BMW or Audi Luxury Barge £12-14k

[MackemPete]

I'm in the market for a big luxury car budget of £12-14k. So far I'm torn between a Face lifted D3 Audi A8 3.0tdi and a face lifted post 2005 BMW 730d, though I'm open to other suggestions.

I'm currently leaning towards the Audi due to the MMI and the quattro (i live 1000 feet above sea level in the sticks and boy does it snow up there). Also i have a mate who's an Audi mechanic so he can give the car a good once over post purchase and help with maintenance costs

I've heard that the 730d is the better drivers car, though I've got the TVR for weekends so handling is less of a concern.

The main concern is having a decent to drive car which is a really nice place to be in, plenty of toys etc.

I've considered (and largely dismissed) the following:

Range rover 3.0TDV6 2003(ish) - reliability concerns, fuel economy, some of the early one are getting a bit chav'ed up.

Jag XJ or S-Type 2.7 diesel - Looks a bit too old manish.

530d\535d - Still on the radar though i think the 7 or A8 would have a more special feel to it. Really like the M-sport 5 series though.

Phaeton - Same sort of money as the A8, does the same job but looks like a VW.

[Ramses]

Given what you've said....Audi every day for my money.

[fathomfive]

I'd go for the Audi.

[alfa pint]

I've got a mate with an Audi A8 and the 3 litre diesel and it is quite lovely, although not my bag.

I'd be after the S type Jag personally, which isn't as much of an old man's car as the XJ, but the winter conditions suggest the quattro may make all the difference.

Any decent Discos / Range Rovers available at that price?

[edo]

Having owned a D3, I would probably go that way - much nice car to look at, and a terrific ride and interior.

4.0 TDI?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Ozzie Osmond]

In eithe rcase the smaller model of the similar car is likely to offer a similar experiece with lower maintenenace costs - i.e. A6 or 5-series. But if you want the uber-size then cost to purchase is certainly very cheap for the amount of metal you get.

[MackemPete]

edo said:

Having owned a D3, I would probably go that way - much nice car to look at, and a terrific ride and interior.

4.0 TDI?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Now i kind of dismissed the 4.0, working on the assumption that the 3.0 tdi was in the A4, A6 therefore more wider used and also more likely to have niggles ironed out. Haven't based this on any research it was just a theory. Should probably put this to my mate at audi. He did say a lot of the jobs on the 3.0tdi were supposed to be engine out but they can just about do in situ. guessing the 4.0 would be even worse.

[h0b0]

How about,

Porsche

[MackemPete]

Ozzie Osmond said:

In eithe rcase the smaller model of the similar car is likely to offer a similar experiece with lower maintenenace costs - i.e. A6 or 5-series. But if you want the uber-size then cost to purchase is certainly very cheap for the amount of metal you get.

According to my mate unless the big stuff goes wrong MMI, air suspension, toys etc then the A8 doesnt cost a lot more in bits. Hey I own a TVR I'm not expecting it to be bullet proof or free from big bills.

The plan is to get a one thats done a big chunk of depreciation, run it for 2-3 years and sell again. In theory the amount of money i will loose will be less than if i bought a newer A6, 5 series? obviously a big bill could wipe out this saving

[MackemPete]

h0b0 said:

How about,

Porsche

Interesting! I hadn't realized they had depreciated that far... Guessing MPG must be shocking on those! I'll do some research now. Good Call.

[edo]

MackemPete said:

edo said:

Having owned a D3, I would probably go that way - much nice car to look at, and a terrific ride and interior.

4.0 TDI?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Now i kind of dismissed the 4.0, working on the assumption that the 3.0 tdi was in the A4, A6 therefore more wider used and also more likely to have niggles ironed out. Haven't based this on any research it was just a theory. Should probably put this to my mate at audi. He did say a lot of the jobs on the 3.0tdi were supposed to be engine out but they can just about do in situ. guessing the 4.0 would be even worse.

Not sure - worth seeing what he says.

[Ozzie Osmond]

MackemPete said:

According to my mate unless the big stuff goes wrong MMI, air suspension, toys etc then the A8 doesnt cost a lot more in bits. Hey I own a TVR I'm not expecting it to be bullet proof or free from big bills.

He's about right I reckon. The big bills can be BIG, but so long as you've got cash at hand for the "if and when" you should be fine. The people who go wrong are the ones who think a car bought for Fiesta money will have Fiesta running costs....

[goldblum]

Audi,absolutely 100% definately.

[5potTurbo]

h0b0 said:

How about,

Porsche

It's only a 4.5cc apparently .... could be good, or bad, on fuel?

[MackemPete]

Ozzie Osmond said:

He's about right I reckon. The big bills can be BIG, but so long as you've got cash at hand for the "if and when" you should be fine. The people who go wrong are the ones who think a car bought for Fiesta money will have Fiesta running costs....

My hopes were warranty direct for the big bills

I'm going into this with eyes open but would like to avoid £1k plus bills where possible.

[MackemPete]

5potTurbo said:

It's only a 4.5cc apparently .... could be good, or bad, on fuel?

Talk of 22mpg on a run, mid to high teens around town. I know you can say that compared to depreciation, servicing, etc the difference over a few years wouldnt be that much, physiologically it would get to me though

[MackemPete]

goldblum said:

Audi,absolutely 100% definately.

lots of people going for Audi, is this based on first hand experience?

[goldblum]

I looked at both the 7 series BMW and the Audi A8.Test drove both and the Audi was a much better drive,this was the 4.0 diesel.Comfy,quick and surprisingly nimble.

All the gadgets of the S8 but sports suspension and that 5.2 V10.

[MackemPete]

goldblum said:

I looked at both the 7 series BMW and the Audi A8.Test drove both and the Audi was a much better drive,this was the 4.0 diesel.Comfy,quick and surprisingly nimble.

All the gadgets of the S8 but sports suspension and that 5.2 V10.

Thanks thats the sort of back to back opinions i'm looking for.

Does the 4.0 come higher equipped as standard than the 3.0?

[goldblum]

MackemPete said:

goldblum said:

I looked at both the 7 series BMW and the Audi A8.Test drove both and the Audi was a much better drive,this was the 4.0 diesel.Comfy,quick and surprisingly nimble.

All the gadgets of the S8 but sports suspension and that 5.2 V10.

Thanks thats the sort of back to back opinions i'm looking for.

Does the 4.0 come higher equipped as standard than the 3.0?

I think all the A8's are pretty high spec.