I have had experience with both ... since I’m the "mechanic" for both.
I currently have an `93 E34 525i with 207k ... no oil leaks, no oil consumption and running strong.
My fiancé has an `00 A4 ... Prior to 50k, and out of warrantee ... Horn - dead, cruise control - flipped out, water pump - seized ... this was LOADS of fun to replace ... actually no, it was a ridiculous nightmare!
The next 10k miles ... the airbag warning light turned on ... get screwed by the dealer for an airbag control unit. After that the turn signals, wipers, heater fan ... etc die! Thanks to some help here, figured out that a relay self-destructed. Now I have to wait for the part.
Remaining issues with the a4 ... the voltage is too high and the aux fan for the ac sounds like it's ready to die any day. Then there is oil consumption, which was prior to the oil leaks it has now.
I'm fed up with this car and doubt that it would make it to half the mileage of my E34. I've heard stories of people dealing with both vw and audi and have seen the customer satisfaction polls ... I'm done with the audi/vw group. I audi know after all the issues under 70k miles.[:'(]
It is a shame because I did like how it handled.

Ken

 

I think both car makers produce exceptional vehicles, I prefer to dislike American car makers for making so much garbage with few expensive exceptions (new ZO6 being one example). Getting back to the topic at hand, I drove my brother's 05 M3 with competition package and that thing is a monster, handling and road feedback is unmatched at least from my expirence. While my A4 is slower it is definetly easier to drive when it comes to everyday usage but then again my brother only uses the thing as a Sunday/track driver.

 

for what my suspension is, stock, it handles very very well. many will agree with me on that. plus, its only the base not the sport