I'm looking to make an auto purchase soon. I am torn between either an 00/01 Audi S4 or 00/01 BMW 330Ci. I know this is an Audi site, and I thought that I could get some useful advise or some pros and cons from experienced owners. I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks alot.

 

I'm not gonna lie..all you're gonna hear are picks for Audi..but the most useful info I can give you is..how much are you willing to pay after you've bought the car? All in all the bimmer is cheaper..but the Audi is about a thousand-times better!

 

I curerently have an 04 S4, but before that I had an 01 330Ci Premium, no Sport. I've never driven a B5 S4, so I can't compare the two, but I can tell you that the BMW is awesome. Few cars in that price range are that fun to drive. Plenty of power, rides smooth, but corners like it's on rails.

You wrote 330Ci in your post, so your looking for a BMW coupe or an Audi Sedan? That brings up other considerations. Do you need a back seat? If so, get the Audi. The BMW back seat's are comfortable and I've carried two adults back there comfortably, but getting in and out is kind of a bitch. If you're flexible you can even have sex back there, but alot some time because your legs will be so tired after that you won't be able to get out of the back seat. 5 minutes worked for me, but I was in pretty good shape at the time.

If you really want to compare the two cars, you should look at the Cxi, which is the all wheel drive sedan. The dealer loaned me one while mine was getting the oil changed, so I figured I should test it out. It was raining out, and I tried to break it loose. Punching it on take offs around corners and stuff, but between the AWD and the DSP, it stuck to the road for all it was worth.

I had some problems with both the door seals on my Ci. I think the doors weren't aligned properly and over a few months the seals would get worn down and come loose from the frame near the latch. You'd have to slam the door to get it to close. BMW replaced it under warranty. And the Bose speakers suck. The subwoofer rattled horribly. I blew out the passenger door mid-range and then the BMW Servicemeister (this was in Germany) tried to tell me it was my fault. He saw it my way after I explained that anyone who has ever designed a stereo system knows your speakers have to handle more than you amp can produce, there is no volume level indicator on the factory stereo, and the speed sensitive volume increases on it's own. They paid for it.

My opinion: My B6 S4 is more fun to drive, and I like the interior better. I also like the styling better on the Audi. Hope this long-winded rant sheds some light on the situation.

 

IN MANY WAYS THE BMW IS A GREAT CAR . I HAVE DRIVEN BOTH CARS EXCEPT THE 330 WAS AN O3 ! TO ME NOT JUST BECAUSE I HAVE ONE BUT THE B5 S4 IS ALOT MORE FUN TO DRIVE . I KINDA USED TO DREAD RUNNING EARINS(SP.C) FOR MY WIFE I.E. GO GET MILK GO TO BLOCKBUSTER ETC... BUT EVER SINCE I GOT MY B5 I ASK IF THERE IS SOME WHERE TO GO . NOT JUST CAUSE IT'S NEW TO ME BECAUSE ITS REALLY ENJOYABLE ... I HAD A CHOICE BETWEEN A M3 AND A S4 I CHOOSE THE S4 BECAUSE WHERE I LIVE YOU SPOT A BMW( M3, 330 ) MORE THAN YOU SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ! HONESTLY (MIAMI FL.) AND TO ME THE S4 IS MORE OF A OHHH LOOK AT THAT S4 (EVEN THOUGH MINE IS 100 % STOCK AT THE MOMENT) PERSONAL OPINION THEY ARE BOTH VERY GOOD CARS SEE IF YOU CAN DRIVE THEM BOTH SOME HOW AND DECIDE... GOOD LUCK ON YOUR SEARCH !

 

The S4 wil be much more fun to drive, people have compared them to more recent 330's (like the post above me) and have said that the s is much more fun to drive.

 

My best friend has an 01 330ci, i have a 01.5 s4... i'd take mine over his any day.

 

im sry to say but i would take a 330ci. I love driving them, b/c of the RWD and they are alot faster. But then again i have a 2.8 not a s4 so... The s4 was also very fun to drive. I would say audi b/c with a chip on the 2.7T u can get alot of power and a ton more potential from that engine.

 

Do you need/want AWD or possibly the S4 wagon? We have an '02 S6 Avant that is an awesome car, gobs of power and great handling. If necessary, I could take a foursome with all our gear on a golf trip. I also have an '01 330Ci convertible which I love. In the fun to drive category the Bimmer wins. But I also kept my Jeep Grand Cherokee for sloppy winter days when the Bimmer stays in the garage.

If you get the Bimmer, get a convertible with Premium and Sports pkgs.

Jim

 

hey get a convertible if ur a girl. a 3 series convert. is a chicks car, no matter what. Unless u have 3 models in bikinis in it, its a chick car.

 

I own a 2001 S4 and a 2002 BMWxti. The BMW has better road manners. The BMW feels more loose and free wheeling. The S4 screams to be driven hard. The S4, with chip, is a rodeo ride. Both 4 wheel drive systems are awesome and very forgiving. I still prefer to take the S4 out because of the power, and bank vault feel.