Does anyone have ever drive the E46 330, B6 3.0 and C320 before.

How is the handeling compare to each other.

Assume that B6 is all wheel drive.

Also if anyone can tell me which of the 3 is more reliable that would be nice.


thanks

 

I have a B7 Quattro, I just sold a BMW 330i yesterday, and I've driven a friend's C350 as recently as 2 weeks ago.

In order of handling:
BMW
Audi
Mercedes.

BMW has a perfectly balanced road-feel and VERY true feedback from the wheels to the driver. Also, it is rear-wheel drive, which allows you to get out of trouble by pointing the car in the direction you want to go and slamming on the gas.
Audi, out of every other car I test-drove when I was looking (Lexus IS350, Infiniti G35, MazdaSpeed 6, etc.) has the closest road-feel to the BMW. I would say 90-95% identical in my opinion. The difference is that the Audi is a little more touchy at the steering wheel. The best way I can explain it is 2 inches to the left with the wheel and the BMW turns 2 feet to the left. 2 inches to the left on the Audi and the car will turn 2 1/2 feet. Hope you understood that.....
As for the Mercedes, it's a clean road-feel. Just not as responsive from the road to the driver as the Audi and BMW. More of a floating feel than a driving feel.

As far as reliability, the list would be the same. However - from what I've read recently, the BMW's are experiencing quite a few aches and pains with malfunctions and problems with the i-Drive system.
Meanwhile, Audi is consistently improving it's reliability and Mercedes is hit or miss, depending on which model you choose.

All will be fairly expensive to repair if they are out of warranty, but I've heard that the repair bill on a MB can get down right ugly if there's a major problem.

Good luck.

 

Thanks a lot Evoic

How would you compare your B7 with the 330ci
I also notice that B7 and B6 has very similar interior right??

 

For the first year that I had my 330i, my best friend had a 330ci.
I've driven both and they're as similar as you can get between a 2-door and a 4-door version of the same car.
I believe the 2-door 330ci is a little lighter, but the handling felt identical to my 4-door.

Check the post for specifics regarding the handling specifics for my new B7 vs. the 330i I just sold.

As far as interior, between the B6 and the B7 - I don't have enough knowledge of the previous model to compare it to mine.
I would expect that they are similar, with minor refinements between the 2 models. I love my interior on the B7, though.
I would say that it's the same or better than the BMW and the seats are DEFINITELY more comfortable in my opinion.
The onboard computer for the BMW gives a little more info for the driver in the BMW, but if I had to build the perfect car, it would look like this:

Engine: BMW inline6 mixed with Audi's Turbo. Mmmmm. Tasty.
Interior: Audi styling. Audi seats. BMW Computer.
Transmission: BMW by a nose.
Handling: Basically a tie.
Exterior: Depends on your taste and which body style you like.
I like BMW's previous styling better than the new body style, but I like Audi's newer body style better than the previous model.
All are nice, though.....
Price: Audi. No contest.
Gas Mileage: Audi, by a nose.
"Mod-ability": Audi wins again.

You can't go wrong with either car. You have to get in them, drive them, and see which one speaks to you.
Match that against what your needs are for the car and what your budget looks like, and pull the trigger.
You will be quite happy with both.

 

Hi Evoic,

Thanks for the response, just wondering have you ever drive in a E36 before, cause that's what I drive now, but trying to sell it now.
The reason I want Audi is because I've been driving Bimmer for the past 5 years, and kinda want to try something different, but of course I want something with similar handeling.

If you drive in E36 before, then can you compare it to audi for me.
I think I will find some time this weekend to go to the dealer and test drive one.

Thanks,
Michael

 

just wanted to say EVOIC nice,

that was a nice wording about all the cars..

nice to read..

E

 

Thanks Elvis. I'm glad someone got something out of that.

Yeuchau, you're hopeless. I can't help you anymore, I suggest you just test drive one like you mentioned in your post.
I'm also a recent 5yr BMW driver who has transitioned over to Audi's. Other than drive the car for you, I don't see what additional information I can provide to help you out.
Go see for yourself and then YOU report back here.

 

yah
I think i will find some time this weekend to go to Audi dealer to test drive one.
Hope they will let me drive it..haha

I will definitely post the feedback once i drive one

 

The "Handeling" is fine. So is the Beethovening.

 

wtf evoic

!!*** 03' BMW 330i Blk/Blk, Sport/Prem, HK Sound System, Alarm, "M" Wheels, 33,000miles. Retail: $30,800 - Private: $28,700 - Selling: $25,500

if u told me about that i woulda bought ur f*ckign car

that's the EXACT CAR i'm looking for ... it's because I couldn't find anything like it that i bought my audi wahhhhhhhhhhhh