Why do Audi's and BMW's cost so much? What is the gained worth over a Mazda?

Question 1
Why do Audi's and BMW's cost so much? What is the gained worth over a Mazda?...  Specifically, the A4 and 3 Series. I'm looking at new cars and I'm trying to rationalize purchasing a 2007 or 08 mazda 3 hatch with touring pachage (haven't ruled out the Mazdaspeed) over a 2004-06 Audi A4 (1.8L + maybe turbo or BMW 3 Series (325i....I'm not extremely familiar with the different models of the 3 Series).

Answers
1)   the build quality of bmw and audi are far more superior to most other car manufacturers, especially Mazda - motty

2)   It's a little like buying nike shoes, You pay for the name. You pay to say you have an audi. Kinda like having a Rolex. A timex tells the time just fine, and might last as long as a rolex. Heck, go up a scale and get a mid class watch in the $500 range, it'll be every bit as good as a rolex. But you can't call it a rolex.

Audi's and BMW's have their fare share of problems. They can be incredibly expensive to fix. Especially when you consider that they come with a lot of toys. And the more toys, the more things that there are to break. That being said, you can't build a name for yourself by building complete garbage either. They make good cars, they perform well, they have usually established a good balance of luxury and handling. But the depreciation on BMW's and Audi's is some of the worst. Mostly because, when you have a higher price tag, it's a longer fall to the bottom. and most cars are worth almost all the same money after 10 years. (give or take)

Mazda makes a decent product. They have problems with cars just like every other car company on the face of the earth. The best thing to do is look at your car value. What do you get for the money you spend. will you be happy with the car? Do you feel the purchase gets you the most car for the money? does it meet your needs? Do you enjoy driving it? If the answer to those questions is yes, then that's the car you should get.

side note, boosted cars kick A$$. Get the Mazdaspeed. :) that's what i would pick. it's always nice to have a car with some warranty left on it. - G6er

3)   You should pay for brand cost beside the car itself when you buy Mercedes, BMW, Audi or whatever. And therefore you can sell them at rather higher price than Mazda or Kia. You can sell a car with brand fee.

In the past the brand fee is more expensive than these days because Mazda or Honda should compete with any European brands at performance of cost, but now they have its own good enough technology and value, so the price gap is getting smaller.

Korean or Chinese car manufacturer do the same story again. - takuro81084126

4)   This is not unique to cars (like the difference ones you mentioned), but also true of watches (Timex vs Rolex), and about every thing out there. Brand recognition is very important to some, less so for others.
So the question is not which car is better, but why do you but it?
Just to make a point, if we compare the 2009 models, the Audi, and BMW projected depreciation is in the neighborhood of 21000 dollars. Now a Mazda 3 Speed costs only 24,445 base. Now it seems to me that compared to buying a BMW or Audi you are getting the Mazda for only about 4000 dollars. On top of that I am stuck (in the Mazda 3) with additional horse power, oh the pity of it, paying less and getting more!
As for reliability, we a friend of mine had to have a sports car right after he saw my Miata. So he bought a BMW Roadster (Z-3) which he has traded off now. The reason he traded was because repairs were getting to expensive. I still have my Miata, true I have had to replace a water pump, and put in a new clutch (less then 600 dollars). But that is less then having an alternator go out, power steering problems and I don't remember how many other things. Therefore when someone tells me a BMW or Audi is built better, I take it with a grain of salt. - Old Man Dirt

5)   I dont know much about cars but i can suggest a good car insurance site that offers low insurance premium. I recommend you check the site below to get free quotes and compare car insurance premiums from the leading insurance companies in the US that would give you the best insurance quote and save you money.

http://www.goodinsurancepolicy.com - Jean


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Question 2
Audi A3 service light will not go out?...  I have an audi a3 (2008). I had it serviced at an independant garage and they attampted to turn off the service light but it stayed on. They ahve tried on 2 other occasions and it will not go out.
I have contacted audi as I con sider this a fault and they have said only they can reset their service lights. THis cannot be true as block exemption means you don't need to have new cars serviced with the main dealer. Any advice?
Only problem is the car is leased and we are returning it next week. They won't behappy if the service light is still on
The light does go out when I follow the instructions in the handbook but then comes back on when the car is next started

Answers
1)   It has to go to Audi,
This is how they make their money by charging excessive amounts for servicing. - Rhiannon

2)   Just because the light is on it does not stop you getting the car serviced elsewhere so they have done nothing wrong - but you will know which cars to avoid next time and tell your friends about it to - Timbo is here

3)   Why not break the light? thats what you get for buying German cars buy a Lexus they never letyou down and are so much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Tony Montana

4)   This is how it's done unless yours is on longlife service interval schedule.
Vehicles on longlife service intervals must have the service interval indicator reset using suitable diagnostic equipment.
Vehicles on fixed interval servicing can be reset as follows:
Switch ignition ON.
Pull and release button under speedo. A 'spanner' symbol or the word "SERVICE" will appear in the display within 5 seconds.
Pull and hold button trip button until the message "---" or "SERVICE IN ----- KM --- DAYS" appears in the display.
Release button.
Switch ignition OFF.
The trip button is the one under the speedo. - Black Panther

5)   I dont know much about cars but i can suggest a good car insurance site that offers low insurance premium. I recommend you check the site below to get free quotes and compare car insurance premiums from the leading insurance companies in the US that would give you the best insurance quote and save you money.

http://www.goodinsurancepolicy.com - Jean


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Question 3
06-07 BMW 525I or 06-07 Audi A4?...  I am going car shopping this weekend with the hubby who will be purchasing a vehicle for me as a graduation gift (god willing i graduate with my RN degree!..lol)...(love the hubby)...however...im a little more on the "reasonable" price type person...and its the first time i will get into a pretty decent car..i drive a 95 camry and i love it!..LOL...I want serious opinions...which vehicle will be a more reliable car...I understand that they are both pricey to maintain however i think im ready for a more up to date car...hubby has been begging me to get outta the camry that i am attached too!..lol...thankyou so much for your opinions...

Answers
1)   i have a 2000 audi a4 and i havent had any problems with it. every little detail still works. all im saying is that audi is the way to go. the a4 is built really well too, all audis are. - Justin

2)   5-series should be compared with an A6 not A4.
So the 5-series tbh :o - Brian

3)   Audi's reliability is pretty bad. Audi owners who have magically found one of the good ones always turn a blind eye to it but any review/testing site rates the Audi very very low in reliability.

Both will be very nice on the inside and very comfortable. Both will be extremely expensive to maintain. I have several friends with both and all say they had no idea it would be that much to keep them up. Everything costs about double or triple as much as a regular car...including simple things like oil changes.

They are also in different classes. The BMW 5-series is a much bigger car than the Audi A4. The A6 is a closer true competitor to the 5-series. If I had to choose between the 2 I would go with the BMW.

However, if you want a nicer, more up to date car that will be a lot more reliable you could think about a top of the line brand new Accord (newer, cheaper in cost and to maintain, nice on the inside). Or you want a "luxury car" even a Lexus IS350 or Infinity G are good options that are just as nice but a lot more reliable and cheap to maintain. Just a couple things to think about. - Neil

4)   Audi A4, it does better on gas, it has quattro(i live in the north-east and snow is always in the back of my mind), personally i think it looks better, and its more reliable. T-Cam has front wheel drive, and the BMW has rear wheel drive which is even bad in moderate rain, and in snow...dont even think about it. Also my friends 2004 530i has passed 100,000 miles and the engine and tranny runs great but little things are going on it now (heated seats, cupholders, seatbelts, even the gauge that shows how much gas you have :O!). So it will last you until 200,000 miles with reg maintenance but expect little things to go on it. GOOD LUCK!!!

(sorry it was a little long) - SouthlANd


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Question 4
I have an Audi A4 1.8t Convertible. when I go above 80mph it shake & tremble. What could be the problem?...  

Answers
1)   tire balance most likey - kelly_f_1999

2)   Tire imbalance. Any local tire shop can test and /or Cure that for you. Normally around 10 to 15 dollars per tire. - Alex E

3)   I would recommend going and getting a wheel alignment, as it sounds like that is the problem.

Having said that it COULD be a number of things (such as ball joint, hub alignment etc.)

As I said, go and get a wheel alignment (even if that isn't it, it doesn't hurt to get one) and if the problem is still there, then see a mechanic. :) - Usagi

4)   1. wheels need alignment
2. speed rating on your tires (tires have speed ratings that let you know how fast you can drive your car with those tires on your car) - J.B.


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Question 5
Audi V Bmw ,who will win?...  If you had the money what would you go for between a audi Q5 and a bmw x3?

Might go for one of the two next year.

Any advice or experiences with these make would be of great help to me.

regards,

boom

Answers
1)   Go with the Audi. They are a beatiful car that very rarely have mechanical problems. The BMW usually have problems with accesories (i.e. GPS). - Ryan

2)   I would not pick either. If I wanted a 4x4 I'd get something that was actually good off-road. They are both pointless cars. - vavavoom

3)   Audi vs. BMW, who will win?? What do you mean by who will win? In a drag race? On a race track? In a safety test?
As far as overall quality, comfort, reliability, safety, and comfort, both of these vehicles are very similar. They both are loaded with luxuries, are comfortable and safe, and they both have mediocre reliability, and very expensive parts/service.

I would suggest looking at reliability ratings from sources such as Consumer Reports, as well as a few others to get an unbiased review of both vehicles dependability. Also, test drive both. I would be willing to bet that after sitting in both and driving both, you will be leaning more towards one than the other.

I personally like the looks of the Audi better, and I also prefer the dashboard layout better in the Audi.
But if I were seriously considering these 2 vehicles, I would also include the Subaru B9 Tribeca, and the Lexus RX 350 which I preffer over all of the rest. - c420wizzle

4)   The Q5 is a good car. Has a good engine, looks good, interiors are good. But it doesn't ride good.
It's quiet unsettled over the rough patches.
On the other hand X3 is a great car. It may not look as good as an Audi but way it handles makes it better than the Q5.
If you love to drive, go for the BMW otherwise Audi is a good car. - Ajinkya


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