04 Audi A4 1.8t Quattro or 01-05 Bmw 330xi sedan

[Downshift b6]

Hi guys/girls i'm in a process in purchasing a 330xi e46 sedan awd or a Audi a4 1.8t quattro b6. Both with a manual transmission. I know I'm posting on a Audi forum so most of you will lean toward the Audi but I need some pros and cons on both cars. I know that audis cost $$ to maintain as well as bmws. I will also post this on E46 fanatics. I will be test driving both during this month. Thanks for taking your time to read this! I got my flame suit on

[plug1]

If you plan on doing many performance upgrades, specifically to the engine, I'd go with the Audi.

Interior alone I'd go with the Audi as well.

I'm trying to be biased, but I don't see many reasons to choose the BMW. Maybe rear passenger leg room?

[imnuts]

If you're going to be driving in the snow, go with the Audi as I have never heard of anyone saying BMWs are good in the snow, with or without their x-drive AWD system. As far as performance, the 330xi will definitely be the winner as the 1.8T is a heavy car with little power, though there is a lot of power that could be had with the engine with some mods.

[Lusticles]

I like the 3 series interior

[b6onboost]

The 1.8T vs a 325i would be a better comparison power wise. The 3.0 would be better matched with a 330xi.

That being said, when you test drive them the 330xi is going to feel a lot more powerful. It will also feel sportier and have better steering/handling feedback. Bimmers just have a sportier nature than Audi (comparing model for model). The Audi has a better designed interior, but the 330xi will have nicer, more supportive, seats. The E46 interior is still nice though. Stock vs stock I'd say the only advantage the Audi has is a better AWD system and better fuel economy. Obviously style/design is subjective, but I'd give that category to the A4.

Now if you like turbo cars, and plan to mod a little, about $1000 in mods on a 1.8T will make it a lot more fun than a 330i.

[vintagespin]

x-drive is a waste of time. If you're going to get the BMW, get a 330i. You'll be fine in the winter with snow tires on.

[onlyaudis]

drove one when I was in the market for my current B6 car. all I can say is its not as fast as people are saying, nor was it a stellar handling car. steering was heavy. (a stage 2 chipped 1.8 is way faster) and the awd system is archaic.

[onlyaudis]

Here are some specs. to me, it was about as fast as a 3.0 B6 A4, and now I see why. about the same power and weight.

SPECIFICATIONS
2001 BMW 330xi

Base Price $ 33,990
Price As Tested $ 37,955
Engine Type dual overhead cam, 32-valve inline
6-cylinder with variable valve timing
on both camshafts
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 182 cu. in.
Horsepower 225 @ 5900 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 214 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length 107.3 in. / 176.0 in.
Curb Weight 3527 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.7
Fuel Capacity 16.6 gal.
Fuel Requirement premium unleaded, 92 octane
Tires P205/50 VR17 Continental Conti
Touring Contact
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, antilock
standard
Suspension, front/rear independent strut / independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, all-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 20 / 27 / 22
0 to 60 mph 6.9 sec
Coefficient of Drag (cd) 0.31

[lyleswk]

The biggest difference other than horsepower is quattro vs xDrive. x Drive is permanently rear biased (about 2/3 of torque), so it will always feel more like a rear drive car. quattro starts 50 / 50 but moves to rear biased (2/3's torque) or front biased (2/3's torque) based on driving conditions. Hence, quattro will always be better in real world conditions of snow, rain, mud, etc. Both have left to right braking to stop a spin (DSC / DLR). Other than that, it is probably just a matter of personal tastes and what car you can find. 330ix's are pretty rare in Texas and there are lots of quattros.

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

Like everyone else said, they are very similar and it will really come down to which one you like best after driving them back to back. The BMW is much sportier in feeling, but that generation xDrive is t tragic excuse for "all wheel drive"; it's better than RWD but far less dynamic and proactive in operation when compared to quattro. I've heard many times that an xDrive BMW feels the same as a RWD BMW except that it helps in the snow.

I have a friend who had an E46 M3 with snow tires and a 325xi with all seasons and the M3 was the one that could make it up the driveway in the snow. AWD doesn't make up for everything.

[Downshift b6]

Hey guys/girls I just came back from driving the 330xi. My first impression of the car was wow this car is heavy.the acceleration wasn't that impressive but it was torquey. it also had a very nice interior. Next week I will test drive the b6 hoping I will like it since I do love turbo cars. Also, I'm looking for a reliable car between both of them. For both cars I do plan on moding it with all bolt ons and tune. Which one would you reccomend for moding. I'm leaning towards the b6.

[Matt@EuropaParts]

I agree with vintagespin...if you want AWD, go with Audi. If you don't need it, find a regular RWD 330i. In my opinion, BMW's should be rear drive...with the exception of the X5, I haven't liked a single AWD BMW (when compared to the RWD version). E90 xi, E60/1 xi, E46 xi...they're just not as good as the RWD cars.

[Sales@RAI]

Hey guys/girls I just came back from driving the 330xi. My first impression of the car was wow this car is heavy.the acceleration wasn't that impressive but it was torquey. it also had a very nice interior. Next week I will test drive the b6 hoping I will like it since I do love turbo cars. Also, I'm looking for a reliable car between both of them. For both cars I do plan on moding it with all bolt ons and tune. Which one would you reccomend for moding. I'm leaning towards the b6.

lol if you think that car is slow, wait for the B6. But, like everyone is saying, a few mods and your golden. The 1.8T is going to be easier to work on, and has a nicer interior and AWD. Drove a friends 330i, if I were gonna get a 3 series besides the M, it would be that

[Downshift b6]

Thanks for the input, as you said it will be golden once the mods are in. I'm just curious what kind if power would I be making with stock turbo and boltons plus tune/chipped. Sorry guys I will use the "search" once this thread dies.

[onlyaudis]

Which one would you recommend for modding. I'm leaning towards the b6.

Modding that bimmer is like trying to mod the 3.0 B6. not much you can do powerwise. Stage 2 software with injectors for the 1.8T is the best bang for the buck in a street car. set up with supporting mods, you should get 230 HP or so, 270 foot pounds torque.

I had the same experience with e 330X. It had decent grunt off the line, but then that was it. it felt and steered heavy, and did not handle as nice as a sport suspension B6 1.8T in my opinion. I like the 3 series cars by the way, and almost got a rear drive one. my teenage son told me we were an audi family though, (he grew up riding in a 4000 quattro. a TT, and 90S) and that he wouldn't ride in it!

[vintagespin]

You're in the tri-state area... buy my car.

[Downshift b6]

You're in the tri-state area... buy my car.

Hey, thanks for the offer but I'm gonna pass. I'm kinda low on cash. I found a 2004 1.8t quattro for 11,500 with 65,870 miles. I'm gonna try to low ball the dealer. If you don't mind me asking what car are you trying to get after you sell our b6?