2014 BMW 320d to 2012 Audi A5 3.0 Quattro
Discussion
Yes.
I'm surroudned by Audis and we get a lot of BMWs part exchanged so I feel I'm in a pretty reasonable position to comment.
I find the Audi interior layout and feel to be far more logical and intuitive, whilst I-Drive and the BMW layout in general has improved massively it still lags behind. The Audi driving position is better too. The BMW steering wheel is weirdly chunky for no obvious reason and I've never liked the weighting of the steering in the 3-series. The materials inside the Audi feel much nicer.
The 3.0 TDI engine is a peach with both excellent performance and economy; they're true all weather all road cars and a very easy thing to make fast, smooth, safe progress in. You're probably looking at the S-Tronic automatic which is also very good.
Styling? Very personal of course but BMW have definitely caught up in this area. Both are very sensitive to colour, wheels and specification.
The stereo in the Audi is a leap up too.
I'm surroudned by Audis and we get a lot of BMWs part exchanged so I feel I'm in a pretty reasonable position to comment.
I find the Audi interior layout and feel to be far more logical and intuitive, whilst I-Drive and the BMW layout in general has improved massively it still lags behind. The Audi driving position is better too. The BMW steering wheel is weirdly chunky for no obvious reason and I've never liked the weighting of the steering in the 3-series. The materials inside the Audi feel much nicer.
The 3.0 TDI engine is a peach with both excellent performance and economy; they're true all weather all road cars and a very easy thing to make fast, smooth, safe progress in. You're probably looking at the S-Tronic automatic which is also very good.
Styling? Very personal of course but BMW have definitely caught up in this area. Both are very sensitive to colour, wheels and specification.
The stereo in the Audi is a leap up too.
Thanks Dr G.
When you say colour sensitive I assume you mean some colours suit the car more than others.
I'm going for lava grey. I love dark grey on audi/vw (and porsche too, I have a grey 911).
May be a bit common or safe choice for some.
It is s-tronic. I had vw golf dsg previously. Are the boxes similar?
Spec includes B&O, which I've read is worth having.
Jimboka, why no? Genuine question.
When you say colour sensitive I assume you mean some colours suit the car more than others.
I'm going for lava grey. I love dark grey on audi/vw (and porsche too, I have a grey 911).
May be a bit common or safe choice for some.
It is s-tronic. I had vw golf dsg previously. Are the boxes similar?
Spec includes B&O, which I've read is worth having.
Jimboka, why no? Genuine question.
Edited by Plu Tony M on Friday 10th April 15:12
Edited by Plu Tony M on Friday 10th April 15:16
B&O is excellent and well worth having; feed it a high quality source and it's a really nice clear, warm sounding system.
Lava Grey is a fantastic colour; there's a lot of pearl in it so its appearance varies a lot by lighting. To my eye far nicer than Phantom Black.
Very similar to DSG in a Golf, yes.
Lava Grey is a fantastic colour; there's a lot of pearl in it so its appearance varies a lot by lighting. To my eye far nicer than Phantom Black.
Very similar to DSG in a Golf, yes.
I think the Audi will feel more dated than the BMW. Your 2014 3-series is the latest F30 model which has only been out a couple of years, whereas the A5 is just a mild facelift of the 2007 car. The interior is definitely showing its age now and some of the technology is legacy.
Is a BMW 4-series not an option?
Is a BMW 4-series not an option?
va1o said:
I think the Audi will feel more dated than the BMW. Your 2014 3-series is the latest F30 model which has only been out a couple of years, whereas the A5 is just a mild facelift of the 2007 car. The interior is definitely showing its age now and some of the technology is legacy.
Is a BMW 4-series not an option?
I have considered the 4 series. Very nice car but I would have to have the 3.0 litre as I don't like the 2.0 litre unit. Would be a little more than I want to spend at this time.Is a BMW 4-series not an option?
A lovely engine (not quite as good as the Jag's 
), but a bit too cheapy inside for my liking, which is why I swapped to a Jag, and never looked back.
ETA, i don't agree it's an all-weather car unless the tyres are changed for the winter. Mine was hopeless in any depth of snow on summers. The Jag on winters is special, and way more fun than the A5 on summers. But that's my opinion.
), but a bit too cheapy inside for my liking, which is why I swapped to a Jag, and never looked back. ETA, i don't agree it's an all-weather car unless the tyres are changed for the winter. Mine was hopeless in any depth of snow on summers. The Jag on winters is special, and way more fun than the A5 on summers. But that's my opinion.
Edited by fatboy b on Friday 10th April 19:38
Exchanged the beemer for the Audi today. Got to say that the Audi is head, shoulders and everything else over the 320d. Superb car from minute one. Yes, a little bit 'retro' inside in comparison but better, much better in every department.
Of course the 330d may be a much closer fight but, to be honest, I think I'll be sticking to the A5 for some time.
Of course the 330d may be a much closer fight but, to be honest, I think I'll be sticking to the A5 for some time.
dogzilla said:
Audi interiors are far more interesting and comfortable places to be and the 3.0TDI is a lovely smooth engine in comparison to that rattley tractor 2.0D in the BMW.
I agree that Audi interiors are more interesting than BMW, but Audi interiors aren't that interesting really. Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff