Audi A6 VS BMW 5 series.

[nemerkh]

Hi guys. After starting this topic locally in a thread, I would like to hear your opinions abt BMW in comparison to the audi.
WHY not the BMW?
I think it is good looking (M packet) , its a JOY to drive and same MPG (comparing engines accordingly)
Could you please share with us ur impressions when you drove the BMW and then bought the Audi A6 instead? And in general, having picked the A6 from the Merc E class and the BMW 5 series, WHY?
Thanks.

[nemerkh]

Is it because Audi is the cheapest variant?
Mercedes is much more practical, comfy, and same MPG.
BMW is nicer to drive.
Having said that, The latter both are expensive to insure? are more expensive to service and repair?
Is it just that you like the audi that you got one?

For me, to be honest, I like the audi. Now looking at the autotrader, you can get an Eclass 04 reg for like 7-9K , which is cheaper than the A6.
BMW is more exp than the Audi or mercedes (good package and low mileage).

When I bought mine 1 year ago, I just could afford the 530d with M pack on it. looks very nice but cost 15k then. i got mine for 12k. regretting that i got the 2.0 not the 3.0. but its only me.

[paul b]

I've not driven a new shape 5 series so I can't effectively compare it.

But I can compare the current E-Class to my C5 A6.

Cars: 53 reg Merc E270 CDI Auto vs 53 reg Audi A6 1.9 TDI manual. Both saloons.

The Merc isn't as good to drive. Yes its comfier, but it's rather washy on twisty A and B roads. It doesn't feel as grippy on such roads as the A6.

The Merc doesn't look as nice or as sporty. To get one that does look nice, you need to have one with Sport or AMG pack (bigger wheels) which considerably increases cost thus making comparisons between the Merc and A6 unfair.

The Merc feels no faster off the line than my A6, however I suspect my A6 has been remapped by a previous owner because it's very fast for a little 1.9 TDI. I've no proof though. The E270 CDI does feel faster between 40 and 70 though.

The A6 is roomier, particularly in the back, where as a passenger you constantly bang your head on the door pillars. It does my head in literally. The A6 has no such problems. The Merc has a more attractive interior, but I doubt it's as well built as the A6s is. Absolutely no interior trims etc break on the A6.

On the plus side both seem reliable enough, but servicing costs are cheaper on Audis and you have VAG-COM to assist you which is very affordable, you need mega bucks to have Merc diagnostic software.

Now maybe someone can compare it with a 5 Series.

[MFGF]

Well I've had test drives in both a BMW 520d M-Sport and an Audi A6 2.0TDi S-Line within the last year.

BMW - what I liked:

The 19" wheels fitted to the test car were very attractive.
I liked the cruise control function which displays constantly in the speedo when activated.


BMW - what I didn't like:

The car felt slow compared to the A6.
The gearchange was notchy.
The drivetrain was jerky in slow stop/start traffic.
The seats were very hard.
The indicators were completely counter-intuitive.
The i-Drive was horrendously complicated (and I work in IT!!!).
The dashboard was plain and quite plasticky.
It had much less standard kit than the A6.
It was more expensive than the A6.
The wipers sweep the wrong way for a RHD car and leave a large unswept area on the drivers side of the windscreen
The boot is smaller than the A6 and a very odd shape.
It was fabulously ugly to look at (the headlights remind me of "The Hood" from Thunderbirds - not a good look - and the rear is squared off like the designers ran out of time and/or couldn't be bothered).
It snowed during the weekend of the test drive, and the car got stuck on the way to collect my daughter so I had to abandon it and walk. As I trudged up the hill where the BMW failed miserably, an A6 2.0TDi drove serenely up past me. It wasn't just the cold that turned the air blue that night!

Audi - what I liked:

The car felt quite a lot faster than the BMW. I know it shouldn't have done (at least on paper), but it felt both more powerful and more torquey.
The gearchange was smoother.
The seats were more comfortable - and came with leather as standard.
The MMI was much easier to understand and use than i-Drive.
The interior quality put the car in a different league than the BMW - everything looked and felt expensive.
Xenons, leather, bluetooth phone prep, folding rear seats etc were all standard kit.
The ride and handling were on a par with the BMW (in my opinion).
It looked fabulous - especially with the LED lights front and rear.

Audi - what I didn't like:

There's no easy way to know when your lights are on or off when the switch is in the "Auto" position.

MF.

[ruggedscot]

When the lights are in the auto position the light symbol on the light switch lights up when the lights are on - also you can see the road in front of you too ! :D

Prefer the Audi to the BMW - feel that the BMW tries too hard and just misses the mark. The Audi is more relaxed and a nicer car to drive most of the time. Its also better than the BM in the snow.....:biglaugh:

[dandam]

Haven't driven the BM but a friends husband has one and is having a few troubles in the snow and ice - I would prefer if the current A6 was quattro but at least FWD is better than RWD

[HBA4345]

I owned BMW's for the last 12 years, reasons for coming over to Audi rather than a 5 series was quattro 4 wheel drive and space, the A6 is like the Tardis and the quattro sorts natures attempts to pitch the wife and child into a ditch!