As I was picking up my car (yet again) from my mechanic, I spotted a 2002 Audi A4 on his lot. I thought it looked pretty sharp, compared to the prior A4 body style. Having never considered an Audi before, anyone have comments on this particular model? I heard Consumer Reports gave the 1.8T version a thumbs up. How is it compared to the W203? (in terms of ride, reliability, parts costs).

Thanks
Steve
1993 300E 2.8 180K mi

Depends on which ones you are comparing! The A4 1.8T to the C230K Sport Sedan I would pick the Benz! The A4 1.8T to a C240 4Matic I would take the Benz for the interior but the Audi for the power. Also must look into the rear seat, the A4 has a smaller rear end than the W203 does. Depends on what you want though, I find the W203 interior to be far better than the Audi, but that is my opinion. Granted I like the outside look of both I still would pick the W203 over the Audi.

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

My uncle has a 2003 1.8T, and it has had tons of nickel and dime issues, and then one major issue of oil usage, like a quart every 1000 miles. He has also not been pleased by the service department, likely because Audi service is essentially VW service, which I can tell you from 5 years of experience is the worst in the business. Stick with the benz.

The Audi is generally sportier. Overall, I think Audis are more fun to drive than Benzes I also love the Audi's styling and if you're into modding, the 1.8T engine can make very good power with only a set of chips. With that said, the Mercedes will likely hold up better in the long run. Audis can be very reliable if well maintained, but in general I would say that MB still has the edge in reliability. I currently drive an older A6, and am considering replacing it with an older C/E class, just because I would like a car that will cost me less in the years to come.

Oh, and one huge advantage is if the Audi is a Quattro. Even with all-season tires, Quattro is an excellent drive system. It can get through snow with ease, and even on dry pavement it provides the safety of 2 additional wheels driving the car. Even with ESP, RWD Mercedes cars are sometimes a handful to control in bad weather, although I do love the feel of RWD in enthusiastic driving situations.

Amen to that !
I would also thake " Consumers Report " with a grain of salt.
Much prefer " real users " comments.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Right, I don't put too much stock in evaluations that emaphasize "good buy" as having extra cupholders and baby-seat tethers.

Talk to people who own the car instead, like I did (I, too, once considered the A4) and you will find that most people love how it drives, how well it goes fast on the highway, but also quality control issues (like benz) but unlike Benz, questionable service.

I've had Audis and suppose could have more. I think they are perfectly good cars, not quite as solid as the older Mercedes. You don't see a lot of older ones on the road but I'm not sure the current generation of MBs are going to be on the road for a long time. The only thing I worry about on an out-of-warranty Audi is parts cost and availability, and the lack of a forum such as this. There doesn't seem to be as good an infrastruture to keep the cars going for a long time. Obviously an in-warranty Audi is as good as it gets on service costs.

I read a lot about questionable service when it comes to Benz too. Dealer horror stories...

Audis don't seem to hold up nearly as well as MBs. Ever seen a 12 yr old Audi that looks like new? I sure have not. Younger people drive these cars HARD and I would never want to pick one up used.

In all fairness I just don't like 'em either. LOL, I think they are BORING to look at.

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

i hated the turbo lag in the 1.8t
not to mention i actually got to drive an audi s4, and it was very nice but still didn't have the off the line power feel that my e430 has...
if i were to slam down on the gas in the s4 that's when you'd feel it but not if you just put the pedal gingerly down...

i also found a thread online that compared bmw-mbz-audi-volvo
and the last was volvo
third was audi
2nd was bmw
and 1st was mbz
in quality/reliability by users all over the world...
so
i would say stick with mbz
p.s.
mbz will love you on the resale value or in an insurance pay out
audi will absolutely hate you...
it's a shame that you can buy a 98-99 A8 (audi's biggest and best car)
for a meager 18K-22K

i guarantee you won't find a comparable mileage S-class for the same...
that's what shocked me the most when i was in my car accident

i paid 10K for my w124 coupe
and got paid out 14K when it was totaled
now that's a car!!!!

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~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

Bewarwe of the cup holder. Unless it has been relocated, it is above the radio/climate electronics.

Full cups + rough road + Audi A4 don't mix. A buddy had one a few years ago and replaced the radio & climate electronics twice.

Instead of giving up coffee in the car, he switched to an E320.

thing with audis, and is about to be changed in the next few years, is there longitudinal placement, (north south) of their engines. Makes the mass higher and further forward over the front wheels more than desirable.

Mitsu Evo is a much more intuitive chassis than a S4.

Audi, bentley, lamborghini a kind of freaky family

I have driven the old A4 (many times) and the new A4 a few times but not the W203.

The new A4 is a nice car.

The only criticism I can level at it, is that it's a bit less special than other Audis. The A8 interior is wonderful, the A6 still quite special feeling, and the A4's, whilst still high quality and in my opinion and many others, the best in its class, feels more 'everyday'.

To drive, it is great. OK ride but no Mercedes, but the trade off is fairly decent (if slightly distant) handling and a good manual change. One of few Audis where it just feels fun accelerating in a straight line. It builds on the strengths (what ones there were) of the old A4 and adds a fair bit more too. Come to the bends and it is willing. Like almost every car today grip is high, but it also turns in well, with little roll and a feeling German engineers actually had some fun when engineering the car, all of which surprised me a little .


It's also very modern - electric everything, ESP/EBD and all that, indicators that flash 3 times when you just 'nudge' the stalk, but you don't notice any of it after a few miles, just as it should be.

If you're half tempted by diesel, get the 130bhp 1.9 one and prepare to be amazed.

The W203 is supposed to be great too (especially post-facelift).

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg