320d or A4 S-line 2.0tdi
Discussion
Hi folks, first post so apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place!
I've currently got a Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi and I'm looking to change to either a 320d SE or an Audi A4 S-Line 2.0TDi (both used but with less than 15k on the clock).
Its a close call as both cars tick the boxes I'm after. Couple of niggles in my mind about each one though
BMW - more expensive to buy, poor selection of alloys, not as much kit as the Audi, dealers not easy to get discounts out of
Audi - potentially expensive servicing, future value v future value of BMW?, stlying a tad more boring, not as quick as BMW
So I was wondering if anyone out there has been in the same position and what did you think of each car?
I've test drove a 318d and will be testing driving both of the above cars this week.
I've currently got a Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi and I'm looking to change to either a 320d SE or an Audi A4 S-Line 2.0TDi (both used but with less than 15k on the clock).
Its a close call as both cars tick the boxes I'm after. Couple of niggles in my mind about each one though
BMW - more expensive to buy, poor selection of alloys, not as much kit as the Audi, dealers not easy to get discounts out of
Audi - potentially expensive servicing, future value v future value of BMW?, stlying a tad more boring, not as quick as BMW
So I was wondering if anyone out there has been in the same position and what did you think of each car?
I've test drove a 318d and will be testing driving both of the above cars this week.
BMW without a doubt.
I had an A4 TDi and whilst is was a decent car it was completely uninvolving to drive.
My old man has a 320d. It handles soooooo much better, it will oversteer on a wet roundabout, it's quicker, its more comfortable (the ride on the A4 is shocking especially the S-Line), it's more economical, its a lower taxation band (if that matters). Its just better in almost every resepct.
I had an A4 TDi and whilst is was a decent car it was completely uninvolving to drive.
My old man has a 320d. It handles soooooo much better, it will oversteer on a wet roundabout, it's quicker, its more comfortable (the ride on the A4 is shocking especially the S-Line), it's more economical, its a lower taxation band (if that matters). Its just better in almost every resepct.
brum said:
BMW without a doubt.
I had an A4 TDi and whilst is was a decent car it was completely uninvolving to drive.
My old man has a 320d. It handles soooooo much better, it will oversteer on a wet roundabout, it's quicker, its more comfortable (the ride on the A4 is shocking especially the S-Line), it's more economical, its a lower taxation band (if that matters). Its just better in almost every resepct.
I had an A4 TDi and whilst is was a decent car it was completely uninvolving to drive.
My old man has a 320d. It handles soooooo much better, it will oversteer on a wet roundabout, it's quicker, its more comfortable (the ride on the A4 is shocking especially the S-Line), it's more economical, its a lower taxation band (if that matters). Its just better in almost every resepct.
Just been driving around in a 320d M-Sport loaner, what a cracking car! Great fun to drive. Rides well and presses on very happily when you want it to. No idea on the Audi but I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the 320 
Also it was doing about 50mpg at 100mph
Also it was doing about 50mpg at 100mph
Edited by john_p on Monday 19th January 22:27
The only time I would choose the Audi is if I wanted DSG.
The BMW's better to drive, dynamically.
I had choice of A3 S line TDI 140hp and 118d 143hp SE with a few options (no leather though). Went for the BMW. Cheaper tax too. I decided I would change gears myself and forego leather for the dynamics of the BMW. And it was cheaper tax, I think I already mentioned that
!
The '20d is a little nipper than the '18d too, so you need to drive it if you have only driven the 318d so far.
The 318d may only be a 122hp version. The 320d of the same era is about 165hp.
The BMW's better to drive, dynamically.
I had choice of A3 S line TDI 140hp and 118d 143hp SE with a few options (no leather though). Went for the BMW. Cheaper tax too. I decided I would change gears myself and forego leather for the dynamics of the BMW. And it was cheaper tax, I think I already mentioned that
!The '20d is a little nipper than the '18d too, so you need to drive it if you have only driven the 318d so far.
The 318d may only be a 122hp version. The 320d of the same era is about 165hp.
Not sure what the new A4 is like, but in the old shape S-Line, the chassis settings seemed to have been set up so that the car with fidgety and restless over bumps at slow speeds, but then didn't hold the body weight in check and rolled too much at high speeds. The phrase I onced used to describe it was "the worst of both worlds"..
Try the new one though - it's bound to be better
Try the new one though - it's bound to be better
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff