Hello everyone, newbie here, and am looking for some good feedback and opinoins.

Very long story short, I traded in my 05 TSX for a 09 Lexus IS 250 AWD. Terrible car, very uncomfortable. Because of the AWD casing (and combined with the car's tight interior), the driving position of the car is not comfortable, painful, and obtrusive. The interior has a very annoying BUMP on the driver's side middle console area, and is causing tremendous pain on my right leg, hip, and heel.

I'm 5'11" and 165lbs, your "average" American male. The first few days of having the car was fine, but over time the bump just started causing more and more pain and discomfort.

So I'm thinking of trading in for another car, one's that's more comfy. Ideally I like a manual transmission. And I need AWD for the winters.

I was thinking Infiniti G37x or Acura TL with AWD. The G37x does not come with a manual, and TL comes out in a 6sp for 2010. The TL seems much roomier than the G. I thought of the 335xi, but I'm not sure of its reliability.
The cabin in the G and 335 seem 'snug' still, though better than the IS.

I'm biased towards Japanese cars b/c of their reliability.

But now I'm thinking of the Audi A4 2.0T. I heard that Audi's reliability has improved greatly, seems to exceed that of the G37x. What is your take on Audi's reliability?

How is the comfort in the 09 A4s? I have a wife and a kid in a child's seat; are you able to take long trips in the A4 and be fairly comfy?

My priorities are driver's and passengers comfort, performance, reliability, and AWD systems

Thx!

 

Hands down 335.... All you need for that car is a chip and an exhaust and you have got yourself a german rocketship...

 

i'd recommend the a4 or 335xi. the quality of both makes are second to none. the build quality, styling, safety level, handling, engine, brakes, quattro...etc is awesome. i was undecided between bmw, merc and audi until my friends in germany recommended the audi. i like the fact that it's made in germany. i will always buy german made cars because i'm just blown away by the quality. as for reliability, i've had no problems. i've read that the b6+ models are extremely reliable. another thing about the 2.0T that will put a smile on your face is the engine. best in it's class and amazing on fuel economy. it never gives up. a guy at work has a 335xi and it's a sexy beast too.

 

We spent two months deciding between the TL/AWD, IS250 AWD, G37x, and A4 2.0T. We did not want a BMW because of friend reactions - we didn't want our friends upset at us.

The TL is ugly. Couldn't get past that.

The IS had that gawdawful bump that you also referenced.

So, it came down to the G37x and the A4. Extremely similar - we had a devil of a time deciding - probably drove both four or five times over a 2-3 week period.

The decision was made one day when we took both out for a drive one right after the other. We drove along this particular section of interstate that had a sweeping right hand turn. Right in the apex of the turn is a nasty expansion joint. We drove both cars through there at the same basic speed (around 60MPH).

The G37x felt like the rear of the car shifted out when it hit that bump. The A4 did not. The A4 tracked solid throughout.

When we identified that issue, we found it elsewhere in other situations. The G37x handling was just a bit off and we felt the A4 would be safer for that reason.

From that handling issue alone (since everything else rated the same in our book), we went with the A4.

We have been extremely happy.

 

Mercedes C300 4Matic is a nice ride.

 

I haven't driven the 335xi, but the 335i is a real gem, although most people prefer quattro over BMW's X drive. How much do you drive in snow? The S4 might be worth the wait.

 

Great looks, but overpriced, underpowered, and not nearly as comfortable as the A4. I have owned several MB cars, most recently an '03 which was a service nightmare. They are not what they used to be. Still think the A4 Quattro 2.0T is best of class, but the BMW is more refined if you want to spend the extra $$ and don't mind the fuel consumption.

 

Quattro hands down when it comes to AWD! I live in Pittsburgh so we not only get a lot of snow, but also all of the nasty crap that comes with it - black ice, ice, sleet, hail, etc. I have NEVER got stuck or felt Quat slipping from underneath me. Most people on a popular highway (Rt 51) do 20mph or less in the winter when it's snowing b/c they don't have AWD/4WD...I feel completely comfortable passing them doing 40mph! I also love the luxury, comfort & feel and durability of Audi I've always preferred the A6's as they are more roomy and filled with all of the toys over an A4, but I did drive a 2009 A4 2.0T Electric Blue when my A6 was being worked on - it was still roomy & a great drive! I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed! (with any Audi, at that)

 

Interesting...I have both sitting in the garage...not to start anything on the Audi forum, but both my girlfriend and I feel the C is a more comfortable, better executed vehicle and although the V6 is not a monster, it is smooth, solid and torquey. I have been afraid of MB quality for several years but followed the development of the new C Class with a lot of interest. Turns out the C has turned in 13 months with no problems while the Audi has been in the show three times(granted for little things and so far better that the 2001 A4 that preceded it)
Anyhow, just wanted to throw it out there.

 

I appreciate all the replies and "out of the Audi box" suggestions thus far...

To be honest, the only thing holding me back from the 335xi or the A4 2.0T is the reliability. Consumer reports and True Delta suggest that like you guys mentioned, B6+ models have greatly improved reliability, which is a big positive. But I am weary of past reliability issues and owners getting ticked off at prior A4 issues...

Same with the 335xi, but CR and TD suggest that the 335xi is more prone to problems than the A4.

In an ideal world, reliability all being equal, I would go with either the 335xi or A4 (with a modded chip of course) easily. No questions...

But in a real world when one has to deal with comfort, family, kid, and reliability/maintenance, decisions become more difficult.

The 6sp TL-AWD seems like a possible choice (yes, the hideous beak is there, WTH is up with Acura design these days ) considering their hx of good reliability and lower maintenance.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.