Audi A4 vs BMW 328xi
11-26-2007, 01:14 PM
#12
i drove my mother's 328xi this weekend
There are some things i like about the car- the steering feel, the smooth engine and decent mileage- but mostly i didn't like it. There are so many poor design decisions in modern BMWs, the turn signal being the worst offender, that I don't think I could own one. Also, in spite of the good steering feel, the xi didn't handle that well when pushed. My S4 feels much more composed near the limit. Admittedly, comparing an S4 to a 328xi isn't exactly fair, but my point is that the AWD xi BMWs don't handle nearly as well as their RWD counterparts.
But most of all, everything that could be intuitive isn't, from the iDrive to the procedures to start and stop the car. It seems the engineers did their job but the designers didn't.
But most of all, everything that could be intuitive isn't, from the iDrive to the procedures to start and stop the car. It seems the engineers did their job but the designers didn't.
11-26-2007, 02:10 PM
#13
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Audi has what almost 30 years of AWD experience, so the driving is catered to dealing with it.
when AWD became a fad a few years ago, MB/ BMW etc started offering, just to do it. Where as Audi actually chose to go this way because it's ultimately a better design philosophy, and has years of experience working out the inherent driving dynamic differences between RWD and AWD.
11-27-2007, 06:45 AM
#15
My wife and I test drove the 328xi before we bought the B7
We both did not like the way the 328xi felt during the test drive, it just didn't feel good at all and the interior is extremely lacking. The exterior of course is very nice as are most BMWs.
My wife drove the B7 and just fell in love, so that is what we went wit.
Wait for the B8 before you buy.
My wife drove the B7 and just fell in love, so that is what we went wit.
Wait for the B8 before you buy.
11-27-2007, 06:47 AM
#16
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In northern climates
MB sells something like 60-70% 4matic cars. I still see quite a few BMW xi cars here in Michigan also, not sure about the %age. Even still, MB and BMW don't take AWD as seriously as Audi does. Quattro is designed into every car they build. I am surprised Audi even bothers to sell FWD cars other than the A3 and TT (being Golf based). Audi clearly has the most highly developed AWD system, and has it's cars designed and tuned to work with it best.
This AWD design philosophy does have a negative impact on vehicle weight. About 200 lb. from what I have heard. Until the B8, it also has had an effect on front-end design, causing longer overhangs and higher front weight bias.
Now, I will admit, to Spoonie's amazement, that BMW seems to have higher engine output per displacement. This, combined with the lower weight from no AWD can make their standard cars quicker off the line.
I personaly drive in northern climate, and long distances in all kinds of conditions. I would personally rather have the added security of quattro and a world class interior to spend 6 or 8 or 10 hours in a day. Someone else may want to play stoplight drag-strip, but I look for something else. I drank the Audi kool-aide since before I could drive. Owning 2 (+ 3 B5.5 Passats) have not given me anything to change my mind (except for the repair bills).
This AWD design philosophy does have a negative impact on vehicle weight. About 200 lb. from what I have heard. Until the B8, it also has had an effect on front-end design, causing longer overhangs and higher front weight bias.
Now, I will admit, to Spoonie's amazement, that BMW seems to have higher engine output per displacement. This, combined with the lower weight from no AWD can make their standard cars quicker off the line.
I personaly drive in northern climate, and long distances in all kinds of conditions. I would personally rather have the added security of quattro and a world class interior to spend 6 or 8 or 10 hours in a day. Someone else may want to play stoplight drag-strip, but I look for something else. I drank the Audi kool-aide since before I could drive. Owning 2 (+ 3 B5.5 Passats) have not given me anything to change my mind (except for the repair bills).
