S4 Avant vs. BMW 335 Touring
Discussion
Anyone have experience of these? Build quality and engine of the BMW is truly awesome. But i think the Audi isn't far behind (engine-wise)and the better looking as an estate. Same problem if i drop down to the 3 litre equivilants. Does anyone have a view on residuals being a major difference in the next three years?
Nice problem to have.
Nice problem to have.
Edited by Cootehall on Friday 16th February 15:54
Cootehall said:
Anyone have experience of these? Build quality and engine of the BMW is truly awesome. But i think the Audi isn't far behind (engine-wise)and the better looking as an estate. Same problem if i drop down to the 3 litre equivilants. Does anyone have a view on residuals being a major difference in the next three years?
Nice problem to have.
Nice problem to have.
The audi is being replaced next year with a new shape so unless you are buying a older used S4 then this IMHO wouldnt be a good place to put money.
Not withstanding this I drove both and went for the 335i as it felt more modern, faster and used much less fuel (30 mpg vs 22mpg average).
I ran an S6 a couple of years back with the same engine as the S4 and trust me the thirst of the thing becomes an issue after a while - less so with the BM.
Go look on broadspeed.com as you can get a dealer referral to get circa £3.5-4.5k off the bm.
Bennno
Interesting your comments on the 335i feeling 'faster' I test drove an M3 vs an S4 and a 335 and the M3 and 335 feel faster in a straightline, but overall the effect is negligible when you get into the twisties and the S4 will claw back whatever you get in straight line advantage. It also delivers the power differently and the V8 has oodles of torque whereas you've always got to be at the box more with the BMW. Put it this way, in town driving 2nd, 4th or 6th suffice.
In the end I went for the S4 as quattro with our quaint weather is a godsend, BMW spec was poor compared to the S4 and IMO is a better looking model. The S4 V8 is also different in power delivery to the old S6 V8 and more importantly, is chain driven so no massive cam belt servicing.
If anything lets the Audi down is its franchise stealers, I gather BMW are exemplary at this part of the game. Plus in residual terms, you'll find few S4 Avants out there as they are uber desirable. I'm thinking of swapping between saloon and avant and there's not a decent one to be had TBH.
The B8 A4 is due soon, but rumours are that the 'S' will be another 12-18 months after that so 2008-9. Even so a B6 rather than a B7 might be the way forward if audi is your choice. Fuel wise, if this does bother you scrap the petrol variants and either go for the 335d which I hear is an excellent machine or the 3.0 TDi Audi which is equally as potent but you'll miss out on V8 soundtrack if you do and it is addictive.
In the end I went for the S4 as quattro with our quaint weather is a godsend, BMW spec was poor compared to the S4 and IMO is a better looking model. The S4 V8 is also different in power delivery to the old S6 V8 and more importantly, is chain driven so no massive cam belt servicing.
If anything lets the Audi down is its franchise stealers, I gather BMW are exemplary at this part of the game. Plus in residual terms, you'll find few S4 Avants out there as they are uber desirable. I'm thinking of swapping between saloon and avant and there's not a decent one to be had TBH.
The B8 A4 is due soon, but rumours are that the 'S' will be another 12-18 months after that so 2008-9. Even so a B6 rather than a B7 might be the way forward if audi is your choice. Fuel wise, if this does bother you scrap the petrol variants and either go for the 335d which I hear is an excellent machine or the 3.0 TDi Audi which is equally as potent but you'll miss out on V8 soundtrack if you do and it is addictive.
I drive a 335i Saloon, and did look at the S4.
Both cars are very capable, Id say that usually an 'S' Audi would hold its value more but being that within 3 years the new Audi A4 range will be out id guess the BMW to be the winner of holdings its value. The diesel will hold its value even more so...
Driving: Again this all comes down to personal taste, Ive had an Audi A4 1.8Turbo Quattro Sport before and although very good I found it a little less 'connected' to BMW's ive owned.. I just come to the conclution that I prefer rear wheel drive.
Stlying: Again all down to taste, the BMW is more brash and the Audi more subtle, but i found the Audi interior a bit dated, and again as it is due for replacement knew that 1 year after owning id want the newer model. The A6 interior is stunning its a shame the A4's doesn't follow that line (im sure the new one will)
The BMW's interior is much more modern in comparison to the S4's, with the Sat Nav at eye level and less buttons it feels less cluttered inside and bigger.
If its the estate your after the Audi is definatly the better looking car, the 3 series touring looks a bit unhappy from behind. I actually think the Avant is better looking that the saloon, but thats vice versa with the BMW.
All great cars, I ended up going for the 335i M Sport Saloon and done nearly 2000 miles in it now, and its a fantastic car.
Both cars are very capable, Id say that usually an 'S' Audi would hold its value more but being that within 3 years the new Audi A4 range will be out id guess the BMW to be the winner of holdings its value. The diesel will hold its value even more so...
Driving: Again this all comes down to personal taste, Ive had an Audi A4 1.8Turbo Quattro Sport before and although very good I found it a little less 'connected' to BMW's ive owned.. I just come to the conclution that I prefer rear wheel drive.
Stlying: Again all down to taste, the BMW is more brash and the Audi more subtle, but i found the Audi interior a bit dated, and again as it is due for replacement knew that 1 year after owning id want the newer model. The A6 interior is stunning its a shame the A4's doesn't follow that line (im sure the new one will)
The BMW's interior is much more modern in comparison to the S4's, with the Sat Nav at eye level and less buttons it feels less cluttered inside and bigger.
If its the estate your after the Audi is definatly the better looking car, the 3 series touring looks a bit unhappy from behind. I actually think the Avant is better looking that the saloon, but thats vice versa with the BMW.
All great cars, I ended up going for the 335i M Sport Saloon and done nearly 2000 miles in it now, and its a fantastic car.
A good friend of mine has a 335D Touring and it is astonishingly quick for a diesel. I haven't driven the petrol equivalent but the 3.5 litre diesel engine really is something else. Also the drving position is spot on. I owned an E46 M3 for a year and never got a good driving position, I got that within minutes in the 335D. I have also previously owned an E46 330D and the 335D is in a different league in terms of torque and real world power and driveability (sp?).
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