Wifey wants a convertible - BMW or Audi?

cantdrv55 · 07-08-2013, 06:08 PM

What say you - E46 BMW or Audi A4/S4 of the same vintage? I am familiar with Bimmers but not the VW. What are the pros and cons of the Audi? Thanks!

Christien · Christien's Garage

We just went through this a few weeks ago. We ended up with the BMW (05 325ci) simply because there was much more available, and there seem to be more online resources for DIY maintenance.

EarlyPorsche · 07-08-2013, 06:47 PM

Family member bought a brand new 2011 A5 and it has been the most rock solid reliable car. I've driven it 2-3 times and even with the 2.0T it is fast. I recall they won a ton of awards with the A5 design and I believe Audi is the fastest convertible top speed available? Really helps in unexpected downpours!

boosted 89 · boosted 89's Garage

If you only need 2 seats, these are pretty nimble little roadsters. This is the wife's car and she absolutely loves it.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

E46, and you might as well make it an M3

matt711 · matt711's Garage

E46 330 Ci (ZHP) owner here. The wife drives it about 50% of the time. It's been a fantastic car.

stuttgart46 · 07-09-2013, 06:39 AM

Love my E46 M3.
And it's rear wheel drive, as God intended cars to be.

cantdrv55 · 07-09-2013, 07:08 AM

E46's are beautiful. My budget will only allow high mileage cars though. What should I watch out for with cars over 90k miles?

matt711 · matt711's Garage

Things to look out for: GM built automatic transmission, suspension pick-up points in the rear, power steering pump and hoses, convertible top motor and all the associated sensors, interior trim.

Look for a good maintenance history. Evidence of good routine maintenance like fuel filter, PS resevior changes, brake fluid replacement and things like that.

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

How about a VW, EOS! can't go wrong with a hard-top convertible. Regretfully I am going to be listing this car in a serious way with our first little one on the way and a new-to-us Cayenne in the stable...

It rocks and rolls with the previously mentioned 2.0T and is just a bit different than the "off the shelf" cars you're currently looking at.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Mrs. Z-man's daily driver is a 2009 VW EOS with the 2.0Turbo. Wonderful little car with a very slick convertible / retractable sunroof. Zippy too - the Audi sourced DSG Manumaitc is pretty slick.

-Z-man.

911SauCy · 911SauCy's Garage

Z. Ours is a bit different and apparently quite a rare combo.

Its got factory two-tone cream/black leather and a 6-spd.

Mrs. saucy was standing strong on the need for a stick shift...the dealers all tried to talk us out of it until I came across this one in my work travels, put a deposit on it on the spot and history since.

My thougth was this car is half price of the previously considered, has all the same goodies and isnt what everyone else has

ckelly78z · 07-09-2013, 01:50 PM

I bought the wife an 02 E46 BW 325ci convertible a few months back and she absolutely loves it. I can't comment to the auto trans, but the 5 speed manual shifts smooth (I wish we had a sixth gear for the highway).

Back in 02 it was a $46,000 car with every option available including sport pkg, cold weather pkg, GPS, leather, power top......etc It has 160,000 miles and only gave $6500 for it.