Help! Facelift E90 325i or Audi B8

[RIKI]

I know this is a BMW forum but any pointers would help.Orugannaly I inlcned towrds the current E90 320i. Then soeone said wait for the facelift , should be coming Nov/Dec.O.k the E90 facelift looks great from pictures on the Net and I would be having the same car as my neighbour.Then someone said, add a bit more and get a 325i instead, you would eventaully regret getting a 320i.Now my apetite has incerased and I see what it all means. I don't mind more power Once in while I notice a A4 B8 and curosity and the Net provide me with another option.Turns out this award winning Europe best car would skew me towards getting an Audi.I plan to test the B8 this weekend but was informed that the waiting list is now till March next year. Cannot get a test drive of the 325i ( current model) as the SA says they are out of demo car! I am thorn. I am new to the world of BMW but always enjoy a good driveAny advice would helpBe gentle please.:1:

 

[E46Fanatic]

Well the B8 A4 1.8T has the most frills among the list you have there, esp in sportline trim.

But I still believe that the E90 325i is a much more enjoyable drive, and would be worthwhile with the facelift. My preference will be:

1) E90 325i facelift
2) A4 B8 1.8T Sportline
3) E90 320i Sport

Enjoy shopping!

 

[mafia]

AB is having a Open house on 11 and 12 for Raya. do swing by the showroom.
there will b showcase of the new BMW 320i Coupe, the new 3 series editions, performance parts and got discounts too.

there will be raya activities n F&B.

go over to Auto bavaria Bkt Bintang branch.. they have a 325 for test!

 

[chris1]

Hi Riki,

I believe there is another thread somewhere in this forum on BMW vs Audi. Bottom line is this - don't just buy a car because of how wonderful the machine is, the stuff you read on the internet are mainly foreign reviews. The cars are great, but my humble opinion is that the most important thing to consider is the after sales service. There are marques in Malaysia, particularly Continental ones, that are exclusively serviced & maintained by companies that are seriously not up to mark on their service standards. You don't want to pay up to half a million for a car & get the same sort of service quality as a Proton service center. Of course not all are bad, but like i said, if you are going to pay for an expensive car, get the best possible service standards. Having said that - at least for BMW owners we have a few choices i.e. AB, Ingress Auto, Sapura.

 

[RIKI]

Hi Chris1 and all,

Thanks

It is shame when it boils down to after sales service.
Also heaard that Audi spare parts and service is higher than BMW.
How true is this?

Anyway, of the 3 (AB, Ingress,Sapura) which ones have you had experience with? if you don't mind to share.
I am going to the AB Open House day this weekend but also thinking about Sapura.

I believe AB stil have offer of free service for 3 years if I book this month.
I am also trading in my current car and looking for the best interest rate, discount etc.

Cheers

 

[Hellraiser]

riki, if you want more info re audi, i can link you with my ex-classmate who happens to be the sales manager, formerly with auto bavaria. expect to get a bias opinion but at least he know about the best of both worlds. end of the day, you will need to decide. its like going out with two sisters, both as good looking, both are good in bed !! LOL !!

PM me if interested.

 

[Spaceman]

get the Limited Edition 325 Sport, sure lotsa goodies will be thrown in at good price! i like the new A4 too, but i still think i like BMW badge more than Audi ()()()(), Audi's resale value is not as good IMO than BMW which kinda attract more attention when ppl go for 2nd hand luxury car...my 2 cts

 

[Schwepps]

Riki, brand image, aftersales service, resale value, etc, are all important considerations. But none is more important than testing the cars to see which one you like driving more. Only you can decide that, as one man's meat is...

I would recommend testing them virtually back-to-back, not days or weeks apart. See how they feel puttering along, as well as pedal to the floor. Even if the max power outputs are quite equivalent, there is a lot of difference in feel between a normally aspirated 6 vs a turbo-charged 4: at low speeds, fierce accelleration and high speeds. Some like the raw kick of a turbo 4 under acceleration, but others like the smooth refinement of a non-turbo 6. Only you can tell which you like more on a daily basis. You're going to be married to this lady for a few years at the least!

Opinion: I've tested the Audi A4, Merc C230 and Lexus IS250, and own a 325i Sports. It's definitely the 325i for me by a country mile.

 

[B33mEr]

unless ur getting d quattro version then I highly suggest u get d BMW E90 325i simply due to driving enjoyment and driving dynamics. Rear wheel drive r more fun, faster and more rewarding compare too front wheel drives but however if ur more to frills then what e46fanatics said is true

 

[bimmerdude]

in the long run, i think the beemer makes more sense la.. resale, after sales service, interest rate, driveability...
just my unbiased opinion.

 

[bimmerdude]

and i think the 320 coupe would look really nice.

 

[mafia]

yes.. and they are also launching the sports package this sat 323i will be the show car in bukit bintang showroom....go over n look for mafia... hehehe

 

[Schwepps]

323? Interesting...I guessed it would come in 323 moniker sooner or later. Any details mafia? Which engine, bhp, frills, price, etc? Going to BB on a weekend is not something I enjoy la!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Riki, this topic has been covered at great length in another thread. E46F and I even set aside some time on a working afternoon to test drive the B8 quite substantively. Essentially, we found the B8 well made and equipped but being FWD, it was less enjoyable to drive. The E90 is just in a different league in this department as our many "spirited" drives have proven. BMW has kept a strong hold on its reputation as a sporty marque compared to the so-called wannabes and pretenders like Audi, MB and Lexus. (Honestly though, these other makes are no longer wannabes, really but still behind in the compact exec segment..)

As for service standards, the general consensus here is Ingress Auto remains the best place to service your car. They have the least (almost zero) complaints and the most compliments.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

323? Interesting...I guessed it would come in 323 moniker sooner or later. Any details mafia? Which engine, bhp, frills, price, etc? Going to BB on a weekend is not something I enjoy la!

You should then join us at Ingress Auto this Saturday. The E92 320i and LE 325i Sports will be featured as well. I started another thread on this and do join us. It's about time we all met you in person le.

 

[mafia]

guess tht BMWCM only promotes and say yes to ingress... not AB... hmm.. mus work out something here la!

 

[Schwepps]

You should then join us at Ingress Auto this Saturday. The E92 320i and LE 325i Sports will be featured as well. I started another thread on this and do join us. It's about time we all met you in person le.

Will consider, boss! LE 325i Sports? Is there really going to be a 323? Pls elaborate if you can boss...

 

[racheltoh]

i saw a white 323 yesterday at IA...

 

[Juan Powerblow]

guess tht BMWCM only promotes and say yes to ingress... not AB... hmm.. mus work out something here la!

Not always lah. I bought all my BMWs from AB and still have a good relationship with them. I'm only suggesting for Schwepps to visit Ingress since he expressed a reluctance to go to downtown on a weekend which is understandable. I got many friends and even got invited by my SA to visit the open house at AB Glenmarie.

Back to topic... Riki, you should test drive both cars and tell us what you think from that experience.

 

[RIKI]

Thanks

Hope to drive both cars this weekend.
Who knows maybe the frills will win me over ors I'll tay true to my dream to own a Bimmer..:top:

I am new to all this, so don't expct a review. :biggrin:

Anyway, what sort of interest rate should I expect for the cars? Is it going up or down?