[GDR]

If anyone can help me out with translating this review in english, I would appreciate it.

Thanks...

[Ikarus]

In essence, they say

A4 3.2 FSI > BMW 330i > Mercedes 350

A4 wins in category chassis.
A4 wins in category driving comfort.
330i wins in category Engine/Transmission.
A4 wins in category handling (mostly because of AWD).
330i wins in category environment/cost (by a very narrow margin over the A4, a large margin over the 350).

Translating the whole thing is way too much work. What in particular do you want to know?

[GDR]

I just wanted to know why on earth they were giving the A4 better marks than the 330i.

[Ikarus]

Originally Posted by GDR

I just wanted to know why on earth they were giving the A4 better marks than the 330i.

Main pluses for the A4: more spacious and higher-quality interior, bigger trunk, best creature comforts (suspension, noise, seats), AWD.

When you look at the details, it turns out that the Audi gains a whopping 40 points on the BMW in the category 'traction'. This alone covers more than the final difference of 29 points. This begs the question why they did not pick an AWD model from the BMW lineup for comparison.

[BK]

Interesting to see differences in the US version -- the 330i BMW they tested appears to have the sport steering wheel, but is equipped with 17" 225-width wheels all around. Also, it looks like xenons are not standard on the 330i in Europe (and they are damn expensive!). Also, a backup camera (Rückfahrkamera) is an option? I wish we had that.

[Nikos335i]

The new A4 seems like a very nice car. I will be considering this very seriously as a replacement for the wife’s XC70, would like an A4 avant. A notch below the BMW for handling/sportiness but ahead in many other categories.

[Year's_End]

I think it's somewhat reasonable. As an overall car I could see this as being the likely outcome. I like the products Audi's been cranking out lately.

Next car might be an S5...

[GDR]

Thanks Ikarus.

How does the 330i do against the c350? I'm most interested in accelaration, handling and overall styling. Does the article mention any of that?

[BK]

Originally Posted by GDR

Thanks Ikarus.

How does the 330i do against the c350? I'm most interested in accelaration, handling and overall styling. Does the article mention any of that?

The C350 was 0.1sec faster to 62 mph, and the 330i was faster after that. All the cars were about the same, actually. The 330i was decently faster in the slalom and lap time (it says "handling" but looks like a lap time). Keep in mind these cars are not equipped exactly like the US models. The 330i has smaller and skinnier tires, for example, than a ZSP version in the US. I suspect the C350 sport in the US also has wider tires.

You can see the charts on the PDF -- no translation really necessary, but here are the figures:

ACCELERATION
            A4 3.2 FSI     E90 330i   W204 C350
0-40km/h         1,6s         1,7s         1,7s
0-60km/h         2,9s         2,9s         2,9s
0-80km/h         4,4s         4,3s         4,2s
0-100km/h        6,1s         6,1s         6,0s
0-120km/h        8,5s         8,2s         8,1s
0-140km/h       11,0s        10,6s        10,7s
0-160km/h       14,4s        13,9s        14,0s
0-180km/h       18,6s        17,8s        18,0s
60-100km/h       3,2s         3,2s         3,1s
80-120km/h       4,1s         3,9s         3,9s

(lap time?)
HANDLING      1:48,2min    1:46,9min    1:48,0min

SLALOM 18m      62,0km/h     63,8km/h     61,4km/h