Audi or BMW? need help picking a car for my grad

[Symbol]

Okay I've been looking around the local classifieds for a decent car that will serve my son for around 2-5 years
Right now these are the two cars I went to see personally

2001 audi A6 4.2 Quattro getting it for around $6,500
Everything is in mint condition and it has 76k miles

A 1998 BMW M3 from an old friend for 3,500 with 110k miles

I owned a BMW before and it served me well but I'm looking deep into the audi,the only problem is I never actually owned or know people who own one.

Any opinions apreciated
thanks!

 

[navychop]

I'd keep looking, or go with the Audi. I've heard too many tales of BMWs being shop queens.

 

[Symbol]

Alrighty, Here in Puerto Rico I've looked around 2-3 lots, thats the best I could come up with
So I guess thats 1 for the audi

 

[jakon2009]

Thought I could help after reading the thread title, but I'm not familiar with those particular years. I (myself or immediate family) have had a 2003 330i, 2004 M3, and 2006 325xi (wagon). Currently I have a 2010 Q5.

So I really have no idea what repairs would cost. Usually only had the above cars for around 3-4 years (let alone 9-12).

Have you checked the blue book values? Definitely have a mechanic check it out before buying (I'm a Peoples Court junkie). Maybe run a check on the VIN numbers.

Personally, I would lean slightly towards the Audi. But let him drive them around and see which one he feels more comfortable with. Good Luck!

 

[Paul Wozniak]

The M3 will be mucho insurance $$$

 

[jayn_j]

M3s are often abused, but it sounds like you know its history. Still, I would worry about that car in the hands of a younger driver. It is a seriously fast car with a reputation that may encourage him to do something stupid. (I still own an older 535 and have a friend with an M3 I have driven often). The Audi is seen more as an old guy's car and may draw less attention.

The Audi has the issue of being tightly linked with VW. I used to love earlier Rabbits and Golfs, but got seriously burned by a 95 GTI with the VR6. Literally. The thing eventually burned to the ground from an electrical fire. I also had cooling issues with that engine. Now, my problems were all with the Mexican assembled cars, so it may not apply to the German ones. Still, I would look carefully at the reliability data.

 

[yaz96]

Can I be your new son?

 

[jakon2009]

The Audi has the issue of being tightly linked with VW. I used to love earlier Rabbits and Golfs, but got seriously burned by a 95 GTI with the VR6. Literally. The thing eventually burned to the ground from an electrical fire. I also had cooling issues with that engine. Now, my problems were all with the Mexican assembled cars, so it may not apply to the German ones. Still, I would look carefully at the reliability data.

So far my Audi (2010 Q5) has been great, but it has only been a few months. I had 2007 GTI which was full of issues over the course of 2 years, namely:-

-faulty brakes. About one week after buying it (new) I complained that the brakes were too soft, apparently there was an issue with the brake master cylinder and it needed to be replaced.
-above brake issue was never resolved to my satisfaction, I had no confidence in the brakes. They were still very soft, and the pedal would go all the way to the floor with little effort from me.
-excessive noise when driving, I suspect it had to do with grinding from the brakes. The dealer blamed the bridgestone tires (Which came stock). Basically I would hear like a whirring noise which literally drove me crazy, it was more pronounced when braking/slowing down.
- A/C broke down on me twice
- battery died

Otherwise, it was pretty decent as far as handling and shifting (via DSG). Fed up with the issues, I traded it in for a 2009 Mini Cooper S which I love.

And totally unrelated to the car itself, but someone busted my window to steal some sh*t. I took it to VW to repair, they did do.....they wanted like $100 to vacuum the glass, I told them I would have someone else do it for cheaper.