2001 Audi A4 1.8t Quattro or 2003 BMW 325xi?

[SpecialTool]

Does he really need or just want AWD?

He doesn't need AWD; otherwise he'd need more ground clearance than either of the choices can offer.

[J-Rod]

So if he wants a sporty car, and AWD second, get the Bimmer.

That's pretty much it. He wants AWD for handling and for mild winter use. For heavy winter stuff, he has a 4WD Mercury Mountaineer. I tried telling him that FWD (like a 9-5...) with some snows on it would be just as good as AWD. But he's insisting on AWD...

[tunnanxwd]

Just steer him in the right direction when it comes to tires on the AWD. They are the weak link. I assume he means snow.

Does he think the AW means all weather as in what ever mother nature tosses our way? Few cars have the clearance to handle deep and drifting snow.

[J-Rod]

Just steer him in the right direction when it comes to tires on the AWD. They are the weak link. I assume he means snow.

Does he think the AW means all weather as in what ever mother nature tosses our way? Few cars have the clearance to handle deep and drifting snow.

Haha, nah, he's a pretty big car guy, he knows what AWD is and that the tires are the real link.

[Shazam]

He wants AWD for handling

But pretty much every rear wheel drive car is going to be better handling until you start to get to very expensive AWD systems or very fast cars. With AWD you can exit corners faster, and you get better connection to the road, but the weight far outweighs any benefit you'd get around a track with the 325xi vs a 325i. Also, a RWD would be a lot more fun in my opinion.

[J-Rod]

Well...he bought the BMW. Overall, it's in pretty good shape.





It runs great.

[SpecialTool]

I tried telling him that FWD (like a 9-5...) with some snows on it would be just as good as AWD. .

Attaboy! We do what we can.

[Wasaabi]

I tried telling him that FWD (like a 9-5...) with some snows on it would be just as good as AWD with all seasons...

Fixed......
The idea that FWD with snows is as good as AWD is not entirely accurate. Given the same conditions (car, tires, etc) AWD will be better. Now, if you start making concessions, like all season tires for the AWD car, and snows for the FWD car, then is no longer an apples to apples comparison, and you can start saying things like "..as good as AWD"

[J-Rod]

... Things like wiper motors, window motors, door locks not working, a weird sound coming from the engine bay... things that you can still drive with but you'll want to get fixed soon. ...

Okay, this is pretty funny. Every one of those things, except the wiper motors, has happened. I was in it and went to roll up the window and heard a loud "POP" and window fell into the door. Kinda freaked out...haha

[Shazam]

Okay, this is pretty funny. Every one of those things, except the wiper motors, has happened. I was in it and went to roll up the window and heard a loud "POP" and window fell into the door. Kinda freaked out...haha

Not long after this thread, my best friend ended up getting a 2001 BMW 325Ci. It was a nice car, but way over-priced for the condition and miles. He isn't very good on cars, but willing to learn, so I showed him a couple things that needed fixing and helped him. But, like you said, it was one thing after another. First, the back windows (just those small ones) stopped going out/opening. Then, the sun-roof started making crazy sounds (we found the problem, as it was a common one with those years). And then the electric seats would stop working intermittently. And then a switch broke for the passenger window. And then it got T-boned, and was totaled. Now he wants to get as close to the same thing!?! I don't get the kid. For the price he is looking at (10-11k) he could get a Saab or VW that is 6 or so years newer, with less mileage. Or he could get a Audi that is at least 2 years newer with similar mileage.