Guys, I would be interested in your opinions here. I have done some extensive research and test driving of many cars over the past month and narrowed it down between two. BMW 328xi or A4 Premium. I am quite honestly at an impass and not sure which way to go. I will be keeping this car for a long time which is what I tend to do with all of my cars (8 to 10 years). I am moving up from Mazda and Toyota.

Here are my thoughts on the two cars:

BMW
- Slightly better drive
- Perceived better quality (supported by Consumer Reports).
- Better warranty in first 4 years, free scheduled maintenance.
- Rear air bags standard.
- Lacking some features - pass seat memory, etc.
- Better rear leg room, smaller trunk

A4
- Beautiful design.
- Higher quality interior with some extras like pass seat memory.
- Drives great.
- Huge trunk, very slightly smaller rear seat leg room.
- Need to pay for AudiCare.
- Concern over long term reliability.
- LED's seem to be burning out (see them all over) and are expensive to replace.


Am I just paranoid here over the Audi reliability? Need some opinions, yes I know this is the Audi forum but I know you all have some good advice on this stuff.



Mark.

 

Hi Mark,
I too compared these two cars. My son is 6ft tall and could not get in and out the BMW "back seat"and found the A4 to be easier for access and comfort. The Audi does have rear air bags just the additional seat bags are extra.The LED lights...remember that those that have not changed the settings with vagcom will always have the LED turn off on the side that the turn signal is on when using DRL's only with full headlights will they stay on with turn signal activated. The Audi care is only $700.00. work it in your deal up front. Audi has galvanized or Aluminum body parts will not rust if you get a stone chip etc. I opted for the S-Line package and it has a much sportier feel. The last thing to consider and this comes from people who have owned both the AWD "Quattro" is by far they best for dry, wet and winter driving.

These are some of the reason I choose Audi over BMW.

 

Thanks for the good info, I did not know about the galvanized body.

 

All european cars have galvanized bodies.
I have A4 Avant on order, however, after reviewing details of upcoming 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD I decided not to sign my papers until I see/drive that S60. I had Audis before and I love those cars, however, after my A6 Avant perishedn in an accident we picked up Volvo XC70 T6 for my wife and I ordered 2011 A4 Avant. While I liked my A6 Avant's exterior design and interior architecture better then that of XC70, Volvo's quality of assembly and quality of build is definetely better and while I expected XC70 to be a dull drive it actually offers a pretty good acceleration and same nimble straight line as my A6 Avant, good cornering, more power and it is less noisy.....
Please do not get me wrong, I am not advocating for Volvo, I am just saying that in my opinion Audi is capitalizing on design while neglecting some other aspects

 

According to Consumer Reports in the category of predicted reliability:
BMW 3 series- 20 percent above average.
Audi A4 - 2% above average.
Volvo XC70 - 20% below average.

 

If you are following this thread, I ended up buying the A4.

https://www.audiforum.ca/audi-a4/575...t-2011-a4.html

 

Me too. When's your delivery date?

 

iGourman: I've owned the volvo. Don't do it. You're basically buying an overpriced Ford. You wouldn't believe the reliability issues I had with my volvo. If I hadn't had the warranty, my first eight months of ownership would have cost nearly $11,000. Volvo's are not what they used to be. The 240s of yesterday are no more.

 

Hi Guys,
I pick up my 2011 A4 tomorrow, and was wondering if you guys have any useful tips you've picked up since getting yours...or any good tips in general about Audi's as it is my first.

 

Check the oil often. The direct injection can burn a lot of oil. Audi recommends oil changes at a really high interval (I think every 15,000k?) - in my experience, you'll be running with very little oil if you wait that long.