Dilema with the wife..

[///Mperative]

Originally Posted by Kwando

If you're having this much trouble finding another car it's probably easier to find another wife.

Awesome!

Audis suck. My parents have had numerous Audis and they invariably have mechanical problems: bad suspension, broken (by me) oil pan, bad transmission, engine issues, quattro issues, etc. Brand new, Audi is generally ok because at least you have the warranty; so, it would be ok to lease if the lease rates and residuals weren't so horrendous. Out of warranty, watch out. Audi transmissions don't last; you can expect to replace the transmission after about 100k miles. Needless to say, that's very costly.

The interiors are also kinda crappy and everything is red; I don't care what anyone else says about them, but I do not like the Audi interior -- BMW is much nicer (so is Lexus, for that matter). I-Drive FTW!

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Extend the warranty and keep what you have. Changing is rarely cheaper, and as other have said re reliability, I would rather own a BMW out of warranty than an Audi and that is saying something.

+1

My wife just decided on a 2013 335i M-Sport 6MT over the Audi S4!

Great car so far and she loves it.

[Rich_Jenkins]

Sorry, can't help.

Mrs. MMME30W located the car I eventually bought in Indianapolis and insisted we fly up to see it. Melbourne Red/E92/6MT. She's a keeper.

[strummr]

Originally Posted by andrewlef

Awesome!

Audis suck. My parents have had numerous Audis and they invariably have mechanical problems: bad suspension, broken (by me) oil pan, bad transmission, engine issues, quattro issues, etc. Brand new, Audi is generally ok because at least you have the warranty; so, it would be ok to lease if the lease rates and residuals weren't so horrendous. Out of warranty, watch out. Audi transmissions don't last; you can expect to replace the transmission after about 100k miles. Needless to say, that's very costly.

The interiors are also kinda crappy and everything is red; I don't care what anyone else says about them, but I do not like the Audi interior -- BMW is much nicer (so is Lexus, for that matter). I-Drive FTW!

Let me offer a differing opinion. I went from a 540i6 to B6 S4 to E92 M3 (with a few other SUVs, sportscars, trucks in bet). The S4 had hands-down the best interior (two tone Recaros with Alacantara inserts all around), great build-quality, and provided me with 4.5 years of bullet-proof service. (75k logged) It's not the most luxurious, sporty, fastest, practical, but it's one of the best cars I've ever owned as a do-it-all car. (hearing the 40 valve v8 with full exhaust was an other-worldly experience)

[kmarei]

I once owned an Audi
Bought a brand new A5 when it first came out
Loved the looks (still do)
Loved the interior (still do)
Hated the driving experience
4wd is great.
Zero steering wheel feedback
You'd take the corner, and hope for the best
Manual transmission sucked
3.2l v6 sucked so much, I rarely used any gear higher than 4th if I wanted any kind of acceleration

Sold the car after 6 months
Thankfully I only lost $600 as there was a 3 month waiting list for them at the time
Never again
There are certain things I'm willing to compromise on
Cars aren't one of them
I can't drive a car I don't enjoy driving
The whole commuter car concept is not my thing

One small, and maybe politically incorrect question
What is she doing to cut costs?
Or is the cost cutting only on your side?

[izzyM2]

Don't do it! If she loves you and you love your m3. She has to understand! Or you could compromise by lessening your hornyness!

Seriously - There are a few models I long for EVO's, STI's, GTR and M3s
Mine - Evo X Hers - E350, after a career upgrade she had to get a gas saver (ironic I know but her job requires heavy traveling) So she ask for me to change my car. I stupidly agreed. Comes the CRZ, a hybrid it's good... I get to drive the Benz more but no. The car is a truck and its no EVO. I begged for an Evo but she wants a Benz to keep. We went to MB dealer and ended up with a c63. I got suckered by the exhaust note and I was happy for a few months. Finally I put my foot down and when we could do it I opted for my 2013 M3, I'm just glad she also said yes being a luxury brand. It cost us a lot in the long run. But now I'm back to my happy state with my M3. Definitely way better than the EVO by I would have been as happy with the damn thing. So, please don't do it or you will find yourself in a whirlwind situation.

[swcc50]

I just bought a 135i, and I can honestly say getting out of my audi is the best feeling in the world, after 50k miles it was a nightmare, and before that everything is so damn difficult to take apart.. and resale is shitty as hell.

with that... keep the M and try and save money elsewhere.

I know the 135i doesnt even compare, but its all the same family and i can only imagine how the M performs/ feels on DD

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by strummr

Let me offer a differing opinion. I went from a 540i6 to B6 S4 to E92 M3 (with a few other SUVs, sportscars, trucks in bet). The S4 had hands-down the best interior (two tone Recaros with Alacantara inserts all around), great build-quality, and provided me with 4.5 years of bullet-proof service. (75k logged) It's not the most luxurious, sporty, fastest, practical, but it's one of the best cars I've ever owned as a do-it-all car. (hearing the 40 valve v8 with full exhaust was an other-worldly experience)

You got VERY lucky then. The B6/B7 S4 is likely the most unreliable car that Audi ever built. The B6/B7 S4 section on Audizine is all problems. Problems with EVERYTHING. The worst of which are leading to TONS of engine failures.

That said, the B8 S4 seems to be pretty reliable. Only a few minor issues.

THAT said, OP, there is absolutely no reason to "downsize". It makes no sense from any angle and you'd be crazy to do it.

[Darth One]

leave one morning, get the car wrapped, change the wheels, buy a 328i badge and replace your M badge with it.

then go home and tell her mission accomplished. you're welcome

[cshawkeye]

Good one. Looks like after explaining to her the fact that we only really have to pay for tires until 2016 on this car that she is going to stop bothering me about it. I am still open to offers if they do come by its just there really is not much out there that could replace the fun factor of this car and give me AWD.

[toan414]

I had to laugh a bit to see that a full tires set for my (new to me) E30 cost as much as my front left tire for the M.

I had a 335, went on the AWD track and bought a Lexus to downsize. Loved Audi but after going on their forums to read up on Audi engines/issues/maintenance, I ran away. Bought the Lexus and enjoyed the brief moment of downsizing. The daily drive was miserable. 2 months later, couldn't really stand it, went car shopping again and bought the M3. The drive home from Atlanta to DC in the M3 brought happiness that downsizing could not. I rather keep the M3 and eat ramen then downsize again. My girlfriend loved the Lexus for the ride comfort, but realized I was not enjoying it, so she supported the M3 purchase knowing that it would make me happy.