[ManMachine]

Just wonder if anyone considers the A4, compared to the LCI 3 series.

A4 has a variable select drive system that changes the setting of suspension, steering, and engine/transmission (or you can pick the combination), and I'm certain that perhaps such technology (in the new 7) will trickle down to the 3 soon.

I think if one needs a 4wd vehicle with decent amount of power, the turbo 4 version with Quattro will probably be an excellent option vs. the 328xi - whether in sedan or wagon format. It has more room also.

Of course, you'll need the S4 to compare to the 335.

Car and driver and Edmunds Insideline both have reviews.

[Tallest]

in a nutshell: its a very pretty, well built car that's STILL boring to drive. Won't match the bimmer for driving experience but looks nicer. It's probably perfect car for 90% of the drivers since only 9% manage to use may be even 60% of their car's full potential and remaining 1% of users will really tell that 'yes, audi is still understeering' and 'yes, bimmer still knows how to make a good chassis'. I'm taking a wild guess you are not in the 1% like many people here so just buy the car based on how you feel about it (looks, comfort drive, some spirited drive on B roads, etc). Both cars I'm sure are very reliable these days, so it's down to looks, smell, feel of leather and seats and touch of plastic, how gauges glow at night and how the engine SOUNDS.

i would not pick the Audi. I do feel that it's too stiff in good spec and feels bit boring inside design wise. We say Audi is a car for an Auditor.

[ManMachine]

I think it's clear that BMW's xdrive cars aren't quite the same as the RWD versions. To me the only time to consider the Audi is of course if AWD is needed, and you get a true sports suspension with the Quattro, unlike the xdrive.

[TMNT]

Originally Posted by 320what

and feels bit boring inside design wise. We say Audi is a car for an Auditor.

You are probably one of the VERY FEW who feel that the new A4 interior is "boring." If you think its boring you must feel that the e9x interior's are "boring to death"

[E91AWD]

I took my 328xiT AT in today for a faulty door locking mechanism that made it impossible to unlock any doors except the drivers side using the key even from the inside (this is the second time in for this problem). The loaner I received was a 328i AT. In the past I have gotten 335i AT loaners and afterward complained how underpowered my car was and how they need to make the N54 engine and the ZF transmission available for the E91. Well after today I've come to the conclusion that the poor performance is a result of the crappy X Drive. Give me Quattro.

[mbmbm&w]

I was unfortunate enough to drive a VW before. I love the looks of Audi. But test driving them and researching them, I could not help but notice that they're all VW technology. Things looked and felt familiar. And since I hated the VW, I knew a pretty skin wasn't going to change things. First thing I realized about BMW - it's a BMW and doesn't share anything with nobody but BMW. From the 3 (and maybe 1) up you get the same level of excellence.

[red.66mustang]

I love the new LED DRL's on the new Audi's!

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by TMNT

You are probably one of the VERY FEW who feel that the new A4 interior is "boring." If you think its boring you must feel that the e9x interior's are "boring to death"

I think it's overcluttered with all sorts of red lights and whatnot. I don't like it. The 3er interior isn't may be as quality made, but design wise I like it more - it's simple and everything in the right place. You are right may be i am one of the few.. after all i must be one of the few who didn't like the E46 interior...

[danniexi]

a four-door A5? looks alone makes it a thumbs up...

the looks of the LCI E90 is a massive dissapointment... however im sure the driving dynamics as well as ergonomic interior design with the new idrive top the Audi.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by danniexi

a four-door A5? looks alone makes it a thumbs up...

the looks of the LCI E90 is a massive dissapointment... however im sure the driving dynamics as well as ergonomic interior design with the new idrive top the Audi.

That's ironic since the new iDrive looks a heck of a lot like the existing MMI.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by methodtim

That's ironic since the new iDrive looks a heck of a lot like the existing MMI.

haha true, but as 320what pointed it, it seems less cluttered than the Audi. Who knows... we'll see when the new e90 comes it... it may turn out to be overly complicated like the audi.

[BMWDAD]

I am considering the 2009 Audi Avant for the family car.

[Saintor]

Saw them in person. The sedan is blocky-looking and kinda generic. The interior is awesome.

[DanMardik]

goodlooking car, overpriced.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ManMachine

I think if one needs a 4wd vehicle with decent amount of power, the turbo 4 version with Quattro will probably be an excellent option vs. the 328xi - whether in sedan or wagon format.

Depending on what you want, you should consider the new STi hatch. The interior is still nowhere near luxury, but it is passable, and the performance is fantastic.

I've driven previous gen A4 and I was not impressed. The 2.0T motor feels strained under the weight of the car and the vehicle dynamics aren't up to par (IMHO) with the turbo subaru cars

[GreenThree]

Not sold on the exterior yet. The interior, as expected is top class. The FWD will be avail this fall in US. Quattro, not until the spring of next year in US.

On a performance note, I found this interesting:

The B8 3.2 Quattro does 0-60 in 5.7! That is amazing considering the B7 3.2 Quattro is closer to 7. (According to GermanCarblog test). 7 to in the mid 5's is a huge improvement IMO.

The car does not seem as evenly balanced as advertised. The big change was that they were going to move the engine back more to alleviate engine overhang and poor weight distribution. That article said it was only imroved by 5% or something. That was alot of build-up for a not so major change.

But as an old A4 owner, I am partial, so I am sure it will still be fun to drive. And the quattro will be "legendary." e90 fun to drive? Not so sure. We will see!

Article here: www.germancarblog.com

[John 070]

Originally Posted by 320what

in a nutshell: its a very pretty, well built car that's STILL boring to drive. Won't match the bimmer for driving experience but looks nicer. It's probably perfect car for 90% of the drivers since only 9% manage to use may be even 60% of their car's full potential and remaining 1% of users will really tell that 'yes, audi is still understeering' and 'yes, bimmer still knows how to make a good chassis'. I'm taking a wild guess you are not in the 1% like many people here so just buy the car based on how you feel about it (looks, comfort drive, some spirited drive on B roads, etc). Both cars I'm sure are very reliable these days, so it's down to looks, smell, feel of leather and seats and touch of plastic, how gauges glow at night and how the engine SOUNDS.

i would not pick the Audi. I do feel that it's too stiff in good spec and feels bit boring inside design wise. We say Audi is a car for an Auditor.

Agreed....you have to really like Audis to get one, because life is full of choices. You can't just get an Audi just because. When you get it, you've chosen it over BMW, over Lexus, over Honda, etc. Let's face it, it's a FWD car that also drives the rear wheels. But in an effort to shake that stigma, for 2k9, they've moved the motor farther forward, and put the majority of the torque to the rear. It's an improvement, but it's not a RWD car that got power added to its fronts.

But why ask this question on a BMW forum? Ask it on an Audi forum, or go drive one. Let the evidence speak for itself. In the end, who cares what anybody thinks? It's the purchaser who needs to be happy.

Everybody loves to hate BMW since they were on top. But finally they couldn't escape the realities of what they are doing. What was it, a 33% decrease in profits? Maybe they should go to 0% financing for 6-7 years!

[to_riffic]

i just like how it looks, but its startin price for the engine and output it gives is not worth it....downright sad...

[ManMachine]

I'm posting the info here just for comparison. Cartalk is more fun when you have comparisons. For what it's worth, base MSRP for 328xiT is $36,400.

Leftlane news:

August1

German luxury car maker Audi earlier today announced pricing for its 2009 A4 and A4 Avant equipped with the new 2.0-liter direct-injected and turbocharged four cylinder. The MSRP for the front-wheel drive sedan will be $32,700, while the all-wheel drive station wagon will cost $34,500.

Customer cars will start arriving at dealerships in September of 2008, with some Audi dealers getting demonstration examples for customers to test drive by the week of August 10.

The all-new models will feature more standard features, and when equipped with the 2.0TFSI and Quattro all-wheel drive system, will return better fuel economy than competitors, said Johan de Nysschen, Audi of America’s executive vice president.

While an optional 3.2-litter V6 engine with direct injection will be available in the sedan only, Audi has not revealed the pricing of that model. It will be significantly higher than the FWD 2.0TFSI price of entry however, as it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system exclusively.

The Avant (wagon) will only be available with the turbo four-cylinder and Quattro all-wheel drive.

The 2.0TFSI engine is rated at 211 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque, and EPA fuel economy of 21mpg in the city and 27mpg on the highway when installed in the manual-transmission, front-wheel drive A4 sedan.

[ALPINE6SPD]

I like the way it LOOKS a lot. I will admit it looks better than my car. The only problem I have is that I prefer RWD to AWD and that the top model 6 cylinder performs no better than BMW's base 328i 6 cylinder. I am into performance so I could never own an A4. It is one of the best looking 4 doors on the road for sure though.

[GreenThree]

I think 5.7 is very respectable performance wise. Thats only a few tenths slower than a 335xi

[digivue]

Looks contemporary, but the drive is boring. If I were to try one, that would definitely be AWD with 2.0 TFSI (this engine is awesome) and DSG (Sportronic in Audi terms - also an awesome thing). I love RWD in general better, though.