e36 325is or 95 2.8 A6 Quattro

[hr622]

Hey,
I am looking at a e36 325is or a 95 2.8 A6 Quattro. I am also looking at a 95 525i but am not sure about how I like it. I want the most reliable car that still has a little pep when I want it. I plan to do much of my work on my own (i.e. maintence and repairs) I was wondering what thoughts you might have to help me make my decsion. Any common problems? Dependability? How many miles will they last?
Thanks a lot for your input.

[houseparty738]

there is so much for e36 in replacement parts. You must change the waterpump and cooling stuff when you buy and as long as the previous owner took good care of the car you are set. My friend had an a 98 a4 and had lots of transmission issues, it was tiptronic. As long as the car is stick you are okay but these cars are not easy to work on compared to a honda but if you are handy its all good. I'm biased but pick the e36 or the 5'er

[JohnnyWash1]

No contest; get the E36. Huge aftermarket, excellent reliability (provided you follow the maintenance) and plenty of fun/panache.

[tentenths]

2.8 are a dog and an A6 will be overweight. Peppy doesn't come to mind.

[hr622]

OK guys, before you give me too much crap about comparing apples and oranges (like I am getting on the Audi forum) let me just say I know that the A6 is not even close to comparable (stock) performance wise. I am interested in the mechanical problems, repairs, etc.

[JohnnyWash1]

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/bmw/3series/69/ratings.html

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/audi/a6/18119/ratings.html

325 has a 4/5 reliability rating with JD power; A6 2.8 Quattro has a 3/5 rating. 325 scored 87; A6 scored 84. The choice is obvious.

[quattro santos]

The 2.8 in the A6 is A LOT more reliable than the 2.7t in the A6.
As someone who works for Audi, I would say go for the 325is. You will get a lot more (miles, performance, hasslefree pleasure) in the 325is.

[zarbat007]

i work in a garage and BMWs are more reliable compared to audis.
audis just have too many problems compared to bmws.

[zebrarage307]

i like the "hassle free pleasure" line. That will serve you well.

[hr622]

Well you guys sold me on a Bimmer but how do the 526 and 325 compare reliability wise etc? I know the 525 is slower, but don't they have the same motor so is everything but the performance and handling the same?

[Citizen328ci]

go with the 325, i have a feeling it will be the more reliable car.... and because it has such a huge aftermarket modding/repair will be eassier. you could probabally even do some things your self depending on how mechanical you are.

[TTaM]

The 2.8 is a dog, but pretty reliable. If it were me, I'd get an A4 w/ 1.8t. If that is not an option, then I'd go with the 325

[Citizen328ci]

the only time you wont LOVE the 325 is when it snows.

[choffa]

Take into consideration the weather you'll be driving in, and the size of your family (and yourself). A6 will run circles around the 3 series in both foul weather performance & space (over the coupe for certain).

BMWs have very good reliability in my experience. Both cars have their quirks, especially the old ones. Many components are reaching their design life span. The drivetrain of the Audi seems very robust, engine issues, oil leaks, timing belt failures seem to be their achilles heel

I'm in the same boat, next car will replace a 3 series coupe & a gas guzzling SUV. the A6 wagons look mighty tasty for me: 6'-4" with kids & dogs.

[hr622]

I think I deffinately want a Bimmer, now its down to a 325 or 525...Jus a little background, I am a college student, so the car is just for me and I dont plan on fitting a family in the car, but I deffinately need the reliability...thanks for the input so far.

[JohnnyWash1]

Then why consider a 525? Get the 325 and never look back.

[strogg]

don't forget to calculate in the cost of gas and insurance for the vehicles. just because you save a few hundred in repairs every year doesn't mean you'll also save that much in insurance and gas.

fwiw, i vote for the audi or the 5-series. as a college student, i know how one will drive the 3 series;) last thing you need is to total your car whilst showing off:D

ok, seriously, the 3-series is is really a nice car, although be prepared to spend an arm and a leg on insurance, and possibly a lot of money on initial repairs if the previous owner didn't take care of the "common issues" like the waterpump and whatnot.

and as a gauge for how much you might spend post-purchase, i have so far spent $150 in oil changes, $400 in new tires, $40 on a coolant flush, $300 on new brakes/rotors, $50 on a new valve gasket, $700 on a busted waterpump, t-stat housing, and hose (the cooling system decided to explode in my engine bay:(), and $800 on a failed oil pump (which i somehow got away scotch free!). that's $2440-ish in one year for required maintainance (that's not counting stuff i forgot to mention), but i do NOT plan to do any of that (except oil changes) again in the next few years. that's what you could be looking at for initial costs if the car isn't exactly babied. so ya, hope that helps.

[325isracer]

Get a 325 or 328. I would spend a little extra and get the 328 just because they are usually in better shape then the 325's and come with more options plus a better engine.

Oh yeah and I'm not sure about A6's, but my friend has a 2.8 A4 and it has had more problems then any other car I've other seen, over 5k in maintenance in his first year of owning it. BMW's will be a lot cheaper on maintenance usually.

[jbol]

the cost for maintinance isnt too bad...the water pump is 80ish, the t-stat housing 30? do the work yourself, get a fan delete kit so your fan wont destroy your cooling system 90. everything else is typical stuff you are going to get with any other car.

for strogg it just sucked his oil pump went out, but it doesnt mean yours is going to, and im not sure how he came about spending 700 dollars on a busted water pump? but he is right, there is the chance something big is just going to break and you could be out a grand in repairs...but once again that goes with every other car..

Im a college student as well and drive a 325, insurance is a bit high, so if you are worried about money in that sense, get a car different from audi or bmw..but i'd say get the 3.

[hr622]

I figured out the insurance for me wont be too bad... The only reason I am considering the 5 series is the styling... (and maybe a V8)

[cheetah64]

When I was looking for a car I was deciding between a A4 1.8t and an e36. After driving both there was no comparison, it had to be the e36.

[kronik323racer]

ive driven only one audi and it happened to be the s4(2000) and to be honest i expected it to have a smoother ride than my 323 and it didnt. to me it felt like driving a jetta. as for the a4/a6 i really dont think theres that big of difference if so than im wrong. i suggest the 325 or 328. if i can love my 323 you sure as hell will love the 325/328.:buttrock :buttrock

[strogg]

actually, the $700 came in because i was forced to go to the stealership for repairs. i needed it done that same day and the only place with all the parts was the stealership. otherwise, i coulda fixed it on my own for about $300, which would include new coolant, new waterpump, new t-stat and housing, and upper hoses. that also assumes i didn't spend $81 on a diagnosis. eh, oh well.

[mose121]

The 2.8 is a dog, but pretty reliable. If it were me, I'd get an A4 w/ 1.8t. If that is not an option, then I'd go with the 325

The 1.8t has it's fair share of issues also. I owned one and it was a PITA to diagnose numerous vacuum leaks, cat failure with no CEL/code, k03 turbo will die b/t 60-100k or faster with mods, ignition coil issues (even the redesigned units failed twice on me), and a few others I'm sure I have buried in my subconscience to forget about altogether. But whatever you do, DO NOT GET AN AUDI WITH THE 2.7t.



I figured out the insurance for me wont be too bad... The only reason I am considering the 5 series is the styling... (and maybe a V8)

I'd stay away from the v8's if you're on a college budget. Repair costs can add up fast and they aren't as reliable over 100k as the I6 motors. Not to mention gas savings. I know when I was in college we used to scower the streets for change to pay for gas.

[hr622]

Yeah... your right V8s are too much for me... How much better does the e36 handle than the e34 (both 2.5L)?

[schwarzII325is]

e36 duh

[mose121]

Yeah... your right V8s are too much for me... How much better does the e36 handle than the e34 (both 2.5L)?

The e36 handles much better in stock form, but you'll probably never notice on the street over the e34. The e34 is just a bigger heavier car, so obviously it won't handle as well but it still does a great job in the twisties. The e36 platform was the basis for what some considered the best handling car of all time, the e36 M3.

[AMDdude]

http://rankyspanky.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/wars/besthandling.jpg

/thread

lol but seriously drive both and see which one YOU like the best, it's that simple.

[nhocky318]

dont tell me you didnt expect to be told to get the bimmer on bf.com. ok ill tell you. get the e36

[STR8OUT]

orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, be like me and get both!!! .................................... /\ :redspot

I gotta say though, my S4 is a BEAST in this blizzard. I havent been stopped yet in 12 inches of snow and my car is low as hell. I've got 120K on my stock motor, trans, clutch, and turbo's and i've been chipped since 45K. Say what you want about this car but you really have to drive one with a chip and suspension mods before you judge it.

For the OP, I think the bimmer will probably be more reliable (cheaper to fix stuff at least) so if you are tight on cash then go with the bimmer. With an Audi, you want to always be sure to have a grand stashed away for car emergencies. I'm the only one who works on my car so repairs are a hobbie for me but for the average joe they'd probably get sick of it...lol