WHICH ONE WINS? ALFA VS AUDI

[Felipe]

I totally disagree that the Alfa 159 in Singapore has the same build quality as the Audi and BMW... Go and check it our yourself.. I was very dissapointed in the 159, and didn't get it due to the built quality...

 

On the positive side: The engine is superb :)

 

audi's build quality is just too good and tats its strength. frankly, its build quality even puts bmw to shame. i dare say alfa is getting close to bmw in terms of build, but not audi. anyway, each brand has its strengths but since the thread is about looks, i cant see how audi can win but im sure everyone will have their own take on looks unless u share the same view as most designer experts. basically just park a 159 beside an a4. ive even see ppl looking at a GT than a porsche. a recent CAR mag article featured 8C against one of the ferraris. when the 8C stopped at the Ferrari factory, they spend more time looking at the 8C.

Edited March 7, 2008 by Felipe

[Chrispie]

Seriously, when i went to see the 159, and immediately went to see A4, i suddenly felt that the interior of A4 is very cheap looking. So plasticky and looks cheap. just that everything is masked by using black plastic. The pockets at the back of the front seats are made of the cheapskate nets just like my KIA. Paying so much and there isnt even aircon vent for the back seats.

 

Alfa uses real full leather for the seats and real aluminum for the trims. The steering wheel feel full and wholesome to the hands. The only setback is the steering wheel buttons. They are abit like those you will find on some nintendo controller... rubbery.

 

Oh.. and finally im in first gear! haha.

[Hicksau]

the new a4 interior is that bad ?

 

just based on exterior looks , the 159 do look like a car everyone appreciates ..

 

the a4 looks like just a to b executive car which still looks very good but a notch less..

 

make the new a4 like a lambo lah .. sure pple appreciate...

[Miles]

well, actually Audi's interior has the best perceived quality. All the plastics are nice to the touch. But if you really scrutinize the joins properly, they are actually no better than BMW or Merc. BMW interior plastic quality is getting up to Audi's perceived level, but still not quite up there. Merc is still a notch down except for the new S class.

 

In terms of design, Audi's interior look too conservative and in my opinion, a little dated.

So is BMW's.

Alfa's interior gives you the freshes feel, but quirky.

Merc's interior design not new too... typical German who tend to err on the safe side.

 

Exterior looks wise, new A4 is not as nice as the A6.

R8....well, is an acquired taste. Not my cup of tea though. I prefer the 8C, 599GTB, Quattroporte and Mase GT looks anytime.

Porsche is plain boring.

 

If Alfa is as realible as the Ferrari in F1 (meaning not the most reliable, but good enough)... i think it will win a lot of customers.

 

but packaging wise, i think its still the Germans that wins ... be it Bimmer, Audi or Merc.

[Neoxenon]

Alfa 159 will make my heart skip a beat, and I'll look forward to driving it again. The Audi is a nice executive car, but it doesn't evoke much emotions for me. So I guess I'll take the Serpent any day... :)

[Relagsingh]

159 of course!!!

 

if only it has the build quality of the audi

 

The previous build quality of alfa is admittedly not that good, but the 159 (latest alfa model) has been touted in various reviews as the alfa which has build quality that is almost quite as good as audi and bmw.

 

no doubt got some improvement, after personally sat in before, but still a yardstick away from audi.

 

audi is the market leader in build quality. bar none.

[Count_dukulangsat]

From the photos on the net, the interior of the new A4 is more like the current A6 which is damn good (the old A4 is dated, but the new one is cool). Everytime I step into an A6, the aluminium and wood combo, and leather made me feel like a millionaire.

 

The Alfa interior is sporty, but doesn't feel as solid, and there's no wood (for some people it's a good thing). The signal indicator stalk on the ALfa feels...a little plastic. It's a close fight, but based on the exterior looks, I'd choose the Alfa (I'm seriously biased ).

 

I feel the German cars today are "over-engineered", every switch must be soft to the touch, perfectly damped. This gives rise to issues later. My previous A4's glove compartment handle broke. The card holder compartment on the dash got stuck, as the "soft-touch" spring broke. The stereo frequently hangs and needs a reset by removing the fuse. I had very bad issues with the "brake assist" sytem. Sometimes too much electonics is not a good thing. You gotta lookout for these issues, especially on a newly launched model with lot's of electronics (Audis have lots of it).

 

The Alfa's glove compartment closes with a loud "clack!", but it works. Right now I prefer things simple, that's why I chose a manual 159 .

Edited March 8, 2008 by Count_dukulangsat

[Damienic]

As audi has been said to be the market leader in build quality, I believe alfa has sometime to go before catching them. But if take audi away and compare with other makes, the 159 is probably coming quite close. Heard that the current alfa CEO is the ex-BMW CEO. As alfa of the past has been said to give very good driving experience but is lacking in build quality, the current management of alfa is probably trying to improve on that aspect so that it could have a chance to appeal to the masses sometime in the not too distant future..

[Damienic]

Seriously, when i went to see the 159, and immediately went to see A4, i suddenly felt that the interior of A4 is very cheap looking. So plasticky and looks cheap. just that everything is masked by using black plastic. The pockets at the back of the front seats are made of the cheapskate nets just like my KIA. Paying so much and there isnt even aircon vent for the back seats.

 

Alfa uses real full leather for the seats and real aluminum for the trims. The steering wheel feel full and wholesome to the hands. The only setback is the steering wheel buttons. They are abit like those you will find on some nintendo controller... rubbery.

 

Oh.. and finally im in first gear! haha.

 

Seems like there is some difference in opinion here...hmmm...

 

Anyway, whether the build quality is as good or not, as one of the bros here said, Alfa is all abt driving experience..I very much doubt there is any car that can give solid driving experience, good build quality and reliability all in the same package...there will certainly be a trade off somewhere..really depends on wat is the chief priority of the buyer when choosing a car.

[Vtim]

Italian for me

[The01]

Look is very subjective as "Beauty is in the eyes of the Beholder". Therefor, there shouldn't be Winners or Losers. If you think Alfa is better looking, then go for it and who cares what others think and likewise Audi. You're the one footing the bill and have to live with 'it' for quite awhile. Opinion is only right when it becomes 'proven' right, else it is still an opinion and talks are always FOC! Cheers!

[Relagsingh]

hope so...

 

fiat's comeback is also making good progress.

[Carvalhosa]

Alfa 159 have the sport look and also executive look.So,best of both world.So i can make it for working and party by night.Anytime a Alfa

[Normal_aspirated]

italian passions speak thru the heart and not yer head.

 

the heart says Buy, buy, buy..............but not the head.

[Torquelover]

I was in the same dilemma a year back. Although I tested the older generation Audi, my heart and wallet went for the Alfa. Although the Audi may be slight better built (notice the term slightly), better technology (especially the DSG), it is still a machine. However, the alfa is like an Italian supermodel that makes your heart skips a bit everytime you look at her. I am sick.... Soon I may be sleeping in the car

 

Was bitten by the serpent a year back, have not regret the decision. I now look forward to driving the car everyday, even in the morining rush hour.

[Chrispie]

i can understand how you feel... i am feeling so frustrated everytime i see a 159 drives pass because i want it so badly now.. that day was in my gf's car when a 159 drove pass. I keep asking her to catch up so i can catch a glimpse.. like a little boy again seeing the latest superhero toy.

 

My gf thinks im nuts.

Edited March 25, 2008 by Chrispie

[Rickster]

alfas are all about engines and driving experience ley... don't go near cause will kena poison one...

 

Yes i totally agree, I was poisoned when i went to the showroom...and further condemned myself when i test drove it...and sealed my fate when i red-lined it a couple of times along west coast.

[Rickster]

However, the Germans usually sucks in the design department. If you realise, their designs always tend to be the industrial/robust type.