pizzafan

Anyone consider the Audi A4 before purchasing the IS300/350?

Any pluses/minuses?

I like the driver's console on the A4 alot -- having a color display that shows the map right in front of you is very useful.

I don't know enough else about the A4 to compare the two cars, other than the price point is similar

doodlebug

I think they are definitely good looking cars.
I don't like the iPad stuck on the dash type screens. But, the main thing for me would be that it's FWD, unless you get the quattro.

My husband had a 2010 A4 and I had a 2008 G37; it always felt underwhelming in his car compared to mine. I never even considered one when I was shopping for a new car.

You should test drive each to see which fits you better.

Crossxup11

In my opinion, the A4 is not comparable to the IS350.
Sit in one, drive one, look at one. It is a nice car, but one class below.
The A5 is just an A4 but with 2 less doors (maybe a little oversimplified but still) so it falls into the same category.

The A6 is arguably step up on the IS350.

My point is, Audi doesn't really have a direct competitor to the IS350; so it comes down to budget.
I considered Audi until I realized an IS350 fit into the upper limit of my budget. (CAD $)

AMNss

The new A4 interior is very nice specially the full electronic speedometer with maps I think all new cars will go this route and lexus have to step it up before it looks outdated. On the other hand Audi ruined the exterior look by going too conservative with squares and simple design. IMO the exterior design of old A4 is much better, but this is objective. Finally if you are going for one get the quattro 3.0t since it is the best engine to get, but you will pay much much more than a fully optioned Lexus, try leasing it since Audi are known for their average reliability compared to Lexus.

EJ255t

the new A4 are nice, but still nothing compared to the 3IS--(350), but this can go both ways.

im sure the A4 has options that arnt offered on the 3IS and the same other way around. Both are are great cars, but in the long run, Lexus will outlast the audi in the reliability and quality segment.

now i wouldnt mind the new RS4 as a weekend car, and the lexus as daily!!

KYLESTONES

Best friend is an Audi tech, said ECUs are failing left and right in the new A4s.

jmull3r

iTrader: (1)

The A4 has a 2.0 turbo engine, same amount of power as the IS200t. The IS350 has a lot more power and maybe pulls harder. The IS will also keep you free of unexpected break downs or little problems Audi's tend to have. It definitely has the cooler looking interior though.

Obscene14

The new A4 is more on par with the IS350 than the IS200T. It has 275 lb tq, the same as the Is350. It does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds according to car and driver. I drove the new Audi and C&D is on point. Audi has been doing turbo 4cyl engines forever so they figured out how to get rid of the turbo lag, plus when combined with the lightening quick shifts of the dual clutch tranny it's a formidable powertrain.. Also in about a year when the tuners (APR among others) crack the A4 ecu it will be pushing 300+ hp and 325 tq with a basic stage 1 tune.

True the A4 still looks like a box but some may prefer that over the radical styling of the IS.

I guess the biggest problem for Audi right now is shaking the whole reliability thing, but the latest hard data shows that the three most reliable new car manufacturers are Toyota, Lexus and Audi in that order.

sdiver68

Audi is proven to be the most fraudulent auto manufacturer in history. They are pieces of junk with a fresh coat of paint from a reliability perspective. Prepare to spend your time on the forum trying to figure out issues.

No thanks, check out the MB C300 or C450/C43 for a German alternative.

sdiver68

And which hard data is that? The data on the 12 million cars they've had to recall with a TDI engine? Or all the recalls associated with their 2.0l for burning oil? Or the carbon build up? Or the malfunctioning DCT's?

Dont cherrypick 1 measure and call that hard data. CR inexplicably excluded the TDI from their survey and then stated “The rankings do not account for corporate practices or brand perceptions, and despite Audi’s score, Consumer Reports strongly believes that Volkswagen AG should be held accountable for manipulating emissions testing with its vehicles,”

Obscene14

CR is correct, unethical business practice is unrelated to reliability so Audi however much you hate their way of doing business is still reliable now.

Yes, let's not cherry pick but Toyota is hardly scandal free! In case you forgot Toyota was fined 1.2 billion for conveniently sweeping unintended acceleration and faulty floor mats under the rug. Several Lexus's were included in that recall also. What about the LS400 engine sludge problem in the 1990's and the 2IS sticky dashboards in Florida that Lexus won't make good on.

What I'm saying is judge the car for what it is, not the corporate business practices of the manufacturer because Toyota/Lexus is no different than VW/Audi. Actually if you want to hate on a car mfg, hate on GM for knowingly letting dozens of people die from a faulty ignition switch. Apparently deaths were preferable to spending millions on a recall. They had to be forced to recall the cars with the poorly designed ignition switches. A TDI with less mpg than advertised never killed anyone.


The 2017 IS350 and the 2017 Audi A4 are both on my short list when I'm due to purchase a new car in the fall.


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EZZ

The issue with the A4 is the driving dynamics. They've always been behind BMW and it hasn't changed. The Lexus and Caddy ATS drive better than the BMW and Audi. You have to bump up to the S4 to get comparable handling which really puts it out of the price comparison to the IS350.

Obscene14

The suspension in the 2017 (B9) A4 is new. They added another link to the forged aluminium front and rear suspension. Combined with the 19" wheel pkg (245/35) and Quattro the handling is tight. It's vastly improved from the outgoing (B8) A4. No more overly soft suspension with horrendous understeer at the limit.

All the new electric steering racks are numb except for maybe the Caddy. BMW steering is no exception. The Steering on my Lexus feels way over boosted at highway speed too. If I get another IS for sure I'm going to make sure it has the VGRS pkg.

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Just to add on about the scandals...

Mitsubishi motors is has gotten in trouble again (3rd time), for falsifying their fuel economy data. Basically they used economy from 2WD models and published them for their AWD vehicles. Very deceiving to customers who have these vehicles because the real results were 10-15% lower than the published. The CEO will be stepping down as a result of this.

Suzuki has also gotten in trouble but not as bad because they did not properly test their vehicles according to Japanese government regulations. They only tested vehicles inside and used the results to publish the fuel economy data. They have since retested the vehicles outside and the results were slightly better, which is the good news. The publish economy values will remain unchanged as opposed to updating to the correct ones.

rld14

The new A4 is nice. You can also lease an A6 for the same money.

The new Jaguar XE is better.