The agony of choice!
Discussion
Hi,
after six years of treatment for cancer I am going to buy a car! I was all set on a Skoda Octavia 12 months old - BUT.... people have intervened and are demanding that I get a 'Gentlemens carraige" as I apparently deserve it. So after driving several cars my original choice of low cost to tax and own has gone out of the window! Max milage will be an absolute max of 5000 pa and the car will spend many days undriven. I am 6'6" and 110KGs
My dilemma is, I have identified and driven a BMW 530D SE Touring which is great seems much better to me than the 520D. Extras include Pro Sat nav, Sports gearbox and steering wheel, Head up display, Rear camera, Comfort seats, heated seats, zenons etc on a 2010 60 plate 47,000 miles. My one reservation was the 19" alloys as I have damage to my spine (Hence the SE spec rather than M sport). However, the dealer has agreed to change them to 18" wheels and throw in an extra years warranty.
Just about to go when a friend in the car business suggested I should try an Audi A6 Avant SE 3.0 Quatro. Having checked I can get one for similar money. He tells me the car i have identified would be unusable in snow
Has any unbiased person had experience of both?
Help!
after six years of treatment for cancer I am going to buy a car! I was all set on a Skoda Octavia 12 months old - BUT.... people have intervened and are demanding that I get a 'Gentlemens carraige" as I apparently deserve it. So after driving several cars my original choice of low cost to tax and own has gone out of the window! Max milage will be an absolute max of 5000 pa and the car will spend many days undriven. I am 6'6" and 110KGs
My dilemma is, I have identified and driven a BMW 530D SE Touring which is great seems much better to me than the 520D. Extras include Pro Sat nav, Sports gearbox and steering wheel, Head up display, Rear camera, Comfort seats, heated seats, zenons etc on a 2010 60 plate 47,000 miles. My one reservation was the 19" alloys as I have damage to my spine (Hence the SE spec rather than M sport). However, the dealer has agreed to change them to 18" wheels and throw in an extra years warranty.
Just about to go when a friend in the car business suggested I should try an Audi A6 Avant SE 3.0 Quatro. Having checked I can get one for similar money. He tells me the car i have identified would be unusable in snow
Has any unbiased person had experience of both?
Help!
I'm biased, but still going to answer.
When driving in snow, which isn't something we have too often in the UK, the most important thing is the tyres. Winter tyres are far more important than 4WD. Obviously if you have both, that will be the best bet. If you have winters on a RWD or FWD, they will be much better than any 4WD vehicle.
4WD simply allows you to get traction down on 4 wheels instead of 2. However, if they can't get any grip, they will still just spin and spin.
So in answer to your question, a standard RWD BMW in the snow isn't great, and won't go far. A standard Audi Quattro will obviously be better as twice as much chance as finding traction, but still will struggle for a grip and won't be great.
Quattro certainly does not equal snow machine.
When driving in snow, which isn't something we have too often in the UK, the most important thing is the tyres. Winter tyres are far more important than 4WD. Obviously if you have both, that will be the best bet. If you have winters on a RWD or FWD, they will be much better than any 4WD vehicle.
4WD simply allows you to get traction down on 4 wheels instead of 2. However, if they can't get any grip, they will still just spin and spin.
So in answer to your question, a standard RWD BMW in the snow isn't great, and won't go far. A standard Audi Quattro will obviously be better as twice as much chance as finding traction, but still will struggle for a grip and won't be great.
Quattro certainly does not equal snow machine.
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.
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)
I am a great fan of the BMW V8 which my friend had in his Morgan.
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)
I had a Golf followed by an Audi TT, both with the 1.8T 180bhp engine but the Audi was a Quattro.
The Golf returned semi reasonable fuel consumption, whereas the Audi was awful. The 4WD system makes them really thirsty.
The other posters observations are similar to mine - it was only marginally better in the snow than a front wheel drive, and not worth paying extra for.
The Golf returned semi reasonable fuel consumption, whereas the Audi was awful. The 4WD system makes them really thirsty.
The other posters observations are similar to mine - it was only marginally better in the snow than a front wheel drive, and not worth paying extra for.
I have a 530D, on 18" rims. It is a very good engine streets ahead of the 520D and not bad on fuel. Mine averages mid 40s.
The ride is fine too, though I have the adaptive suspension, so it's even better.
The annual mileage isn't the point. What matters is the length of drives. 15 miles every day of the year might lead to DPF issues but 100 miles once a week certainly wouldn't. That's for you to decide.
The 8 speed auto is a gem.
The ride is fine too, though I have the adaptive suspension, so it's even better.
The annual mileage isn't the point. What matters is the length of drives. 15 miles every day of the year might lead to DPF issues but 100 miles once a week certainly wouldn't. That's for you to decide.
The 8 speed auto is a gem.
Vee said:
His mileage will be exactly what a diesel is designed to do - frequency will be lower that is all.
Fair point didnt see the thread properlyEdited by Vee on Wednesday 26th November 18:16
But if its urban stuff petrol infact at that mileage I still reckon petrol unless its motorway.But im not getting into a P fight over it,he has a proper choice
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