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Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans

855 messages,  Last post on Feb 08, 2012 at 8:57 AM

You are in the Volvo S60 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Volvo S60 R, Subaru Legacy, Audi S4, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA6, Sedan

Messages Page 85 of 86

#836 of 855 test drives a4 2.0 quattro and bmw 328 xi by raj1

Jun 21, 2010 (12:30 pm)

a4 seemed lot of fun with car zooming forward from stop. bmw also good control and responded well. i guess more torque at lower speeds made the difference. i did do only city driving though - going to upto 50 with the audi. didn't find anything bad, but don't know about freeway limitations. apart from that, it was definitely roomier than the bmw, and also had more features for the money, better leather also. any comments... did not try the infinity - not interested in that much power, with low mileage as a consequence to boot. also heard audi awd is the best.

#837 of 855 Re: test drives a4 2.0 quattro and bmw 328 xi [raj1] by ateixeira

Jun 21, 2010 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: raj1 (Jun 21, 2010 12:30 pm)
A while ago I drove an A4 V6 and liked it, the new model, too. They changed the AWD split to allow a rear bias, and I liked it better. More neutral handling, it seemed. The BMW 328xi just about matched it on the track at Summit Point, where I sampled them both.
 
I had a slight preference for the Bimmer, but half the crowd preferred the Audi, so it was a close call.
 
I have not sampled the 2.0T in an Audi yet.

#838 of 855 2012 s60 awd. or g37x or subaru legacy lastly audi a4 quattro by njmarcy

Feb 22, 2011 (3:12 pm)

The dilema has begun. Since I am writing in this forum, you know where I am leaning. I presently have a BMW 325xi. Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Thank you!

#839 of 855 Re: 2012 s60 awd. or g37x or subaru legacy lastly audi a4 quattro [njmarcy] by ateixeira

Feb 23, 2011 (7:36 am)

Replying to: njmarcy (Feb 22, 2011 3:12 pm)
Have not driven the latest S60. The prior model was a little nose heavy, though I liked the Haldex version better than the FWD one.
 
I've only sampled the RWD G37. Loved it.
 
A4 - I drove a base model 2.0TFSI at a BMW event, and was disappointed. The Dynamic suspension on the V6 model I sampled earlier was much better. The small engine lags a bit, too, especially driving it back to back with a Bimmer and a Benz C300 4Matic. But what really disappointed me was the base suspension - lots of dive and squat, and too much body roll. It's just too soft for aggressive driving.
 
So at least get the dynamic suspension, I'd say.
 
I just drove a Legacy with my brother on Saturday, but it was not a GT. The 2.5i base model is on his short list. The new one is a lot bigger than the other cars here, but it still drives well. The extra room is welcome, IMHO.
 
Do you like your Bimmer? Why not another one? Just curious.

#840 of 855 Re: 2012 s60 awd. or g37x or subaru legacy lastly audi a4 quattro [ateixeira] by njmarcy

Feb 23, 2011 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 23, 2011 7:36 am)
Hi...I appreciate your response in such detail. I will be test driving th e s60 on saturday, but I am not even sure if they will have a 2012 on the lot, which is key based on your response above. Also, I will only consider the AWD version,which they don't have now...so I may just have to wait.
 
Prior to the Bimmer I owned a Subaru GT and it was a great car. But it lacked any class in the interior. My husband still own an Outback, he is headed to his 4th one, but the inside leather, is terrible.
 
The reason not another Bimmer is easy. The paint is paper thin on these cars, and if you don't have the car hand washed all the time, swirl marks prevail. I had an 05, and to make a long story short, after 3 return visits down to them wetsanding the car, it still had the marks on it. ( It was delivered to me that way). So i ended up getting an 06 for next to nothing price wise.
 
tx again...time for some test driving....

#841 of 855 Re: 2012 s60 awd. or g37x or subaru legacy lastly audi a4 quattro [njmarcy] by ateixeira

Feb 24, 2011 (9:55 am)

Replying to: njmarcy (Feb 23, 2011 5:05 pm)
The Subie is also one (or two) price classes down from the others, so no surprise.
 
I'd definitely sample a G37x and an A4 Quattro w/Dynamic suspension back-to-back. Should be hard to choose!

#842 of 855 Re: BMW AWD rocks. End of story. Period. [shipo] by bemer

Oct 30, 2011 (8:25 am)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 12, 2009 5:03 pm)
"That said, you can buy a Castrol produced oil under the BMW label from your dealership that is in fact a 5W-30, but make no mistake, that is NOT the same oil as is in the Castrol Syntec 5W-30 bottle."
 
Are you saying the BMW label sold by the dealer DOES NOT meet the necessary oil specifications required for latest BMW engines? - That would make no sense.....

#843 of 855 Re: BMW AWD rocks. End of story. Period. [bemer] by shipo

Oct 31, 2011 (3:20 am)

Replying to: bemer (Oct 30, 2011 8:25 am)
Nope.

#844 of 855 which one to choose? by getouttheway

Nov 05, 2011 (5:12 am)

I am now looking at new awd sports sedans. My husband has a 2011 335 x drive sedan and this is my gold standard. It is a fantastic driver's car with regard to handling, precision, power. The problem is that I dont want to spend 50k plus on my car.
So far I drove a 328 x drive and I didnt love it. It felt different on the road with less power than the 335. It felt tinny and skittish and like it strained going up hill when I floored it.
I drove the G37x and I like that they come loaded for less money with tons of hp and torque. I have read on forums that people dont like the way the transmission performs when going from deceleration to acceleration. It had a lot less road feel than the bmw as well.
Anyone have this model and have anything to add?
I was surprised at how much I liked the Ford Fusion V6 sport awd. Not a luxury car, but for the money it was very nice. I am concerned that it might not age well, since I like to keep my cars as long as possible. The leather is definitely a negative, very cheap.
I am going to check the Audi A4 and the Mercedes Benz C300 awd.
I would appreciate any help with this decision. I am looking to spend 40,000 or as close to that maximum as possible.

#845 of 855 Re: which one to choose? [getouttheway] by kyfdx HOST

Nov 05, 2011 (6:26 am)

Replying to: getouttheway (Nov 05, 2011 5:12 am)
My wife has had her 2011 G37X for a week.... No transmission issues.
 
The newer six, seven and eight speed automatics take a little getting used to... Plus, the enthusiast brands have built a lot of downshifting into the programs under deceleration that is disconcerting.. We had an X3 that was terrible (6-speed auto). But, no issues with the Infiniti. Pretty smooth..
 
If you think a 328 is slow, then I doubt you'll like the A4 20.T or the Mercedes.. I'm not sure why you felt the 328 was tinny or skittish... it's virtually the same car as your husband's 335, except for the turbo.
 
I'll agree that the G37X doesn't have the road feel or handling of the BMW... But, it's a nice, easy drive.. and, as you noted... gobs of power..
 
Just my $0.02
kyfdx

Messages Page 85 of 86

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