BMW or Audi?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:16:29 -0400

I am looking for a new ride. Right now the only ones I am interested are BMW 335i and Audi A4. I've been waiting for the right time to spend in an European car and now it is!

I want to know experiences, recommendations and opinions about both cars.

Thank you,

SPC Lopez

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 25 at 2014 4:26 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:26:27 -0400

I still think the YUGO is the best vehicle out there......lol

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 4:34 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:34:25 -0400

The BMW. I bought my first BMW in Germany. The service on them is amazing and the dealership bends over backwards to help you out. I owned a 318 and a 328 and they were both terrific cars. Even now as a LTC though, I wouldn't buy one. They are too expensive for the car that you get, and unless you are driving on the autobahn in Germany, you can't really use it like it's supposed to be used. I'd get a jeep or some other light 4x4 in preparation for the Zombie appocalypse.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 25 at 2014 4:59 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:59:40 -0400

I'll begin by admitting up front I've never owned either brand, but since its release I've really liked the A4. A bit more 'distinctive' style (to me anyway) and there are just so many BMW 3 series out there. Bottom line, I don't think you'd be disappointed with either one of them. Drive them both and see which one feels like a better 'fit' for you and your personality.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 5:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:41:24 -0400

I love my Audi, but if you want my honest opionion:

I have had the BEST luck with Jeep and Nissan. I have owned two of each. I saved money over the price of a "luxury" brand, they were engineered and built amazingly, and I always missed them after they were gone. I never missed my Audi and I have never cared for the way a BMW drives.

Response by CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. made Sep 25 at 2014 7:36 PM

CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:36:32 -0400

Why do you want an Audi or BMW? What is the allure for you? Is the eventual payment and insurance truly feasible on your military pay? Are you able to save for an emergency fund, put some money away for an eventual retirement, and still make a payment on such expensive automobiles?

Choose your car, but make sure the decision doesn't put you in unreasonable debt. You're young, there is plenty of time for a European sports car. Buy something less expensive and set aside the difference in payment toward the eventual cash payment for the European sports car. It will be much sweeter when you don't have payments.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 25 at 2014 11:37 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 23:37:11 -0400

Not Euro but the Infiniti Q60. Its a little more money but a lot more fun.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 11:57 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 23:57:39 -0400

I was unemployed for 8 months after I left active duty and the BIGGEST saving grace was that I didn't owe a cent on my car. If I had a massive car/insurance payment, that car would have been repo'd for sure and my clearance right along with it. My current job and my NG life depend on that clearance.

If you cannot pay cash for that car or borrow an amount that you can afford to pay off in 2 years - MAX - don't do it. Please listen. Don't do it! (with a 24 month car loan, generally, after 6 months or so, you actually have equity in the vehicle and could sell it without taking a loss if you had to).

If you can put enough down that you can either buy the whole car cash or borrow for 2 years or less, I am still saying pump the breaks. Does it really make sense to tie up that much of your new worth in a depreciating asset? It doesn't.

Not just that, a BMW 3 series and an Audi A4 are both almost the most watered down versions of those car lines. Have you driven a 5 series or an A6? - those are the middle of the road and they blow the doors off of their cheaper counterparts. Why not get the high end of a different brand for the same money? The Audi/BMW cost is so high you could by the best another company has to offer and put $10k back into your pocket.

The surest way to make sure you never get ahead in life is to keep sinking your hard earned money into things that will be nearly worthless in the future. In just 5 years, that car will give back 60% of it's value (plus all the sunk costs you have paid in insurance, premium gas, and maintenance). It is so much WORSE if you are thinking about a lease, because you are gaining ZERO value while insuring that you will be making car payments forever.

I drive a 10 year old car that I bought cash. My boss, the Division Chief Engineer, drives a VW Jetta. My mother, a retired attorney and former Diplomat, drives a Honda CRV. When I look at who is driving the cars you are looking at it is quite literally the people who can least afford them. And by "afford" I don't mean monthly payments. I mean people who are renting, have not finished their educational plans, have not thought about putting money away for a rainy day much less for their retirement, their family (or future family), and are walking around with credit card debt.

I would give this same advice to anyone regardless of rank. If you are retired and spending your kids' inheritance, I'd say go for it! (not you, mom...keep the CRV...) If these aren't your circumstances, this kind of purchase is a big waste of money. I know some of you are reading this while standing in line to dump money on an iPhone 6, so I'm obviously wasting my efforts.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 26 at 2014 4:14 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 04:14:58 -0400

Please don't do it. A $4,000 car works just fine. The best vehicle I ever owned is the one that I was the most in need of. No car payment, no friills, no insane insurance payments, and my self-esteem has never been higher.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 8:32 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 08:32:55 -0400

I'll just stick with my Chevy Silverado. It has a whole lot of luxury options and I can haul stuff with it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 12:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:04:05 -0400

I can't afford those.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 7:26 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:26:36 -0400

Volvo XC 60.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Sep 26 at 2014 10:59 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:59:49 -0400

I personally own a 2011 BMW 335i xDrive 4 wheel drive, it is a lovely ride, with the price of Premium gas going down there is a little less stress on my pockets. I bought mine used, I can tell you get the options you want up front, because many after market items void the warrenty. I want the nav screen and usb port added, that would cost me around $5,000 that I don't want to pay, because they have to rewire the car for the kits. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask, but I will say, I'm a bigger Audi fan than I am a Bimmer fan. Audi's just look so sexy going down the road.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 12:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 12:11:36 -0400

Really SPC Santiago? seriously? you are a SPC in the Army, you make about $24K per year and you want to blow a year and a half of your income on a 'perishable' luxury?
allow me to start that either car is 'fine,' either car is not for you.
If you want a good safe sporty car, buy a Mitsubishi Lancer with a five years 60,000 miles warranty. At least your maintenance costs will be low, and your initial outlay will be much lower.
However, do the math before you buy! Add up your car payments plus insurance + gasoline + and maintenance.
You will look cool in your BMW/Audi but you won't have much money left over once you get to your destination. How much are you putting in your TSP? that will be a much better option.
Put in 20% of your base pay into your TSP and 50% of your bonuses, and live off the remainder. If you can't do that; you can't afford an expensive car.
Realistically; this is not what you want to hear, so you will probably buy an Audi and regret it three years from now.
PS. a car loses about 20 to 25% of its value AS YOU DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2014 12:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:45:16 -0400

My two cents. When I was in my 20's and stationed in Germany I wanted a BMW. The exchange rate was very favorable towards the dollar and many GI's were buying the European cars (who wouldn't - the United States in the 80' were pumping out Chrysler K-cars while the Germans were pushing out the 300 series BMW's). I never bought one, my room mate did and let me use it when needed. (I digress)

Is the purchase a matter of want or necessity and can you afford the unseen expenses of either car (both are excellent choices though)? Depending upon locality your car insurance may be higher for a sports car; maintenance costs on both vehicles are higher than most domestic models; and is it something you can easily budget for? Just a few things to consider.

if I had to recommend one over the other I would lean towards the BMW. Audi to me is just a high priced Volkswagen.

At this stage in my life I prefer not to have car payments and am quite comfortable in my 2010 Ford Fusion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 8:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:24:29 -0500

bmw. i had both a 335xi and an a4. both have excellent quality but bmw was easier to find parts because they have a huge aftermarket support. BMW stands by their product and I had good experiences with the dealer when having issues. the audi a4 quattro was one of the worst cars I've ever owned. I had the 1.8t and after 85k miles it was consuming oil (valve seals) and the turbo was already done. I currently switch to a mazda 6s v6 which turned out better than both cars and half as much

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 9:07 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:07:48 -0500

BMW, SSG Private RallyPoint Member. ALL THE WAY!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 9:11 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:11:44 -0500

My cousin had a bmw, she said it was in the shop one week out of every month she had the car. Audi is just volkswagon and you're just paying a premium for the name.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Dec 29 at 2014 9:34 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:34:32 -0500

I have a friend who swore by Audi. He owned several over three decades. His new car is a Lexus because, as he told me, "... every time I bring it (the Audi) in to the shop I have to draw on my Home Equity loan..."