BMW 330ci, 225ci, S4,or A4? Which one

[LouisanaJeeper]

BMW 330ci, 325ci, S4,or A4? Which one

I am thinking about one of these cars for my next car (probably a 2001+, <60k, ~25K price). Needs: stylish, excellent handeling, adequate power. I think the S4 and 330ci will be about the same performance wise and price wise and I will most likely keep them a while. The A4 or 325ci will be a bit cheaper, a little less perfomance but I think it will depreciate a good bit more than the other two when I sell it.

Anyone have any real world experience with these cars? How is the insurance on these?, are they listed as sports cars or like passenger cars as far as insurance is concerned.

[Beason]

330ci, i think it looks amazing and has tons of power and the handeling with the sport package is awesome, but i am biased towards bmws.

[paco]

Really, you can't go wrong either way. BMW hold there value a bit better than Audi's. 330ci or S4?? Geez, I wish I had your problem!

[AkronSi]

I'd go with the S4. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices, but the last S4s with the turbos are pretty sweet. They are a great sleaper car, and I love those huge wide spoked wheels.

[Bucky]

S4 I guess, as long as you have to give up your Jeep. You could get a used newer style Grand Cherokee (WJ) with the HO V8. Well, either way I hope you still visit JU.

Bucky

[LouisanaJeeper]

Well, kind of thinking ahead. I'll probably hold off till next summer so I can keep the ZJ and the BMW/Audi.

Although the idea of a long-arm TJ on 35's and a stock ZJ also crossed my mind .

probably something along these lines:
S4 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=43902

330ci: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6007

[Brad B.]

I will offer my completely unbiased opinion. Get the S4!

I love mine. Fantastic build quality, interior fit and finish second to none. The engine is sweet. It plain hauls booty! And this is in completely stock form. There are a myriad of ways to mod the S4. Handling and traction in ALL weather is supreme.

Had mine three years with zero problems. It's a keeper.

<img src="http://www.fototime.com/CF21D8AC7BE2687/standard.jpg" border=0>

[netsatwork]

I love BMWs, but I own an Audi. I'd say 330ci vs. A4, I'd go with 330ci without a doubt. 330ci vs. S4, I'd have to go with the S4. For a used car it's going to depend on condition of course, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of your options.

[MCoupeBen]

I guess it comes down to your overall expectations. We have an Audi A4 and a BMW M Coupe. Audi's have interiors that are nearly flawless and everything feels great. BMW's have reasonable interiors, but generally look and feel a little cheaper.

However, Audi's tend to be a little softly sprung in stock form, even the S cars and the steering is very light with very little feedback, most of this can be corrected with better suspension and better tires, but it's still apparent. Stock BMW's, especially with the sports suspension are much better buttoned down and have nearly perfect steering. In everything but snow, stock for stock, BMW's are easier to drive fast than Audi's.

As for maintenance, S4's are a bit costly due to the turbos, and our Audi is struck with the usual VW/Audi electrical gremlins. The BMW, even being an M, has been much less trouble prone. Neither are especially cheap to maintain however.

Having said all of that, we're looking to replace the A4 with an S4 avant (wagon). We really prefer the style of the B5, last generation A4, to the current B6 and much more than the E46, current 3 series. So for us at least, it comes down to style having a higher priority over the above listed things. Hope this helps!

Ben

[bet993]

I have owned a e46 325i (5-spd) and currently have a e46 328i (automatic – wife’s car). I have driven extensively my brother’s A4 1.8t (last generation) and have driven a few times my brother’s current generation A4 Avant with the 1.8t.

You can’t go wrong with any of the cars you have mentioned. BMW’s and Audi’s are very similar yet very different in subtle ways. Drive all and decide which you like better.

The Audi’s are front wheel drive (unless you elect for the Quattro) and the BMW is rear wheel drive (except for the ix models). This leads to some different handling characteristics if driven hard. In general in stock form the Audi’s will be softer riding than the BMW’s. The Audi steering is lighter and has less feed back (except for the 2001 3 series BMW’s, which is when BMW upped the boost on the power steering – basically killing the connected feeling they had going and achieved a much lighter less feed back feel….they got blasted so hard that for the 2002 model they went back to how it was on the 2000). As for interiors it really is a personal preference as both are functional just different in the way they handle things.

If you are into tuning and after market modifications the A4’s with a 1.8t or the S4 are the cars to have because of the turbo charging they are more easily modified. Consider this when looking for a used car also, even if you are not going to modify it, as many A4 1.8t owners have attempted at one time or another to make their car like an S4 or an RS4 (not available in the US) which may indicate the car has lived a hard life.

The Audi’s (except for the S4) don’t hold their value as well as the BMW’s therefore they are cheaper on the used market and probably a better buy performance for the $$ wise. There are many options for both the BMW and Audi’s which greatly change the price when new. Look for the options you want on the car. The sports packages on both cars offers bigger and more aggressive wheels and suspensions. Have fun deciding, as you really can’t make a bad choice.

[SickOfItAll]

S4 all the way, would be my choice

[Alexaris]

S4 all the way.

And buy the chip, You will never regret it, and I think is a better match between the S4 and M3