BMW 330ci, 225ci, S4,or A4? Which one

L

LouisanaJeeper

New member
BMW 330ci, 325ci, S4,or A4? Which one



I am thinking about one of these cars for my next car (probably a 2001+, <60k, ~25K price). Needs: stylish, excellent handeling, adequate power. I think the S4 and 330ci will be about the same performance wise and price wise and I will most likely keep them a while. The A4 or 325ci will be a bit cheaper, a little less perfomance but I think it will depreciate a good bit more than the other two when I sell it.



Anyone have any real world experience with these cars? How is the insurance on these?, are they listed as sports cars or like passenger cars as far as insurance is concerned.
 
330ci, i think it looks amazing and has tons of power and the handeling with the sport package is awesome, but i am biased towards bmws.
 
Really, you can't go wrong either way. BMW hold there value a bit better than Audi's. 330ci or S4?? Geez, I wish I had your problem!
 
I'd go with the S4. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices, but the last S4s with the turbos are pretty sweet. They are a great sleaper car, and I love those huge wide spoked wheels.
 
S4 I guess, as long as you have to give up your Jeep. You could get a used newer style Grand Cherokee (WJ) with the HO V8. Well, either way I hope you still visit JU. ;)



Bucky
 
I will offer my completely unbiased opinion. :o Get the S4!



I love mine. Fantastic build quality, interior fit and finish second to none. The engine is sweet. It plain hauls booty! And this is in completely stock form. There are a myriad of ways to mod the S4. Handling and traction in ALL weather is supreme.



Had mine three years with zero problems. It's a keeper. :xyxthumbs



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I love BMWs, but I own an Audi. I'd say 330ci vs. A4, I'd go with 330ci without a doubt. 330ci vs. S4, I'd have to go with the S4. For a used car it's going to depend on condition of course, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options.
 
I guess it comes down to your overall expectations. We have an Audi A4 and a BMW M Coupe. Audi's have interiors that are nearly flawless and everything feels great. BMW's have reasonable interiors, but generally look and feel a little cheaper.



However, Audi's tend to be a little softly sprung in stock form, even the S cars and the steering is very light with very little feedback, most of this can be corrected with better suspension and better tires, but it's still apparent. Stock BMW's, especially with the sports suspension are much better buttoned down and have nearly perfect steering. In everything but snow, stock for stock, BMW's are easier to drive fast than Audi's.



As for maintenance, S4's are a bit costly due to the turbos, and our Audi is struck with the usual VW/Audi electrical gremlins. The BMW, even being an M, has been much less trouble prone. Neither are especially cheap to maintain however.



Having said all of that, we're looking to replace the A4 with an S4 avant (wagon). We really prefer the style of the B5, last generation A4, to the current B6 and much more than the E46, current 3 series. So for us at least, it comes down to style having a higher priority over the above listed things. Hope this helps!



Ben
 
I have owned a e46 325i (5-spd) and currently have a e46 328i (automatic – wife’s car). I have driven extensively my brother’s A4 1.8t (last generation) and have driven a few times my brother’s current generation A4 Avant with the 1.8t.



You can’t go wrong with any of the cars you have mentioned. BMW’s and Audi’s are very similar yet very different in subtle ways. Drive all and decide which you like better.



The Audi’s are front wheel drive (unless you elect for the Quattro) and the BMW is rear wheel drive (except for the ix models). This leads to some different handling characteristics if driven hard. In general in stock form the Audi’s will be softer riding than the BMW’s. The Audi steering is lighter and has less feed back (except for the 2001 3 series BMW’s, which is when BMW upped the boost on the power steering – basically killing the connected feeling they had going and achieved a much lighter less feed back feel….they got blasted so hard that for the 2002 model they went back to how it was on the 2000). As for interiors it really is a personal preference as both are functional just different in the way they handle things.



If you are into tuning and after market modifications the A4’s with a 1.8t or the S4 are the cars to have because of the turbo charging they are more easily modified. Consider this when looking for a used car also, even if you are not going to modify it, as many A4 1.8t owners have attempted at one time or another to make their car like an S4 or an RS4 (not available in the US) which may indicate the car has lived a hard life.



The Audi’s (except for the S4) don’t hold their value as well as the BMW’s therefore they are cheaper on the used market and probably a better buy performance for the $$ wise. There are many options for both the BMW and Audi’s which greatly change the price when new. Look for the options you want on the car. The sports packages on both cars offers bigger and more aggressive wheels and suspensions. Have fun deciding, as you really can’t make a bad choice.
 
Out of these choices, S4 for sure. Or as Snoop would say, "S-fizzle fo' shizzle!" :lol:



The S4 is much more of a driver's car than the 330ci is, IMO. The power of the S4 bi-turbo is incredible, and the suspension is firm, but relatively compliant. The S4 was meant to compete with the M3, and the A4 2.8/3.0 with the 330ci.



The world of modifications with the S4 is incredible. If you're into modifying your car, the S4 is definitely the way to go.



-Bob
 
Ugh.. I WISH i had your dilemma.. damn.. some people have all the luck.. I'd be happy with a 325...



But anyways.. on to deciding a car for you.



First off, based on what you're looking for, you have the 330 CI and the S4 are basically in the same category.. and the A4 and 325 are in the same category.. performace wise at least. (You mentioned that fact already.. I know)



I personally love the S4 and 330CI.. It depends on what you're looking for. The S4, 325 and A4 are all 4 door.. the 330 CI is a 2 door.. So if you are gonna be traveling with people who will sit in the back a lot, i'd rule out the 330CI. However, if its gonna be you and your wife/girlfriend or whatever, then I'd highly consider the 330CI



I would take the S4..go to www.autotrader.com

there you can compare different cars. I compared the S4 to the 330CI. The nice thing about the S4 is that it's quattro.. so depending whther you have ice and stuff that would help. The S4 also has quite a bit more power packed into a smaller engine. 2.7L 250HP compared the the BMW's 3L 225HP.



take the S4... Thats my final opinion
 
S4 S4 S4!!! :bounce :bounce :bounce



Only way i would ever get the BMW over the S4 would be if the BMW was that amazing Alpine?? White color..i want that color sooooo bad! :shocked
 
Bwana

Made my day, my ride, 2003 alpine white 325CI..... sometimes I wish it was the Blue color since its hard to make it POP, but when its freshly waxed nothing comes close for me.....
 
Hmm... I'd go for the 330Ci, but I'm biased. I have no idea why you are comparing the cars that you care comparing. No person with a reasonable mind would say 325Ci over the 330Ci and no person would say A4 over the S4. So the question really is S4 or 330Ci. I love my car, but if you want more power and 4-doors, get the S4. What you should really be comparing is the M3 vs. S4, since they are more head-to-head competitors. In that case, I'd get the M3. The BMW interior is great, the Audi has too many buttons and just didn't look as nice in my opinion. I also have the Navigation system, so it gives it a more high-tech look.



BMW 330Ci
 
As for maintenance, S4's are a bit costly due to the turbos, and our Audi is struck with the usual VW/Audi electrical gremlins. The BMW, even being an M, has been much less trouble prone. Neither are especially cheap to maintain however.
Click to expand...

What type of maintenance? Is it dealer only type stuff or stuff an average mechanic can do.



I threw the 325ci and A4 into the comparison because I could get one of these w/ very low mileage for 25k or the S4/ 330ci with slightly higher mielage.



I really like the way the 330ci looks and drives. I expect the 3 series prices to start getting lower with the 04' styling changes.



The S4's engine, AWD, twin turbo's and interior are awesome. It seems to be the performance winner. You get more for your $$ too. However, it is a 4 door and I was looking for a coupe, and it just does not look as "fast" as the 330 (this could be good for avoiding speeding tickets though :D Although the twin turbo's probably won't help :D :D)



I probably won't be modifying this vehicle, mabey just a chip, some perf. tires and Zaino :) .



Ah, decisions decisions
 
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