[voltron1011]

Stay away from the bi-turbo S4's.... The newer V8 ones' should provide a more reliable sport sedan experience.

[cntlaw]

Try ask the same question in an Audi forum and see what they say.

[barrett9699]

One benifit to a used car: if a pebble chips your hood, it doesn't sting nearly as bad as when you chip your new BMW for the very first time.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by TB

By the way I asked the sales guy at the dealership about the 325 and 335 models, and he said that he's never heard of them, and they might just be model changes for Europe, but nothing like that will happen here.
He also mentioned that the 330 coupe will be out in July-Sept. as a 2007 model.
Should I believe him? or is he just saying that to get me to buy the 330I now?

He either doesn't know/doesn't care about his product - stay away

Or he knows and is trying to get a sale now, rather than wait for the 335 to arrive then get your sale. Ie he is desperate to make his sales quota, not good for you, stay away

Either way, I would go somewhere else.

[jimf15e]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

Stay away from the bi-turbo S4's.... The newer V8 ones' should provide a more reliable sport sedan experience.

Agree 100%. For adrenaline/power/speed, my S4 is hands down better than my wife's 330i. For comfort/luxury/drivability, I'd take the 330. However, like voltron says the V8 S4's are significantly more powerful and reliable (though not much faster) than the bi-turbos. The bi-turbos are more "boy-racer" types, with aftermarket chips and accessories common. On that note, realize a lot of these S4 have been modded and that can seriously affect reliability. If given the choice between these specific models, I'd take the E90. Don't ask me to choose between a late model of each, though (at least not in this forum )

[godzmod]

new as virgin always better then used dude there no need to think about it. at least you dont want the virgin smell. when you first get the new car and the moment you open the door the leather smell , just like the way you feeling the virgin dude. so so sexy.

[E90-4life]

if you're going to get an S4 instead of an E90 330i, might as well make it a B6 S4.

[Robert]

Audi and BMW maintance cost should be comparable although I have heard audi has better customer service. I would highly recommend doing your own oil change since it's easy and will be a lot cheaper than dealer. Reliability? I think they are pretty much the same as well. I have heard enough horror stories from M3 and S4 crowd so I would be indifferent on that subject as well. However if you compare the S4 to 330i I am more inclined to say 330i will be the more reliable choice.

As far as handling I think 330i w/ sports package should edge out. If you didn't feel the weight and the heavy v8 in the front you haven't pushed that s4 to the limits yet. 330i will be the more nimbler choice. However, one will never need that much grip/handling performance on the street unlesss he's driving like a complete jackass and should have his license suspended.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by E90-4life

if you're going to get an S4 instead of an E90 330i, might as well make it a B6 S4.

I would go the B6 (4.2l V8) over the B5 (2.6l V6 biturbo). B6 is also a looker.

My only problem is that the quattro system is FWD biased. Audi have only 2 models with their new RWD biased quattro - the B7 RS4 and the new S8 just released.

While the 4.2l V8 certainly has it's charms (I have driven one at an Audi drive day), depending on your driving priorities of course, RWD is more fun.

[thunderbirdsarego]

Originally Posted by JamieA

My only problem is that the quattro system is FWD biased. Audi have only 2 models with their new RWD biased quattro - the B7 RS4 and the new S8 just released.

Jamie,

Are you quite sure that the quattro system is FWD biased? I realise that Audi, like Volvo added AWD to cars that were originally FWD cars and do still offer FWD variants of their cars.

However, when equipped with Quattro AWD I believe power distribution defaults to 50/50? What complicates matters is that Audi also uses the very different Haldex system (also used on the Volvo S40 AWD) which is as you say front wheel drive bias on the Audi TT (I think some VW's have used the Haldex system also).

You are definitely correct that the Audi RS4 is a rear wheel bias car as I expect the next generation of A4's will be. But if I'm not mistaken I think that at least some portion of the Audi's would be best described as having no or neutral bias. But I'm no expert !

On a different note, I did discover one downside of xDrive versus Haldex AWD. On reading the manual for my 330xi I discovered that if it needs to be towed it should go on a flat bed truck ! Better make sure that those parking meters are topped up and I'll need to plan my breakdowns more carfeully than with previous cars!

[Nikki]

Quattro is FWD biased.

[voltron1011]

It's actually 50/50...http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_audi_la...newgeneration/

[Steve P.]

Yes It is 50/50.......

[tinster]

I still have my 2000 audi s4 with APR chip, downpipes, and exhaust, mad torgue. I love the car, could not part from it when I brought the e90, decided to keep both, but have extended warranty on it. Everyone here is right, turbo cars are fun, but alot of maintaining is require. My brother -in-law is a tech. for Audi, he said the best and most reliable engine for audi is there 4.2 v8. That is the engine in the B6 s4 the older a6 and one point in the a8. If you were to get a s4 get the B6 (IMO)with warranty.

[Mono]

Originally Posted by jimf15e

Agree 100%. For adrenaline/power/speed, my S4 is hands down better than my wife's 330i. For comfort/luxury/drivability, I'd take the 330. However, like voltron says the V8 S4's are significantly more powerful and reliable (though not much faster) than the bi-turbos. The bi-turbos are more "boy-racer" types, with aftermarket chips and accessories common. On that note, realize a lot of these S4 have been modded and that can seriously affect reliability. If given the choice between these specific models, I'd take the E90. Don't ask me to choose between a late model of each, though (at least not in this forum )

Come on, which one would you pick? I am trying to pick between the B6 and 330i w/sport right now. Both are manual transmissions. Which one is more fun to drive? Which one has more rear seat room?

[BMW0]

E90.

[E90-4life]

Originally Posted by Nikki

Quattro is FWD biased.

No. It's Torsen based, which is RWD based. This system can be easily modified for varying torque distribution, hence BMW and others modulating power under normal conditions 40/60 between the front and rear axles(or w/e it is). Newer Audi's will be using a 40/60 split Quattro system, starting in the B7 RS4. The only Audi's w/ a front wheel drive based AWD sys.(Haldex) are the TT & A3.

[stressdoc]

The Winding Road comparison test might be useful to look at. Another possibility is holding out for the 335i if the Lancer will get you thruogh another 6 months or so...

[E90-4life]

A winding road will only show you how much the Audi grips and understeers, and the 3..... how it eats corners.

[c5driver951]

Come on, which one would you pick? I am trying to pick between the B6 and 330i w/sport right now. Both are manual transmissions. Which one is more fun to drive? Which one has more rear seat room?

The E90 has better rear seat room. I was surprised at how small the Audi was inside when test driving. The BMW is definitely more fun and involving to drive. The clutch and shifter are more precise.

[barrett9699]

Originally Posted by godzmod

new as virgin always better then used dude there no need to think about it. at least you dont want the virgin smell. when you first get the new car and the moment you open the door the leather smell , just like the way you feeling the virgin dude. so so sexy.

Agree, but it comes at a price.

[E30M3Driver]

Originally Posted by Mono

Come on, which one would you pick? I am trying to pick between the B6 and 330i w/sport right now. Both are manual transmissions. Which one is more fun to drive? Which one has more rear seat room?

I looked at a leftover B6 2005 S4 at $43K vs. my E90 330i. Ended up with E90. The S4 was a really nice car, no doubt, but it was smaller-esp. in the back seat, didn't handle as well and while clearly more powerful, wasn't particularly faster (the S4 was an automatic). The BMW dealer was way better than the Audi dealer as well. If the S4 had been a manual, it would have been a tougher decision. However, now that I have had the E90 for awhile, I am totally thrilled and haven't looked back-there is no way would I pay the premium at full sticker for the S4, the E90 is just too good.