Test Drove an S4!

Brand new B7. Car was an absolute beast. 340 horses at their full potential! Unbelievable exaust note. Turned on rails. Although I was extremely disspointed in the ride quality. Around Boston, I felt every single bump, expansion joint and pot hole.... X2!!! Unfortunately I have ruled it out due to cost, gas milage and ride quality. I did test drive a 335xi afterwards and was pleasantly surprised. Ride was extremely refined, and interior was comfortable. Car is $10 Large less, gets better gas milage and has similar performance. Its got alot going for it right now IMO. But I still have not test driven the A3 3.2 DSG.  That could be the sleeper. Not looking to Mod because its a lease. Current lease is up at the end of April...
 
Any B7 owners have past experience with BMW 3 Series or A3's?

Just get an S5 over the Bimmer

I don't think the A3 is gonna compare.  In fact, I like the 2.0T over the 3.2.  I test drove both and the 4 cyl just feels lighter on it's feet.

My sister owned a 3 series (2006) and I got to drive it once or twice and I loved it.  The reviews about how well balanced they are and how good the driver feedback is...are spot on. It did feel bigger than the Audi...I didn't check any wheel base measurements, so I'm not sure how they stack up.

We got an A4 because the pricing on the BMWs is steep and you gotta pay out the a$$ for every option.  Since you're leasing and were comaring to the S4 price point, this won't be an issue for you.

Does BMW offer included maintenance with their lease?  If they do, this could save you some $$ since Audi doesn't offer it any more. Your B7 lease included maintenance, right? 

I'm an Audi fan, but if I were to choose between the A3 and 3 Series, I'd be in the Bimmer.  The A5 looks sweet and I'd probably pick it over the 3 Series  Have you checked it out?  Since it's new, the lease options may suck.

ItsThat2.0T: The S5 is in the same price bracket as the S4. The 335xi is still $10,000 cheaper. Personally I would also prefer a 4 door.
Incramentalg: Thanks for the insight. I tried to test drive the A3 today, but the dealer did not have the car they told me they did!
BMW's maintanance is currently included. Audi has done away with this. (Unless you spend an extra $600 for Audi Care) I have already decided that since my 2005.5 lease included maintanance, I will not pay for this on a new Audi and will make the dealer throw it in. Have not checked out the S/A5 yet because I am interested in a 4 door. I am an Audi fan as well (have LOVED my A4) But damn, test driving that 3 just made me look at German sedans in an entirely different light!
 
Let's face it, if I could afford the S4, this would be a NO BRAINER
 

I also got to test drive one, awesome cars. I got in a nice little 0-80 run that was pretty enjoyable. Don't we all wish we could drive s4s or better yet an rs4 everyday

I thought ride quality was straight ballin btw

pipes, where do you live? The roads around Boston are awful, and thats why I thought the ride was too jarring.

Not sure how far you want to travel, but I think Rietzl Audi/Porche in Norwell has both the 2.0t and 3.2 A3 in stock.  I was just there the other day and saw 'em. They have a good test drive route with highway time.  If you give them a call or shoot them an email, they'll tell you exactly what they have and won't BS you.  Mike Bruno is the sales manager and he's a straight shooter.

Test drove the car back home in St.Louis. Nice smooth roads, didn't really take it over any bumps it was definitely a fun ride. Funny thing was my Dad actually ended up buying the car, kept it for like 2 days and then woke up and thought to himself What have I done? Anyways he decided it was too much of a sports car/gas guzzler and that he couldn't really drive it without going 80+ all the time so he took it back to the dealership. It was way to comfortable and easy to get going high speeds without thinking twice, I have to agree, but I was like Dad you cant be serious you sold that back?!?! Now he's driving an A8 though so i think hes happy, more his kind of car.

Just upgraded last summer from a 2005 A4 2.0T to a new 2007 A4 3.2 fully loaded. Love my 3.2. However, I was strongly looking into a 335 coupe. Performance-wise, it blows away my 3.2 - the acceleration is awesome with the torque curve available at such a low rpm.
 
The dealer let me take it out alone (we bought an X3 for my wife a few months prior), and I was truly shocked with how fast it got up to 70-80 mph from a rolling start. I haven't had a car make me feel that way since my old 69 Z28 Camaro, really. Not even the S6 I test drove a couple months prior.
 
Well, whoever said BMW kills you on the options couldnt be more correct. My car was $44k, and I got a good break. The 335i coupe was $50k with the same options, NO BREAK on price.
 
I wish I had the torque of the 335, but I really love my car, especially in the rain and snow. There's just something solid about the Audi experience, I feel safe in it. Also, I think Audi has BMW beat hands down in terms of interior trim. There's a lot of cheap plastic in BMW's still.
 
Good luck with your decision.

PS Go Sox!!! Nice to know that spring training is starting!!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: SimBone

Just upgraded last summer from a 2005 A4 2.0T to a new 2007 A4 3.2 fully loaded. Love my 3.2. However, I was strongly looking into a 335 coupe. Performance-wise, it blows away my 3.2 - the acceleration is awesome with the torque curve available at such a low rpm.

The dealer let me take it out alone (we bought an X3 for my wife a few months prior), and I was truly shocked with how fast it got up to 70-80 mph from a rolling start. I haven't had a car make me feel that way since my old 69 Z28 Camaro, really. Not even the S6 I test drove a couple months prior.

Well, whoever said BMW kills you on the options couldnt be more correct. My car was $44k, and I got a good break. The 335i coupe was $50k with the same options, NO BREAK on price.

I wish I had the torque of the 335, but I really love my car, especially in the rain and snow. There's just something solid about the Audi experience, I feel safe in it. Also, I think Audi has BMW beat hands down in terms of interior trim. There's a lot of cheap plastic in BMW's still.

Good luck with your decision.

PS Go Sox!!! Nice to know that spring training is starting!!!

 
+1. Its gonna be another great season!
 
The A4 3.2 is a beautiful car. Just does not have the performance I am looking for.  Well, there is really not that much of a difference between 6.7 and 5.9, But.....
 
I got a chance to test drive the A3 3.2 S line today. What a solid car. I was amazed. The exaust note sounded like the S4. (test drove that two weeks ago) the A3 is fast, and feels solid. Plenty of power. I would have never noticed the Haldex. It felt just like the Quattro in my A4. Very involving driving experience. I would say it rivals the 335xi for performance and driving experience. They are in differnt classes, but I figired I would throw it out there since I just drove both. The A3 is a good alternative and ALOT cheaper than the Bimmer with similar performace and driving expereince.

So you liked the way the s-line 3.2 drove but not the regular 3.2? What kind of differences are there performance-wise? I thought it was mostly aesthetic differences. I drive an a4 3.2 by the way and I love it. With the 3.2 there aren't much in the way of mods but I still give it thumbs up.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wesleypipes3.2

So you liked the way the s-line 3.2 drove but not the regular 3.2? What kind of differences are there performance-wise? I thought it was mostly aesthetic differences. I drive an a4 3.2 by the way and I love it. With the 3.2 there aren't much in the way of mods but I still give it thumbs up.

 
"So you liked the way the s-line 3.2 drove but not the regular 3.2?" Not sure what you are asking. I have only tried the A3 3.2 S line. Not the premium. If you are asking what the performance differnces are between the A3 3.2 S line and the A4 3.2, its about a second in the 0-60 department. If you are asking what the performance differnces are in the A3 3.2 Prem v S-line. I would imagine they are the same performance wise.
 
Definately not knocking the A4 3.2. Awesome car with plenty of power. I have driven an A4 for three years (but its the 2.0T) and have tried the 3.2 A4 as well as the 3.2 A6. The A3 S line just seemed to have a little more kick to it IMO.

Sounds like your next ride will be an A3 S Line?  I think the slightly stiffer suspension makes the car feel so much tighter and dialed in.  Granted it's no S4 in the suspension dept, but I think it's a good trade off...responsive feel without beating your brains out.
 
Keep us posted.  The wife and I were thinking of an A3 in the future...she wants Quattro, so it'd have to be the 3.2. I'd like to hear what your impression is since we now have an A4 2.0...same as yours.

quote:

ORIGINAL: incrementalg

Sounds like your next ride will be an A3 S Line?  I think the slightly stiffer suspension makes the car feel so much tighter and dialed in.  Granted it's no S4 in the suspension dept, but I think it's a good trade off...responsive feel without beating your brains out.

Keep us posted.  The wife and I were thinking of an A3 in the future...she wants Quattro, so it'd have to be the 3.2. I'd like to hear what your impression is since we now have an A4 2.0...same as yours.

 
Honestly, I thought the acceleration and suspension felt similar to the S4, but the ride was much smoother. (not as jarring)
 
I'll definately keep you posted man. Hopefully that will be my next ride, but not at 687/month!!!  I have not been able to find any good lease deals on the A3 because Audi does not price their leases aggressively on this car. Very unfortunate. The best quote I have gotten is 640/mon with $3,000 down. 3 year, 15K miles per year. Open sky, S line, cold weather, bluetooth and xenons.
 
Thats still at a serious premium for a $37K car. I just cant justify the inflated mark-up at this point. So we will see.

My bad, I was a little confused with what you were saying. Good luck finding the right ride