e30 vs audi AWD

[tndetail]

Hello, I am a former (sad) E30 owner (had to sell to start business)

i owned an 87 325is RWD..

i am EXTREMELY interested in getting into an AWD car

i have done alot of studying, and have fallen in love with the IX..

but i've seen a couple of details concerning a 91 (ish) audi coupe Q


as far as a well rounded scale of handling, and speed

does anyone have any experienced opinions... thank you
(and i understand this is an e30 forum, i apologize if i am crossing the line about audi) TY -matt

[Hatchman]

I drive an ix... it can handle a curve and can be quick if you step on it... but if you want more than the stockness that most ixes are, an ix becomes a problem, its hard to mod without complications coming up, but its a solid car and god knows i love mine

[tndetail]

actually, i have every intention of slamming as much money as posible into which ever car i get (lol) i can honestly say, that which ever i chose (most likly e30) it will NOT stay stock.

[Mastrcruse]

I don't know about the IX but I had a 98 2.8 A4 Quattro. First of all compared to my e30 (rwd), the Audi felt much faster, quiter, quicker, better handling but WAY, WAY more $$$$$ to fix. I love my e30 but I would give anything to get my audi back, maybe its because it was my first car. I say if you have the money to repair it when shit goes bad, Audi. One of the great things about the E30 though is you get a ton more looks in it then the Audi.

[jfdublyu]

i have no experience w/ the all-wheel-drives, but i would very much also like to hear some good responses to this question due to my curiousity and possible intention on purchasing an all-wheel-drive in the future. i would especially like to know how audi's quattro drive system rates against BMW's x system

[AdironRider]

I loved my ix. However the car had a tendency to understeer. Also if you plan on lowering your car not only will it cost alot more, but youll also be forking out cash to replace cv boots and the like every 20000 miles or so. Dont know much about the Audi's.

[tndetail]

i don;t know much, but from what i have heard..
the audi AWD system is more "mechanically" drivev, maybe someone can elaberate more on this.

[DrMcDave]

cv boot replacement 60 bucks no big deal and i paid to have it done. My ix is lowered and will get modded more here soon. I think a lot of the stuff said about ix's is just made up or i heard from a guy type stuff.

[rwh11385]

bmw still has a rear drive bias. (67 rear, 37 front)

audis are overweight, understeering pigs with major drama and ordeal say a lot of owners.

http://home.earthlink.net/~wardellhix/iX/general/iXfaq.html

[nando]

Also if you plan on lowering your car not only will it cost alot more, but youll also be forking out cash to replace cv boots and the like every 20000 miles or so.

I wish people would stop saying bullshit like this. it's simply not true, the CV boots will hardly wear at all on H&R sports/1.6" drop. I have 40k+ and the CV boots are just fine, same goes for my joints which have almost 200k on them.

I would say that unless a) you really like the ix and b) you are willing to make things happen (either with custom parts or parts from other cars that might fit), stick with modding a 325i. otherwise, it can handle just as well as any other E30, but eventually you'll get to the point where I am, where aftermarket/factory stuff just isn't cutting it anymore, and modified/custom parts are neccesary. if you are used to buying parts and bolting them on, you won't be happy with an ix; the stock suspension geometry is setup for great traction on ice/snow, not fast cornering on dry tarmac.

audis in the pricerange of the ix aren't going to handle as well or be as fast, they are typically heavier, more front heavy, and the 50/50 power split makes them understeer even more. they don't have the best reputation for reliability either. get one if you want an image, otherwise stay away.

[nando]

I don't know about the IX but I had a 98 2.8 A4 Quattro. First of all compared to my e30 (rwd), the Audi felt much faster, quiter, quicker, better handling but WAY, WAY more $$$$$ to fix. I love my e30 but I would give anything to get my audi back, maybe its because it was my first car. I say if you have the money to repair it when shit goes bad, Audi. One of the great things about the E30 though is you get a ton more looks in it then the Audi.

I don't know how a 3300lb+, front heavy A4 with 190hp (ooooh) could be faster than a 325is, but okay...

[Alpine-E30]

Audi Coupe Quattros are heavy as hell and underpowered for their weight. I owned one, never again.

[europeanplates]

Both cars are great. I have owned both and was happy with both. I owned a 88 4000 Quattro but if you where looking try to find the coupe. Also what are you more familar with? If you have never owned audi but know your BMW's then I would say the BMW would be the way to go.

Tyler

[tndetail]

i am VERY familiar w/ the e30.. i think i might go that route..
but my main focus was cornering, i guess i assumed the awd would do great on tarmac.. but what i am hearing here (and a little other places) is that they are not...


maybe i'd be better off getting a rwd again... (:() i live in charlotte NC.. and when winter hits, we rarely get snow (ice always.. but hardly snow) so i guess RWD would be more worth it in long run...

anyone else got two cents?

[bmwmike]

I don't know about the IX but I had a 98 2.8 A4 Quattro. First of all compared to my e30 (rwd), the Audi felt much faster, quiter, quicker, better handling but WAY, WAY more $$$$$ to fix. I love my e30 but I would give anything to get my audi back, maybe its because it was my first car. I say if you have the money to repair it when shit goes bad, Audi. One of the great things about the E30 though is you get a ton more looks in it then the Audi.

one of my friends had a 2.8 5 speed and it was definetly significantly slower than my 325i stock vs stock. It only has like 10 more horse but the awd slows it down like crazy once your rolling and the car weighs, what, like 500 lbs more.. The audi may give a bit more confidence in cornering because of the awd grip, but the e30 is so much lighter, more nimble and balanced, tossing it around (again stock vs stock) isnt even comparable imo. And paying someone 2000 to replace the timing belt every 80k on the audi, not cool