Timing belt usually needs to be replaced more often than the chain, but it is usually significantly cheaper. Timing belt motors are generally quieter and less vibrating than chain motors.
Performance
Power:
130 HP
115 HP
Torque:
285 NM
265 NM
Acceleration 0-100 km/h:
10.1 seconds
11 seconds
Audi A4 is more dynamic to drive. Audi A4 engine produces 15 HP more power than BMW 3 series, whereas torque is 20 NM more than BMW 3 series. Thanks to more power Audi A4 reaches 100 km/h speed 0.9 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
5.5
6.8
The Audi A4 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. Audi A4 consumes 1.3 litres less fuel per 100 km than the BMW 3 series, which means that by driving the Audi A4 over 15,000 km in a year you can save 195 litres of fuel.
Fuel tank capacity:
70 litres
63 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
1270 km in combined cycle
920 km in combined cycle
1520 km on highway
1140 km on highway
Audi A4 gets more mileage on one fuel tank.
Drive type
Wheel drive type:
Front wheel drive (FWD)
Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
420'000 km
480'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a BMW 3 series engine could be longer.
Engine production duration:
8 years
9 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 3 other car models, including Volkswagen Passat, Audi A6, Skoda Superb
Used also on BMW 5 sērija
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Audi A4 might be a better choice in this respect.
Both cars are similar in size. Audi A4 is 8 cm longer than the BMW 3 series, 3 cm wider, while the height of Audi A4 is 1 cm higher.
Trunk capacity:
445 litres
440 litres
Audi A4 has 5 litres more trunk space than the BMW 3 series.
Turning diameter:
11.1 meters
10 meters
The turning circle of the Audi A4 is 1.1 metres more than that of the BMW 3 series, which means Audi A4 can be harder to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces.
Audi A4 has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data BMW 3 series has serious deffects in 30 percent more cases than Audi A4, so Audi A4 quality is probably significantly better
