In the ever so popular entry-level luxury car segment, the BMW 3-series is a huge seller, and the benchmark. Audi's A4 has been no sitting duck either though, selling a crazy number of units as well. So which one is really better?
Well, I wasn't big on Audis previously. I saw them as glorified Volkswagens, partly, because most of them are. No companies can be accused of platform sharing as much as VW and Audi. They use the same platform for the Jetta, Golf, GTI, Passat, Beetle, A4 and A6. They stretch it and shrink it as necessary, but it's essentially the same chassis. So you can understand why I would look at an A6 and say... I wonder if that guy knows he's driving an XL Jetta.
My opinion on Audis changed quite a bit after owning a VW GTI VR6. Even at more than 110,000 miles on the odometer, the GTI tracks straight and true, solid as ever. There's a certain solidity that all German cars have that is very addictive. It's not that they're actually better built - the reliability is actually shameful, and nothing compared to the appliance-like Japanese cars. However, the perception of the solidity is still appealing. And so Audis are appealing to drive, as I found. But so are higher-end Volkswagens, and they feel strangely similar. We'll have to look at a lot more to find out whether the Audi A4 is worth it.
In terms of driving dynamics, while the A4 is very, very good, the 3-series is downright excellent. Nothing compares to the rear-drive, 50-50 weight balance, great steering feel, engine sound and fun-to-drive nature of the 3-series for anywhere near its price. If that is the most important thing to you, your decision is clear.
Not everyone looks at driving dynamics alone though. Let's talk about styling. BMWs look good, but I consider Audis and their Bauhaus style to be at the very top of mainstream cars. It's also understood that Audi designs some of the best interiors in the business. Fit, finish, colour choice, everything is superb and looks top-notch, better than just about every competitor. If the styling and interior are most important to you, your decision is clear as well.
Since both cars are similarly sized, it comes down to value. The A4 is cheaper than the 3-series, especially in front-drive four-cylinder form, but if you're looking at the front-drive 4-cylinder A4, you should probably have a look at the Jetta too, which offers the same chassis, engine and transmission for a lot less. On the other hand, you can look at it as a cheap way of getting into an Audi (but you'll miss a lot of the experience). Thing is, when you look at a Quattro V6 A4, the prices are right in line with a 3-series, and the value proposition doesn't quite look the same when an A4 can go up twenty grand in price.
I'd say that on the lower end of the scale, the A4 is the better choice, and if you're going to spend more, go for the 3-series.
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