Audi A4 Avant vs Merc B-class vs Volvo V50 vs BMW X3

[ryan]

Para maiba naman, which among these small premium wagons would you choose? I like wagons cuz trunk space is very flexible compared to a regular sedan.

Also, I know the X3 is not supposed to be in the list but since BMW here doesn't offer the 3-series wagon, I just added this even if I'm not after its 4x4 feature. Lets saw pre-owned pag X3 para di sobrang layo sa price.

I just put some criterias but you can of course use your own..

1) looks in and out
2) usable interior space (I've checked and B-class is roomiest, A4 smallest)
3) drive, fun factor
4) features, options
5) uniqueness/prestige/feel good factor
6) economical to run? (unit cost, repair cost, fuel, etc)

[wren]

A4 Avant...i like audis.

[kimpOy]

me too...
A4 for me...

[the_wildthing]

Puwede bang RS4? :evillaugh

Though I'm not much of a wagon fan... but it might change if I actually use one for a couple of weeks.

[empy]

test drove them all about 5 months ago (except the B-class, which isn't available where i live). A4 hands down on every dimension - utility, performance, looks, interior, you name it.

[ryan]

Ahh I see.. I was thinking about the models offered here...

Audi A4 Avant - 2.0L 130hp
BMW X3 - 2.5L 190hp ?
Merc B-class - 2.0L 136hp
Volvo V50 - 2.4L 170hp

I've test driven the A4 1.8T sedan and it seemed a bit better than the Volvo S40 and you also don't feel that there's a turbo inside. But it wasn't offered in Avant version and I haven't driven the base 2.0L engine.

[squala]

For wagons, I'd choose the V50. It's simply versatile and safe, and now, it's got the attitude.

[empy]

ryan, is the A4 offered in 2.0 or 2.0T over there? i drove the 2.0T and that thing felt like a V6...zero turbo lag and plenty of pickup for even a heavy car (the Avant with Quattro weighs almost 4000 lb). i highly recommend it.

it's also highly 'chippable' if you're into that sort of thing. if you need a lot of hauling capacity, you can't beat the X3. typical BMW smoothness, power, and handling even with the relatively small 2.5L. my dealer loaned me one for a week while my car was in service and i liked it so much i got an SUV as my next car (i got something bigger than the X3 though)

[carlocaraddict]

i test drove the b-class (B170) last year. very light steering and the interior looks plain and bland.

Interms of design, A4 Avant!

[ryan]

ryan, is the A4 offered in 2.0 or 2.0T over there? i drove the 2.0T and that thing felt like a V6...zero turbo lag and plenty of pickup for even a heavy car (the Avant with Quattro weighs almost 4000 lb). i highly recommend it.

it's also highly 'chippable' if you're into that sort of thing. if you need a lot of hauling capacity, you can't beat the X3. typical BMW smoothness, power, and handling even with the relatively small 2.5L. my dealer loaned me one for a week while my car was in service and i liked it so much i got an SUV as my next car (i got something bigger than the X3 though)

I think our local dealer only offers the A4 in either 2.0 (non-turbo) or 1.8T. The 1.8T felt fine, not fast but good enough although I haven't tried the A4 w/ base engine. Interior design is very classy (better than 3-series for me). My only main complaint on the A4 is that interior space is quite small.

[silencer]

Audi A4

[the_wildthing]

Luma na yung 1.8T ah. 2.0T na ngayon.

I wouldn't mind the 1.8T though, daming after-market parts, but I'm sure they're scrambling to make the same parts for 2.0T.

[OTEP]

B-Class parang overpriced. But hey, its a Mercedes. Will probably hold its value long and pwede mo na ipamana sa anak mo.

Audi and Volvo medyo mahina ang after sales at third party support, a good used-car buy but not as brand new units.

X3 looks like a cute ute with an un-cute price. I'd rather have a real BMW station wagon than the X3.

[ryan]

Luma na yung 1.8T ah. 2.0T na ngayon.

I wouldn't mind the 1.8T though, daming after-market parts, but I'm sure they're scrambling to make the same parts for 2.0T.

Yup, kaso nasa lineup pa ren sha ng Audi. I wonder why they are still keeping the 1.8T though

[squala]

Is that 1.8T with the new grille already? If not, it's a run-out model.

[ryan]

Yup, it has the new grille. Local 1.8T A4 even has colored LCD screen (the one w/ car diagram) instead of the usual all red interior lighting.

I'm not so familiar with Audi but I wonder why they are still selling the 1.8T engine when the 2.0T version is out already. Like I was in Taiwan a few days ago and noticed that the A4 is sold there in 2.0L, 1.8T, and 2.0T variants.

A local Audi salesrep told me that theyre not importing the 2.0T version yet cuz of issues with fuel quality here but I kinda doubt that story. I mean if super high end cars like Porsche is sold here, why not 2.0T Audis right?

[niky]

Meron na bang T5 model ang local V50? I love the looks of the facelifted V50 they have here. Para sa akin lang, medyo mas bang-for-your-buck dito ang Volvo, especially considering the price premium you have to pay here for these cars.

These new Volvos are pretty good, little body roll, good ride, and nice turbo engines (oh, okay, the non-turbos are good, too). Medyo mas may prestige, though ang Audi.

[mazdamazda]

if you can afford it, I'll go with the BMW X3.

[ryan]

i meant Kia Sorento.... sorry

Hi EQ, never got the chance to drive an X3 yet although yun madalas ko naririnig. Gaano ka stiff yung ride? Tipong hmm..parang CRV 10-seater ? Ramdam sha sa front seats or sa rear madalas makakapansin?

I know what you mean. Since nandun ka na ren, why not get the model you really like. Aside from engine, meron difference sa options yung 2.5 vs 3.0L ? Meron sunroof yung X3 mo? A friend told me na meron na daw X3 with a big panoramic roof but don't know if thats included for the entire range.

niki, yung 2.4L engine lang ni o-offer ng V50 dito.

[AG4]

Luma na yung 1.8T ah. 2.0T na ngayon.

I wouldn't mind the 1.8T though, daming after-market parts, but I'm sure they're scrambling to make the same parts for 2.0T.

RP and most ASEAN countries use non-FSI engines or carry-over Audi enngines... something to do with the fuel requirement etc.
For example instead of getting the 255hp 3.2 FSI V6 in the A6, we get the old 220hp 3.0 V6.
The 2006 Audi A4 2.0 here has a non-FSI 2.0 engine producing 136hp, elsewhere there is a new 2.0 FSI which makes 150hp.
The optional 1.8T is still alive here, while others get the new 197hp 2.0T FSI engine.