A4 wagon vs 325xi wagon?



which and why?

 

I chose the one with less monkeys..

 

A4 cos quattro rules can't beat Audi interiors either ...

 

I'm biased - 325xi.

But if I really wanted a wagon, probably go with a Volvo or 5 series.

 

If you want a sporty wagon for less money, get a Mazda 6 Sport Wagon. I recently got one and it kicks a$$ for a wagon....I'd say it's comparable to the 325xi but without awd or the pricetag. Now out of the bimmer and the audi, go with bimmer. They have the best steering out there and is a very solidly built car( I say this because my mother has had a '98 Z3 and currently a '98 328iS and a friend has a '92 318iS.) Plus, audis are usually nose heavy and drive like ff cars.

 

so the quattro is a FWD/AWD vs the 325ix which is RWD/AWD? and thats the reason i didnt look into a mazda 6 or 5. i want either AWD or RWD....

thanks

 

I dont remember the torque distribution front to rear, but audi's quattro system is in essence a tack-on to a FWD car, with all the associated weight distribution problems due to the engine mount location. The BMW's system is building off of a RWD platform, and will naturally have better weight distribution. Also, the BMW's I believe is capable of sending 100% of torque either front or rear, whereas the Audi's possible distribution ranges from 100% front to 40% front, 60% rear. BMW's are also known for steering feel/feedback, although that will probably be dulled a bit by making the front wheels driven. So in terms of running gear and the feel of the car's handling, the BMW should come out on top. I cant really speak for fit and finish, but from everything ive heard, the audi wins there. I think road and track (maybe C&D or motortrend) ran an article online recently that compared the sedan versions of both cars with the mazdaspeed 6, volvo s40 AWD and G35x that you might want to look at.

 

Of the Audis, only the A3 and TT quattros will go to 100% front. They are transverse engine, FWD based with a viscous coupling sending power to the back. The A4 is based on the proper quattro system which varies from 60/40 to 40/60, if I remember those figures right. The fact that the engine is entirely in front of the front axle is a bit of a weight distribution problem, but IMO the complexity of the BMW system would be a bigger problem.

 

Oh, ok, thanks for the correction... I get the details confused at times