Vs BMW 340i Vs. Audi A4 2.0TFSI Quattro

[martinbo]

Congrats Mr Merc, you bought the best car in the class, all things considered.

 

[montana]

Congratulations, your car sure looks good! Love the rims btw.

Out of curiosity; did you consider the C-class?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Thank you everyone!

@montana, I did consider the C-class as it is a brilliant car. My issues were:
1. We don't get a higher performance variant than a C250, unless you jump to a C63.
2. The command system has some frustrating interface issues
3. There is already a C250 in our household (mums car), so if I ever feel like driving that it's there.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

So I checked out the B9 A4 this last Saturday. The dealer actually had the glacier white 2.0TFSI quattro S-line they had ordered to my specifications on display. I had absolutely no regrets or buyers remorse having bought the F30 LCI instead of waiting for the A4. The interior build was exemplary but didn't feel as special as my car since I was lucky enough to buy an anniversary edition model with a BMW individual interior. The looks were also very underwhelming. That every vehicle on the floor looked like they sat about 2-3cm's too high didn't do it any favours. It really did leave me quite cold and I was quite disappointed to be honest. To top it off Audi has priced the vehicle in such a way that once you option the vehicle to compete with the comparable BMW or C-class in terms of specifications you end up with a car costing about $10-$15k more than it should. This particular 2.0TFSi was $3k more expensive than my 340i. That's just crazy given the BMW still has more equipment.

On a side note, @martinbo you were not wrong about one thing. There is more snap, crackle and pop going on in the BMW's interior than any German car I have driven in the last 10 years. And i'ts very dependent on temperature. The hotter it gets the more things start to crackle. Mum's W205 is silent as a mouse in this respect as was the S3. I suspect all the BMW individual leather trimming on the interior pieces might be exacerbating the issue.

 

[martinbo]

On a side note, @martinbo you were not wrong about one thing. There is more snap, crackle and pop going on in the BMW's interior than any German car I have driven in the last 10 years. And i'ts very dependent on temperature. The hotter it gets the more things start to crackle. Mum's W205 is silent as a mouse in this respect as was the S3. I suspect all the BMW individual leather trimming on the interior pieces might be exacerbating the issue.

Yip, it's very temperature dependent and particularly when there's a temperature differential - like aircon cooling at max on a 35 degree day. Disappointing, but fortunately not regular nor as prevalent on the pre-LCI F30. I'm ok with it.

I had a look at the new A4's interior on the weekend and I am no less convinced that it is the new benchmark for solidity, build- and trim-quality. It is the benchmark now - I have no doubt.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Here she is! Picked up yesterday.

Ended up picking the 3-series over the new A4 thanks to the 4 month wait on the A4 and silly pricing strategy by Audi Australia.

The car is already filthy thanks to driving out of the dealership into terrible weather. I'll have to wash and clean it and take a better set of photos.

It's a 40th anniversary limited edition 340i.

Thank you ALL for the input in helping me make this decision.

Missed this completely. A bit late, but congratulations with your brand new 340i, Mr. Mercedes...?Between the A4 and 3er you made the right choice. Apart form $ issue, between a I6 BMW or a 4 cylinder Turbo Audi.....my choice would always be a BMW.

 

[MercFan]

4 vs 6. 250 vs 320. No choise here. Congratulations!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Wow this thread just popped up at the footer of my page.

No regrets whatsoever with choosing the 340i. Sure I've had multiple mechanical issues but this car still brings a smile to my face. I just love driving it.

I'm sure I'll miss the handling when the X40i arrives in May, but I guess I'll be getting even more performance out of the same sublime inline 6, greater refinement, updated iDrive, up to date driver assistance aids and most importantly more space.

 

[Centurion]

Sure I've had multiple mechanical issues but this car still brings a smile to my face. I just love driving it.

What issues?

I'm sure I'll miss the handling when the X40i arrives in May,

No longer getting the X3?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Sorry I meant X3 M40i Luw.

I’ve had:
1. Tail lamp falling off
2. Tranmission failure put down to a software issue
3. Faulty spark plugs which took them over 2 months and a few visits to the dealership to diagnose
4. Warning lights saying my parking sensors had failed, my radar cruise control, ESP etc had failed and that I needed to check my convertible roof lol. Again put down to software issues.

 

[Centurion]

Bummer! Touch wood I haven't had a single issue with my X3 nor with the F30 I had. My 1998 Toyota Celica I had before ran and looked brand new inside and out despite 130,000 miles on it.

Fingers crossed my lucky streak continues.

 

[Monster]

Sorry I meant X3 M40i Luw.
I’ve had:
1. Tail lamp falling off
2. Tranmission failure put down to a software issue
3. Faulty spark plugs which took them over 2 months and a few visits to the dealership to diagnose
4. Warning lights saying my parking sensors had failed, my radar cruise control, ESP etc had failed and that I needed to check my convertible roof lol. Again put down to software issues.

Tail lamp falling off, now that is interesting to say the least. As for the rest of the mechanical and electrical issues, it is really not acceptable. I also find it strange how that when one thing goes wrong, the rest will also go wrong, even though they are not directly related.

 

[martinbo]

Sorry I meant X3 M40i Luw.

I’ve had:
1. Tail lamp falling off
2. Tranmission failure put down to a software issue
3. Faulty spark plugs which took them over 2 months and a few visits to the dealership to diagnose
4. Warning lights saying my parking sensors had failed, my radar cruise control, ESP etc had failed and that I needed to check my convertible roof lol. Again put down to software issues.

Disappointing to hear all of this. I'm actually rather surprised too. Where was your car made? I haven't had a single mechanical or electrical issue with either of my F30s.
I've hit some ridiculously big potholes - one of which was so severe it blistered the front and rear right tyres - and still, nothing's fallen off or come loose.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I think my car is jinxed. Lol

I had a good mind of calling BMW Australia and having a big whinge but then I got busy at work etc and just forgot about it.

Not sure where it was built Martin. I assumed all Aussie 3’s came from SA, but perhaps the limited edition run came from Germany. Is there a way of identifying origin from the VIN?

It’s a testament to the way it drives that I still love it after all of that.

 

[Zafiro]

High end models tend to brake more often. Get a 318 or 320 they are usually more reliable.