Convince me to buy an A6 vs BMW 520D - a couple of questions

[Taxboy]

Pinching an idea from an earlier poster here's wher I'm at. I've now driven an A6 2.0 S line, a 2.2 XF & a 520D M Sport. I've discounted the XF so it's down to a penalty shoot out between the Germans ....still we all know that the Germans always win on penalties !!

My must haves are full leather, Xenons & a decent Sat Nav. As I'm buying used budget up to £24k I know I can't be too picky and it looks like I'm limited to the S Line as Xenons seem o come as standard ??

My initial impression is that the BMW is a little more driver focussed and feels quicker from standstill. It is also a littler firmer ride but not excessively so. The Audi has a nicer interior and feels more limo like but is slightly blander to my tastes from the exterior. The BMW seems to be available in a wider range of colours.

So what to go for before I take another test drive to decide. I've asked the same question on a BMW forum so it's just to help me focus on things when I go for the next test drive so far

Audi + Nice looking interior, decent smooth ride definitiely not as hard as I was expecting
Audi - Limited range of colours, black interiors (this is personal issue as I owned my last BMW for 13 years and was hoping for a change), has a multitronic auto which seems a little slow off the line, also ned I worry about the horror stories about multi gearboxes on line or have these now been banished in later year cars

BMW + Prefer the exterior, feels a little sportier, good range of colour choice
BMW - Interior not as good, limited choice of Xenon cars

As to the questions
1) My earliest brochure is May 2013 can anyone point me to a link for a 2012 brochure or specifications for that year so I can see what was standard
2) What is the difference between the two MMI's on the A6

TIA and over to you

[fest0r]

I had to make a very similar decision last year when I started looking around. I ended up going for the A6 primarily because I wouldn’t have to leave it in the drive if there was any serious snow/ice during the winter… which can run on to March up here

I was looking at buying a “nearly new” 2.0 s-line and found Drive the Deal through this web site. I was amazed I could get a brand new one for the same as dealers were selling one year old/5-10k models up here. I ended up saving a few more pennies and going a bit silly with the options, but the local dealers wouldn’t even have a discussion about getting close to the price.

DtD are currently quoting £24998 for the s-line 2.0 Ultra manual and £26264 for the s-tronic auto. It comes with xenons as standard. £200 more if you don’t want finance on the deal. They have dropped the multitronic for the s-tronic (DSG) so it would also remove that worry if you had any concerns about the multi.

EDIT: I promised myself I would return to DtD… they have A8’s starting at 40k in the special offer section… 35% discount

[johnsimcox]

Pinching an idea from an earlier poster here's wher I'm at. I've now driven an A6 2.0 S line, a 2.2 XF & a 520D M Sport. I've discounted the XF so it's down to a penalty shoot out between the Germans ....still we all know that the Germans always win on penalties !!

My must haves are full leather, Xenons & a decent Sat Nav. As I'm buying used budget up to £24k I know I can't be too picky and it looks like I'm limited to the S Line as Xenons seem o come as standard ??

My initial impression is that the BMW is a little more driver focussed and feels quicker from standstill. It is also a littler firmer ride but not excessively so. The Audi has a nicer interior and feels more limo like but is slightly blander to my tastes from the exterior. The BMW seems to be available in a wider range of colours.

So what to go for before I take another test drive to decide. I've asked the same question on a BMW forum so it's just to help me focus on things when I go for the next test drive so far

Audi + Nice looking interior, decent smooth ride definitiely not as hard as I was expecting
Audi - Limited range of colours, black interiors (this is personal issue as I owned my last BMW for 13 years and was hoping for a change), has a multitronic auto which seems a little slow off the line, also ned I worry about the horror stories about multi gearboxes on line or have these now been banished in later year cars

BMW + Prefer the exterior, feels a little sportier, good range of colour choice
BMW - Interior not as good, limited choice of Xenon cars

As to the questions
1) My earliest brochure is May 2013 can anyone point me to a link for a 2012 brochure or specifications for that year so I can see what was standard
2) What is the difference between the two MMI's on the A6

TIA and over to you

Here is a ink to the Jan 2011 (launch of C7) brochure http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/au...20Jan%2010.pdf Didn't change much for 2012

The BMW will be more of a "driver's car" by virtue of it being rear wheel drive, Upside for Audi is no run flat tyres so better ride due to not needing reinforced side walls, Agree about the black interior, that is one reason I have an SE as I find the black headlining too much. Multitronic gearboxes are better than they used to be but the fluid change every 40k mikes is essential. If the car you are looking at is close or over that mileage then check it has been done or get it done as part of the purchase price. If it over and not done walk away. You will not get the quoted mileage from the Multitronic (lots of posts here and elsewhere as to why so won't repeat them) whereas the BMW will probably get closer (based on anecdotal evidence)

Overall the MMI systems are the same, the changes relate primarily to the navigation. The standard (RMC) system has a smaller screen and the navigation uses an SD card. The image is a fake 3D affect. The Nav Plus system uses a hard disk (you also get 10gb for music/video storage and the in dash CD slot will play DVDs) The screen is larger and the 3D image is better with key buildings shown. If the system also comes with Audi Connect (SD crds are behind a flap on the dash and there is a SIM card slot) then you can get real time traffic info (as opposed to TMC) and access to Googl etc. However what you can do with a 2012/13 car will depend on your phone. If it support rSAP (not an iPhone) then you can use the data off your phone and do not need a separate SIM. If not then you need to put a SIM card and with this generation of cars that then means that you cannot use a bluetooth connected phone. Fir MY14 (May 2013 onwards) this changed and you could have both connected and it seams a recent firmware upgrade will allow older car to have both connected.

Hope all that helps you

[Bash D Bishop]

Last year I looked at the 3 you looked at plus the E Class albeit in estate versions. I discounted the BMW early on as I find the interiors to germanic. I really liked the XF and E Class but as neither offer 4x4 options and I need 4x4 (I live in a rural area that can get a lot of snow plus I pull a trailer through muddy fields) I eventually settled on an Allroad 3.0 245ps. Never regretted the decison. As I've posted before, I did 977 miles in a single day. The car was fully loaded with a bike rack on the back. My wife and 5 year old were also in the car and didn't complain too much. Don't think I could have done the same in a 5 series.



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[pitch3110]

Great post and I am in the exact same boat.

I have had over the last 8 years new B7 and B8 S line A4's and now a face lift BE A5 Coupe with all bar one all option boxe ticked. Wife also has a BE A3 hatch.

Being practical the A5 was only short term as I really needed one, but needs must now and a large 4 door saloon is needed.

One of my business partners has a 520d M Sport and it is indeed a lovely car and up until two weeks ago I had made my mind up it was time to move from Audi back to BMW, but I just cannot do it. Like you I did consider the XF which is stunning on the outside but for me is just shocking on the inside.

Funny thing is also in contradiction, I think the 5 Series is just so dull on the outside but is a lovely place to sit. A few weeks ago I was fortunate to view my Daytona Grey Coupe beside a BE A6 and a Sophisto Grey 520d M Sport. The 5 just looked plain, dull and worlds away from the stunning Audi's.

Multitronic?????? My last A4 was a multi and I loved it, but it spent its life in 'S'. MPG was not the greatest but did improve on 10, 20 and 30k miles. Having said this my current engine/gearbox combo is a 177 TDI manual and it is cracking and a big step up from the 143 Multi. Unlike the A6 owners on here my MPG is mid 50's and 60+ when taking it easy on runs.

I also have the HDD nav with google which is excellent. Yes there is the iPhone problem but this has never caused me an issue. When I do need it (weekends away) I pop a card in but during the week I do not. The system holds the flashy google earth nav images in its memory so I have this even when I do not have the card in the dash. Adaptive cruise is something I will miss and is the MUST HAVE option on any car now.

For me...

5 Series..
+ Interior, Engine, Gearbox, 10" nav, MPG
- Looks, RWD, Naff Alloys, Dealers, Image

A6
+ Looks, FWD, Lovely 20" BE Alloys, Image
- Black Interior,

I have the added problem of do I move on wife's A3 or my A5 with its huge spec. Decisions, decisions...........

Interested to hear further thoughts...

Paul

[seangee]

I had the same decision a few months back. Since I have been driving BMWs for over 15 years the 5 seemed the obvious choice. My minimum requirements were pretty much the same as yours and I eventually opted for a nearly new a6 black edition. No regrets whatsoever. Still getting used to the different steering but it is just different (not worse). I guess part of my reasoning was just boredom. The Beamer just felt like more of the same.

[NewAudi]

Been there, done that.

Bought a new 535D F11 Touring M Sport in 2011 (coming from a 2007 330D M Sport (tuned)).

Bmw
+ Looks, gearbox, seats, sportiness, steering, ride.
- Expensive to buy + expensive options, MPG (not as good as suggested - actually crap!), customer svs, customer svs, customer svs, Bmw don't care about you once they've got your money, very expensive servicing, Bmw not prepared to help you with issues + a few more things. Broke down in Belgium.....main computer went, Bmw refused to pay for the warranty work!!!!!!

Saying all the - points above, the car was a very nice place to be in when I had no issues with it. However, even though I had lots and lots of problems with mine, I still wanted another one but Bmw wasn't particular interested!

So looked at a new A6 Bi-Tdi.

+ Seats, looks, engine, MPG (sooooooo much better), comfort, luggage capacity (yes, it's bigger than the 5), customer svs, insurance and tax is cheaper (at least here in Germany despite CO2 being higher on the A6). Love the sound, wheels and LED headlights!
- Steering is a bit lifeless, handling was better in the 5.

The XF is nothing but a problem car due to quality issues, but it looks absolutely fantastic and drives well!

I do not regret getting the A6, in fact, its the best car I have ever had the pleasure to drive/own and would happily get another!!!!

PS Regarding the 5 and winter driving, yes, it's totally 100% useless if no wintertyres fitted. Had Conti TS830 on and it was fine actually (the 3 with same tyres was like a plow!). No idea about the A6 as I took delivery in April only.

[seangee]

PS Regarding the 5 and winter driving, yes, it's totally 100% useless if no wintertyres fitted. Had Conti TS830 on and it was fine actually (the 3 with same tyres was like a plow!). No idea about the A6 as I took delivery in April only.

Agreed on that. I had 17" wheels with Avon Ice Touring STs on my 335 for winter. It was brilliant in the snow. Audi only arrived this month but I'm guessing those 20" wheels with summer tyres aren't going to hack it in the snow and ice.

[whitter45]

I have been in a similar position but was made easier as our company car scheme seemed to favor Audi as it was nearly £100 a month cheaper so went for the Black edition. From 2013 onwards - Wk 22 the 5 series came with xexons and heated seats as standard so that might be an option.

I have had BMW's since 2007 and always liked the way they look and drive - the customer service however is going downhill IMO - but that could be dealer specific

I find the 5 series a bit bland now even in MSport guise especially with the 18's wheels. The Audi just seems to have much more road presence. The Audi also seems to ride better even on 20's.

Also try and consider a 2014 A6 as the ultra was released which is meant to be a far better engine

[NewAudi]

Agreed on that. I had 17" wheels with Avon Ice Touring STs on my 335 for winter. It was brilliant in the snow. Audi only arrived this month but I'm guessing those 20" wheels with summer tyres aren't going to hack it in the snow and ice.

I think the smallest I can fit will be the 19" due to those enormous discs + caliper! Perhaps the BiTdi uses other size of brakes?!

As for tyres, my BiTdi came with Pirelli P6000 fitted and having had those on a 4x4 back in 2009, they are totally useless in the snow (they are not very good in the wet either btw!).