A4 or E36
08-02-2006, 04:59 PM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
A4 or E36
My current daily is an 95 318is.
Mileage is getting high and I need to do a swap on a budget.
I'm finding I can buy a 2000 A4 for just a little more than a 98 3 series.
The BMW is really fun to toss around.
Would I be disappointed with the Audi?
Is it a boring family car?
Thanks
Rod
Mileage is getting high and I need to do a swap on a budget.
I'm finding I can buy a 2000 A4 for just a little more than a 98 3 series.
The BMW is really fun to toss around.
Would I be disappointed with the Audi?
Is it a boring family car?
Thanks
Rod
08-02-2006, 05:14 PM
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Rod
I have an e46 00 323i & a 02 A4. The BMW (5 sp) is more tossable, with an overall lighter feel & it's geared very aggressively - i.e. it makes you want to drive fast. It's jerky though trying to rev match when shifting in lower gears.
The A4 (auto with tip) feels heavier & is definitely not as tossable. A great highway blaster & quieter. Driving with the tip, it shows its aggressive side but not in the same keague as the BMW. More lux than the BMW in fit & feel.
Ian
I have an e46 00 323i & a 02 A4. The BMW (5 sp) is more tossable, with an overall lighter feel & it's geared very aggressively - i.e. it makes you want to drive fast. It's jerky though trying to rev match when shifting in lower gears.
The A4 (auto with tip) feels heavier & is definitely not as tossable. A great highway blaster & quieter. Driving with the tip, it shows its aggressive side but not in the same keague as the BMW. More lux than the BMW in fit & feel.
Ian
08-03-2006, 02:32 AM
#3
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The 2000 A4 is a nice family car that doesn't have the soul of an e36.
08-03-2006, 02:54 AM
#4
Intermediate
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its hard to say which you would like better. AWD is nice but the BMW will drive better...however the Audi will be nicer inside and you will probably get a Bose stereo system. In my experience Audis are more prone to electrical problems than BMWs but after my 2002 745i I do not know if that is really true. I do not know if you are getting a stick or an auto but the S4 and A4 that I have driven of that era have a very very rubbery feeling manual transmission...I hated it but that was just me. Tough choice...maybe I would chooce the BMW. Also which engines would you be looking at because 328i would be an easy choice over a 1.8T A4, but it gets more comparable with a 2.8 A4
08-03-2006, 06:24 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
never have an audi. I used to have a 325 E36 and loveddd it. There are so much to do with it but if you ask me either an E36 or an old 911, I would drive an old 911, even daily.
08-03-2006, 10:18 AM
#7
Race Car
Thread Starter
Thanks for your input.
Everyone supported my thoughts exactly.
Except for Audi electrical being worse than BMW. Now that's bad.
I really enjoy my 318is. At 3000lbs it feels a lot lighter. It has enough power as I'm pretty much all highway. The fuel mileage is outstanding as I'm doing 1000km/week.
BTW I do about 350/wk of that distance in the 911.
I'll keep looking for a low mileage E36.
Thanks
Everyone supported my thoughts exactly.
Except for Audi electrical being worse than BMW. Now that's bad.
I really enjoy my 318is. At 3000lbs it feels a lot lighter. It has enough power as I'm pretty much all highway. The fuel mileage is outstanding as I'm doing 1000km/week.
BTW I do about 350/wk of that distance in the 911.
I'll keep looking for a low mileage E36.
Thanks
Trending Topics
08-03-2006, 12:02 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rod:
I am on my second 3-series Bimmer used for daily driving and love it. They have been very reliable, even at 13 years old, and still look great too. Way in the past I owned an Audi GT Coupe and sold it after constantly chasing electical glitches for 3 years. Nice car but not nearly the quality or fun of my Bimmers. Laslty, my daughters old boyfriend has a newer A4 in green that looks great. The best part though is he asks me every so often when we bump into eachother if I'm interested in selling my Bimmer.
Eric
I am on my second 3-series Bimmer used for daily driving and love it. They have been very reliable, even at 13 years old, and still look great too. Way in the past I owned an Audi GT Coupe and sold it after constantly chasing electical glitches for 3 years. Nice car but not nearly the quality or fun of my Bimmers. Laslty, my daughters old boyfriend has a newer A4 in green that looks great. The best part though is he asks me every so often when we bump into eachother if I'm interested in selling my Bimmer.
Eric
08-03-2006, 05:35 PM
#14
Race Car
Thread Starter
Pete,
I just can't bring myself to driving a FWD. I enjoy sliding in the snow too much and I spend too much time on the road.
This is why I thought I could go to the A4.
I did look at the TDI's but I understand there can be expensive repairs.
Usually I buy a car with a bit over 100,000 km, drive it for 2 years, and then sell it for a loss of around $4,000.
Rod
I just can't bring myself to driving a FWD. I enjoy sliding in the snow too much and I spend too much time on the road.
This is why I thought I could go to the A4.
I did look at the TDI's but I understand there can be expensive repairs.
Usually I buy a car with a bit over 100,000 km, drive it for 2 years, and then sell it for a loss of around $4,000.
Rod
08-03-2006, 05:42 PM
#15
Pro
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rod,
I second Pete's VW suggestion. I have a 2002 VW Jetta VR6 and it's a blast to drive. No problems in 66,000 miles. Almost the same car as the Audi A6. Has 5 speed, all leather, alloy wheels, and lots of power.
Ron
I second Pete's VW suggestion. I have a 2002 VW Jetta VR6 and it's a blast to drive. No problems in 66,000 miles. Almost the same car as the Audi A6. Has 5 speed, all leather, alloy wheels, and lots of power.
Ron