties to both an Audi and BMW garage so it has to be A4/3series.

Plus the person in question would like the 'badge' iykim.

Is the A4 not good on twisty roads?? That would be a big factor. I know the 3 series is woeful on ice tho; nearly everybody I know with one crashed during the big freeze in January.

The Recliner

Madame Razz wrote: »

Family ties to both an Audi and BMW garage so it has to be A4/3series.

Plus the person in question would like the 'badge' iykim.

Is the A4 not good on twisty roads?? That would be a big factor. I know the 3 series is woeful on ice tho; nearly everybody I know with one crashed during the big freeze in January.

Of the two I would go for the 3 Series if they are all that is being considered, my sister had one and now that they have ditched the run flats they will be more comfortable (personally I found the 3 series comfortable and she really liked it and did a lot of milage on it including country roads)

The 3 series being rear wheel drive would be more twitchy on ice but nothing that can't be handled by being careful

Plus I think the inside of the 3 series is a nicer place to be

R.O.R

Madame Razz wrote: »

In terms of comfort then?

Has the new type 3series improved any amount?? My memory of them is that the seats are very 'bucket like' and not so comfortable??

If you are going for the 3-Series, spec the lumbar support. Without it the seats can be severly lacking support, and after long enough my back starts to ache.

Seats in the Audi are more supportive, lumbar is an option on the base and SE models - can't remember about the Sport.

copacetic

R.O.R wrote: »

If you are going for the 3-Series, spec the lumbar support. Without it the seats can be severly lacking support, and after long enough my back starts to ache.

Seats in the Audi are more supportive, lumbar is an option on the base and SE models - can't remember about the Sport.

I'd agree re the standard SE seats in a 3 series, but the sports seats are very supportive (if a bit 'bucket' like). However lumbar support if a good addition.

Rear wheel drive isn't great for ice alright, but it's not that bad either. Certainly not enough to make you crash, only issue would be getting up steepish hills.

The issue in chosing appears to be conflicting needs, comfortable and suitable for someone with a bad back, but good on the twisty stuff too.
I rec'd the 3 series earlier but would now put comfort ahead of driving enjoyment and go for a audi but not a manual. The farcical layout of the pedals forces you to be an a slight angle the whole time, so you aren't in the seat properly. A nightmare for someone with a bad back.

Stick with 17 inch wheels and spec the sport with lumbar and you have a nice setup. For me it would have to be the 170 2.0TDI avant, a little different from all the 120 saloons you see everywhere already.

Tea 1000

Madame Razz wrote: »

Family ties to both an Audi and BMW garage so it has to be A4/3series.

Plus the person in question would like the 'badge' iykim.

Is the A4 not good on twisty roads?? That would be a big factor. I know the 3 series is woeful on ice tho; nearly everybody I know with one crashed during the big freeze in January.

In a word, no. Numb as cars get.