Help Please: C230 vs. Audi A4 Comparison
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Help Please: C230 vs. Audi A4 Comparison
I have driven both the 2003 Audi A4 (sedan and wagon, actually - noticed essentially no difference in handling/performance between the 2) and the 2003 C230. I enjoyed both cars very much and have the what seems to be an obvious dilemma. I think the Quattro system is a big plus for Audi but i'm looking for other information that may be helpful in this decision. Please help!
David
David
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
That's a tough one as the Audi is a 4 door and that would be a plus for me. The problem the Audi has for me is that it's a porker, weighing in as much as some larger sedans. Too much weight for such a small engine. On a hot day, the turbo gets hot and you lose a bunch of power. Also, in my area you don't get the same level of service as MB. For example they don't give you loaners (they provide rentals but that's annoying and takes time to get a ride to the rental company, sign contracts and be on your way), you get less years of free maintenance and warranty (unless they changed that), you don't get free car washes with Audi. Another car to look at in the under 30K price neighborhood where you get the AWD, 6 cylinder and leather standard is the Jag X-Type. Also Jag has better service, free maintenance, loaners and warranty similar to MB. Before you get off on saying bad things about Jag because a few components are shared with other Fords, drive one, they are very nice.
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From: Milwaukee, WI
As far as the Audi goes, my significant other and I just turned in his 1999 A4 1.8T. It was a fantasic car, and we would get one again in a heartbeat. They do have 4 year free scheduled maintenance (now - the 1999 had only 3 years), btw, and we did get free car washes when we took it in for service. I can't say about the free loaners, because the scheduled maintenance never took long enough to warrant leaving and coming back for us. I myself was checking one of the new ones out, but I've ultimately decided to go with the C Coupe when my Beetle's lease is up just because I'm a sucker for 2-doors. I really prefer to have a small hatchback to a sedan. And, I would prefer a better power to weight ratio (you're right, the A4 is pretty heavy for the 170hp the 1.8T produces, not to say that it is sluggish by any means), and the 3.0 is out of my price range.
Buellwinkle, funny you should mention the X-type: that's exactly what we replaced the A4 with, and we are loving that one even more! Funnier still, my Dad's reaction was "so, you're getting a Ford product, huh?". Yeah, that's like saying if we bought a Bentley we'd be getting a VW product.
So David, I'm afraid that I don't have a clear answer for you - but if you value AWD, and would like the practicality of a 4 door, go with the Audi. But if you're like me and you want a smaller car with a bit more pep, get the C coupe. Either way, you've still got a great car.
That's my ten cents, anyway.
Buellwinkle, funny you should mention the X-type: that's exactly what we replaced the A4 with, and we are loving that one even more! Funnier still, my Dad's reaction was "so, you're getting a Ford product, huh?". Yeah, that's like saying if we bought a Bentley we'd be getting a VW product.
So David, I'm afraid that I don't have a clear answer for you - but if you value AWD, and would like the practicality of a 4 door, go with the Audi. But if you're like me and you want a smaller car with a bit more pep, get the C coupe. Either way, you've still got a great car.
That's my ten cents, anyway.
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From: COMPTON,CA
C32
I would go with A4,depending if u perfer 2 or 4 doors,i wish i got the audi but the new body wasn't out when i got my C230,and u can always chip the audi for $300 from nuespeed ,and get 25-30hp,and depending on the weather where u live the awd could be a great bonus,and also keep in mind your insurance will always be lower with a awd vehicle,but good luck
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
I just got rid of my 1999.5 A4 1.8t (considered to be best year for B5 platform BTW) for the C Coupe. I loved my A4 but it ran out of warranty and I did some suspension mod that didnt go too well. If my suspension wasnt screwed up (long story) I'd still keep the car. The C Coupe is cheapest German (except VW) out of all and thats why I got it.
The interior on the A4 was much better such as tech being in center, engine temp, oil pressure, battery volt meter all right there, pimpy red interior lighting (dunno if new ones still have that), great braking stability, Sports pkg has great steering feel (and I only had FWD not even quattro), and factory non-premium sound system sounded just as good as my C Coupe BOSE. Also dont forget AUDI is kicking *** in LeMans and other motorsports.
YES I miss my A4 but my new C Coupe is growing on me (BTW they share same wheel pattern and light bulb sizes so I am reusing some of my mods). Check out my www for some A4 pics and list of mods.
The interior on the A4 was much better such as tech being in center, engine temp, oil pressure, battery volt meter all right there, pimpy red interior lighting (dunno if new ones still have that), great braking stability, Sports pkg has great steering feel (and I only had FWD not even quattro), and factory non-premium sound system sounded just as good as my C Coupe BOSE. Also dont forget AUDI is kicking *** in LeMans and other motorsports.
YES I miss my A4 but my new C Coupe is growing on me (BTW they share same wheel pattern and light bulb sizes so I am reusing some of my mods). Check out my www for some A4 pics and list of mods.
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
I considered it a4 as well. I'd love the quattro. The 1.8 engine is VERY tunable. But and this was the deal killer for me. No leather option.
Yes I could go aftermarket, but I didn't want the hassle.
P
Yes I could go aftermarket, but I didn't want the hassle.
P
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
You might want to check resale history, and see which brand does better for when you decide to sell/trade. I bet Mercedes has better resale than Audi. I don't know what the reality is, but the perception by most people is that Mercedes is reliable and durable and Audi is less so. It may be just a perception but Consumers Reports does keep reliability records. Based on my experience with Mercedes so far, I would go with a Lexus
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I had this same debate, came down to a simple decision: what do you want?
1. A 2 door "coupe", or;
2. A 4 door sedan?
The performance numbers, service, reliability, quality, are all very close, the A4 only winning with Quattro (but you have to take an auto, no manual available if I remember right).
Right now, for a 2dr hackback, nothing is in the same class as the C230, but for a 4dr sedan you have a ton of options, and I'd recommend taking a look at the Jag like others said... you might be pleasantly surprised.
1. A 2 door "coupe", or;
2. A 4 door sedan?
The performance numbers, service, reliability, quality, are all very close, the A4 only winning with Quattro (but you have to take an auto, no manual available if I remember right).
Right now, for a 2dr hackback, nothing is in the same class as the C230, but for a 4dr sedan you have a ton of options, and I'd recommend taking a look at the Jag like others said... you might be pleasantly surprised.
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From: North Berkeley
C230 C-Coupe
Generally people who consider the A4 look down the price range towards the Passat, Camry and Accord. $24,000 is steep for a re-badged Passat. Although for the same price I would test drive the Convertible A4.
Doesnt the Jag start over $30? That seems like a big hike in price and style.
Nathan
Doesnt the Jag start over $30? That seems like a big hike in price and style.
Nathan
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From: Vienna, Austria
Audi S4
This is a tough call. If you were getting a 3.0 I'd say go for the Audi for sure... but with the 1.8 I'm not so sure. I'd probably go with the Audi but only if the manual has good feel.
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
he,he, Andrew, You and I both hate this 6sp in the coupe... I had the Factory rep and an engineer drive mine last week and they said it was fine. It still shifts like crap from 1st to 2nd, but they said it was normal. So another criteria might be if you want a manual or auto. Definately don't get the Mercedes if you want a manual. You might get a good one, you might not.
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From: Vienna, Austria
Audi S4
Too old? Its a brand new model!
I dont really hate the 6-speed, but its not exactly good either. It seems to have loosened up a little bit in the last couple thousand miles, but I'm still going to try the C7 linkage conversion.
I dont really hate the 6-speed, but its not exactly good either. It seems to have loosened up a little bit in the last couple thousand miles, but I'm still going to try the C7 linkage conversion.
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2000 BMW328i
I've had two Audi A4s: a 1.8T sedan, which was essentially a lemon, and the 2.8 wagon (with sport suspension) I traded it for. To Audi's credit, they made the transaction easy for me, but I recently got rid of the wagon in favor of the c230.
I did like the quattro, but the stock A4 engines are sluggish around town, and fuel economy was terrible. Little things seemed to go wrong all the time, and occasionally big things as well. Even in the 2.8 it felt like there was a turbo lag, maybe because of the extra weight of the quattro. This was just my experience. I have a feeling resale value will be better with the Mercedes -- I see a lot of used Audis on the lots here in the Bay Area.
I did like the quattro, but the stock A4 engines are sluggish around town, and fuel economy was terrible. Little things seemed to go wrong all the time, and occasionally big things as well. Even in the 2.8 it felt like there was a turbo lag, maybe because of the extra weight of the quattro. This was just my experience. I have a feeling resale value will be better with the Mercedes -- I see a lot of used Audis on the lots here in the Bay Area.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Originally posted by nboyd
Generally people who consider the A4 look down the price range towards the Passat, Camry and Accord. $24,000 is steep for a re-badged Passat. Although for the same price I would test drive the Convertible A4.
Doesnt the Jag start over $30? That seems like a big hike in price and style.
Nathan
Generally people who consider the A4 look down the price range towards the Passat, Camry and Accord. $24,000 is steep for a re-badged Passat. Although for the same price I would test drive the Convertible A4.
Doesnt the Jag start over $30? That seems like a big hike in price and style.
Nathan
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
Originally posted by peet
No leather.
In fact, not only does it not come with it. You cannot add it.
Only choices are cloth or vinyl. That is retarded on a car like that!
P
No leather.
In fact, not only does it not come with it. You cannot add it.
Only choices are cloth or vinyl. That is retarded on a car like that!
P
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From: Rochester, MI
I was seriously considering the A4 when I bought my coupe in May. It came down to a few things. I wanted leather, and I couldn't get that in the 1.8. I fell in love with the CVT in the Audi, but could only get it in the front wheel drive and I wanted the quatro. The A4 was nice, but w/ the options I wanted I had to get the 3.0 and the sticker was around 35k, if I dropped the leather I could have gotten everything I wanted for about 28k. Then I looked at the Mercedes and realized I could get a car with everything I wanted except for the AWD and it fit comfortably in the middle for a sticker...to top it off, they bought me out of my old lease and I'm driving a coupe now!
Just $0.02
dave
Just $0.02
dave
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From: Houston, TX
2002 C230 Coupe Black/Charcoal C5 C7 Auto
Originally posted by le848dave
I was seriously considering the A4 when I bought my coupe in May. It came down to a few things. I wanted leather, and I couldn't get that in the 1.8. I fell in love with the CVT in the Audi, but could only get it in the front wheel drive and I wanted the quatro. The A4 was nice, but w/ the options I wanted I had to get the 3.0 and the sticker was around 35k, if I dropped the leather I could have gotten everything I wanted for about 28k. Then I looked at the Mercedes and realized I could get a car with everything I wanted except for the AWD and it fit comfortably in the middle for a sticker...to top it off, they bought me out of my old lease and I'm driving a coupe now!
Just $0.02
dave
I was seriously considering the A4 when I bought my coupe in May. It came down to a few things. I wanted leather, and I couldn't get that in the 1.8. I fell in love with the CVT in the Audi, but could only get it in the front wheel drive and I wanted the quatro. The A4 was nice, but w/ the options I wanted I had to get the 3.0 and the sticker was around 35k, if I dropped the leather I could have gotten everything I wanted for about 28k. Then I looked at the Mercedes and realized I could get a car with everything I wanted except for the AWD and it fit comfortably in the middle for a sticker...to top it off, they bought me out of my old lease and I'm driving a coupe now!
Just $0.02
dave
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From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
Originally posted by tberry
the leatherette is very nice and easy to clean. Most of the time only you (and other Audi A4 owners) know its not real leather. I liked it. Don't really feel the diff. from the C Coupe's really.
the leatherette is very nice and easy to clean. Most of the time only you (and other Audi A4 owners) know its not real leather. I liked it. Don't really feel the diff. from the C Coupe's really.
five reasons i didn't get the A4:
1. it is very popular (like the bmws...)
2. coupe has panoramic moonroof
3. wanted to try a mb
4. not enough rear seat space for me
5. wanted 2 doors, not 4.
still, i give the car my respect. my friend has one and i think it is a neat car. like nboyd, a cabrio would be another story. but, i would definitely get the 3.0 and not the 1.8L.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by speedfrk
he,he, Andrew, You and I both hate this 6sp in the coupe... I had the Factory rep and an engineer drive mine last week and they said it was fine. It still shifts like crap from 1st to 2nd, but they said it was normal. So another criteria might be if you want a manual or auto. Definately don't get the Mercedes if you want a manual. You might get a good one, you might not.
he,he, Andrew, You and I both hate this 6sp in the coupe... I had the Factory rep and an engineer drive mine last week and they said it was fine. It still shifts like crap from 1st to 2nd, but they said it was normal. So another criteria might be if you want a manual or auto. Definately don't get the Mercedes if you want a manual. You might get a good one, you might not.
The A4 is a very nice car, but its a sedan, and a bit of a pooch with the 1.8, IMHO.
