Jump to content

Audi A4 1.8T vs BMW 320

Vino

By Vino,
in Conti Talk

 Share

Recommended Posts

Vino

Vino

Clutched

Hi guys, experts out there, which is a better buy in terms of build, reliability and performance in your opinion? I know nuts about the two other than BMW is african made and Audi is german made...

 

If I'm not wrong, BMW margin is only 20k plus whereas A4 margin is 30k plus based on the following....

 

BMW @ 124k

40k OMV

15k COE

 

A4 @ 122.5k

35k OMV

15k COE

 

Thanks for your valuable comments. [;)]

↡ Advertisement
Link to post
Share on other sites
Astrid

Astrid

4th Gear
(edited)

Based on the numbers you provided and the latest ARF formulation, first of all, PA makes about $9K more margin on the A4, than PML does the 320i.

This hits you on your pocket directly (painful), since your car will depreciate by $9K more than the BMW, on the first day you drive the car out of the showroom. $9K more is not insignificant! And it goes straight to the pockets of PA, laughing their way to the bank!

 

The 320i is an F/R RWD which handles better than the FWD A4. I hope the URL below will convince you:

 

 

 

The Audi's power steering is electro-mechanical and feels detached from the road, while the BMW's is hydraulic PS (much more tactile and responsive, IMHO).

 

Also the BMW's transmission is the standard Auto (with Steptronic), while the A4 on sale in SG is the dreaded Multitronic (CVT). Why even waste time on CVT technology that's is likely to be more unreliable over time? Toothed gears with metal-to-metal contact (Auto) vs steel-braided belt pulley system (CVT) - my vote is clear on the former.

 

My advice to you is: If you really must get an Audi, go for their Tiptronic or DSG transmission models with Quattro (AWD). Forget the FWD (and worse) CVT Audis! They are just not worth their salt.

Edited by Astrid
Link to post
Share on other sites
Viotrex

Viotrex

Neutral Newbie

If you're considering these two brands, chances are brand prestige is high on your priority list. It's been widely written and established that the build quality and what not are high, so end of the day it really boils down to the image you want to pursue: badge and brand perception of others [your friends, business associates, etc] of seeing you in either of the two cars.

 

If you ask me, I'm pretty certain you already have either one in mind, just that you need more justification from feedbacks to this thread to make the final decision.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Miles

Miles

4th Gear

COE now 18k lah.

 

If the 320i you look at has the new uprate 156bhp engine mated to new revised gearbox, then it's more worth it.

 

This B7 A4 is at its tail end of its model life now. Plus the margin PA is asking for is not worth the consideration.

 

In addition, when you trade in later on, it's easier to dispose off a bimmer than an Audi, not to mention outright higher paper value.

 

Both cars are priced quite similarly, so i think the bimmer is more value for money.

 

However, if the 320i is the older 150bhp engine, and you are concern about performance, you might want to test drive both cars first. The 1.8T (if not FSI) is highly tunable and can get you 200bhp easily with only a chip. If you really love driving, get the 1.8T quattro manual trans.

 

Or if you dont mind non German, the Alfa 159 2.2JTS manual is a good alternative... and a cheaper one at that.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Vino

Vino

Clutched
  • Author

Thanks guys for the reply. Honestly, I have none in mind as I feel the A4 1.8 turbo gives better power but just unwilling to pay for a bigger profit margin to PA.

 

320's margin is acceptable but is not german made so unsure of its reliability compared to A4.

 

Both cars have rather equal image to me as they are all well known carmakers.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Atx2

Atx2

Neutral Newbie

Knowing that volvo have a good backup service how about audi ? how many years do they have? any audi owner out there can let us know about this? i love the A4 & A6

Link to post
Share on other sites
Viotrex

Viotrex

Neutral Newbie

If I were you, I'd consider one of these three:-

 

1. New Mazda 6.

2. Golf GT.

3. Lexus IS250.

 

These three cars are all very different but the one that floats my boat is the Golf GT.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Damienic

Damienic

5th Gear
(edited)
Hi guys, experts out there, which is a better buy in terms of build, reliability and performance in your opinion? I know nuts about the two other than BMW is african made and Audi is german made...

 

If I'm not wrong, BMW margin is only 20k plus whereas A4 margin is 30k plus based on the following....

 

BMW @ 124k

40k OMV

15k COE

 

A4 @ 122.5k

35k OMV

15k COE

 

Thanks for your valuable comments. [;)]

 

The 320 is only 124K?? The last time I saw it at the showroom in dec 07 they were selling 140K...the price drop by 16K in 3 mths time??

 

Ask yourself which car you feel better in it during the test drive? As both are rather reputed makes, I think the deciding factor should be on which one provides you with a more enjoyable driving experience..

Edited by Damienic
Link to post
Share on other sites
Burnpavement

Burnpavement

Neutral Newbie

Having driven both, I'd say the Audi gives the best balance in power,comfort, luxury features and style. For the bimmer, you pay a bit extra for the propeller badge, that's a fact.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Vino

Vino

Clutched
  • Author

Hi Burnpavement, the surprising fact is Audi margin is higher than BMW. [hur]

With our road flooded with bimmer so can I assume BM parts are relatively cheaper?

Link to post
Share on other sites
Upandcoming

Upandcoming

Neutral Newbie

i think 124 is the base version ..i cant remember the sequence but i noe there r 3 versions of 320..

 

executive, sports and professional =) highest one is 144-145k lowest is 124k

Link to post
Share on other sites
Burnpavement

Burnpavement

Neutral Newbie

It depends on what parts at the end of the day.

But you'd be right to say that BM parts are a bit cheaper, they're also more easily sourced.

 

But nothing beats a cleanly modded Audi IMO, 'AC-ed' and 'M-ed' Bimmers are rather run-of-the-mill. :)

Link to post
Share on other sites
Fourth

Fourth

2nd Gear

Just get the car that can give YOU the best satisfaction.

 

Sorry but I cannot understand the part about not feeling good about others making better margin. Shouldn't be part of the equation. So someone should settle with something that is not his best choice, so that others cannot earn more? [hur]

Link to post
Share on other sites
Damienic

Damienic

5th Gear

do you know what is the main differences between the 124K one and the 144-145K one? the SE did not introduce us the base version...I always thought the cheapest one is 140K..

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...