av_audi

A quick price check on Amex shows about $35.1K for an A4 P+ with wood versus $33.2K for a 328i with Premium and Xenons, both with manual transmissions, and the BMW with RWD.

Add to this the free maintenance of BMW, and you get roughly a $3K difference. I am sure the A4 has some extra the 328i doesn't have, but in this configuration, the 328i has actually memory seats and auto-dimming mirrors. Not a big deal, but a difference.

Here are some thoughts in no particular order:

- Most people claim the A4 has a nicer interior, but the 328i seems decent enough.
- Rear seat: again, A4 is claimed to be bigger, but Consumer Reports (CR) measurements are similar.
- Gas mileage: A4 EPA is better, but for CR's pure highway mpg, 328i comes on top.
- Engine: no contest: 328i
- Long term reliability: 328i will likely have fewer suspension and engine problems.

Which car has the better shifter and pedal placement for manual transmissions? At this point I don't know, but the 3 seems to get better comments in that department.

Cons of the 3: It is the Honda Civic of Los Angeles. Rear folding seat optional, so who know how easy it is to find. Run flat tires get a lot of negative feedback.

At this point, I don't know when I will get a chance to check out both cars, and I may end up keeping my current car longer anyway.

hansinla

FWIW:

The A4 has a way better gas mileage on highway, and about 4mpg better in average LA driving.
The 328i is a rough drive on LA potholes.
The A4 is roomier.
And, but this may just have been my bad luck, I had nothing but mechanical issues with my 2007 328i.

Best of luck with making your choice,

Hans

ThePiombino

The "$3K difference" in maintenance can just about be made up by the fact that you're comparing a RWD vehicle to one with Quattro. Add AWD to your Bimmer setup and it's not such a deal anymore...

mart242

Do you have kids? (ie: need a bigger car)
Do you have a need for AWD? (ie: lots of snow)

If no for both of these are no, I'd go for the BMW. You're looking for manual transmission so make sure to get the sport pack in both cases unless you like driving a boat.

Price is a "non issue" in that price range, drive the one you prefer.

vagthedog

"Engine: no contest: 328i"

LoL - you have to rev that thing like a bitch to get any power. And that was in 128i.

markcincinnati

Engine "no contest?"

Art234

I looked hard at the 328 and 335 XI models when I bought my A4. There was NO comparison. The Audi rode better, had a much larger trunk and a significantly larger back seat.

I think overall the A4 was a much better value, and I love mine.

smurfs

It all depends on what you like/love about the overall car. If you like the BMW, go for it. You have to live with the decision. And I am not saying this with sarcasm. I just purchased the Audi B8 and my sole reason was to try an Audi. I have an X5 which I am not too happy with. Dallas BMW service sucks. I drove the 3 series and wasn't that impressed. Again this all depends on you. In the end, you have to drive the car. Don't let others dictate your initial feeling.

iflywoe

get the car you want, unless your only looking at features and milimeters in the interior room department, my moms 328 was at the dealer a total of 11 or 12 times in the first 50k, every car has something. but in the end you have to be happy :-)

1-the interior is a little bigger
2-the gas mileage will depend on how you drive it, but you know how acurate those test are.
3-engine: audi has more torque
4-long term? i guess it all depends how you drive it and how you keep up with maintenance.

av_audi

I keep on getting contradicting comments on this. Are we talking about a mm or two or, regardless of the actual measurements, the A4 interior does indeed feel noticeably larger? (the B5 rear seat was a joke)