BMW 320i or AUdi A4 1.8T??

[wagonrunner]

Had the same TCM problem with mine in 2011, other than that no major problems really - only the AC compressor, evaporator, water pump and thermostat. Gonna change the fuel pump and cam chain tensioner next week. I hardly drive it again though, in the last 18 months I've probably done like 5000kms.

And no I'm not selling.

Was it a foreign used unit?
I'd hate to think all that expense on a new low mileage vehicle, making beaten foreign abused more reliable. *shudders*

[equipped2ripp]

Foreign used? No.

[SPEC S]

Having owned both, I'd say the Bmw. The A4 has a much more stylish interior and the ride is really good. And the 1.8T really runs good. Got to 250km years back. But then the transmission started to give trouble. Cost was about $26,000. to get back reverse gear. Sold it after that and since then, its been BMW. Maybe it was just an unfortunate event for me, but the A4 really performs great. However, I'm a sucker for RWD and thats where the 320i shines. Not as powerful as the A4, in fact, far from. Handling is great and ride is really good. BMW is alot more affordable to maintain than Audi. For me at least.

[acesinghit]

I would choose a BMW over an Audi simply because there is more to a bimmer than practically any other vehicle out there. The engineering, design and the safety factor is second to none. People in this price bracket do not study resale value and as of late the german's are making better quality products versus the problematic stuff of the 90's to early 2000's.

The reality is there's a guy who lives 2 houses away from me who drives a white PBK Nissan Maxima 2.0 V6, the vehicle is over 12yrs old and not 1 problem experienced with that car. Yes the fuel consumption sucks, the handling is not all that and the design plain looking but Nissan made a rock-solid car.

[gundelero]

what about considering the MB C180?

[ztune]

^^ i'd choose the merc hands down. Here is a detailed personal opinion by some dude.
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/cars/audi ... -1.1319065

[nemesis]

Wonder why the bump on this thread after so many years...

Anyway, of the new ones : 3 - series still handles best. Biggest interior, nice new interiors.
C180 felt most refined.. and probably the best bet for a normal daily driver and is the cheapest oddly enough..but keep in mind, it's also the smallest of the lot if that concerns you.
A4 - has been prone to issues in the past. Not sure about now. Most features I believe. Longest warranty at 4yrs, both Benz and BMW are 2yr.
Ride not as good as other two, but it does have those transmission and suspension modes to play with.

You need to test drive them all to decide. The new models in each are quite different from previous generations in very surprising ways.

[Text Techs]

Whats the price on the new bmw 320i

[nemesis]

Base is 420k I believe. You can load them up over 500k if you add all options.

[gundelero]

And the price of the C180?

[nemesis]

C180 has a wide range of pricing also. But the Avantgarde was 375k last I checked. 430k with the panoramic sunroof and something else.
Still the best pricing of the vehicles in that class. But it's also the smallest now.

[crazychinee]

C180 has a wide range of pricing also. But the Avantgarde was 375k last I checked. 430k with the panoramic sunroof and something else.
Still the best pricing of the vehicles in that class. But it's also the smallest now.

Agreed.

I wouldn't venture to the BMW or the audi either.
In that price class the C class wins.

Their prices varies it seems, when I ordered one in Jan 2012 they quoted me $420,000 with metallic paint, and this is without sunroof etc. With the sunroof was coming up to near 450.
3 months later they had that same model on "special" for 380...so I cancelled the order

[X2]

Agreed on the C class... New model is the best car in the class right now.

[cinco]

Agreed on the C class... New model is the best car in the class right now.

i know someone who returned a pck c class due to electrical problems, car spent literally more time in service than in the owners hands. same owner had a pbf audi and never saw one issue with it so i guess YMMV
but one thing the interior quality on audis suck they look nice but arent durable there are 1 yr old audis with the paint on the headlight switch worn off

[nemesis]

Although I favor BMW for driving fun, I have to admit the C-Class felt the most refined when I drove one recently. The prices went down last year worldwide, it's not just a trini thing.
Cinco, of the 3, bmw has the highest reliability ratings in Europe, yet you always hear the opposite in Trinidad. Generally, from what I've seen Merc has it for longevity in Trini. But of course, there are exceptions for each brand. I know people that have had C-classes for years and will only change vehicles when they're returning them for a new Merc.

[S_2NR]

C180>A4>320i imo.

[nemesis]

That depends heavily on what you're after in your vehicle.

[MG Man]

You need to drive both... they are vastly different cars. The 3 series is pretty much un matched in terms of quality, design, ride... etc... in it's segment. Audi A4 is a good replacement for less money and is a decent 'tuner car', but IMO... it's no 3 series... which is the benchmark.

But is the 3 series worth the extra bucko bucks ? eeeehhhh.... go drive em both !

unless you can spring for a Quattro, 3 series is the better drivers car.....that front wheel drive in the A4 used to irritate the frickin chicken outta me

[X2]

Some mercs can give electrical issues around the 7+ yr mark... but brand new is not normal.... can't say the same for bimmers as I have never had one in the stable.

Audis and many other euro cars tend to have good finish quality but those silk screen painted parts tend to go bad really fast... 2-3 years is typical to see wear, which is why I'm not a big fan of Audi pricing vs longevity.... other than that... audi engines are winners in terms of reliability.

[gooner]

I've have a c180 and what I love is not one day I wish I was in an audi or bmw.
The car drives great, looks good and feels good.
BMW has recently released their 3 series and audi their new a4. The merc w204 class has been around since 2007 so obviously the new rival models will have better specs being 6 years old but I still think the merc gives them competition.

In 2014 the new c class will be released which will mash up the place.

[crazychinee]

I've have a c180 and what I love is not one day I wish I was in an audi or bmw.
The car drives great, looks good and feels good.
BMW has recently released their 3 series and audi their new a4. The merc w204 class has been around since 2007 so obviously the new rival models will have better specs being 6 years old but I still think the merc gives them competition.

In 2014 the new c class will be released which will mash up the place.

I dunno bout mashup the place yes.

I find that looking real Kia-ish.

[Rooki3]

resembles the new BMW

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

If you look for something you will find it. That new C class looks good.

[Rory Phoulorie]

If you look for something you will find it. That new C class looks good.

You should not have prefaced your second statement with that first statement. I really can't take your second statement seriously as such.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

If you look for something you will find it. That new C class looks good.

You should not have prefaced your second statement with that first statement. I really can't take your second statement seriously as such.

Fair enough but the context for the first statement was with respect to likening the new C to resembling a KIA. The 2nd statement however wasn't thrown out there for approval by other board members though.

[acesinghit]

The C180 starts @ $360k and can be optioned all the way up to E-Class benz territory. The interior is cramped though. When compared to a $298k Kia Optima I would say you just spent $62k in prestige. I rather purchase a Passat Highline and save the left over cash for a rainy day.

[nemesis]

My biggest problem with the C-class was also the size. Otherwise, it does feel the most refined of any of the 3 main euro brands, which is good. Not the sportiest though if that's what you want.
Highly doubt that new model will mash up the place though. They do have the best pricing, but otherwise, the current model looks better than that new model, and they'll have to increase vehicle size and features they offer to compete.
I actually find the 3 series the best looking of the bunch now, and I don't think that new model you show there will help Merc in that department.
Don't know how you could say you'd prefer an Optima acesinghit. What those gain in interior size for comfort, they easily lose to the Merc in feeling better built and having good ride quality.

[crazychinee]

My biggest problem with the C-class was also the size. Otherwise, it does feel the most refined of any of the 3 main euro brands, which is good. Not the sportiest though if that's what you want.
Highly doubt that new model will mash up the place though. They do have the best pricing, but otherwise, the current model looks better than that new model, and they'll have to increase vehicle size and features they offer to compete.
I actually find the 3 series the best looking of the bunch now, and I don't think that new model you show there will help Merc in that department.
Don't know how you could say you'd prefer an Optima acesinghit. What those gain in interior size for comfort, they easily lose to the Merc in feeling better built and having good ride quality.

Not sure if the firm will bring in the CLA, but at the price point it could very well compete for C class sales.

[nemesis]

They'll just bring it and up the price slightly. Much better looking vehicle though. Or they could only bring it in 250cgi form or something.

[Text Techs]

So out of the three. Which has the cheapest base price now?