I am looking at buying a new car next week and i have got it down to a choice between

bmw e46 325/330

Audi A4 1.8t quattro

Mk4 Golf 1.8t/2.8 v6 4motion

Does anyone have experience with any of these cars or know any important info i should know which might sway me towards one?

i have enough money saved to Insurance and buy any of them so ignore that part of it

On the E46 the front suspension bottom wishbone bushes go regularly - first of all horizontal play.

They go on all E46 every few years. Not a major job though.

Please keep it in the context that all cars have something that goes - i dont know about the other on your list quite as well. I suggest the used review pages on honest jon - towards the end they have a lot of details on common issues.

If the air con isnt working on the vag group cars my opinion from experience is that a seal kit and new gas wont be enough - the compressor will have condensation inside it. If the ac is weak it will need more than gas. So a negotiating point.

1.8t 's - great engine do occasionally like a coil pack.

Based on the age of car your looking at I dont know if it applies to the audi but i think they are common parts, the comfort control module can go and also the central locking can play up due to vw skimping on solder on the boards in the locking mechanism - a much more annoying problem than you can believe. ( I think i can strip down and put back a mk4 door and locking system in less than 12mins)

For me the E46 is by far in a a way the best drivers car there, its not even close. Its also a fantastic motorway cruiser. Brilliant cars.

I've always like my mk4's though.

good luck with the search.

cheers for the info, i have read up on of the cars so i know most of the common things to look for just after more of what they are like to live with.

the e46 is in the lead at the moment, going to test drive one next week. I have also found a nice mk4 i may have a look at as well though, its so hard to decide haha

Be prepared for the 330 to rape your wallet in ways you didnt think possible on fuel. Very quick standard though, I've heard the cam position sensor is common to go on higher mileage ones, itll feel like its bogging down in low revs. Can get them cheap, mate got his with full leather, FSH etc for 1600 on an x reg. Id say get one if youre after a car for driving, not commuting.

yeah i have been reading some more reviews and stuff, the 330 might be too expensive in the long run for me.

got it down to

mk4 golf 1.8t

e46 320/325

didnt like the audi enough its too big.

its amazing how much car you can get for £2k now in bmws

Edited 27 March, 201313 yr by rozza92

I am having the exact same trouble at the moment. Well, was.

We currently have a Mk3 Golf GLI, a Mk3 Golf Convertible and a Mk2 Polo Country.

We are after our 4th car and it's been a toss up between a BMW 528i or a Audi A4.

We looked into it all, a pre 2001 BMW tax is the same as the Golfs, after is WAY more.

For the Audi, yeah they're nice, but for the money we were looking to spend, you don't get all the mods and cons that you do with a beemer.

Decision was made for me really on the fact that you get a bit more for your money and pretty much no modifying to be done to the BMW.

Good luck!!

If you get a clean E46 they don't look dated at all. Especially if you go for a face lift one.