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

[J-Rod]

A friend is looking at these two cars.

A4:
88k miles
Perfect condition in every way
$7775

325xi
94k miles
Perfect mechanically, small fixable cosmetic problems
Same price as the Audi

Which would you do? We're both leaning toward the 325xi...He's coming from a 2001 Volvo S80 T6.

[Wasaabi]

I like the looks of the Audi for that year compared to the BMW. 1.8Turbo engine V 2.5 6cyl? preferences......

[Shazam]

If the Audi is Quattro, I'd be leaning towards that. It's more understated. It shares the same underpinnings as the B5/B5.5 Passat, and the 1.8 engine which is a good engine if it's been taken care of. Also, the 1.8 has a lot of options for it if your friend is into that kind of thing. If the Audi hasn't been taken care of, the auto transmission can be a trouble, and you'll most likely be plagued with lots of little problems... most resulting in expensive bills.

The BMW is a really solid car, as long as it's got the newer auto transmission. If it has the older one (which I think it doesn't, I believe the new/better autoboxes came around in 2002, so he should be clear). Basically, the BMW will always start and get you to where you want, but lots of little/minor problems will arise that need tending to. 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.

Overall, the BMW is the more "reliable" (depending on how you define it) choice, but I'd be going with the Audi.

I've been researching both of these for the past week or so for a friend who was looking at them both... I think he is going with the Bimmer. He was enticed by a A6 Biturbo though, until I found that the turbos like to go every 70k like clock work.

[colombo]

I'd say "don't".

[SaabKen]

I'd say "don't".

I'd say this is a perfect time to "help" introduce them to Saab, notably a 1999-2002 9-5 SportCombi

[Shazam]

I'd say this is a perfect time to "help" introduce them to Saab, notably a 1999-2002 9-5 SportCombi

Comes complete with duct tape modification.

[nordwulf]

Saab friends don't let friends buy German..

How about a 9-3 Viggen? I am sure you can get a decent one from around 2001 for about $8K. Or a 9-5 Aero would be nice.

$8450 Saab : 9-5 | eBay

[J-Rod]

I tried... but he said AWD is a necessity. The only AWD Saab's available are way out of the price range. lol If AWD wasn't necessary he'd have probably already bought a 9-5 Aero.

[Shazam]

If he wants AWD because of winter driving and things like that, BMW's really isn't the way to go. It's very rear-wheel biased. It's more because people want a BMW and then opt for the AWD... or they want the extra letter on the back of the car. It's basically locked at 70% rear and 30% front. On the other hand, Audi's Quattro system is amazing. It's basically a true AWD system (each wheel normally gets 25% of total power), but sensors can change it so any one wheel can get 60%, with a total of 75% to the front or the back wheels. People get Audi's because of their AWD, just like a lot of people get Subaru's for the same reason. The Audi will most likely be slower too.

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

[nordwulf]

Does he really need or just want AWD? Is he only going to use it a couple of times a year and is it worth the extra weight, lower fuel mileage and possible extra maintenance and repair cost? When I was looking for a MB W124, I was considering a 4-Matic. However, their reliability is poor and repair cost and maintenance were high. I am not familiar with the reliability of the BMW and Audi AWD systems so I can't comment on those.