BMW or Audi?

[RallyofDiscovery]

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!

[RallyofDiscovery]

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

[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!