c240x

Just looking at the stats, the C240 and the Audi 1.8T are very similar in terms of HP and torque. Has anyone test driven both side by side and can tell me what the butt dynometer feels like?

I'm happy with the smooth 6 cylinder of the C240 but I'm thinking about getting a 1.8T avant quattro as second car for utility. Not really a fair comparison since one is a sedan and one is a wagon but I want some impressions about the engine.

Thanks!

czachari

and test drove the 1.8T quattro manual. The 1.8T seems to produce torque lower than the C230 and felt comparable in acceleration to the C230 even though it had a weight penalty of 2-3 hundred pounds. Of course the C230K is faster than the C240 so you can figure it out. I think the automatic version kills the 4-bangers though.


CZ

Rick

I concur....
The Audi 4 banger is a more powerful engine (assisted by turbo), but performance is lessened by weight of the quattro system and slushbox trans.

The V6 in the C240 is a smoother engine, but you sacrifice traction of AWD and again, the slushbox takes it's toll.

Both are available in wagon or sedan flavors....and the MB wagon is less boxey, with a fairly aggressive roof line over the cargo area.

I guess it really depends on what you want to drive for the next few years...a sporty VW....or a Mercedes Benz.

(throttle depressed - driver ecstatic - passengers impressed)

LorinserCClass

I test drove a 1.8t before I bought my 3.0 CVT and let me tell ya, it felt hella faster than my 240! The pickup, the lightness and HP were very impressive. And on top of that you can chip it and do more to make it a VERY potent car and STILL be paying insurance for the smaller "supposedly" slower car. Now I think to the fairer comparison would be the C230 sedan and the 1.8t A4. Get it as a second car, Audi's are FANTASTIC! And free brake changes to boot!

Jim Banville

Unless things have changed in the last year, you can't get leather in the Audi 1.8. I'd hate to ride around on vinyl

LorinserCClass

I coulda sworn that the 1.8t I drove 2 months ago had leather

codex57

They have either cloth or leather. Maybe you thought the leather was vinyl? Or did they not have cloth until the current model?

Verb04

I have a stock 03' C240 6 speed. And a good freind has an stock 03' A4 1.8T 6 speed (auto). (non quatro) wich is faster then the quatro cause its lighter. And we race all the time for fun. and both of are cars are dead even. I mean we have never gone over 90mph. But from 0-90 they are dead even. I think my car might be faster from 100mph on. But not sure. But I do know if you chip the A4 their would be no competition.

JAM

Drove it, good engine, good trans. Much more wind noise than a Benz. BTW, they use the same engine in the Jetta and Passat.

They do have leather, but it is kind of spartan looking. Nicer than say, Buick leather, but not as nice as other import luxury cars.

Maybe it's just because they seem to stretch their leather tight, rather than scrunching it up....

c240x

No, they've pulled a MB this year. Cloth is standard, leather inserts is an option on the 1.8T and "premium" leather is an option for the 3.0. They have done away with the perforated leatherette which was a no charge option before (which I prefer, since it looks like the perforated MB leather).

czachari

and it looked a lot better than C-Class leather. The Audi had the C-Class beat in interior quality and appointments. The reason I bought the C was rear-wheel drive and 6-speed and of course because it's a Benz. The audi was giving a lot more for less money. It's a tossup really.

CZ

Jim Banville

To the guy considering the Audi... have you sat in it? I found that my right knee was always rubbing the center console Very claustraphobic

c240x

Hmm, I've sat in it but never noticed it. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm at the dealer.

There are little standard details in the MB that Audi does not offer like auto dimming mirrors, steering wheel controls, locator lights, smart key, but the Audi Avant does have quattro, an indash 6 cd changer at no charge, and more cargo space than a BMW X5 when the seat are folded. Just think the dogs would appreciate the more spacious wagon and less clean up for me I'll save the sedan for non sporting activities

Martin

Looked at both a A4 1.8T with auto and the MB C240 4matic.

Both cars were pretty nice in fact the Audi was nicer than I expected.

In the end we bought the Benz. Main reason was refinned V6 on the Benz and superior fit and finish. Interior look we prefered the organic look on the C vs the slightly more angular look in the Audi.

Also the crash tests on the Benz are pretty impressive.

This is my wifes car and we live in snow country. She got a safe modern car with more than enough power for around town driving with the added security of 4WD.

LorinserCClass

Audi's A4 interior is BEAUTIFUL! I would choose it over the "orangy" benz anytime.

Verb04

Thats the 3.0. Not the 1.8T interior.

zackiedawg

That's the convertible Audi...the sedan does not share the same upper dash and vent design, FYI.

The build quality is a toss up...both MB and Audi are excellent now in this arena. Audi has long been the industry darling for build and material quality...Mercedes was widely panned initially for the revised C-class interiors (cheap materials, flimsy switchgear, bad ergonomics, and lots of squeaks and rattles after the first year - just to paraphrase most magazine reviews). But after the initial criticism, MB went back in and revised the C interior to a higher standard, basically matching the Audi's quality.

Yes, the 1.8T is used in VW's Passat, Jetta, and Golf. and a Mercedes V6 can be found in a new Chrysler. And? The 1.8T is a great engine...fuel efficient, reliable, and powerful, not to mention immensely modifyable (a simple ECU chip for $350 will give you 50 additional HP and 45 more Lbs of Torque).

It should come down to which one you prefer the look and feel of, and which one will best fit your budget.

bzcat

There is no such car available in the US. A4 1.8T come with CVT FWD, Manual FWD, Manual Quattro, or Tiptronic Quattro. The "6 speed" version you are talking about is CVT which Audi has pre-programmed 6 "gears" if you want to shift by yourself (which kind of defeats the purpose of CVT... ).

A4 1.8T with manual or CVT will leave C240 in the dust both straight line and around the curves without question, especially if it has sports package. MB's suspension is just too soft to keep up with the sportier Audi. Nor does C240 has enough engine to keep up. C230K is must closer in terms of real world performance to the 1.8T.

As far as wagon goes, A4 Avant only comes with Quattro so you have no choice of CVT. Try to avoid the auto at all cost. Tiptronic is a very very very slow automatic. Get the manual and you will not regret it.

Standard seating is cloth and leather is part of the premium package. You cannot order leather seats by itself on the 1.8T - you must order premium package. On the 3.0 there is a premium leather package that you can order separately and is covers the entire car with leather not just the seating surface.

I think that is all...

benzy230

If you get a 2001 A4 1.8T in the 5-Speed...it will be quick. You can make those cars extremely fast for basically nothing.

tberry

if u're comparing to a C240 vs 1.8t then get the 1.8t for sure. Now vs a C230 sedan vs 1.8t sedan its a closer call. I loved my 1.8t and like many said the interior (and the exterior) is awesome. Built quality and at least the dealerships here are more friendly then MB. I say check to see which dealer is nicer and have more service avail things like that. And yes the audi's chipping the awesome (Basically a fancy boost controller) and u're looking at about 40hp more at the crank among other things like increase rev limit, remove speed limit, timing, etc. If u do plan to chip just buy a spare BOSCH/AUDI ECU and swap the two boxes (can be done in 5min). You can also buy a Rostech software/cable that is basically what they use at dealers (like the Star Diag) and make changes by yourself.