Sorry.. what estate to buy? 330i (2002) or A4 2.5TDi (2004)

[nofuse22]

I am looking to buy a new estate and have whittled it down to these two choices:
- A 2004 Audi A4 2.5 TDi Multitronic (40k miles and c. £9k)
or
- a 2002 BMW 330i Touring (65k miles and c. £7k)

It will be mainly used for motorway commuting (and the weekly run to the supermarket). Whilst performance is not really the main consideration (sorry - i know this is pistonheads, but...), i don't want something too slow or ponderous. Also I am not too bothered by how thirsty it is (am sure the 330i is more thirsty but the £2k price differential will make up for this!).

If you own either of the cars I would be very keen to hear of your thoughts - I am looking for a car that is easy to live with and reliable... does this give the (slightly) younger audi the edge?

many thanks!

[gizlaroc]

I have owned both and the 330i absolutely destroys the 2.5tdi A4 in just about every area, in fact I can't think of a single reason to buy the A4 over the 330i apart from the fact you don't like BMWs, but as you are considering one that obviously isn't a problem.

Mine were both autos and the 2.5tdi struggled to get above 33mpg average where as the 330i returned 29mpg, so not as much in it as you would think.

[Si 330]

Seems an odd comparison, 330i v A4 3.0 quattro or 330d v 2.5tdi would make more sense to me. Either way 330i would be my preference I have owned A4 and still have 330i my A4 was a 2.4 petrol though. The handling was quiet ponderous and wallowing compared with the BMW.

[road_rager]

I have had my 2001 330i touring manual for a few years now, been a great car, I get 27mpg average.... It handles and goes really well. As others have said the 3.0 quattro would be the one to compare it against.

[nofuse22]

Gizlaroc - thanks, that's very helpful given that you have owned both.

I agree it perhaps is a strange comparison but both of these are for sale close to home. Initially my only criterion was that it was an estate, so the petrol / diesel difference wasn't a problem... That they are both reasonably spritely is great (the other thought was an A4 2.0 FSI but they seem to be considerably more expensive).

Taking the performance out of the equation would the extra 2 years in age and 25k miles cause any concerns with the bmw?

[nofuse22]

Gizlaroc - thanks, that's very helpful given that you have owned both.

I agree it perhaps is a strange comparison but both of these are for sale close to home. Initially my only criterion was that it was an estate, so the petrol / diesel difference wasn't a problem... That they are both reasonably spritely is great (the other thought was an A4 2.0 FSI but they seem to be considerably more expensive).

Taking the performance out of the equation would the extra 2 years in age and 25k miles cause any concerns with the bmw?

[Dracoro]

Check the VAG section of this site, you'll soon AVOID the Multitronic like the plague.

Go for Quattro (manual or auto, not multitronic) or FWD.

There's pro's and cons with both, for sure the bmw will be more "fun" to drive but really, what's the point in a load carrying estate, the priorities are elsewhere.

Personally I'd have the Audi, looks far better, nicer interior, assured handling with the quattro 4wd etc. but I can appreciate that the BMW is also a fine car, just not my cup of tea.