Objective comparo: c180, Audi a4

[ferrero_rocher]

Hi guys, I know this is a merc forum, but I still need a place to ask questions haha.

Am looking out for a 3 year old c180 or Audi a4. I understand this means it's the 1.6 supercharger c180 and the 1.8 liter tfsi a4.

Apart from the difference in road tax, how do they compare in terms of petrol consumption, insurance, reliability, cost of maintenance?

And to the more frivolous aspect, is it a given that the audi is a better base for modification?

Thanks for the advice.

[MarkCWQ]

I've not owned an Audi so I can't comment much on the comparison. All I can say is once I got my first Merc, I've never looked back since.

 

Modification wise for the C180K, I'd suggest you look thought our Members Photo Gallery, and go throughout our sponsors. There are tons of modifications available for that car, tuning, body kits, BBK, exhaust, springs, lights, etc. I highly doubt the C Class would lose out in the modifications aspect to the A4. It's just a matter of how deep your pocket is! 

[bravooc10]

When I got my w204 c200k second hand; I had wanted to get the a4. But my friend who had an a4 then subsequently an S5 warned me that potential down time for repairs might be more than the merc. Having had some issues with my previous citroen. I wanted to have a fuss free car. This thus had been pretty Ok except for wear n tear parts

[Westlake]

hI bravooc10, cannot agree more with you.  That is why you still have confidence in mercs that you book your W205 C180.  Hope the new car is as satisfying as your W204.  My C180k W204 bought second hand is also pretty reliable.  No issue except with wear and tear items and normal servicing.

[Black Beauty]

get the C200 1.8T model if possible.

[Pumper]

Or you can get the 2010 C180 CGI 1.8L model. IMHO, thats the best C180 ever!

[Ah Bui]

I was told by an old friend who was a Audi  freak.... Has A4... S5.... A8... Q5.... and on the verge of getting a S3...

this is his interpretation... The TFSI engine is called Totally F**ked System Injector.... He tells me Audi can only get the S or RS series....

[Black Beauty]

I was told by an old friend who was a Audi  freak.... Has A4... S5.... A8... Q5.... and on the verge of getting a S3...

this is his interpretation... The TFSI engine is called Totally F**ked System Injector.... He tells me Audi can only get the S or RS series....

IF I'm not wrong the S is a boosted TFSI engine with KO4,  so your friend kenna F**k with extra boost...lol...

[Ah Bui]

I think he means the gearbox....... engine is ok... but the 7 speed gearbox from VW is plain rubbish.....

[Black Beauty]

I think he means the gearbox....... engine is ok... but the 7 speed gearbox from VW is plain rubbish.....

Yup as long as its not the 7sp dry clutch gearbox then its ok.  Don't listen to those SE bs that Audi gearbox is different from VW. They still judder...

[Ah Bui]

Audi is owned by VW.... you do the maths.....

[DH1967]

Yup as long as its not the 7sp dry clutch gearbox then its ok.  Don't listen to those SE bs that Audi gearbox is different from VW. They still judder...

If the TS is looking at the A4 1.8L, then it is not running on DSG, it is still the tiptronic. No issue with juddering but slow.

Coming from a similar platform (I had the A4 Quattro B8) and having seen the build quality of the C180, I would think that the C180 is a better choice.

I'm not sure if the Quattro and non Quattro will have the same front axle. On my Quattro A4, I had a lot of problems with the front axle vibrating when going above 170kmh.. The whole car feel very unstable. I'm sure the c180 us very stable at speed even above 200.

[CarCrazy]

Given that A4 is using a Turbocharger, it is certainly a easier platform for mods to the engine output.

 

Superchargers are difficult to up boost, need to change pulley and it is expensive.

[CarCrazy]

Hi Black Beauty,

 

Since all VW 7-sp DSG will judder, how about the PDK 7 speeders? VW now owns Porsche too.

[Black Beauty]

Hi Black Beauty,

 

Since all VW 7-sp DSG will judder, how about the PDK 7 speeders? VW now owns Porsche too.

If PDK using wet clutch then should be ok.

[Ah Bui]

Porche comes with 5 yrs warranty and unlimited mileage free servicing. ... how cool is that...

[Machi]

Porche comes with 5 yrs warranty and unlimited mileage free servicing. ... how cool is that...

 

The M series oso comes with 5 yrs warranty

[Tanzy]

Also means 5 years cannot mod.

 

All these "free" servicings and warranty are built in to the price of the car. No free lunch!

[DH1967]

The M series oso comes with 5 yrs warranty

VW golf 1.4 also have 5 years warranty on the gearbox

[Ah Bui]

Lol... The master has spoken...

Also means 5 years cannot mod.

 

All these "free" servicings and warranty are built in to the price of the car. No free lunch!

[kepiting1sg]

Given that A4 is using a Turbocharger, it is certainly a easier platform for mods to the engine output.

 

Superchargers are difficult to up boost, need to change pulley and it is expensive.

 

imho

The current W204 & W205 C class are using Turbo charger too and not using Supercharger.

Audi new 3.0T engine platform are using Supercharger - difficult to boost -don't think so.

 

BTW I too had the Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro and the A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro.

Had the Q5 on mTm and in less than 1/2 hr after the remapping the ECU by Horizona Tuners, the stock Q5 211bhp was 272bhp.

I sold both cars within less than 6 months of ownership and return back to W212 --> W164--> W204 --> W212.

Both Audi & MB has their own merits.

Like some people said - want a fast car, buy a fast car.

You want to mod a stock car be prepared for quicker wear and tear especially to engine & tranny!

I have returned back to MB cos of the reliability.

I had own W124 running into 13th years without major issues.

I had a W203 which was scrap by my brother after it reaches 10 years due to the ridiculous COE.

 

The A4 is slightly more spacious than the W204 but not too sure if now compare to the W205.

MB engine are difficult to mod because the ECU are locked and most owner turn to piggy back.

 

The 1.8T A4 is FWD whereas the C Class are all rear wheel drive except the "normal" CLA

 

 

[bbwannabe]

C200 and up! Better options and power.

[asiadj]

imho

The current W204 & W205 C class are using Turbo charger too and not using Supercharger.

Audi new 3.0T engine platform are using Supercharger - difficult to boost -don't think so.

 

BTW I too had the Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro and the A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro.

Had the Q5 on mTm and in less than 1/2 hr after the remapping the ECU by Horizona Tuners, the stock Q5 211bhp was 272bhp.

I sold both cars within less than 6 months of ownership and return back to W212 --> W164--> W204 --> W212.

Both Audi & MB has their own merits.

Like some people said - want a fast car, buy a fast car.

You want to mod a stock car be prepared for quicker wear and tear especially to engine & tranny!

I have returned back to MB cos of the reliability.

I had own W124 running into 13th years without major issues.

I had a W203 which was scrap by my brother after it reaches 10 years due to the ridiculous COE.

 

The A4 is slightly more spacious than the W204 but not too sure if now compare to the W205.

MB engine are difficult to mod because the ECU are locked and most owner turn to piggy back.

 

The 1.8T A4 is FWD whereas the C Class are all rear wheel drive except the "normal" CLA

 

 

 

 

he's a MB Whore!

[kepiting1sg]

he's a MB Whore!

 

Brand new 1 week old Q5 - when doing a "fast reverse" or reversing up a slope in mscp - Instrument cluster reads

"No reverse gear"! scary!

 

1 week old A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro - rear suspension going over bump - knocking sound - request PA service dept to check - told wait 1.5 months for appointment.

AFAIK, Audi TFSI engine, the engine oil like to do disappearing act - I bought a 5L bottle engine oil from PA for topping up.

I was the 1st one to buy a physical engine oil dipstock to check the oil level and not from the mmi display.

Car don't come with a engine dipstick and the dip stick lobang is plugged with a rubber cap.

 

The 1 thing I like about the Q5 was the Stage 1 mTm tuned 272hp and 390 Nm torque.

As you push the gas pedal, the speedometer just climb with ease on & on

No need dyno, butt dyno tells me OMG - what a big f$#king diff!

Lots of choices out there for Audi - mTm, APR, ABT, etc or for the strong hearted, get Dennis AutoSprite to take out your ECU and do a bench upgrade.

 

Compared the $$$ spent on the old W203 M271 Kompressor engine doing C230 SC, Kleemann K-Box, Pulley kit, bigger fuel pump, headers, cat converter, Lorinser muffler and a very sad dyno at the road wheels not at crank hor!

Should look for a shop that give happy dyno.....hahhahah!

Not only that! Lost low end torque too which is much needed on Sg roads.

[DH1967]

I got a buddy driving A6, he topped 1 liter of engine oil every 1k km and PA told him is normal. I told him it's not normal to consume 15litres of oil in between service.