Mercedes C-class Vs. Audi A4 (help us choose)


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Mr. Mercedes

Mr. Mercedes

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Ok, so it seems like the time has arrived to get a new car for my mum. She has said she wants a 4 door vehicle this time around, so there is no point in waiting for the new CLK.

We're looking at replacing the CLK 240 with a new Mercedes C or Audi A4. Not really interested in the petrol V6's so its either a 4 cylinder petrol or diesel.

1.DIESELS
As far as I understand the Mercedes diesels and Audi diesels are both older units. Mercedes has already announced the new range of diesels.
* Are these available in Europe yet (C220CDI)?
* When does Audi plan to introduce new diesels, or are the current 2.0 and 2.7 up to date?

2. PETROL
* Mercedes has revised the 200k petrol for the introduction of the new C. Are there any new petrol 4 cylinders in the pipeline and if so when?
* Are the Audi 4 cylinder petrols new units or are updates in the pipeline 1.8TFSI?

Once the engine choice is out of the way, the fun part starts, choosing between the 2.

Cheers for all the help. :t-cheers:
 
What other things does your mum look for in a car?
 
I read in a German forum that the new diesel-unit of the Merc may not come this year, or at least late 2008, because of last testings. May not be true, I don't know. It was supposed to come in summer I think.
I have great hopes for this motor!

For Audi, they have the 2.0l TDI that is now Common-rail instead of Pumpe-Düse, which makes it much more silent and refined. Seems to have some reliability issues though.

Mercedes plans to make its petrols direct-injected next year AFAIK. Don't know for Audi.

I would take the Mercedes, for sure. The Audi seems to be more involving to drive, bit less expensive. The Merc more comfortable. However, the Merc seems to be extremely reliable, and very well-finished. The Audi seems less bullet-proof in the reliability, and has a finition that seems not as solid, even if more appealing at first sight.
 
From what I have been hearing, Audi generally have a higher maintenance cost than MB, especially when it comes to spare parts.
 
monster said:
What other things does your mum look for in a car?
Click to expand...

Hmmm...what does she look for, or what do dad and I look for ;) lol.

Well basically she wants:
* Style
* Comfort (moreso then sports)
* Safety
* Qaulity
* 4 Doors (travelling around with my aunts has become awkward with her CLK)

I would consider the new VW 4 door coupe, but I don't see my parents taking a liking to the VW.

Probably leaning towards the MB, but it's kind of annoying how all the engines are on the verge of replacement. :t-banghea

How current is the Audi 1.8TFSI?
 
coolraoul said:
I read in a German forum that the new diesel-unit of the Merc may not come this year, or at least late 2008, because of last testings. May not be true, I don't know. It was supposed to come in summer I think.
I have great hopes for this motor!

For Audi, they have the 2.0l TDI that is now Common-rail instead of Pumpe-Düse, which makes it much more silent and refined. Seems to have some reliability issues though.

Mercedes plans to make its petrols direct-injected next year AFAIK. Don't know for Audi.

I would take the Mercedes, for sure. The Audi seems to be more involving to drive, bit less expensive. The Merc more comfortable. However, the Merc seems to be extremely reliable, and very well-finished. The Audi seems less bullet-proof in the reliability, and has a finition that seems not as solid, even if more appealing at first sight.
Click to expand...

Thanks Raoul. So by the sounds of it the new diesel would be around 12 months away from the Oz market. I guess the new petrols would be out later then that. :eusa_thin
 
Mr. Mercedes said:
Hmmm...what does she look for, or what do dad and I look for ;) lol.?
Click to expand...
:D

Mr. Mercedes said:
Well basically she wants:
* Style
* Comfort (moreso then sports)
* Safety
* Qaulity
* 4 Doors (travelling around with my aunts has become awkward with her CLK)

I would consider the new VW 4 door coupe, but I don't see my parents taking a liking to the VW.

Probably leaning towards the MB, but it's kind of annoying how all the engines are on the verge of replacement. :t-banghea

How current is the Audi 1.8TFSI?
Click to expand...

If you aren't going to keep this car for long, then I will just live with slightly used VW Passat for 2 years until MB or Audi launch new engines for their C-class and A4. If MB doesn't launch new engines with their new cars, then they will usually do it around 2 years later. The current Audi 1.8TFSI was introduced with the VW Golf GTi back in 2004? or 05, I am not too sure, I don't think they will replace it in a hurry, they might have minor improvements but give it another 2 years.

The next step for the MB 1.8 4cylinder SC is probably direct injection, but MB doesn't seem to keen to adopt this method, maybe in 2 years time.
 
I don't think she can go wrong with either car. I personally love both the new A4 and C-Class. I'd want both of them in my garage. :cool:

Regarding the diesel situation, don't you guys have a diesel tax in Singapore? It might actually not be so bad to go for a petrol version then like an A4 1.8 TFSI or a C180/200 Kompressor although here the Audi will have the fuel economy advantages since its engine is much newer and has direct-injection I believe. The C180 and C200 Kompressor are perhaps a little more agile thanks to the Kompressor in my [driving] experience. :usa7uh:
 
cawimmer430 said:
I don't think she can go wrong with either car. I personally love both the new A4 and C-Class. I'd want both of them in my garage. :cool:

Regarding the diesel situation, don't you guys have a diesel tax in Singapore? It might actually not be so bad to go for a petrol version then like an A4 1.8 TFSI or a C180/200 Kompressor although here the Audi will have the fuel economy advantages since its engine is much newer and has direct-injection I believe. The C180 and C200 Kompressor are perhaps a little more agile thanks to the Kompressor in my [driving] experience. :usa7uh:
Click to expand...
I think you got confused between Mr.M and Mr.Mercedes...... Mr.M is in Singapore.

We have tax on both diesel and petrol here in Australia, we have 2 taxes, 1st one is a flat $0.38 per liter, then we pay another 10% of the total amount for GST.

We don't get the C180k here, only the C200k, then C220 CDI, then C280 and C320 CDI.
 
Mr. Mercedes said:
Hmmm...what does she look for, or what do dad and I look for ;) lol.

Well basically she wants:
* Style
* Comfort (moreso then sports)
* Safety
* Qaulity
* 4 Doors (travelling around with my aunts has become awkward with her CLK)

I would consider the new VW 4 door coupe, but I don't see my parents taking a liking to the VW.

Probably leaning towards the MB, but it's kind of annoying how all the engines are on the verge of replacement. :t-banghea

How current is the Audi 1.8TFSI?
Click to expand...

From my little experience i think that in the department of comfort, the MB is way more comfort than the A4 which has a kinda firm ride. But if you want total comfort go for a Volvo :D

As for style, i always thought that MB is more prestigeous than Audi, but this is more of personal taste. Other than that good luck with your choise whatever it is.

BTW, when are you planning on getting the car?
 
Mr. Mercedes said:
wants:
* Style
* Comfort (moreso then sports)
* Safety
* Qaulity
* 4 Doors (travelling around with my aunts has become awkward with her CLK)
Click to expand...



Mercedes C
Style (5/10) (AMG?)
Comfort (8/10)
Safety (8/10)
Quality (6/10)

Audi A4 TDI
Style (5/10) (S-Line?)
Comfort (7/10)
Safety (8/10)
Quality (7/10)

My guess is you should go for the C cause you've allready have owned the CLK... but my personal choise would be A4 TDI.
Audi diesel engines are wounderful!
:bowdown:

BTW Check this out:
Audi A4 2.0 TDI: Comparison against Mercedes C 200 CDI - The German Car Blog

With Mercedes recent launch of its Bluetec diesel in California, diesel engines will get much more attention in future.
German newspaper "Bild" has tested the Audi A4 2.0 TDI against the Mercedes C 200 CDI.
The winner? Thanks for asking.

The new Audi A4 2.0 TDI outclassed the Mercedes C 200 CDI with a score of 4 against 2 with the
Audi clearly winning in the categories interior, transmission and costs. Congrats to Ingolstadt!



:usa7uh: GOOD LUCK
 
The A4 should also be getting the new 2.0 TFSI with around 210 hp in the near future. Don't know the situation with Mercedes future engines, though I hope new (twin)turbo-4 variants are planned?
 
Giannis said:
BTW, when are you planning on getting the car?
Click to expand...

Family has had HORRID experiences with Vovlo. The 850 to be exact. And it's no longer really competitive with the Germans I don't think.

Within the next 1-4 months probably. With the CLK around the corner the sooner the better because of trade in/used values.
 
Thanks for all the input guys!

@ monster - The car will be kept for around 4 years. Getting one for 2 years and then replacing it really isn't an option. It took 8 years to convince my mum out of her Honda Civic into a CLK. :eusa_doh: lol

@ wimmer - Yeah both cars are excellent. For my mum however, I'd lean a bit toward the C. We haven't yet driven the A4, but OZ reports have said the suspension is still overly firm for our roads and the steering numb. But we'll see on a back to back test drive. I also think the C's interior feels more premium in reality. The Audi looks cool though.

So the MB diesels and Audi Diesels are OUT. Since both are outdated and on the verge of being replaced.


The replacement for the 200k should be at least 12 months away? :t-hands: There's still no official press for it, so I'd say around face lift time? :t-hands:

Audi peeps, how old is the 2.0TFSI unit in the A4. It's outputs look impressive 147Kw and 280Nm. My research says it was introduced in 2005. What about the 1.8T

Been crunching the numbers and the 3 choices presently are:
* MB C200k Avantgarde (135kw, 250nm, 8.8seconds, 8.4litres/100)
* Audi 1.8T (120kw, 225nm, 8.6seconds, 8.4litres/100)
* Audi 2.0TFSI Quottro S-line (147kw, 280nm, 7.7seconds, 9.7litres/100)

Anyone have the kickdown acceleration figures?
 
DaSilva said:


Mercedes C
Style (5/10) (AMG?)
Comfort (8/10)
Safety (8/10)
Quality (6/10)

Audi A4 TDI
Style (5/10) (S-Line?)
Comfort (7/10)
Safety (8/10)
Quality (7/10)

My guess is you should go for the C cause you've allready have owned the CLK... but my personal choise would be A4 TDI.
Audi diesel engines are wounderful!
:bowdown:

BTW Check this out:
Audi A4 2.0 TDI: Comparison against Mercedes C 200 CDI - The German Car Blog

With Mercedes recent launch of its Bluetec diesel in California, diesel engines will get much more attention in future.
German newspaper "Bild" has tested the Audi A4 2.0 TDI against the Mercedes C 200 CDI.
The winner? Thanks for asking.

The new Audi A4 2.0 TDI outclassed the Mercedes C 200 CDI with a score of 4 against 2 with the
Audi clearly winning in the categories interior, transmission and costs. Congrats to Ingolstadt!



:usa7uh: GOOD LUCK
Click to expand...


Thanks Dasilva, but the Diesels are no longer a consideration if both the Audi and MB have older units about to be replaced.
 
So no one has more info on the replacements for:
1. Audi's 1.8T
2. Mercedes 200K

:t-hands:

Any information would be appreciated. Even when the engines were originally released, when they underwent revision etc?

Will be test driving a C200k and A4 1.8T tomorrow. The choice has been narrowed down to these two vehicles.

Cheers.
 
If you want a proper Audi and I mean a proper Audi you still need the quattro!

Good luck with the test drives.. Audi Turbo engines are fun but I am sure the Merc woun't be a failure either.. both are "brand new" and great cars...

But buy with your heart..
:usa7uh:
 

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