A4 TDI S LINE Vs 320D SE

Author
Discussion

ED965

Original Poster:

5,697 posts

228 months

Saturday 19th August 2006
quotequote all
Can any fellow mile munchers help?
Currently running a 53 reg 2.0TDI A3 Sport (nice company car)
Due for a change and need something bit bigger.
Gone through normal elimination process Fords/VAG/SAABS etc and narrowed it down to the 2 Germans.
BMW drives great looks crap expensive
Audi drives okay looks great more understated-but getting new design next year
Help!

baz1985

3,612 posts

250 months

Saturday 19th August 2006
quotequote all
bugger the looks. The 320d will outdrive the Audi

ED965

Original Poster:

5,697 posts

228 months

Saturday 19th August 2006
quotequote all
also if you look at the 2 specs for the money and build quality.
I know Germanic cars have never been the best for luxury but come on.
The beemer has AC not CC and on top of that bicycle wheels which look terrible, and are a mile from the arches!
Audi has Climate and 18"'s with big rubber lowered chassis twin pipes and now comes with 170BHP Derv lump and still less penny's
But have to agree on the drive though Beemer is more surefooted and the rear drive's nice
Any more comments and help will be appreciated, i need to order on Monday!

ED965

Original Poster:

5,697 posts

228 months

Sunday 20th August 2006
quotequote all
Take it no ones interested then?
Thanks for the help

toppstuff

13,698 posts

252 months

Sunday 20th August 2006
quotequote all
BMW every time.

Just better to drive . Period.

Prefer a Skoda to the Audi if you have to go VAG.

alfaspiderman2

1,136 posts

224 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
I also drive a '53 plate A3 2.0 TDi company car

given your choices for it'd be a no brainer

...the A3 is one of the most BORING cars that I've ever driven and no way will I be choosing a front wheel drive diesel car again

personally, with your budget I'd choose a Focus ST or Golf GTi but, if it's gotta be a diesel, at least get the rear wheel drive one

Phil Hopkins

17,111 posts

222 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
I'd go for the A4. In S-Line trim it's subtly stunning.

Ruxpin

324 posts

250 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Having recently swapped my old man's E46 330d Sport for an A4 S-Line 3.0d Quattro - the two cars are totally different

BMW and Audi appear to be aiming the cars a 2 totally different markets. Drive both and decide whether you want a sporty drive with compromises (BMW) or a cheaper good drive with better everyday usability (Audi) (Space, comfort, toys)

The BMW was great on smooth roads, very good in the bends, lovely engine, gearbox, for a diesel its a very rewarding drive and 'sporty'. However it had some serious short comings which may have been addressed with the new model - the ride on british b-roads was awful - my elise is more comfortable, very small boot, tramlined really badly on m-ways, numb steering.

The Audi is totally different. Its not a sporty drive like the BMW. However it feels much safer. RWD, turbo lag and big torque meant relying on electronics in the wet in the BMW - a feeling i personally didn't like. The audi is much 'safer' with initial understeer from the 4wd system and good traction. The audi also has lots of good toys included as stated above.

The Audi suits my old man much better. The 3.0tdi Audi engine is also very nice - much more refined than the older BMW unit - again may have since changed. From my point of view the BMW was the better drive but i'm not convinced this makes up for the short comings - if i was buying it would be a very difficult decision - sorry not much help.

When we swapped the car the Audi was also much cheaper - even before the discount audi offered. BMW don't understand the word discount

ED965

Original Poster:

5,697 posts

228 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
Thanks Guys
Anyway, i thought i'd give the Beemer the benefit of the doubt given all the good reviews and the comments here on the forum.
Test drove a 320D this morning.
Bottom line is this:
Nothing in it, totally dull interior & exterior, and have to say forget the performance figures, thought it was gutless!
What i find really irritating is all the Beemer sales people slag the Audi, this is probably due to poor sales of the 3 series given its boring looks. Whats happening to Beemer they appear to be losing the plot.
First rule in sales never slag the opposition.
So i'm sticking with the 4 circles they don't need to shout how good they are.

alfaspiderman2

1,136 posts

224 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
enjoy your over-priced Skoda!

each to his own

personally, I can't wait to get rid of my Audi

Phil Hopkins

17,111 posts

222 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
ED965 said:
Thanks Guys
Anyway, i thought i'd give the Beemer the benefit of the doubt given all the good reviews and the comments here on the forum.
Test drove a 320D this morning.
Bottom line is this:
Nothing in it, totally dull interior & exterior, and have to say forget the performance figures, thought it was gutless!
What i find really irritating is all the Beemer sales people slag the Audi, this is probably due to poor sales of the 3 series given its boring looks. Whats happening to Beemer they appear to be losing the plot.
First rule in sales never slag the opposition.
So i'm sticking with the 4 circles they don't need to shout how good they are.


They're slating Audi because currently Audi are the only company in that sector that have met & exceeded manufacturer targets. They're something silly like 26% up on last year volume where Jag/BMW/Merc are all down by varying percentages. Selling Audis is a good place to be right now.

Phil Hopkins

17,111 posts

222 months

Monday 21st August 2006
quotequote all
alfaspiderman2 said:
enjoy your over-priced Skoda!

each to his own

personally, I can't wait to get rid of my Audi


What's wrong with Skoda?

toppstuff

13,698 posts

252 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Phil Hopkins said:
alfaspiderman2 said:
enjoy your over-priced Skoda!

each to his own

personally, I can't wait to get rid of my Audi


What's wrong with Skoda?


Absolutely nothing. Thats the point. Why buy an Audi A4 when a Skoda Octavia is essentially the same car?

Other than the A8 and RS models ( which are excellent ), it seems to me that buying a regular Audi A4 is like buying a Skoda but paying 30% extra for a different badge. VAG must be sniggering to themselves at the money they make out of the Uk market.

Last S-line A4tdi I had to drive was a pretty hopeless thing. Nice and quiet, good finish etc, but steering ride and handling left a lot to be desired.

It was like an ipod - a nice thing to own and fulfills a purpose but not really hi-fi. Equally, the A4 is a nice thing to own but a drivers car it is not. Which is why in my opinion you may as well get a Skoda or Seat because it does the same thing.

Still , each to their own, what do I know !

marcevo1

524 posts

241 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
currently have an a3 s line 2.0 tdi with dsg.

decent car but really poor dealer service.

wheel bearings all shot and cracked head all by 50k miles. Company pays for servicing but is really really expensive.

have had a a4 s line tdi as a couresty car - a3 is vaguely sporting - a4 is dull and feels very antiquated - very different cars.

BMW - sorry BMW owners - stigma of the 'owners club' - sure great car but when was the last time you were courtious to a BM owner (normally because he has slip streamed you and cut you up two minutes earlier) - hard ride on 18's looks pants on smaller wheels. RWD has been muted by the stability packages to an understeery bias - might as well have fwd for majority of driving unless you have traction off all the time.

skoda or leon is better car IMO for cost. Leon is better looking

my a3 is going back (opted out of company car) and i've just bought a supercharged HSV to replace it - servicing is cheaper! but petrol more expensive - depreciation is minimal ;-)

Narvanath

293 posts

228 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Ruxpin said:

Having recently swapped my old man's E46 330d Sport for an A4 S-Line 3.0d Quattro - the two cars are totally different

BMW and Audi appear to be aiming the cars a 2 totally different markets. Drive both and decide whether you want a sporty drive with compromises (BMW) or a cheaper good drive with better everyday usability (Audi) (Space, comfort, toys)

The BMW was great on smooth roads, very good in the bends, lovely engine, gearbox, for a diesel its a very rewarding drive and 'sporty'. However it had some serious short comings which may have been addressed with the new model - the ride on british b-roads was awful - my elise is more comfortable, very small boot, tramlined really badly on m-ways, numb steering.

The Audi is totally different. Its not a sporty drive like the BMW. However it feels much safer. RWD, turbo lag and big torque meant relying on electronics in the wet in the BMW - a feeling i personally didn't like. The audi is much 'safer' with initial understeer from the 4wd system and good traction. The audi also has lots of good toys included as stated above.

The Audi suits my old man much better. The 3.0tdi Audi engine is also very nice - much more refined than the older BMW unit - again may have since changed. From my point of view the BMW was the better drive but i'm not convinced this makes up for the short comings - if i was buying it would be a very difficult decision - sorry not much help.

When we swapped the car the Audi was also much cheaper - even before the discount audi offered. BMW don't understand the word discount


Yep. That's why I went for an A6 instead of a 7.

agent006

12,058 posts

269 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
toppstuff said:
Why buy an Audi A4 when a Skoda Octavia is essentially the same car?


The Octavia and A4 don't share a platform. It's a common misconception.

frank987

2,121 posts

218 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Octavia is based on a Golf/A3 platform isn't it?

Anyway ED965, I reckon you have made the right choice.

New BMW 320d's are so common, especially in poverty spec i.e. dark grey with 1" wheels. This is the model that people who don't know about cars want most i.e. some pin head at an Estate Agent driving a company Astra!

When I see a S line Audi of any model, they always catch my eye and look the absolute D.B's. Yeah, they might not have quite the dynamic appeal of the BM (my TT 3.2 always felt a bit wooden compared to my 330Ci sport) but the better build quality and looks will more than make up for that.

Anybody who says looks and badge don't matter and it's the drive that counts are talking crap. We would all drive Grey Import, chipped up Toyota Supra's if this were true!!!!

Andy Mac

73,668 posts

260 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
quotequote all
Why buy a skoda, when you can buy a seat?

allnighter

6,663 posts

227 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
quotequote all
A friend of mine sold his X reg 330 CI and bought an X reg TiT quattro, same mileage, same condition , but paid an extra 4.5 grand for the privilege.I have serious doubts about his sexuality now.

ED965

Original Poster:

5,697 posts

228 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
quotequote all
frank987 said:
Octavia is based on a Golf/A3 platform isn't it?

Anyway ED965, I reckon you have made the right choice.

New BMW 320d's are so common, especially in poverty spec i.e. dark grey with 1" wheels. This is the model that people who don't know about cars want most i.e. some pin head at an Estate Agent driving a company Astra!

When I see a S line Audi of any model, they always catch my eye and look the absolute D.B's. Yeah, they might not have quite the dynamic appeal of the BM (my TT 3.2 always felt a bit wooden compared to my 330Ci sport) but the better build quality and looks will more than make up for that.

Anybody who says looks and badge don't matter and it's the drive that counts are talking crap. We would all drive Grey Import, chipped up Toyota Supra's if this were true!!!!


Totally agree!
See you own a stuttgart car now......the best!beer
Now Porkers are proper German cars. The boxter is the best handling roadster bar none, but hey i seem to be drifting of the subject never mind.
You're right about the Octavia. Basically a Golf chassis but so what nothing wrong with Skoda's