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BMW 328 vs. Audi TT

19 messages, Last post on Feb 05, 2007 at 8:42 AM

You are in the Audi TT / TTS / TT-RS Forum. Your Host is claires

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Audi TT, Sedan, Wagon

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#2 of 19 BMW 328 or AudiTT by stephend Dec 09, 2006 (5:22 pm)
I am due for a new car within the year and I was leaning towards BMW 328. But after reading about rfts I am having second thoughts. Road noise, cupping, etc. Hopefully over time the quality of rfts will improve. Maybe I will go with the AudiTT but I don't think Audi has a good reliablity reputation. It is frustrating looking for a car in the 30k-40k range. Acura TL only has front wheel drive. Lexus 250 underpowered and lousy leg room for their rear seats. Audi has an ugly truck grill and below average to average reliability. BMW with their rtfs and cup holders and at times questionable customer service. Replies to this message: lipp (Dec 10, 2006 6:03 am) 895linda (Jan 16, 2007 6:26 am) gbmonline (Jan 16, 2007 8:33 pm) and 1 more... nkeen (Dec 10, 2006 10:35 am) fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 11:16 am) stephend (Dec 11, 2006 2:29 pm) fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 4:56 pm) and 1 more... likegirls1 (Jan 05, 2007 8:14 am)
#3 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [stephend] by lipp Dec 10, 2006 (6:03 am)
Replying to: stephend (Dec 09, 2006 5:22 pm) Look at Lexus ES350 and the new Infinity G. BMW 3 is very overrated. Interior is average if not less than average. Paint quality does not meet expected standards for a car in this price range. Sound system is average at best. RFT's are a major problem that BMW refuses to address. BMW has a loyal following that's sold on handling..."the ultimate driving machine." Handling is great while everything else is just "okay". As far as dealers go, some are good and some are poor while there are a few that are terrible. From Customer Service point of view, BMW is horrible to deal with. My experiences with BMWNA leave a lot to be desired. BMW is the "least customer oriented company in the auto industry." My '06 325I is my last BMW for the numerous reason noted on this forum. Good luck in your search. Replies to this message: 895linda (Jan 16, 2007 6:26 am) gbmonline (Jan 16, 2007 8:33 pm) pat (Jan 17, 2007 5:00 am)
#4 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [stephend] by nkeen Dec 10, 2006 (10:35 am)
Replying to: stephend (Dec 09, 2006 5:22 pm) Good luck with your selection. From my experience with the 2006 325i (ZSP with RFT RE50As and now, new RFT LM22s on 16" rims for winter), I'd recommend the car. If you are really thinking of a BMW, be aware that cars such as the Lexus and the Acura TL may be a better bet if you want luxury, and, depending on the model, more power and torque. Don't buy the car for the name and then discover painfully and expensively that its character was really not what you were looking for. The 3 series, despite wood and available trinkets, is really not a luxury car at heart. And you may decide that, whatever the fashion of the moment, front wheel drive makes a lot of sense. I plan to report later on how my new LM22s handle the snow and potholes. The winter tire and wheel package was a further $1K out of pocket, and would have been about $2,600 had I gone with a 17" RFT package from the BMW dealer -- something to budget for when considering the car in ZSP form. Incidentally, I moved from a TL to the less powerful 325i and am glad I made the change. Also, I'll say it again: the RE50As RFTs after 8K miles are great tires, quiet, progressive, and they grip; just don't expect the car so equipped to be something it isn't. Don't buy the BMW for its cupholders. BMW takes a dim view of drivers who distract themselves by consuming beverages behind the wheel and has elected to teach each offender a clear lesson by designing the cupholder to dump the cup and its scalding contents into said driver's lap.
#5 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [stephend] by fedlawman Dec 11, 2006 (11:16 am)
Replying to: stephend (Dec 09, 2006 5:22 pm) The IS250's backseat is too small for you, but you're considering the Audi TT?!?! Can you tell us some more about what you're looking for in a car (luxury, room, winter capability, sporty handling, hp, etc.) so we can help steer you right? Replies to this message: stephend (Dec 11, 2006 2:29 pm) fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 4:56 pm) muser (Jan 04, 2007 9:19 pm)
#6 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [fedlawman] by stephend Dec 11, 2006 (2:29 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 11:16 am) There is no perfect car. Especially in the 30k -40k price range. I know that I have to make compromises. As a single male with no kids the only room that I need is for my girlfriend, golf clubs, or luggage for a road trip. I reside in Long Island, NY. Winter weather over the years have been unpredictable but we do get enough bad weather for me to consider AWD. Don't know who to believe when they discuss RWD with winter tires vs AWD. I do want some sportiness to the car. I do take some road trips so I don't want to go to the extreme where you feel like your are driving a go-cart. As with the IS250, If I am going to compromise and get something with lower horsepower, as it compares to its competitors, than I want the car to be perfect in other areas(i.e. rear seats, and if I recall the trunk was not big enough to fit golf clubs and hand cart). As with the AudiTT, you really don't have rear seats but you can lower the rear seats which will give you alot of cargo space, and you get a quick car with AWD. The Acura TL might have been the perfect car if it had AWD. Replies to this message: fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 4:56 pm) muser (Jan 04, 2007 9:19 pm)
#7 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [stephend] by fedlawman Dec 11, 2006 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: stephend (Dec 11, 2006 2:29 pm) The tires on your car determine how well you grip the road in ALL conditions. On snow and ice, dedicated snow tires always have better traction than all-season tires. So generally speaking, A RWD car with snows will grip better than an AWD car with all-seasons. Also, AWD helps you accelerate in low gear, but once moving, AWD really doesn't do much for you. A RWD, FWD, and AWD car will all turn, cruise, and stop pretty much the same (assuming they all have the same tires). Here's my opinion: AWD is pretty much a waste of money, weight, economy, and maintenance unless you are driving to the slopes every winter weekend for months at a time - and if that's the case, what are you doing driving a $40,000 sport sedan over salty, sandy, rutted roads? Get a 10 year old Jeep Cherokee for the skiing weekends. If you want a sport sedan, a RWD or FWD car with dedicated snow tires will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go during the winter. If you can't get there with that configuration, then you probably shouldn't be out on the roads anyways. The BMW 3-series is the benchmark for it's "ideal" blend of sporty performance, luxury, and compliant ride. Every other car in the segment offers a different blend on the same formula. For example, the G35 will be a little more hard-edged at the expense of some ride and noise comfort. The TL sacrifices some sportiness for more luxury and a softer ride. I think these 3 cars (the BMW, Infiniti, and Acura) pretty much epitomize this segment, and one of them probably possesses the traits you're looking for. Based on your brief comments, I'm guessing that you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the Acura TL, but only a test-drive of each car will let you know for sure. Replies to this message: muser (Jan 04, 2007 9:19 pm)
#8 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [fedlawman] by muser Jan 04, 2007 (9:19 pm)
Replying to: fedlawman (Dec 11, 2006 4:56 pm) True, tires are the single most important component selection dictating a car's performance. I strongly disagree, however, with fedlawman's assessment that a rwd with snow tires will outperform an awd car with all season tires. They may or may not. Regardless of actual performance, the authorities make the decision sometimes. Where i live, the highway patrol regularly closes mountain passes in the winter to all vehicles without chains or 4wd. Doesn't matter if your BMW has traction control and Blizzaks, the authorities will turn you around if you don't install tire chains. Audi Quattro (any model), however, is a necessity if you live in a region like this and would rather drive a refined vehicle. Jeeps suck. If one isn't sure about the practicality of the TT, then go for the A3.
#9 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [stephend] by likegirls1 Jan 05, 2007 (8:14 am)
Replying to: stephend (Dec 09, 2006 5:22 pm) I think that audi is better than BMW. But it depends on about what TT model you talk. New TT is really very exciting and worth its prise. If you need some interesting and useful information: http://www.car-catalog.com/sports_cars/audi_tt_2006.htm Hope it will help you to choose between BMW and AUDI.
#10 of 19 Re: BMW 328 or AudiTT [lipp] by 895linda Jan 16, 2007 (6:26 am)
Replying to: lipp (Dec 10, 2006 6:03 am) I too was considering the 328 but after really looking at it at the auto show this past weekend - still love the TT. BMW has gotten SO BORING!!! I drive an '03 TT coupe quattro and love it but my lease expires soon. No problems at all with mine other than the back is so cramped for my kids... Don't know...may do the new TT although preferred the looks of mine! Replies to this message: gbmonline (Jan 16, 2007 8:33 pm) pat (Jan 17, 2007 5:00 am)

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