Golf GTI to A4 Avant/ BMW Touring?

[g7jhp]

I'm thinking of chopping in our family car a Golf GTI 1.8T (Mk4 - 150bhp) for either:

- A4 S-Line Avant 1.8T (190bhp)
- BMW 330i Sport Touring (E46 - 231bhp)

The Golf is OK for pace and space but feel the A4/BMW would be better.

Can anyone advise on either?

[Fox-]

I've driven the A4 and bought a similar BMW (Well, a 530i Sport).

I liked the A4. It was 'nice'. The interior was 'nice'. It was smooth and 'nice' to drive. Unfortunately, it was 'nice' in the same way that perhaps afternoon tea with the local vicar might be considered nice. It was a nice car, thats all I can really say about it. It did nothing badly at all. It was acceptable in all areas.

The BMW, on the hand, was different. I loved driving it. I loved looking at it. I loved the interior. It left me feeling that I had to own one just like it. The Audi didn't give me that. The BMW handled better, it was obviously considerably quicker, it was..

... just better.

[gizlaroc]

Drive an A4 and a 3 series back to back, there is no comparison.

I have onwed 5 A4's and they look nice enough but handle like a bag of nuts. They are ste as a drivers car.

[DavidLScott]

I have a 330ci and tried an S4 Avant last year.

The Audi looks better than the Touring IMHO and had stupendous performance but was totally and utterly bland with US style limp power steering that made your brain switch off after a few miles. It was quite soulless.

I am tempted to have a Touring at some time but my coupe has been so good I can't be bothered to change.

[Vee]

BMW is rwd and a much better driving experience. Not to mention the layout inside. As mentioned, everything feels quality and that its in the right place.
A 330 is a great car for the money.
Autos are >225g, manuals <225.

[chewy 17]

Hi,
I have owned a couple of Golfs, then an Octavia Vrs, but have just changed for a BMW 330i Touring. Wow what a car so effortless but so powerfull and having the power through the back wheels makes it a lot more interesting to drive. It has all the M sport options Bar the suspension and looks (in my opinion) Stunning. Got a feeling it will be with us for some time. The wife even manages 39MPG !!!!

[Thorny]

we have a mk 5 golf and an rs4 avant and i would say there is probably more room in the back seats in the golf than in the audi - boot is obviously much bigger in the avant though. The BMW is def more spacious.

[matt uk]

Fox- said:

I've driven the A4 and bought a similar BMW (Well, a 530i Sport).

I liked the A4. It was 'nice'. The interior was 'nice'. It was smooth and 'nice' to drive. Unfortunately, it was 'nice' in the same way that perhaps afternoon tea with the local vicar might be considered nice. It was a nice car, thats all I can really say about it. It did nothing badly at all. It was acceptable in all areas.

The BMW, on the hand, was different. I loved driving it. I loved looking at it. I loved the interior. It left me feeling that I had to own one just like it. The Audi didn't give me that. The BMW handled better, it was obviously considerably quicker, it was..

... just better.

This sums it up. I went from a BMW, to an Audi and back into a BMW.
I would sum up my Audi as worthy, but dull - well built, but entirely uneventful.