Audi A4 2005.5 vs VW Passat 3.6 2006

38 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2007 at 3:44 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat, Sedan

#23 of 38 Buy as you want~~ by larrycarlover

Mar 23, 2006 (11:32 am)

I had 2004 passat 4 motion for 2 years, and went into the dealer last week trade it to the new 3.6 passat 4motion~.
yeah it is different, faster, bigger, and younger exterior and interior. For audi, my friend has a 1.8t. what i found out is you pay a little bit more for audi because of the brand position. and also audi usually use newer techs than VW. But after all, no matter which one is better, it is all depends on how much you want to spend:) I choose Passat because i can't afford a audi A6....

#24 of 38 Re: Buy as you want~~ [larrycarlover] by canoura

Mar 24, 2006 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: larrycarlover (Mar 23, 2006 11:32 am)
i have a 1.8t and next Tuesday my pain will end, i will pick up a 3.6 passat.

#25 of 38 Help- bad seats? by badsaab

Apr 23, 2006 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: venus537 (Mar 17, 2006 5:00 pm)
We are cross shopping the 3.6 4 motion against the volvo v70 and xc70. I've had 2 other vw's (Jetta GLX vr6 and Passat 2.8) both were great cars (the Jetta a blast). So I was excited with the prospect of the new Passat. It drove great, but my objections are with some of the details. Cheaper parts and really the deal killer might be the new seats- what is up with the passat seats, the are aweful compared to my othe VW's? Why change them? The golf, jetta and gti still have great seates, but the passat's are flat, narrow, and too cushy in the wrong spots.

#26 of 38 AUDI A4 2006 Trailer Towing by ddelect

May 12, 2006 (4:03 pm)

Hi, I am having a problem trying to find an answer to, I think, a very easy question. I want to buy a AUDI A4 Station Wagon, but I want to be able to tow a JET SKI, the dealer says I can't wire the car to the trailer. My question is why NOT. CAN it be done or do I look for another car.
Thank you very much, waiting for an answer.

#27 of 38 Re: Audi A4 2005.5 vs VW Passat 3.6 2006 [ask2] by njboardwalk

Jun 25, 2006 (9:35 am)

Replying to: ask2 (Nov 10, 2005 9:44 pm)
I looked at the 2.0 passat vs. the 2.0 A4, and went with the A4. Liked the passat, but the A4 seemed more solid. Not that the passat seemed poorly constructed, just not as solid as the A4. I didn't need the bigger back seat but if I did I would not have hesitated to get the passat, but that being a non factor liked the A4.

#28 of 38 Re: Help- bad seats? [badsaab] by 150mphclub

Sep 20, 2006 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: badsaab (Apr 23, 2006 8:34 pm)
I don't understand. I just drove 4500 miles in my 2006 Passat 3.6L with leather seats (Indianapolis to Las Vegas to El Paso to San Antonio to Indianapolis). Very comfortable. I have owned Cadillac, Chrysler 300, and Maxima. None of them would have been any more comfortable for that 4500 mile drive.

#29 of 38 4Motion vs. Quattro by ennnorak

Oct 24, 2006 (6:39 pm)

I have a leased 2004 A6 Quattro which has never let me down in the worst of snowstorms. That said, however, it annoys me that Audi's brochures fail to disclose full technical details on the various Quattro systems that are used by the VW group. I understand that the Quattro used on the A3 is not the same as the Quattro used on the A6 or A8. The Quattro brand has been devalued into meaningless marketing hype.
Other manufacturers are just as bad. They create opportunities for their marketing executives with short-term vision to abuse the brand and to make it difficult for potential customers to do business with them by making it dificult for the buyer to obtain complete information.
 
When I buy a vehicle whose essence is the 4WD system, I need to know more than just what the 4WD system does. I want to know exactly how it is designed so I can assess its reliability and durability. I want to know, for all differentials, without marketing weasel words, exactly what type of differential it is (open, limited slip, or ...) as well as the manufacturer or the supplier brand (e.g. Torsen, Haldex ....)

#30 of 38 Re: 4Motion vs. Quattro [ennnorak] by fish8

Oct 25, 2006 (3:56 am)

Replying to: ennnorak (Oct 24, 2006 6:39 pm)
Unfortunately, you are in the minority. I would venture to guess that 95% of the people who buy AWD/4WD cars could care less about open, limited slip, etc etc.....as long as they can drive in moderate snow and feel comfortable on wet surfaces they will be happy!!!
 
If you have questions regarding specifics of a drivetrain, ask the dealer service manager.
 
Honestly, do you really think the general buying public cares if VW/Audi/Infiniti uses Torsen or Haldex?

#31 of 38 Comparing 4WD/AD systems by ennnorak

Oct 25, 2006 (6:13 am)

I have to agree with fish8 that 95% of consumers don't care about technical specifications; however, that is because they simply do not know how to interpret them. They therefore leave themselves wide open to intellectual fraud on the part of marketing executives. The danger for companies with inferior products is that savvy technocrats see right through the marketing hype that pervades our advertising messages and warning lights go off in their minds when offers are made without full disclosure. These technocrats make it their mission to educate all of their non-technical friends and act as a lever in free word-of-mouth advertising.
 
A brand is a promise of value and it's a shame that Audi has devalued the currency of its Quattro brand by allowing the AWD system on the A3 to be called "Quattro". I note that Jeep uses "QuadraTrack", "QuadraDrive 1" and "QuadraDrive 2" to describe the various systems (with different performance characteristics) used in the Grand Cherokee and Commander. Audi's marketing executives should take a page out of Jeep's book and find a similar way to differentiate between Quattros of different designs.
 
I will probably stick with Audi because of consistent excellent personal experience with the A6 Quattro. I will not switch to Honda's SHAWD because of a reliability/durability issue I have with constantly slipping (and wearing out) clutches used to accomodate the slightly different rotational speeds between the front and rear axles in the RDX and MDX. I will not switch to Mercedes' new 4th-generation 4Matic unless there is fuller disclosure about its technical details because I am concerned about the complexity of having an intermediate drive shaft running through the oil sump in the engine.

#32 of 38 Re: Comparing 4WD/AD systems [ennnorak] by fish8

Oct 27, 2006 (5:01 am)

Replying to: ennnorak (Oct 25, 2006 6:13 am)
"however, that is because they simply do not know how to interpret them"
 
Again, It is my opinion that most consumers just DON'T care. they don't WANT to interpret the specs of the drivetrain. As long as it works as advertised and is relaible, they will be happy. But, your thoughts are valid!
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement