Kind of necessary car shopping

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
10/12/2019 at 18:02 • Filed to: None

My wif e, kiddo, and I headed out for some test drives today. Wife is pretty cool with anything as long as it’s an automatic. We don’t want to spend a ton, it should be comfortable for 3 of us; and of course fun to drive. I was hoping we could start with a 335i xdrive , then find an A3 quattro in the older hatch body style, then finish with a Countryman S All4. Going from less practical to most; most fun to least; at least given my experience with similar or the same cars in the past. Unfortunately there are no A3 Quattros in the older hatch body style; only newer sedans and none I liked in my price range. So we drove a 2012 335i xdrive coupe(no decent sedans around), and a 2015 Countryman S All4.

My wife sounded way more interested in the Countryman until we drove it. It was a 2015 but it seemed like it wasn’t holding up too well. It also felt slow after the 335i.

But the 335i xdrive was really fun. The space was good for a coupe, it was fast, handling was good, steering was okay. I love the 2012 3 series coupe body styles but I guess in an ideal world we would find a sedan. I found the ZF 6 speed auto pretty adept at its job. The seats in the (M?) sport pack were really nice.

Here a picture of the 335i:

Going to keep my eyes peeled for a week. The 335i is actually a good price so I would be surprised if it sits for a long time but it’s not so unique I couldn’t find another.

DISCUSSION (13)

Jordan > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 18:42

With the 3 Series, I’d always be a bit disappointed that it didn’t have a manual. If it had to be an auto, I’d personally prefer a Mercedes E or S Class.

Montalvo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 19:53

You got questions about it? I probably have the answers. O wned mine close to 6 years. Apart from a few electrical hiccups it has been the perfect daily for NY.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 19:59

A3 hatch I believe was available with FWD or haldex AWD “Quattro.” The AWD ones are out there, but they seem to command a premium. I even found one that was a 3.2, but FWD. Anyway, here is one of the few quattros on my local CL:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/d/edmonds-2013-audi-a3-quattro-awd-20tfsi/6984877344.html

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Montalvo
10/12/2019 at 20:03

I don’t think so; I guess I am assuming that between 90-100k I’ll need to address the water pump/thermostat; and be prepared for valve cover/oil filter housing gasket replacement.

What kind of electric gremlins?

Did you ever tune your car?

Good in the winter?

Thanks

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Jordan
10/12/2019 at 20:06

I am considering looking at a Mercedes but I am tempted to get a car I could tune. The 335i is limitless in that regard and the A3 actually has a pretty open possibilities due to sharing platforms with the GTI.

I love the E series coupe but it’s also at least $3,000 more. And in that price range I would be tempted by the more practical options like a 428gc.

Montalvo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 20:24

The footwell module ( FRM) went bad. BMW extended the warranty on this part to 8 years that should tell you something . Basically the car would not let you roll down/up windows, no running lights or headlights (did have brake lights though), no turn signals and it wouldn’t enter sleep mode when you turned the car off. I was fighting off some things which all pointed to the module and didn’t realize until it went. You can tune the N55 but I would advise against too much. M ore boost shouldnt be an issue but it is an open deck block and should be treated as such . The xdrive on these cars make up quite a bit so you get to use ALL the power ALL the time. It is a monster in the winter. Even on all seasons needing to be replaced i t handled blizzards like nothing. Where 4x4s were having issues that car kept going. Rain,flood,snow it handled it all.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 20:37

If you’re looking at an E9x I’m probably going to say yes. So yes.

And I’ll be jealous of your M Sport seats

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2019 at 21:00

I’m fine with the haldex awd . The prices for the AWD are all over the map; I’ve seen one 2011 with 90,000 miles for $6,800 and another 2010 with 85,000 miles for $10,500. (Both sold fast) I’d love to get a 2012/13 with lowish miles like you posted. But right now there is nothing in the twin cities with under 100,000 miles.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 21:09

It seems it would be more useful than the E92 as a family car. Seems an A4 Avant would tick a lot of your boxes

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2019 at 22:21

I really want a car with the sport seats; they just feel so good and I like the option of having paddles which also came with the sport pack (not sure how much is use them but they can’t hurt ).

If the car I drove today were a sedan it’d probably be in my driveway.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Montalvo
10/12/2019 at 22:24

Thanks; the FRM sounds like a nightmare. If I did a tune it’d be just stage 1.

Montalvo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
10/12/2019 at 22:38

Not really, service is free as the part is still under warranty. Even a mild tune will feel big in that car as when the boost hits it stays there and digs. Xdrive is awesome.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/14/2019 at 15:23

Your timing is on point; I have also considered the A4 Avant but I had kind of given up trying to find the right A4 Avant, and then this beauty came along https://www.originalownerautos.com/inventory/view/12356405/2011-Audi-A4—AWD-Avant-quattro-2.0T-Premium—Plus/

It’s more along the lines of what I want to pay for a second car, and this looks nice including the sport package if I’m not mistaken. I will likely try to gather up the family to check it out Wednesday.