A3 3.2Q > Bimmer 328xi wagon

I'm down to the wire on deciding if I should go with the A3 3.2, and I was finally able to take an extended test drive in an '07 Bimmer 328xi wagon for comparison.

Handled great, steering feel at low speed was better than the A3. Interior was well appointed and almost as nice as Audi's. But severely underpowered, especially for the price. It's 230 hp at 6300rpm and only 200lb/ft torque. I figured it would compare favorably to a stock A3 2.0. But both trims of A3 are just much more fun. BMW's X-drive really eats up a lot of power, and I don't think I could go from an AWD Subaru to a RWD just to get decent pickup.

I just hope after reading through this forum that I pick up a 3.2 for ~$37,000 and don't end up with CEL coming on every 500 miles. And of course, per my last thread, I'm still on the fence about having Open Sky in the summertime.

I've got a friend with the 328xi and it's nice, but definitely underpowered. He likes my care much better.

Get the 3.2. It's a great car. I've had it for 2 months now (approximately 2000 miles) and everything is great. The car has tremendous torque whenever you need it and I really like the DSG. 328 is dull. 335i coupe would be a comparable option but somewhat pricier. Cheers,

Ahmet

I also recommend the 3.2. I've had mine about a month now, just over 1000 miles, so I'm just starting to see what it is capable of... amazing car.

Since I had just driven the 328, I went to a slightly out-of-the-way Audi dealership and test drove the 3.2 again. 328 is out for sure. However, not sure about the prices I'm getting. The can locate one with 17" wheels, satellite radio, cold weather, tech and open sky that is the right color, but they are asking $1500 above invoice. The should be able to do better than that, shouldn't they?

The most local dealership couldn't even offer me a 2006 that that price so far.

Go for the A-3!. I have had mine since August and have 10K miles on it. Been in the shop for oil changes and that is it. LOVE the DSG shifter and the power.

Mine was priced out at $500 over invoice and special ordered. So yes, they should be able to do better than $1500 over invoice.

Thanks for the info! I'm not in a hurry to buy, so I can use that in my favor. Demand for the A3 is greater in my area, I think (we're beginning to see a few of them around here) and inventory is sparse for the 3.2. Also, I checked the true market value on Edmunds and found my price to be $600 below what others are paying in my region.

But still, yeah, I think they can go lower.

I'm also getting the 17" wheels but I intend to make them put something good on them instead of those p6s.

It doesn't help that there are only two dealerships within reasonable distance, and one of them is notorious for staying at MSRP.

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ORIGINAL: drumdork03
I'm also getting the 17" wheels but I intend to make them put something good on them instead of those p6s.

Oh man, I begged the dealer for something different than the P6 tires when I ordered. Since the car is not yet here, I'm hoping for Conti's or Dunlop's or anything other than those crappy P6. The Conti's on my TT were real good. I even told them I'd pay the difference, if any.

BTW there is only one Audi dealer in my area, but this will be my third Audi from them, so that might have helped. The next closest dealer is about 2 hours away.

I took the Edmunds invoice price and added $500 and they agreed immediately. I did use the "What, I have to pay for free maintenance now?" schtick

Good luck whichever way you go.

Well, dealership #1 (the closest) has so far not responded to my emails from late last week telling them I was ready to stop in and talk numbers. I'm still waiting to see if they stick to MSRP as people have mentioned.

Dealership #2 (1.3 hours away) located a car, priced it at the previously mentioned $1500 above invoice and said they would check the mileage of the car to see if it was a fleet or demo car. Said they'd call me today with that info, but they haven't.

I'm used to having car salespeople calling me continuously, even if to say they cannot answer my question but would lcall back as soon as they could. So this is refreshing...at the same time a bit disappointing that they're not exactly trying that hard for a sale.

Too bad you're not in the LA area. You would already be driving that new A3.

I guess we have something else good besides the weather?

Good luck!

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ORIGINAL: Chef

Too bad you're not in the LA area. You would already be driving that new A3.

I guess we have something else good besides the weather?

Good luck!

You really want to boast about the good qualities of LA.....hmmmm traffic, smog, but lots of car dealers!

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ORIGINAL: JohnS1

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ORIGINAL: Chef

Too bad you're not in the LA area. You would already be driving that new A3.

I guess we have something else good besides the weather?

Good luck!

You really want to boast about the good qualities of LA.....hmmmm traffic, smog, but lots of car dealers!

Oh, I'm definitely ready to get out of this area, but there are a couple cool things about LA.

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

OR, during the heart of Octoberfest!

Prost!

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ORIGINAL: drumdork03

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

Thats the chance you always run into when a dealer locates a vehicle on a another dealers lot. Don't give up!

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ORIGINAL: JohnS1

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

Thats the chance you always run into when a dealer locates a vehicle on a another dealers lot. Don't give up!

Is it enough of a chance that it should deter me from buying? That's probably a dumb question, but again, I'm used to Subaru - as reliable as it gets and simple enough where there isn't much room for things to go wrong. Speak up now, cuz my decision to go with the 3.2 I haven't seen yet is being made Wednesday morning! ~gulp~

The car that was located for me is available again. Dealer said a guy who had put down $ to hold it ended up liking another 3.2 better for the color. The car I want also has just under 50 miles, so it shouldn't have been abused...much...

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ORIGINAL: drumdork03

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ORIGINAL: JohnS1

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

Thats the chance you always run into when a dealer locates a vehicle on a another dealers lot. Don't give up!

Is it enough of a chance that it should deter me from buying? That's probably a dumb question, but again, I'm used to Subaru - as reliable as it gets and simple enough where there isn't much room for things to go wrong. Speak up now, cuz my decision to go with the 3.2 I haven't seen yet is being made Wednesday morning! ~gulp~

The car that was located for me is available again. Dealer said a guy who had put down $ to hold it ended up liking another 3.2 better for the color. The car I want also has just under 50 miles, so it shouldn't have been abused...much...

Sounds like fate working in your favor. BTW, my car had just over 100 miles on it and it drives just fine. Well, I put almost half of those miles on myself through many test drives before I bought it.

Cheers!

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ORIGINAL: Chef

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

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ORIGINAL: JohnS1

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

The car fitting my specs that was located for me was actually sold Sunday from its MA dealership (grrr...). I guess time to start fresh. I just have this biting feeling that I'll end up with that car that was put together on a Friday afternoon or something.

Thats the chance you always run into when a dealer locates a vehicle on a another dealers lot. Don't give up!

Is it enough of a chance that it should deter me from buying? That's probably a dumb question, but again, I'm used to Subaru - as reliable as it gets and simple enough where there isn't much room for things to go wrong. Speak up now, cuz my decision to go with the 3.2 I haven't seen yet is being made Wednesday morning! ~gulp~

The car that was located for me is available again. Dealer said a guy who had put down $ to hold it ended up liking another 3.2 better for the color. The car I want also has just under 50 miles, so it shouldn't have been abused...much...

Sounds like fate working in your favor. BTW, my car had just over 100 miles on it and it drives just fine. Well, I put almost half of those miles on myself through many test drives before I bought it.

Cheers!

I do hope it's fate in my favor...and not getting ready to ambush me! I'm uneasy about putting $ down on a car I have never seen/test driven. Fingers crossed I don't get the bum transmission or CEL the minute I leave the dealership...or swirl marks...yes I'm a worrier.

And yes, despite my skepticism about Open Sky, summer heat and cheap shade latches, I've decided to go with that option. I just hope I still think it looks friggin' sweet in mid-August next year when the temp and humidity are both in the 90s.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drumdork03

I do hope it's fate in my favor...and not getting ready to ambush me! I'm uneasy about putting $ down on a car I have never seen/test driven. Fingers crossed I don't get the bum transmission or CEL the minute I leave the dealership...or swirl marks...yes I'm a worrier.

And yes, despite my skepticism about Open Sky, summer heat and cheap shade latches, I've decided to go with that option. I just hope I still think it looks friggin' sweet in mid-August next year when the temp and humidity are both in the 90s.

Worrier...no

Cautious A3 buyer...yes

Check out this brand new review about the A3 3.2...perhaps it will help with your decision.

Thanks for the link! They sound exactly like my parents!