BMW 318, Audi A4, Passat

J

Jason_77

Registered User
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101
Hi All,

I am looking at changing my car at the moment. I have been looking at BMW 318, Audi A4 and a VW Passat.
Which of these cars is best value for money?
Do they all hold their value?
Are there other similar class cars that I should consider?

Any thoughts, advice, feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 
I have a 2005 Audi A4 2.0TDi. My brother has a 2004 BMW 318. My father has a 2007 Passat. I am mad about my Audi. I think it really is the business...inside & out. I paid €27K for it 2 weeks ago. Last August, my brother paid the same for his BMW. It's a great car. Passats are cheaper of course but are great cars also. I guess it depends on your budget & personal preferences.
 
BMW handles and looks well, but it's big money and will have big service costs. Audi A4 is also a nice car,again big money for a compact saloon and audi parts/service is gonna hurt the pocket.

Passat is a case of getting more car for less money. The 'highline' model has good spec (leather,wood dash,cruise con etc) and it drives and looks well. Passat has sold well here and seems to be problem free, plus VW also seem to have decent resale. Make sure you get a diesel;)
 
I think Audi have just released a new version of the A4, so maybe better to wait for new model
 
lamb said:
I think Audi have just released a new version of the A4, so maybe better to wait for new model
Click to expand...

Yeah, saw pictures of the new A4, looks like sex on legs (wheels ;)).
Am considering a post July A4 diesel. Dont want to buy new so I'm considering an early 08 import from UK, around October time.

That way you get the benefit of new VRT on import and lower road tax for future years (which an Irish pre-July '08 wont give you). This is a crazy anomoly re the ongoing annual road tax saving but seems to be the case. Not sure what the figures are - know its probably not huge anyway.

Re the import have to watch that older than 6 months and more than 6k miles on it, otherwise Irish VAT to pay as well.

Snags in this audacious plan include 1) hassle of import - havent done it before and 2) probably wont be too many new model A4's on the 2nd hand market in '08 (are they ever rental cars????)
 
REMFAN said:
BMW handles and looks well, but it's big money and will have big service costs. Audi A4 is also a nice car,again big money for a compact saloon and audi parts/service is gonna hurt the pocket.

Passat is a case of getting more car for less money. The 'highline' model has good spec (leather,wood dash,cruise con etc) and it drives and looks well. Passat has sold well here and seems to be problem free, plus VW also seem to have decent resale. Make sure you get a diesel;)
Click to expand...
To Drive: 3 Series... A4......................................................Passat
Space: Passat...........A4...................3 Series.
Value for money: Depends on what you value.
I have an A4 and I used to have a Passat (yawn). My brother has a 3 Series. A4 is a good compromise between a driver’s car and a family car, but it ain't cheap.
I'd go far a Mondeo or a Mazda6 before ahead of a Passat.
From a resale point of view nothing will hold its value like a 1-2 year old 2-door 3Series.
 
Betsy Og said:
are they ever rental cars???
Click to expand...
I've rented A4s in the past but I wouldn't say that car rental companies off-load them in huge numbers. I drive the 1.8T A4 and love it. I considered the Passat also but decided to treat myself. Watch out for "extras" though on the A4. Even things you might take for granted on another car are extra on the A4 e.g rear seats folding down to fit long objects in the boot. Then again, what might be considered an extra on the Passat are standard on the A4 e.g. dual zone air con. Let us know if you decide to go the import route!
 
oi, no slagging the Passat :D.

Its my current car and I think its a fine car - I'm being encouraged (gently) by work to go for a more "premium" brand - and going to be out and about more meeting clients, like it or not, the right car creates the right impression.

That said I've to spend my own money on the car so its not like a "free kick", but its the excuse I need to sell the idea to herself and release me from the guilt of my clandestine wish for a more fun car!

The psychology of car purchasing !!!! ;)

p.s. I love that phrase from micro-economics "buyers remorse"
 
Thanks for the replies folks.
I have decided that I will old off on the Passat until I have a family and am a few (good few) years older.

So now, the Audi or the BMW.

I have seen a good deal (I think so anyway) for a 05 318. Its the old style though. Do you think this will affect the resale value in a year or two?

Thanks
 
The resale on an old shape BMW is plummeting. You can get a 99 model for under 10k. Every boy racer in the country wants one. Look on carzone how many are for sale. Over 100 04 318's.
 
REMFAN said:
In your opinion...:rolleyes:

Passat is a fine car, well worth test driving the highline.
Click to expand...

A Passat is to an Audi what Joe Dolan was to Pavarotti. They could both hold a tune but you're not exactly talking about the same thing. (In all cases, the previous versions have been discontinued, by the way.)
 
Staples said:
(In all cases, the previous versions have been discontinued, by the way.)
Click to expand...

What do you mean by that?

I would have thought that a manufacturer would never continue to make an old model after the new model has come out - or at least for the same market. (Have I mis-interpreted your point?)

I gather they might keep punching out on old model for less developed parts of the world - China had loads of VW Jetta's which looked newish and werent from the "generation" of the Western European Jetta.
 
Staples said:
A Passat is to an Audi what Joe Dolan was to Pavarotti. They could both hold a tune but you're not exactly talking about the same thing.
Click to expand...
Never heard it put that way but I agree. Passat wins hands-down on space. For everthing else, I think I'd prefer the A4.
 
I have covered 200,000 miles in the last 6 years in 2 Passat 1.8T's, one was a Trendline and the other a Highline.

There is no doubt that it is a superb engine, the mid range torque makes for a car that can get you from A to B quickly without fuss. This car has suspension well tuned for Irish roads. If you are looking for function over form I recommend it highly. MPG quite reasonable when driven with manners.

I am currently driving a 07 Saab 93 base model 1.8...... what a pretender this car is!! Not a patch on a 1.8T.
 
Sorry Jason_77, but I did post a similar thread a few weeks ago, see below
http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=73469
However I was looking for the BMW 320d instead of the 318. In saying that there seems to be very few BMW 320d on the car websites with a reasonably low mileage.

I have read Jason_77 thread with some delight....however very little response relating to the BMW 3 series.

Any further advice appreciated and

Clubman....I hope this falls within the posting guidelines & links which i have just read
 
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