BMW or Audi?

[0llie]

If you were concerned about ride quality (you mentioned you'd rather SE spec than M Sport), what about a Mercedes E Class/CLS? (the airmatic option is rare but the ride quality/body control is very impressive).

There are also a few M Sports with SE suspension, and vice-versa which may suit?

[DanielJames]

Debaser said:

If you like driving, get the BMW.

Boom! and the thread was finished in the first reply.

[Monty Python]

Fox- said:

Although this makes perfect sense on paper in reality the answer is probably no, he can't. Both of these models are sufficiently rare as to make finding a nice one almost impossible. Worse still when the 550i does pop up it's usually massively more expensive to buy than the equivilent 530d.

This is how I ended up in a 530d saloon when I actually wanted a 535i. In 4 months of looking I found zero 535i of the right spec.

It's such a shame.

Problem is thought at such low mileage you're inevitably going to run into DPF problems.

Have you checked BMW UK for other used-approved - there are several petrol 5-series down south.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/

[Fox-]

Monty Python said:

Problem is thought at such low mileage you're inevitably going to run into DPF problems.

He's not though is he, look at his intended usage pattern. Infrequent but reasonably long trips.

[Dannbodge]

BMW without a doubt

[Monty Python]

Fox- said:

He's not though is he, look at his intended usage pattern. Infrequent but reasonably long trips.

Where? All it says is that it won't be driven for days at a time - it doesn't say how long the journeys in between are. I still reckon a petrol would be better.

[anonymous-user]

RallyofDiscovery said:

Thanks for responses! The trip profile will be a number of 300 & 400 mile round trips then occasional trip to Scotland/ west coast of Ireland from Kent, rather than lots of local mileage. The problem with petrol engines is that there just don't seem to be that many about!

I am a great fan of the BMW V8 which my friend had in his Morgan Aero 8 (great fun but totally impractical! )

There are just two petrol engines 5 series touring on the BMW web at the moment one with limited extras and one with a Panoramic sunroof - which as I am 6'6" is a no no!

I was very impressed with the six cylinder BMW diesel engine - to me it was much better than the 520d.

Obviously there will be occasional local journeys but as I cannot work there is no regular commute.

I do have heartaches about whether a diesel would be suitable or cause problems (dpf etc)

In some way a petrol makes more sense! So any other suggestions for a 6'6" driver estate cars - that meet the gentlemans carriage spec? I am fed up with wife's old 1.0L Polo! Great though it is around town! The Dacia Logan while great value is not in the running. Up until illness stopped me working I always had company cars and had Saabs (hence my love of estates! ) an A4 avant for six months (Germanically great, efficient & functional but no soul) Alfa twinsparc great engine and others - now with spinal infection and fatigue being a problem comfort and practicality are key

The 530d is miles nicer than the 520d, yes. I wouldn't expect any particular DPF problems with the mileage that you're covering though, it's people doing granny driving that are always moaning about them. I would say though that if you are buying this as a treat then a diesel 5 series is aiming pretty low, it's a nice family car to do 20K a year in but you're never going to look forward to a nice drive in it on a Sunday. For the amount you seem to be looking at spending you could get something much more special. At the very least look at a 6 series, as suggested above.

How about a Jaguar XF Sportbrake? As others have suggested if a decent ride quality is critical I'd be trying an E-Class in non bling spec too.

[RallyofDiscovery]

Shaoxter said:

What's a pano roof got to do with your height?

I have a 500bhp BMW which I drive in snow on summer tyres, haven't crashed or died yet. Mind you I don't live out in the sticks though...

I'd definitely look for a V8 in your situation, 550i (rare!) or B7 RS4. Or a 6 series if you don't need an estate.

The Pano roof takes about an inch and a half off the headroom which means my head brushes the roof constantly ! very irritating!

[Silverbullet767]

If you're going to go BMW, and you value your comfort, then get them to replace the runflats with real tyres. And throw in a inflation goo kit.

[daveco]

Silverbullet767 said:

If you're going to go BMW, and you value your comfort, then get them to replace the runflats with real tyres. And throw in a inflation goo kit.

Inflation goo kit??

The run flats are an abomination for ride and comfort. Any minor pothole feels far deeper and they send the tyre pressure sensor on my 335 kablooey; the front driver-side tyre is constantly losing air yet I cannot see any punctures.

[M3Driver]

With the sort of cars you're considering, and your requirement for comfort due to health issues, I would seriously consider a Lexus LS430 or similar.

Smooth creamy petrol V8 with plenty power, and very comfortable etc., the depreciation means you could get a nice one for the equivalent BMW or Audi / Merc etc.

[RobM77]

I can only echo what's been said already. The Audi is not a bad car by any means and I prefer the interior to the BMW. However, the BMW is by my reckoning (and that of most people) much nicer to drive, due to the different mechanical layout (giving more balanced weight distribution, although I believe the A6 is a longitudincal engine, so not quite as bad as most FWD cars) and rear drive. I can't speak for the A6, having only driven the A4 and A5, but from that experience I've always found the equivalent BMW to be significantly quieter and providing better power and better economy.

Regarding the snow, I don't see the point in buying a car that you don't favour for 50 weeks of the year just so you're ok for two weeks of the year. As has already been said, if you put winter tyres on the BMW you'll be fine in snow (avoid snow tyres as previously mentioned, they're usually studded and not suitable for use all winter, you want winter tyres). Yes, the Audi Quattro with winter tyres will be fantastic, but only buy one if you want an Audi Quattro for the other 50 weeks of the year, if you prefer the BMW then buy that and winter tyres really will be absolutely fine and for the rest of the year you'll be in the car you prefer.

One final thing to say: If you don't mind front wheel drive, then have a look at other makes of car other than Audi. Also, if you like rear wheel drive you may want to look at a Jaguar (XF I think in this bracket?).

Oh, and I'll sign off with the usual advice: test drive each car properly before deciding - it all comes down to personal taste at the end of the day. If you do long journeys as you say you do, then make sure the test drive includes a decent stretch in top gear at 70mph and get the salesman to shut up - the noise at speed is a major factor for many people - in the A4 2.0TDi that I had on loan a couple of years ago my wife and I had to raise our voices to chat on our regular long motorway trips, whereas in my 320d we just chat like we would at home. The Audi's noise also meant we got more tired on long journeys. Noise is also affected by wheel choice (which also affects ride and handling quite a lot), so make sure you test the wheel and tyre combination that you'll buy.

[sealtt]

If you are living somewhere that gets a lot of snow get the Audi and put snow tyres on it.

[cars1993]

Andy665 said:

And never forget, there are other great cars out there that don't wear the BMW or Audi badge

Like Mercedes, Volkswagen, & Bentley?

[blade7]

RobM77 said:

Yes, the Audi Quattro with winter tyres will be fantastic, but only buy one if you want an Audi Quattro for the other 50 weeks of the year, if you prefer the BMW then buy that and winter tyres really will be absolutely fine and for the rest of the year you'll be in the car you prefer.

The suggestion that the quattro only has an advantage on snow isn't my experience, I was pretty amazed how much quicker my A4 is when pressing on in the wet compared to my old 3 series Coupe. Though in the dry I'd pick the BMW pretty much every time. I'm fairly certain BMW offer more goodwill outside of warranty too, Audi UK denied knowledge of issues that Audi have retrospectively extended the warranty to 10 years on in the US and Canada.

[Z.B]

With an auto box I reckon the bmw 6 pot diesels are as good as petrol. No reason for reliability worries with mostly long journeys.

The original offer sounds good to me, well done for ditching the bling wheels....

Do you actually drive in snow and demanding winter conditions? If not then you don't need 4wd. If you do then winter tyres on the bmw will sort it. 4wd with summer tyres in snow is pretty dumb - just means you get up more speed before you realise you can't stop....

I do think the XF might be a worthy alternative though I haven't tried one.

[RobM77]

blade7 said:

RobM77 said:

Yes, the Audi Quattro with winter tyres will be fantastic, but only buy one if you want an Audi Quattro for the other 50 weeks of the year, if you prefer the BMW then buy that and winter tyres really will be absolutely fine and for the rest of the year you'll be in the car you prefer.

The suggestion that the quattro only has an advantage on snow isn't my experience, I was pretty amazed how much quicker my A4 is when pressing on in the wet compared to my old 3 series Coupe.

Sorry, I wasn't aware that I suggested that in my post above? I was merely encouraging the OP to drive both and then buy the car he prefers, because although the Audi will be better in the snow the BMW will be perfectly acceptable with winter tyres, so that allows us to place the focus on the 50 weeks of the year where it isn't snowing and which car he prefers driving in that time period.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 26th November 13:51

[Ten Four]

Ditto lexus. Many variants to choose from

[goneape]

My Dad has an E39 5er Touring in M Sport trim. The ride is very good, but a bit too wafty for my liking. He loves it, however his only criticism is that it is rubbish in snow. Hanving said that he doesn't use winter tyres.

[Fox-]

Monty Python said:

Where? All it says is that it won't be driven for days at a time - it doesn't say how long the journeys in between are. I still reckon a petrol would be better.

I don't disagree that a petrol would be better but as I said unless he's not very fussy on spec he's basically not going to get one unless he is very lucky. 99% of these cars are diesel. Every so often the odd petrol one pops up but invariably missing something you want. So realistically all there is out there is diesels.

Even finding a nice spec 530d is difficult enough given how many are low spec 520d's.