2011 Audi a4 2.0 or bmw 3 series?

deano59

Hi - I am interested in the 2.0 litre 2011 diesel audi A4 or a 318 2 litre diesel or a 320 2.0 litre diesel.

Any ideas about which one I should go for? Years ago I heard the 318 was better than the 320 - is that still the case for a 2011 model?

Any help greatly appreciated

bazz26

In what way did you hear that a 318d is better than a 320d? They both use the same engine except the 320d is more powerful and has a larger turbo and injectors.

Have you looked at anything else other than these two? Most A4s and 3 Series over here tend to be poorly speced which imo makes them very ordinary and not worth the premium prices they fetch.

What about a Passat CC? Had one of these myself and they are a beautiful looking car and way higher spec than most A4s or 3 Series out there:

For example:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI**GT**BLUEMOTION**HI/146914252918886660/

deano59

I like the Passat cc - but I really want a bmw or Audi A4 and have narrowed it down to 3 so any help
Regarding which one is better would be really appreciated

PaulKK

Some may disagree but I would go for the bmw every time. I've had a 3 series for the last 5 years and recently bought a 2011 320d.

If you get one with a decent spec its way better than an a4. There is no comparison really, the bmw is more powerful, more economical and much better to drive.

You'll get people coming on talking about timing chains but you shouldn't have to worry about that with a 2011 one.

In my opinion of course

166man

PaulKK wrote: »

Some may disagree but I would go for the bmw every time. I've had a 3 series for the last 5 years and recently bought a 2011 320d.

If you get one with a decent spec its way better than an a4. There is no comparison really, the bmw is more powerful, more economical and much better to drive.

You'll get people coming on talking about timing chains but you shouldn't have to worry about that with a 2011 one.

In my opinion of course

You will have to take the timing chain into consideration on a 2011 car, unfortunately.

deano59

Timing chain? Only ever had to deal with timing belts after 60000 on previous cars - noob question but is it the same idea - change the timing belt after a certain amount of miles? If so - then after how many miles? Is it a huge job?

Thanks

bazz26

Lol, you must live under a rock if looking to buy a diesel BMW and not know about the infamous timing chain problem. . It's well documented at this stage.

Recent thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057379986

deano59

Never even thought about buying a BMW until yesterday - so I guess that the timing chain puts an end to that dream

James Bond Junior

Bmw appear to be replacing chains free of charge now.

I've owned an audi and 3 bmws. A 00 3 series, 04 5 series and 08 3 series. Currently driving a ford due to my circumstances but another 3 series will be bought as soon as I can! Didn't have the same urge to get back to an Audi!!

deano59

Does that mean if the timing chain goes on a 2010 or a 2011 bmw then bmw will replace it free of charge?

Does a 2010 520d have the same timing chain issue?

king_of_inismac

Wouldn't bank on BMW changing the chain unless you had a rock solid service history.

Its the same engine in the 520 as the 320 so the same risks arise.

The early n57 engines had the timing chain issue. Thought it was resolved in later years but check that yourself.

Have a 2005 320d with the m57 engine and its about to pass 200k miles and still going very strong!

bazz26

Any BMW model with the 2.0 litre diesel engine from early 2007 up to recently is potentially effected. BMW are replacing them on a case by case basis afaik so don't take it as a given that they will automatically replace it.

secman

Had an 06 320d. ... no issues with timing chain in that model , but the turbo went at 66k miles and the dual mass flywheel was going at 120k miles. Wouldn't be rushing back to BMW especially now with timing chain issues.

bazz26

Flywheels go on most modern diesel engines including VAG diesels at some stage as it's classed as a consumable. The turbo problem is a well known issue with that older BMW diesel engine but switching the turbo breather filter to the newer vortex shaped on and changing it every 2nd or 3rd oil service went along way to preventing a blockage which starves the turbo of oil.