Audi owners

manticore33 said:
I have a B5 Audi A4 and found it to be quite an enjoyable car. Compared to other imports, part costs are not bad because it shares a lot of common parts with VW's (specifically the Passet). I will admit that the German cars are more quirky than the Japanese cars, but the feel and sheer joy of driving it is superior.



The only thing I really dislike about my A4 is the lack of backseat space. Consequently, I will be selling it because I cannot fit two car seats in the back without having the steering wheel to my chest. BMW 3-series has more backseat room than the A4; not sure about the A6 versus a 5-series. So, be aware of that if you have or plan on having children.



I am personally a big fan of turbocharged vehicles and have had great success with them. The system to run the turbocharger is not that complex or hard to deal with. The biggest benefits of a turbocharged engine is typically smaller displacement with good power which will net better overall fuel economy. A sacrifice is not having 'instant' power off the line. Keep up with regular oil changes and you will be fine.
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You bring up a good point. We have our first child on the way and I just assumed I'd have room for a car seat in any back seat.
 
Danase said:
.. We have our first child on the way and I just assumed I'd have room for a car seat in any back seat.
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I haven't chimed in on this thread as my Audi exerience is primarily with the bigger ones and with different drivetrains. But I can't help but think that, just generally speaking, with a child on the way I'd be shopping for the most reliable, versatile vehicle you can get and I somehow don't think that'd be a used Audi :think: Sorry if I sound like a wet blanket...
 
Accumulator said:
I haven't chimed in on this thread as my Audi exerience is primarily with the bigger ones and with different drivetrains. But I can't help but think that, just generally speaking, with a child on the way I'd be shopping for the most reliable, versatile vehicle you can get and I somehow don't think that'd be a used Audi :think: Sorry if I sound like a wet blanket...
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This would not be the primary child taxi. We still have my wife's car for that and we are looking at getting a mini van as well. I basically want something fun to zip around town in.
 
Danase- Ah,OK, that's different then :D



Heh heh, I'm probably especially sensitive to the Audi maintenance issue as the A8 is going through a period where *something* needs fixed almost every month :rolleyes:
 
After owning both an Audi A4 (1998.5 1.8t 5speed) and BMW 3 series I can honestly say the BMW (I am in fact on my 3rd now)has been a better value.



One thing I have not seen anyone talk about so far is the suspension and wheel bearing issues AUDI has. Like clockwork, every 3/4 months I was replacing a wheel bearing, bushing or addressing some other rub sound.



By the way, google "Audi sucks" or "Audi is a lemon" vs "BMW sucks" etc etc you'll see there are MANY more unhappy Audi owners than BMW.

(Yes, I realize this is a highly unscientific method )



I loved the awd of the audi -but to be perfectly honest, my 2000 325ci was just as competent in the snow once I put a set of Blizzaks on (+Dynamic Stability control). -Plus in the summer BMW can't be beat.



In a nutshell:

Audi = Love/hate

BMW= I can't believe I was driving any other car on earth

Lexus= I want to look pretty and image is more important than actual driving





(ok that was a random lexus comment.... whoops)
 
Audi and BMWs are both fine cars. I think you'll find much more for your money with a used Audi vs a used BMW.
 
HappyWax said:
..I loved the awd of the audi -but to be perfectly honest, my 2000 325ci was just as competent in the snow once I put a set of Blizzaks on (+Dynamic Stability control). -Plus in the summer BMW can't be beat...
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IMO even AWD cars oughta have snowtires in the winter. We *always* run 'em on our Quattros same as our 2WD vehicles.



I dunno...noting that I've had a scad of Audis and a few M3s and I've driven both in all kinds of conditions; they're all nice cars, just different pros/cons to each. IMO all these "which to buy?" threads boil down to the person in question needing to find out which car *they* like and then buying what *they* want, regardless of what any of us other folks think.



Just consider the servicing because all such cars will need it (the Audis more than others IME). My Audi dealer walks on water whereas all the local BMW dealers (and independent shops) are simply *AWFUL*. One of the primary reasons we drive the vehicles we do is the availability of competent service with no surprises like cosmetic damage.
 
wfedwar said:
Audi and BMWs are both fine cars. I think you'll find much more for your money with a used Audi vs a used BMW.
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It depends on how you look at it- Right now a 1998 /1999 A4 can be found for basically 1998 / 1999 Civic/accord prices -So in a way to you do get a lot of car for the money. But in a way I think that speaks of how much people tend to shy away from them used. The market determines the price on used cars.
 
I gotta jump in here being the proud owner of a 2005 Audi A4 Turbo w/1.8T engine. I haven't had one issue with my ride since getting it in 2004. Most of the issues you hear about (sludge and all) where for model years prior to 2005 (or with the B5's and before)



You can check on the boards at Audi World or Audi Zine for plenty on information on Audi's including write-up's (how to's) on many repair procedures.



The Audi Service Manual isn't available at any local parts store but you can order one from Bently Publishers. They also have a subscription thing where you can pay a few bucks and access the manual online for a specified period of time. I've done that a couple of times when I was doing work on my car.



Buying parts from the dealership for any car is the most expensive way to go. There are specialized Audi/VW parts stores which can be found on the Internet (may be local to you) which sell genuine parts for less.



HTH



MorBiD
 
You know what?, now that I think of it, at the end of the day you're going to choose the one that you like the looks and color of best.
 
HappyWax said:
After owning both an Audi A4 (1998.5 1.8t 5speed) and BMW 3 series I can honestly say the BMW (I am in fact on my 3rd now)has been a better value.



One thing I have not seen anyone talk about so far is the suspension and wheel bearing issues AUDI has. Like clockwork, every 3/4 months I was replacing a wheel bearing, bushing or addressing some other rub sound.



By the way, google "Audi sucks" or "Audi is a lemon" vs "BMW sucks" etc etc you'll see there are MANY more unhappy Audi owners than BMW.

(Yes, I realize this is a highly unscientific method )



I loved the awd of the audi -but to be perfectly honest, my 2000 325ci was just as competent in the snow once I put a set of Blizzaks on (+Dynamic Stability control). -Plus in the summer BMW can't be beat.



In a nutshell:

Audi = Love/hate

BMW= I can't believe I was driving any other car on earth

Lexus= I want to look pretty and image is more important than actual driving





(ok that was a random lexus comment.... whoops)
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I agree with you about liking BMWs more; I liked my e39 528i a lot better then the current A4. If AWD is important, you can get the e46 3-series with AWD for a reasonable cost and I believe the back seat is bigger than the A4/S4. My wife, however, preferred the Audi since it felt "lighter" and seemed easier to drive. :nixweiss
 
manticore33 said:
I agree with you about liking BMWs more; I liked my e39 528i a lot better then the current A4. If AWD is important, you can get the e46 3-series with AWD for a reasonable cost and I believe the back seat is bigger than the A4/S4. My wife, however, preferred the Audi since it felt "lighter" and seemed easier to drive. :nixweiss
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That's probably because the E39 was one of BMW's best. I think 1998 it won "best car ever" from Edmunds.



The prices on the E39's are VERY reasonable now. If BMW would have had all wheel drive, then it would have been the best selling car.



I had a 98 540I and I wish I never sold it. I couldn't pass up the 4600 profit.
 
I have never been a fan of the 5 series (just like the 3 series size) but I'm going to look at a 2002 530i with 120,000 for $7500 seems like it might be a good deal -and frankly, the only reason I'm looking at it, is that it's a 5 speed (and might be worth a little $$ in the spring/ summer. )



Is this a good price? I'm used to the 3 series and having the demand high and therefor always able to get my money back or make a little



(I buy & redux and sell for extra money on the side)
 
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