BMW or Audi 3.0tdi?
Discussion
Now, before I start I should point out this conundrum at the moment is quite hypothetical. I'm hopeful due a lump of cash later in the year and have ear marked it for a new car. Being a PHer I'm months ahead of myself and have already started considering my options 
The budget is ~£15k which I should point out for me is a BIG deal. I've never spent over £4k on a car and the last 10 years I've had numerous cars all sub £1k, so the prospect of having a decent car is very exciting!
I need a diesel due to reasonably high annual mileage (20-25k miles) but also want a good slug of power.
In my mind I've narrowed it down to the 3.0 diesels from Audi and BMW as they seem to be the only decent brands which produce a diesel with a decent output. I'm looking at A4 or 3 series saloons so the options an related pros/cons are -
BMW 330d - I like the looks, possibly more than the Audi. It's RWD as opposed to 4WD which I'm indifferent about. Downside is manuals are like hens teeth. I prefer Audi interiors over the BMW.
Audi A4 3.0tdi Quattro - 4wd, manuals are about, it's still a handsome car.
Anybody driven or owned both? I'm sure residuals and running costs are similar.
Also open to suggestions of alternative diesel saloons which are similar in power!
Thanks in advance!
The budget is ~£15k which I should point out for me is a BIG deal. I've never spent over £4k on a car and the last 10 years I've had numerous cars all sub £1k, so the prospect of having a decent car is very exciting!
I need a diesel due to reasonably high annual mileage (20-25k miles) but also want a good slug of power.
In my mind I've narrowed it down to the 3.0 diesels from Audi and BMW as they seem to be the only decent brands which produce a diesel with a decent output. I'm looking at A4 or 3 series saloons so the options an related pros/cons are -
BMW 330d - I like the looks, possibly more than the Audi. It's RWD as opposed to 4WD which I'm indifferent about. Downside is manuals are like hens teeth. I prefer Audi interiors over the BMW.
Audi A4 3.0tdi Quattro - 4wd, manuals are about, it's still a handsome car.
Anybody driven or owned both? I'm sure residuals and running costs are similar.
Also open to suggestions of alternative diesel saloons which are similar in power!
Thanks in advance!
If you want economy get a 2.0 diesel with a manual gearbox
If you want a gutsy cruising barge, get a 3.0diesel with autobox.
I have an A6 3.0tdi manual and for 95% of my driving, I wish I had an auto.
Modern autoboxes with steptronic or other switchable virtual gearchanges are brilliant. A heavy clutch in stop-start traffic is a needless pain as is DMF replacement.
If you want a gutsy cruising barge, get a 3.0diesel with autobox.
I have an A6 3.0tdi manual and for 95% of my driving, I wish I had an auto.
Modern autoboxes with steptronic or other switchable virtual gearchanges are brilliant. A heavy clutch in stop-start traffic is a needless pain as is DMF replacement.
I've had an Audi A3/A4/A6. I'll not have another as I've decided that the folk at Audi either:
a) do not understand what ride quality is
b) do understand it but haven't figured out how to deliver it
c) don't really care as they are selling plenty and have trained the sales team to smile and say "mmmm, that is a pure sports car ride" when you hit a drain cover on the test drive and the brittle impact crashes through the cabin...
I've also had 3 and 5 series. I enjoyed them, but liked the newer models less and less. 5 series e39 with a petrol straight six was the sweet spot for me.
I'm probably not helping. Drive both, pick the one you like best.
a) do not understand what ride quality is
b) do understand it but haven't figured out how to deliver it
c) don't really care as they are selling plenty and have trained the sales team to smile and say "mmmm, that is a pure sports car ride" when you hit a drain cover on the test drive and the brittle impact crashes through the cabin...
I've also had 3 and 5 series. I enjoyed them, but liked the newer models less and less. 5 series e39 with a petrol straight six was the sweet spot for me.
I'm probably not helping. Drive both, pick the one you like best.
Speaking from a bit of experience given that my work provide me with 330d's, 530d's, A6 3.0TDi's in all sorts of auto and manuals the one I always prefer is the 5 series 3ltr auto. Such a brilliant car. The Audi's are always nice at first then a few hundred miles later I wish I was in the beemer.
Suspension is much better as are the auto gear boxes. The Audi's always seem the hide their speed as well which isn't always good.
We also have a BMW 328i which is a stonking car but lacks midrange punch and a Vauxhall Insignia VXR which is bonkers but fun however after a few miles I just want a 530d auto again.
BMW for me.
Suspension is much better as are the auto gear boxes. The Audi's always seem the hide their speed as well which isn't always good.
We also have a BMW 328i which is a stonking car but lacks midrange punch and a Vauxhall Insignia VXR which is bonkers but fun however after a few miles I just want a 530d auto again.
BMW for me.
wiliferus said:
Now, before I start I should point out this conundrum at the moment is quite hypothetical. I'm hopeful due a lump of cash later in the year and have ear marked it for a new car. Being a PHer I'm months ahead of myself and have already started considering my options
The budget is ~£15k which I should point out for me is a BIG deal. I've never spent over £4k on a car and the last 10 years I've had numerous cars all sub £1k, so the prospect of having a decent car is very exciting!
I need a diesel due to reasonably high annual mileage (20-25k miles) but also want a good slug of power.
In my mind I've narrowed it down to the 3.0 diesels from Audi and BMW as they seem to be the only decent brands which produce a diesel with a decent output. I'm looking at A4 or 3 series saloons so the options an related pros/cons are -
BMW 330d - I like the looks, possibly more than the Audi. It's RWD as opposed to 4WD which I'm indifferent about. Downside is manuals are like hens teeth. I prefer Audi interiors over the BMW.
Audi A4 3.0tdi Quattro - 4wd, manuals are about, it's still a handsome car.
Anybody driven or owned both? I'm sure residuals and running costs are similar.
Also open to suggestions of alternative diesel saloons which are similar in power!
Thanks in advance!
Have you thought about a Mercedes C350 cdi RWD (or for something in the middle a C250) same fuel Economy as the Audi A4 3.0 A little worse than a BMW 330d.The budget is ~£15k which I should point out for me is a BIG deal. I've never spent over £4k on a car and the last 10 years I've had numerous cars all sub £1k, so the prospect of having a decent car is very exciting!
I need a diesel due to reasonably high annual mileage (20-25k miles) but also want a good slug of power.
In my mind I've narrowed it down to the 3.0 diesels from Audi and BMW as they seem to be the only decent brands which produce a diesel with a decent output. I'm looking at A4 or 3 series saloons so the options an related pros/cons are -
BMW 330d - I like the looks, possibly more than the Audi. It's RWD as opposed to 4WD which I'm indifferent about. Downside is manuals are like hens teeth. I prefer Audi interiors over the BMW.
Audi A4 3.0tdi Quattro - 4wd, manuals are about, it's still a handsome car.
Anybody driven or owned both? I'm sure residuals and running costs are similar.
Also open to suggestions of alternative diesel saloons which are similar in power!
Thanks in advance!
Official figures are:
Mercedes vs Audi vs BMW (C250)
Town: 32.3 vs 34.0 vs 35.3(C250 47.8)
Motorway: 52.3 vs 49.6 vs 54.3 (67.7)
Average: 42.8 vs 42.8 vs 45.6 (50.4)
R/Tax: £225 vs £205 vs £180 (£145)
BHP: 264 vs 242 vs 245 (201)
0-60: 6.4 vs 6.2 vs 6.2 (7.8)
C02: 180 vs 174 vs 164 (147)
All top out at 155 mph (C250 148 mph)
All have traditional autos but some will have paddles
I'd pick the Mercedes C350 take all three for a test drive & see what one suits you best.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 13th February 08:35
sparkythecat said:
If you want economy get a 2.0 diesel with a manual gearbox
If you want a gutsy cruising barge, get a 3.0diesel with autobox.
I have an A6 3.0tdi manual and for 95% of my driving, I wish I had an auto.
Modern autoboxes with steptronic or other switchable virtual gearchanges are brilliant. A heavy clutch in stop-start traffic is a needless pain as is DMF replacement.
Couldn't agree more, get the Auto. You can get paddles/knock the stick over to take a bit of control back but having forked out more for that ability, I rarely use it. Foot down and woooosh. If you want a gutsy cruising barge, get a 3.0diesel with autobox.
I have an A6 3.0tdi manual and for 95% of my driving, I wish I had an auto.
Modern autoboxes with steptronic or other switchable virtual gearchanges are brilliant. A heavy clutch in stop-start traffic is a needless pain as is DMF replacement.
You could get a late model 530D, or a new shape 520D for that budget!
Maybe stretch the milage for a 525D
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
or if big comfy barge matters over that torque:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by Andehh on Friday 13th February 07:11
I can't comment on the faster models but I have driven the 2.0 diesel versions of both cars. The BMW wins it every time for me. The Audi is perfectly capable but dull. A mondeo is more entertaining to drive if a little cheaper inside. I'm not nomally a fan of auto boxes either but for the mileage you're doing I'd agree that a manual may not be the best option to go for. It's your call on what you prefer. Definately drive both to compare but I'd be suprised if you prefered the way the Audi drove.
Thanks for the input gents. You've certainly given me food for thought about the gearbox. My only experience of an auto was in my old V6 Omega, and the slushmatic in that was quite lethargic but as you point out gearbox technology has come on leaps and bounds since then so worth considering.
The majority vote seems to be with the BMW over the Audi which I kind of knew away - and tonight I've found a few 335d's popping into budget
I have considered the C350 but I have probably an irrational fear of Merc build quality having seen my mums SLK rot from the inside out! Have Merc sorted their historic issues out?
And the outsider wildcard choice might be the Jag XF, but that's more A6/5 series size, and I don't really want a barge TBH.
The majority vote seems to be with the BMW over the Audi which I kind of knew away - and tonight I've found a few 335d's popping into budget
I have considered the C350 but I have probably an irrational fear of Merc build quality having seen my mums SLK rot from the inside out! Have Merc sorted their historic issues out?
And the outsider wildcard choice might be the Jag XF, but that's more A6/5 series size, and I don't really want a barge TBH.
The A4 3.0 TDI is a cracking car, the B7 one at least. Very comfortable seats, firm ride but not bouncy, and a genuine 50+ mpg with sensible driving in one with a manual gearbox. Which by the way, is an excellent gearbox and with the amount of torque the car has you don't change gear anywhere near as much as you do on a 2.0 ecobox.
BMW is a nice car too, go and drive them both and see what you think. Try to keep an open mind - Audi bashing seems to be the thing to be seen doing on here at times
BMW is a nice car too, go and drive them both and see what you think. Try to keep an open mind - Audi bashing seems to be the thing to be seen doing on here at times
lord trumpton said:
Audi cars are just cars for the bellends
The usual BMW fanboy statement (since Jeremy says so)
Audi's are generic and boring if you want to put it that way, but no more so than BMW/Merc. The 3 series has been a munter since the the E46 but everyone to their own.
Calling all Audi drivers bellends only makes you look like a premium one.
OP, no substitute for going out and driving both and make your own choice. Both cars have their strong points.
Having had both A4 + 3 Series for 3/4 weeks at a time and doing similar miles to you, I can tell you the A4 is not the one you want. The steering wheel feels a little too large, the drive feels very VERY numb. There is no feedback from the steering wheel at all (You may think this as good, I didn't) and the interior quality is so poor in terms of rattles and squeaks. It doesn't feel like anything special to me.
The BMW however, is the total opposite. It is the better car to take and you will enjoy all your drives in it. Granted getting decent spec is a bit tricky and the looks are getting slightly out-dated (unless you're looking at new shape) but you won't regret buying it.
The BMW however, is the total opposite. It is the better car to take and you will enjoy all your drives in it. Granted getting decent spec is a bit tricky and the looks are getting slightly out-dated (unless you're looking at new shape) but you won't regret buying it.
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