What to buy?

gianton · 09-22-2006, 01:13 PM

Hello, newbie here!

I am going to buy a second hand car pretty soon and would like your opinion.

My choices are:

1. Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic

2. BMW 530d Touring steptronic

Both cars to be around 1 to 2 years old and up to 50.000 kms and about the same price range.

I would like some real life experience from owners or ex-owners of either cars.

I have tested drove both cars in petrol engines as diesels are limited in Greece. Audi with the 2.0 manual and BMW 525i auto, I liked the BMW more but then again it was a 6 pot compared to a 4 pot one, not so fair.

Thanks in advance.

**RickT** · 09-22-2006, 06:57 PM

heres a review for you to compare...

A6

Top Gear | Road test

and the BMW

Top Gear | Road test

you may also want to have a read of some other reviews to see if theres any tend with the reports...

As to hands on experience, i dont have either so cant help there.

Cheers

Rickt

Laseron2 · 09-22-2006, 07:08 PM

I had to decide between a BMW 3 series and my A6 when I bought mine. Quattro made the difference in my decision.

gianton · 09-23-2006, 01:41 AM

Thanks for your replies and links provided.

Quattro makes me think it over as well, despite the better ride I felt on the 525i.

I still would like other forum members to advise theirs real life experience.

andrewh · 10-09-2006, 04:35 AM

I have just got rid of a 530d after a year's use. It is fast, handles very well has OK ride (although the tyres always seem very firm - runflat) and has a deadly boring interior and, to me, rather uncomfortable seats (I did not have the sports seats that I had on my previous BMW, big mistake). Compared to the E39 530d, I was somewhat unimpressed.

I am now waiting for an A6 2.7TDI quattro with air suspension. Due to budget I had to choose between the 2.7 with loads of kit and the 3.0 with less. Having test driven a fully loaded 3.0TDI with air suspension, I can only say that the experience was wonderful. It is quieter and smooother than the BMW (But less of a sporty roar at full revs) and just as quick. With quattro and air suspension, the handling was extraordinary and acroos country I would say that for all but the very best drivers the A6 will get you there faster. The interior is wonderful and the perceived quality at least a notch above the BMW. MMI is easy but so is i-drive - the only wierd thing about i-drive is the completely illogical placing of some menu items (Test for the unitiated - How do you turn off the voice of the navigation while leaving route guidance on??).

Having had a C5 A6 and E34, E39 and E60 BMWs I think the C6 in V6 diesel quattro is going to be wondeful. One little thing about susoension here in Europe. If you are buying second hand, the standard suspension in Europe is more than stiff enough - I would not go for sport suspension. Interestingly, I have heard that the 2007 model year has improved ride over 2006 - I am not sure if this is true and do not care since I am getting air.

HTH
Andrew

gianton · 10-09-2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewh

I have just got rid of a 530d after a year's use. It is fast, handles very well has OK ride (although the tyres always seem very firm - runflat) and has a deadly boring interior and, to me, rather uncomfortable seats (I did not have the sports seats that I had on my previous BMW, big mistake). Compared to the E39 530d, I was somewhat unimpressed.

I am now waiting for an A6 2.7TDI quattro with air suspension. Due to budget I had to choose between the 2.7 with loads of kit and the 3.0 with less. Having test driven a fully loaded 3.0TDI with air suspension, I can only say that the experience was wonderful. It is quieter and smooother than the BMW (But less of a sporty roar at full revs) and just as quick. With quattro and air suspension, the handling was extraordinary and acroos country I would say that for all but the very best drivers the A6 will get you there faster. The interior is wonderful and the perceived quality at least a notch above the BMW. MMI is easy but so is i-drive - the only wierd thing about i-drive is the completely illogical placing of some menu items (Test for the unitiated - How do you turn off the voice of the navigation while leaving route guidance on??).

Having had a C5 A6 and E34, E39 and E60 BMWs I think the C6 in V6 diesel quattro is going to be wondeful. One little thing about susoension here in Europe. If you are buying second hand, the standard suspension in Europe is more than stiff enough - I would not go for sport suspension. Interestingly, I have heard that the 2007 model year has improved ride over 2006 - I am not sure if this is true and do not care since I am getting air.

HTH
Andrew

Thanks, what a great input indeed!

I'm thinking of a second hand 2.7 TDI Allroad the C6 model as well, which includes an upgraded air suspension as well. Still searching for a true bargain as this car will be with our family for at least 10 years.

**RickT** · 10-09-2006, 10:50 AM

i would keep on the A6 line rather than going for the allroad... unless you know you need that extra clearance...

I dont have either but if i was getting one i would go for the 2.7 Q over the same model Allroad.

If you are going to be keeping for a number of years as you have stated above, both will be worth the same after that period of time...

Drop a post into the allroad forum to get a bit if feedback re that car.

Cheers

Rickt

andrewh · 10-10-2006, 11:37 AM

If you need off road capability, get a Land Rover Discovery that actually works off road. If not, go for the A6 Avant. Quattro does not mean off road, it means four wheel drive which is great in rain and snow. It does not mean it will do the field and river fording thing (Nor for that matter will a BMW X5). The Allroad has more ground clearance and, of course, air suspension as standard. However, I am convinced the A6 drives better and certainly is classier for less money. It's a no brainer - A6 2.7TDI Quattro tiptronic with air if you can find it!

**RickT** · 10-10-2006, 12:31 PM

i have to argee with andrewh..

gianton · 10-11-2006, 08:22 AM

Not driving on field roads that much. Mainly on icy or sliperry roads in winter. Then a 2.7 TDI with air suspension is guite right.

09-22-2006, 01:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
gianton Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Gallery: (0)	What to buy? Hello, newbie here! I am going to buy a second hand car pretty soon and would like your opinion. My choices are: 1. Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic 2. BMW 530d Touring steptronic Both cars to be around 1 to 2 years old and up to 50.000 kms and about the same price range. I would like some real life experience from owners or ex-owners of either cars. I have tested drove both cars in petrol engines as diesels are limited in Greece. Audi with the 2.0 manual and BMW 525i auto, I liked the BMW more but then again it was a 6 pot compared to a 4 pot one, not so fair. Thanks in advance. Last edited by gianton : 09-22-2006 at 01:15 PM.

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09-22-2006, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
RickT Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,640 Gallery: (0)	heres a review for you to compare... A6 Top Gear \| Road test and the BMW Top Gear \| Road test you may also want to have a read of some other reviews to see if theres any tend with the reports... As to hands on experience, i dont have either so cant help there. Cheers Rickt

09-22-2006, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Laseron2 Full Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 137 Gallery: (0)	I had to decide between a BMW 3 series and my A6 when I bought mine. Quattro made the difference in my decision.

09-23-2006, 01:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
gianton Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Gallery: (0)	Thanks for your replies and links provided. Quattro makes me think it over as well, despite the better ride I felt on the 525i. I still would like other forum members to advise theirs real life experience.

10-09-2006, 04:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
andrewh Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 6 Gallery: (0)	I have just got rid of a 530d after a year's use. It is fast, handles very well has OK ride (although the tyres always seem very firm - runflat) and has a deadly boring interior and, to me, rather uncomfortable seats (I did not have the sports seats that I had on my previous BMW, big mistake). Compared to the E39 530d, I was somewhat unimpressed. I am now waiting for an A6 2.7TDI quattro with air suspension. Due to budget I had to choose between the 2.7 with loads of kit and the 3.0 with less. Having test driven a fully loaded 3.0TDI with air suspension, I can only say that the experience was wonderful. It is quieter and smooother than the BMW (But less of a sporty roar at full revs) and just as quick. With quattro and air suspension, the handling was extraordinary and acroos country I would say that for all but the very best drivers the A6 will get you there faster. The interior is wonderful and the perceived quality at least a notch above the BMW. MMI is easy but so is i-drive - the only wierd thing about i-drive is the completely illogical placing of some menu items (Test for the unitiated - How do you turn off the voice of the navigation while leaving route guidance on??). Having had a C5 A6 and E34, E39 and E60 BMWs I think the C6 in V6 diesel quattro is going to be wondeful. One little thing about susoension here in Europe. If you are buying second hand, the standard suspension in Europe is more than stiff enough - I would not go for sport suspension. Interestingly, I have heard that the 2007 model year has improved ride over 2006 - I am not sure if this is true and do not care since I am getting air. HTH Andrew

10-09-2006, 10:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
RickT Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,640 Gallery: (0)	i would keep on the A6 line rather than going for the allroad... unless you know you need that extra clearance... I dont have either but if i was getting one i would go for the 2.7 Q over the same model Allroad. If you are going to be keeping for a number of years as you have stated above, both will be worth the same after that period of time... Drop a post into the allroad forum to get a bit if feedback re that car. Cheers Rickt

10-10-2006, 11:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
andrewh Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 6 Gallery: (0)	If you need off road capability, get a Land Rover Discovery that actually works off road. If not, go for the A6 Avant. Quattro does not mean off road, it means four wheel drive which is great in rain and snow. It does not mean it will do the field and river fording thing (Nor for that matter will a BMW X5). The Allroad has more ground clearance and, of course, air suspension as standard. However, I am convinced the A6 drives better and certainly is classier for less money. It's a no brainer - A6 2.7TDI Quattro tiptronic with air if you can find it!

10-10-2006, 12:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
RickT Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,640 Gallery: (0)	i have to argee with andrewh..

10-11-2006, 08:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
gianton Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9 Gallery: (0)	Not driving on field roads that much. Mainly on icy or sliperry roads in winter. Then a 2.7 TDI with air suspension is guite right.

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