[Wolfman]

Just curious, back in the states, the 3 series overall still command the best resell value of any sport sedan. Is this the case as well for the E90 in Hong Kong? I know Audi has been coming on strong lately in Hong Kong, but how does their B8 A4 value hold up compared to the E90 3 series? Audi seems to be relatively new in the top premium class so I don't know how their value can last compared to BMW. My guess is that BMW still has the best value.

[css]

i think mercedes have the best value, audi and bmw's resale value is f'uped by their own dealership, discounts are too often and in big drops too

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by oda

i think mercedes have the best value, audi and bmw's resale value is f'uped by their own dealership, discounts are too often and in big drops too

Thanks for the clarification. Mercedes may have the best value, but I don't see them with the same driveability as BMW, and certainly not a BMW 3 series. (Although if it's between a Lexus and a Mercedes, I would choose Mercedes for it's better driveability relative to Lexus).

I was wondering about the A4 because of it's lack of history. With the 3 series, you have a record you are familiar with. The E30, E36 and E46 are all known for their excellent handling. Their designs have a ageless quality to it. I would be perfectly happy driving a E36 or E46 because I know what the car is capable of. The A4 dosen't have this history, you can't be sure what the next version will be like. And that may impact, if not it's value, then certainly it's long-term driveability.

[css]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Thanks for the clarification. Mercedes may have the best value, but I don't see them with the same driveability as BMW, and certainly not a BMW 3 series. (Although if it's between a Lexus and a Mercedes, I would choose Mercedes for it's better driveability relative to Lexus).

I was wondering about the A4 because of it's lack of history. With the 3 series, you have a record you are familiar with. The E30, E36 and E46 are all known for their excellent handling. Their designs have a ageless quality to it. I would be perfectly happy driving a E36 or E46 because I know what the car is capable of. The A4 dosen't have this history, you can't be sure what the next version will be like. And that may impact, if not it's value, then certainly it's long-term driveability.

i prefer bmw's drive over audi's, except for the r8, even with the s5, i feel that the steering response is lacking, or maybe bmw's is too good? however still better than mercedes, i've tried a c300 in canada and the steering is so numb and dull..its also too light

[akhter]

I still see way more e90s than either a4 or c-class regardless of what holds value.

[Wolfman]

Yeah I suppose there is a reason why 3 series are more common then A4 and C Class. It drives better and hold a better value. Still, I'm curious about the B8 A4. I test drove it once and was quite impressed with it, in contrast to the previous version of A4s, the B8 was actually quite good to drive. Not as good as the E90 3 series overall, but it's getting closer. So I was wondering about how it's value will hold up over time compared to the E90 on long-term reliability given it's relative newness and lack of history.

[css]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Yeah I suppose there is a reason why 3 series are more common then A4 and C Class. It drives better and hold a better value. Still, I'm curious about the B8 A4. I test drove it once and was quite impressed with it, in contrast to the previous version of A4s, the B8 was actually quite good to drive. Not as good as the E90 3 series overall, but it's getting closer. So I was wondering about how it's value will hold up over time compared to the E90 on long-term reliability given it's relative newness and lack of history.

the 2.0T Quattro version will probably hold a lot better than the 1.8T with CVT, cus the 2.0T quattro is still out of stock and need to wait whereas 1.8T has gone thru several big sales and still have stock iirc!

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by oda

the 2.0T Quattro version will probably hold a lot better than the 1.8T with CVT, cus the 2.0T quattro is still out of stock and need to wait whereas 1.8T has gone thru several big sales and still have stock iirc!

The quattro definitely is what make a Audi worthwhile to consider. Otherwise, a front-wheel drive car is really not that appealing to me. I'm tempted to try a B8 A4 if it weren't for the fact that I'm not prepared to give my 325i. Anyone has $ value comparison between a E90 and a B8 A4 (with quattro)?

[ny911]

Originally Posted by oda

i prefer bmw's drive over audi's, except for the r8, even with the s5, i feel that the steering response is lacking, or maybe bmw's is too good? however still better than mercedes, i've tried a c300 in canada and the steering is so numb and dull..its also too light

I have driven a C180 touring in Germany for 5 days and realised the steering feels much lighter than those in HK (C280). Why is the steering on 204 in HK heavier than those overseas'?

[ny911]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

The quattro definitely is what make a Audi worthwhile to consider. Otherwise, a front-wheel drive car is really not that appealing to me. I'm tempted to try a B8 A4 if it weren't for the fact that I'm not prepared to give my 325i. Anyone has $ value comparison between a E90 and a B8 A4 (with quattro)?

You should wait for some end year promotion if you want to any of these. In HK,higher engine displacment equals to higher deprecation rate. If you do care resell,go for those entry models (lower end),otherwise Merc or Porsche does hold the value better IMO.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by ny911

You should wait for some end year promotion if you want to any of these. In HK,higher engine displacment equals to higher deprecation rate. If you do care resell,go for those entry models (lower end),otherwise Merc or Porsche does hold the value better IMO.

Audi quattro is not bad and their interior fit and finish is superior to BMW. But I'm still wondering if I'm willing to trade BMW's (and the 3 series in particular) performance and handling for that. So far I'm not willing to do so, but then again, Audi is tempting.

[ny911]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Audi quattro is not bad and their interior fit and finish is superior to BMW. But I'm still wondering if I'm willing to trade BMW's (and the 3 series in particular) performance and handling for that. So far I'm not willing to do so, but then again, Audi is tempting.

So what are your final candidates now?

[Wolfman]

Higher engine depreciates more I agree, then again, the extra horsepower and torque makes it more fun to drive, especially to overtake those $%^& aggressive red minibuses and taxies, hehehe. You know, when a empty stretch of road presents itself, I would like to take advantage of it (provided there are no speed cameras, hahaha!)

I would probably wait for the new 3 series (F30) to come out in 1-2 years time to see how it drives before I really decide on Audi. Then again, it's agonizing when Audi is indeed attractive, but at the same time I'm not willing to give up the rear-wheel drive advantage of a 3 series. Oh well, I'll have to wait and see.