Question about BMW and Audi's

[climaxsr20]

just wondering if anyone has one or any information on the two manufacturers. i was thinking of getting one for a winter car. either A4 or 318I automatic. i have never had any experiences with these cars. is maintenance on the cars a PITA or is it just like anyother cars? or is it just the parts that are costly? are they reliable? thanks in advance.

[240marcuSX]

I <3 my 525i, but then again I have only had it for a few weeks. Its pimp as **** though.

I have heard that BMW's 4-cylinder motors are junk, and that the 318's are junk in general.

Everyone I have ever talked to has told me that the I-6's are BMW's best motors. Check out bimmerforums.com, they have a good thread about common problems with the cars, and what to look for.

If I were you I would look for getting either a 325, 328, or 330. Because it seems like your looking for something small. If thats not the case, then I would definitely recommend the 525i, Its not the greatest on gas, but its about the same as the 240 (in my case anyway)

I know nothing about Audi.

Hope that helped.

[MinisterofDOOM]

German cars are definitely NOT contenders for most reliable cars on earth. Upkeep is more expensive than something like an early-90's Japanese car.HOWEVER, they are also fantastic machines--fun to drive, very driver-oriented. And if you do your own work on the car, you can recoup some of the higher costs.

There's nothing wrong with a 318 if that's what you're in the market for, but I can't imagine being happy with one. A 325 or 328, sure. The 318 is absolutely gutless. Same with the A4--I'd have to have a 1.8t at the VERY VERY least. But that's just me.

[Jesda]

The 318 is a poor value for money and prone to electrical problems.

Consider the 325. The M20 (and its chain-driven younger siblings) is one of the cheapest-to-run engines on earth. Insanely reliable.
Modified by Jesda at 6:39 AM 5/8/2007

[Afliction523]

I have a A4, and to be honest you will love the car at first. I have replaced every damn control arm on that car, water pump, timing belt, ignition switch....ect The timing belt was a 90000 mile operation which had to be done. It has its monents where you hate it, but over the last three years It has always gotten me from point a to point b. I have never gotten stranded in it. It has been driven cross country three times, and the prevous owner drove from illinois to Michigan everyweek. I would say it is reliable to an extent, but I love my nissan. Parts are way to expensive on the audi, but that is the price you pay for a german automobile, especially one that is not brand new. Its a great car, but Im ready to go get me a sentra or something for winter once my 240 is finished.

[Veriest1]

German cars are definitely NOT contenders for most reliable cars on earth.

True, at least the BMW's require some mainenance and it can be a bit more expensive (not so much on the e36's it seems) if you're doing the work yourself. If you're having the work done be prepared to bend over.

If you keep up with things though they tend to prove themselves quite reliable during hard driving. From what I've heard the new Corvettes are worse as far as reliablility goes (at least on track).

The Bimmer engines seem to just take beating after beating. It's the auxillary stuff, electrical system, and bushings you need to keep an eye on. Very rarely does anything go wrong with my car that's major (mostly electrical gremlins). I've got 150xxx miles on my M at 7 psi from 30xxx and it runs great. Only twice in the past 2 years have I had anything happen that put it down to where I couldn't drive it safely. Once was a blown valve cover gasket and the other time was the result of the bearings wearing out along the driveshaft.