Avant vs 328i wagon

[masterh]

i wouldnt consider wagon unless its avant. All others look like driven by a family guy with boring life.
I think bmw is second best looking. I kept looking at 2008 328i wagon and it grew on me. (Will have to replace wheels to make it decent)
But my favorite is still B8 A4 2.0.

Im just interested in to hear about its reliability.
Ive never heard of engine failure issues when i had e46 bmw. I dont find it for e90 either.
But it seems like it is fairly common for audis which is ridiculous for such fairly new cars.
Interesting thing is they all say 'i love my audi' after saying their engine failed on them. I dont want to be one of those guys falling in love with my own car even though it cant even perform its basic function.

When someone complains about german cars reliability, people usually responds by saying 'drive honda then'
What do you say? Just 'drive bmw then' ? 😂

[mortimersnerd]

The A4s have some easily addressed issues like the timing tensioner. Once those are dealt with they're fairly reliable.

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[bhuynh1804]

to be safe, don’t buy b8.


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[Brandon K.]

Ridiculously high oil consumption is another issue that seams to effect a decent percentage of them. For some reason, there were issues with the oil rings and/or EGR system.

Mine was one of that had ring problems. I had it repaired under the extended warranty. Without that, it would have cost about $7,500.

Make sure you review the service history related to oil consumption. You want to look for a car that has had the oil consumption fixed (new rings) or has no record of oil consumption. If the problem has been reported for the car, but was not considered bad enough for Audi of America to do the rings, stay away. It could be fine if it was just the EGR system issue, but I would not risk it.

Excluding that issue, my car has been trouble free from purchase at 60k miles to now (117k miles).


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[mortimersnerd]

Check the carfax. Mine had already had the rings redone by audi because of the consumption issue. It uses about half a quart over 5k miles with 100k on the odometer.

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[kwstantinosk89]

Buy a b8.5 it's better engine than b8 !

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[b-thumper]

Buy a b8.5 it's better engine than b8 !

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The original poster is in the USA and therefore no B8.5 wagons here except the allroad

[Audiosz]

If you get a 2011 or 12 that's had it's rings replaced you should be fine.

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[earhythmic]

The BMW is a good looking car for sure, that was in the running before I picked up my Allroad. But if you think Audi’s are a PITA to work on BMW raises the bar, for instance, you have to drop the sub frame to do anything suspension related.

[Novarider]

Have you driven both? I drove an Audi then immediately after drove a BMW of the same year. I drove both on the same route/roads so I could see the difference. I liked the audi much more.

[avant-grd]

About buying B8 with oil issues resolved:
Not always true. Pistons -rings work was done at about 25K under warranty on my 2011 Avant. However, after chain tensioner work was done at 115K miles and I read report, I found that compression in all cylinders was on very low end of spec. The car was burning oil just a little bit. I knew that in about 10-15K miles I will have to do it again and was not willing to pay for it, so I sold the car.
Stay away from 2011-2012 years.

[Brandon K.]

About buying B8 with oil issues resolved:
Not always true. Pistons -rings work was done at about 25K under warranty on my 2011 Avant. However, after chain tensioner work was done at 115K miles and I read report, I found that compression in all cylinders was on very low end of spec. The car was burning oil just a little bit. I knew that in about 10-15K miles I will have to do it again and was not willing to pay for it, so I sold the car.
Stay away from 2011-2012 years.

Usually if the compressions is similar across the cylinders, your in good shape. It is when they very significantly form cylinder to cylinder that you have a compression issue. I have heard & read that the total compression readings are not very reliable and as long as they are somewhat close to spec not to worry.


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[kimodo]

I have a 2011 Avant and still have my 2003 E46 Sportswagon.. It's parked at the end of my street in guest parking. The BMW has 160K on the clock. The only problem I've ever had on that car was replacing the window regulator. I've replaced 3 of them. The material leave something to be considered, the leather feels weird, the headliner droops and peeling on the A, B pillars. Other than that, BMW wagon, is rock solid. My avant.. oil consumption; had that not been covered by Audi.. I would have been out of luck. I love my Avant. I considered the current generation of BMW wagon.. but the dash is uglier than sin.

A footnote.. I bought a car for my daughter recently from an Audi dealer near my house. Biggest mistake ever.. I hate my local Audi dealer; Sales, service. If I had to do it over.. I would go back to BMW.

[ians]

When I shopped for a wagon last year, I did test drove a bunch of E91/F31 and A4 (B7/B8) and once you try B8, you won't touch BMW! E91 not even drive close(not to mention it drive like a tin can when compare to Audi) to B7 and early F31 steering feel is horrible like Buick! Only brand new F31 330i with M sport package can come close to my 6 yr old B8 avant with 70k km when I bought it. And I surprisingly find the 2.0T has better response than the 3.0TT N54 on my 335i. The only thing I don't like about the A4 over the 335i is the AT! Because I am always a MT guy! It is a common sense that a turbo engine won't be as trouble free as NA engine. But the N52 from E91 328i is really let down even it is a inline 6! So if you go for the B8, make sure to get 2011 or up. If you still worry about reliability of the Audi engine then dun test drive one after driving bmw because it will make you hard to make decision. For me here is the ranking of my cars S5(MT) > TSX(MT) > A4(AT) > ForesterXT(CVT) > 335(MT).

[masterh]

I havent driven both but they both should be sufficient enough. I just prefer audi more just by looking at it.

I am looking at 2009,2010 models. I can pull the report and do some inspection before purchasing the car. But I don't think it can really tell oil consumption/possible valve failure/possible timing chain,guide,tentionser issues.

E90 owners are bitching about things like water pump, valve cover gasket, fuel pump on Edmunds while Audi A4 owners are talking about $12k job to replace engines...I think I am too scared....:(

[mortimersnerd]

Piston ring replacement Will usually show on a carfax. It did on mine. Major services, esp at a dealer, are usually reported. Mine had all it's services, oil changes, etc reported.

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[vdubjetta02]

I have a 2011 APR Stage 2 b8 avant and I haven't had any issues with oil consumption or really any issues at all besides coil packs and a crank case breather.

this is my 3rd 2.0t... all have been modified and all have proven very reliable (I have sold every one prior to 100,000 miles though so I am not sure what this motor looks like past that mark)

[b-thumper]

Oh, and what other people have said, drive both. The B8 is not the most amazing driving experience, but the latest 3-series platform is truly terrible IMHO. I've had a variety of new 3-series loaners, including M-sport suspension, and the steering, harshness, and chassis feedback all leave much to be desired. The E9x generation was much better in those respects.

[19birel]

In terms of reliability, the BMW's N52 is bulletproof, and being port injected you don't have to worry about carbon buildup either. I have the same engine (albeit the higher output version) in my 530i and with 171k miles on the clock it runs beautifully. The Audi 2.0T can be reliable as well, but it will be a little more maintenance intensive than the BMW, on the flip side it's more tunable. The BMW will max out around 265hp and 220tq if you decide to mod it (high-flow intake manifold from 330i and corresponding tune), but as we know the B8's 2.0T is capable of exceeding those figures, albeit with a bit less charisma.

Assuming you make sure to get a B8 that isn't plagued with oil consumption issues, you can't go wrong with either. Both cars drive very differently so pick what suites your needs and style of driving.

[masterh]

I test drove 2010 a4 2.0 Tfsi. Is engine rattle sound normal? It doesn't sound excessive but you can still hear when hood is closed.(parked, standing in front)

[A4x]

I test drove 2010 a4 2.0 Tfsi. Is engine rattle sound normal? It doesn't sound excessive but you can still hear when hood is closed.(parked, standing in front)

Typically sounds like a diesel with the fuel injectors. Also the high pressure fuel pump uses a tappet that rides on the intake camshaft, can sound a little rat-a-tat-tatty.

Try to listen at the front timing chain cover to hear for chain rattle. With a 2010 2.0T, you're in the timing chain tensioner sweet spot for failure. Typically they fail anywhere from 80k miles and up. I would 100% look into if that has been replaced on that engine before you buy. Or else get ready to DIY or pay $800-1000 to get the updated tensioner in there ASAP.

Tons of info on these forums about that problem.

[masterh]

yeah this car's chain guide failed at 80k miles so he had to pay $6500 to replace everything in the engine. (he is asking $10k so $3500 for the car) The shop gave him 1 year warranty and it expires on Jan.

I mean if I spent that much money on engine, I would drive at least 2~3 years.

I am guessing he is trying to get rid of it before the warranty. I am just having that bad feeling somehow.....

Typically sounds like a diesel with the fuel injectors. Also the high pressure fuel pump uses a tappet that rides on the intake camshaft, can sound a little rat-a-tat-tatty.

Try to listen at the front timing chain cover to hear for chain rattle. With a 2010 2.0T, you're in the timing chain tensioner sweet spot for failure. Typically they fail anywhere from 80k miles and up. I would 100% look into if that has been replaced on that engine before you buy. Or else get ready to DIY or pay $800-1000 to get the updated tensioner in there ASAP.

Tons of info on these forums about that problem.

[Novarider]

If something doesn't seem right walk away and never look back. There are a lot of b8's out there to choose from.

[masterh]

So I think I want to buy 2009 328xi. This one I am looking at has all the options thus hard to come by. But it's AWD.

People at BMW forum are telling me not to get AWD since it adds more weight, has more parts to maintain and won't drive like RW sports car. I will drive it in CA so I don't need AWD.

The thing is Audi has either FW or AWD so if you don't want FW, AWD is the only option. So a lot of people still get it even though they don't get snow at all. I liked driving TT quattro around corner knowing I have all grips on four tires.

Is it safe to say it's still better than avant 2.0t for maintenance wise since it doesn't have turbo?

If you are quattro person, would you get bmw x-drive?

It's interesting, when someone ask if they should get fw or quattro on audi forum, people just say Get Quattro. But in Bmw forum, they ask, how much snow do you get? you can still drive with good snow tires and should be fine with rw.
So for bmw, you only need x drive if you really have a bad weather like canada or alaska.

[A4x]

Part of the problem with Audi FWD is that you get the craptastic CVT transmission. No body wants that.

With BMW, they are heart and soul RWD folks.

Audi are heart and soul AWD folks. You can't change them.

I think they make a good argument for BMW RWD, you can still get the driving pleasure but won't sacrifice weight and efficiency.

However quattro is great in the rain and monsoons if you ever get those. Not just for snow.

[masterh]

So if you are AWD person, would you prefer AWD bmw over RW bmw?

Part of the problem with Audi FWD is that you get the craptastic CVT transmission. No body wants that.

With BMW, they are heart and soul RWD folks.

Audi are heart and soul AWD folks. You can't change them.

I think they make a good argument for BMW RWD, you can still get the driving pleasure but won't sacrifice weight and efficiency.

However quattro is great in the rain and monsoons if you ever get those. Not just for snow.

[gt854t5]

Hey masterh- interestingly, I'm thinking of selling my '09 Avant in the spring (or soooner if great deal pops up) for a F34 335 or 328 GT(14) . I've had all the Oil issues resolved by dealer, but i'm tired of the outdated Tech in my '09 (MMI is a PITA compared to most systems today, ie split-screen; read of texts; etc). This time I want a car with "real" sport package/kit and don't want to do mods for Carplay/AAuto, better suspension, etc. Tech and safety is moving too fast to stay with a car for too long. If I could have gotten a B9 Avant in USA, I would have stayed with Audi for now. So my plan is by 2020 I will move back to Audi in form of CPO S5/A5 Sportback, after someone else eats the depreciation.

If you were on East coast, maybe you could have considered my car..

P.S- AWD all the way Bro!! It's better to have it and not need it, than other way around

[WarmFuzzies]

RE FWD vs AWD comments. If you're interested in an Avant -- all US avants are quattro.