FrankW

I think i'm gonna put atsobe on my blacklist for a while so I don't have to read his Engrish and "WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH" comments unless someone quotes him.


BTW, can a new IS slogan be more "stylish" it's almost as retarded as the C63 slogan.

TemjinX2

did the is250 go through a mid cycle refresh for 09? i don't see anything different other then the led tail lights.

jokerr

My .02:

BMW 3: Great performance car, new facelift very subjective, don't hate it, don't love it. Interior is nice/decent, although very very similar to previous generation which kind of sucks. uncomfortable seats, everyone really has one.

C300/350: Nice exterior styling,up there with the A4, weird center console, what is the number pad for? not really as fan of the interior, mainly the setup of the center console.

'09 A4 2.0T: Beautiful, mostly due to the LED DRL's, but still sexy. Interior looks good in pics although I haven't had the chance to sit or test drive one yet. I've heard on Audi forums that quality is less than that of the B7 A4, but still good.

IS: Nice exterior styling, really nice interior up there w/ Audi IMO, but like many of you have said really f'in slow in the 250. Would def consider the 350 if my brother didn't already have one. Definitely most bang for buck, super reliable.

CTS: I would rank this car at the bottom interior/exterior styling wise. Don't know how it drives, and I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover but it's styling is a huge turn off for me. Exterior is wayyy too boxy and way too many hard edges. Interior reminds me of an Infiniti w/ the analog clock which looks a tad cheesy IMO. American unreliability. Also pretty big and doesn't fit into same category as other cars, more comparable to 5 series, e class, GS sedans.

This is my first post so take it easy on me. Anyway's I'll be in the market soon and as of now I'm really leaning towards the A4 or C class right now, though I'm not a fan of the interior I haven't sat in or test driven the C yet or the A4 in that matter so my opinion is subject to change. The thing about the Audi is that I keep hearing that Audi cut corners big time (e.g. crappy looking exhaust)with the 2.0 and while the interior is still nice it's not as good anymore, also expensive for a 4 banger

GDawgC220

They did go back to a single sided exhaust like on the 328i/xi and B5 A4 for the 2.0T sedan. The avant still gets a dual exhaust, not sure why they did a single sided for the sedan.

They definitely did raise the price a bit. My 2005 was loaded at 35k whereas the demos now at the dealer are at stickered 35k for a Premium packaged 2.0T. But the engine is much nicer than the 1.8T or previous 2.0T. At 258lb-ft of torque, it's certainly a big improvement over the previous 2.0T (207lb-ft.)

CinOttawa

Why not the G35x or G35xS....it would satisfy all you requirements and then some....with the exception of fold-down rear seats....and think of the money you will be saving. I know people on this board my blast me for this, but hey I am picking the best car for his requirements

I would prefer the C350...but 0-60 of under 6.0sec is going to be hard and there is no 4matic in the states

The 335xi would be my next choice...only if money isn't an issue...i mean you don't mind paying 10K+ for all the features you would get for free in other cars. Without the engine and suspension, this car is just plain ugly inside and out IMHO

A4 would follow, but as is the case with the C350, under 6sec 'you wish', and no DSG...why????? atleast the LED's and quattro system are awesome...as is the interior.

IS350..TOOOOO SMMMAAAALLLLL....aka no back seat/2 seater +storage...

CTS...TOOOOOO BBBBIIIIIGGGGGG....atleast for me...i prefer the nimble cars

TL....yeah right...only a mother can love such a face/grill

Good Luck

GDawgC220

The A4 3.2 has been tested @ 5.7s to 60.

http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_g...on+id-257.html

I hear DSG may be an option in the near future for the A4. A 7-speed S-Tronic (DSG) is coming to the S5. The new/revised tiptronic however is a nice improvement over the previous tiptronic.

CinOttawa

me bad, for some reason i keep thinkin about the 2.0T....

Even so, with VAG reliability in mind, I think that my order would be unchanged, although I would take a closer look at the A4 if you are looking for a short term vehicle i.e. less than 4yrs.

I just love the value of the G35....the looks of the W204....and the engine in the 335.....and for good measure throw in the interior of A4....now we got a winner :-)

CinOttawa

And one more thing, the reliablity of the acura....
If such a car existed, we can buy that car and keep it forever

GDawgC220

Haha. The 2.0T isn't that slow either with 211hp/258lb-ft, definitely better than the previous 2.0T.

To be honest, I have not had a lot of issues with my '05 A4. A couple of minor items during warranty and one repair out of warranty. It currently has 99,000 miles on it. As of late, their track record has been much better than the B5 (till 2001) and early B6s (2002-2005).

I hope they put the supercharged 3.0TFSI (going into the new A6 coming next year) into the A4 in a year or two. 300hp/310lb-ft would be nice.

jherbias

I think they're going to use the supercharged engine in the new S4 or RS4; most likely the former. A lot of websites and magazines have stated this, as well as a current Audi employee I talked to.

CinOttawa

Where do I sign That would be a sexy car with a sexier engine....

but then again, by then the competition will be in the 350hp+ ...just look at the 09 G37 (~330hp)...mind you the torque isn't there....and nothing beats the torque and modifiablilty of a turbo engine....

GDawgC220

The supercharged 3.0 will definitely hit the A6 refresh and the new S4 with an increase in power (350+hp). Who knows for the RS4...probably the same power plant as the RS5 which is suppose to be a 4.2 TTV8.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080627....charged-engine

GDawgC220

I know, I'm waiting for them to drop that engine in the A4 (I can only hope!) and that will be my replacement car in a couple of years!

The SLK350 now has 300hp for 2009. That is suppose to trickle to the C350 I hear. I don't think they're going to increase that just yet otherwise they'd have lot of pissed people.

phranksmbz

Kind of need help with decision making guys ....

heres my dillima ....

I bought my 09 c300 4matic because:

1. BMW 09 335XI was/still aint available
2. Audi S4 same situation
3. i X'd out lexus and cadillac

Now BMW/MERC/AUDI all have similar options.
You win some, you lose some.

I love my C300 4MATIC right now but what bothers me is that it doesnt have 300+ hp. This was one of my main targets but i just couldnt wait and traded in my w203 due to maintenance issues. Again if i had to choose between rear wheel drives this would be a whole different situation.

Which one would you pick between these 3 and why?

I really love everything about my c class. The bodystyle, MMP, P2, PANO, only thing i dont have is leather. In order to get my C300 to 300+ hp is crazy expensive and may f with my warrenty. Im just not fully satisfied i guess?

but damn if i go the bimmer route ... its like 57000.00 for a decked out 3. CRAZY!!!

mac911

I say you need to enjoy your car a few years. It's really nice.

If I was somewhere that I needed 4matic, I'd still choose the Mercedes now. I'm a fan.

Plus, you already have your car with great options. It's perfect. I'd just treasure it everyday and not worry, if I was you.

hyukki

You forgot the 09 G37 sedean.

wblynch

You could get an AMG C63 for less than that. And THEN what???

FrankW

$57k's OTD on the 335 coupe. $57k's base price for the C63.

phranksmbz

Yeah when i bought my c300 4M there was a c63 right next to it. Trust me if i was going the rear wheel route, with no hesitation i would have bought it. Unfortunatley i live where theres snow like 8 months of the year. So i cant do that unless i have a winter ride, which i dont. Sux i know, but anything was better than my w203 rear wheel that iv had since 03.

Im going to enjoy every minute with my w204 as i do love it. I know if i keep it i will want to spend serious mula on performance upgrades but what pushes me away are these other options:

VS. BMW
----------------------------
- stock 300hp
- comfort access
- heated steering wheel
- side manual shades
- paddle shifters
- PDC (includes front & rear)

I know some of this doenst even matter to some but im just speaking for my self. Leaving my pano roof that just hurts.

flau

What does the "W" in C350"W" stand for?

albert101

This is very subjective, but from my personal end, I sold my E90 BMW 335i to buy a C280. Never looked back on the decision. The BMW was just too unreliable leaving me stalled on the road more than three times. Sorry but that's just unacceptable. The Audi was a close contender when I was choosing a replacement for the BMW but the C just had this allure to me that I couldn't resist.

AMGTTV8

Peabody

+1 I thought I was going crazy. The Audi interior is hideous. I think the only car with a worse dash is the Prius. I'm renting the BMW until my car clears customs, and I think its interior isn't as nice as the Mercedes either. I would probably like the BMW if they brought more of it flush, but they have recesses everywhere in the lines and the controls are just overly complicated. They're trying to use too little display to perform too many tasks.

As far as the OP goes, if you want to buy a German, Japanese, or American car, you will find they are very different from each other in engineering philosophy and function. Take them all for a test drive, play with the controls, get a feel for what you like and don't like... don't ask an internet forum to decide for you.

Peabody

I use it to save names, enter streets and such into the system. I know you can spin the wheel and poke it out letter by letter using command, but I can bang out words like they were text messages much faster. Also, you can use it to you know.. place calls.