BMW 123d vs Audi A4 3.0Tdi
Discussion
Evening all - first post on here so go easy on me!
I currently own a 2008 BMW 123d M-Sport Coupe. It's fast, economical and IMO looks pretty good... It's not too well specced though, and doesn't have sat nav or cruise control or anything, just parking sensors.
I am considering a change, and a very well specced A4 3.0Tdi Quattro has caught my eye... 89k miles, FSH etc with just about every toy going for a little over £10k.
I love the BMW - on the right roads it's fantastic, but it can get very tiring on longer journeys due to the stiff suspension, run-flats and general shoddy state of the UK's roads. I'd describe the drive as engaging but not very relaxing. A 300 mile drive in a day can be quite tiring.
The A4 seems to be a quicker accelerating car, and on 17"s with drive select ought to make for a much more comfortable cruiser with similar overtaking ability. This presumably is at the cost of some of the BMW's crisp handling ability...
I don't do silly miles (around 10-12k a year) but my mileage is almost exclusively longer A Road and M'way journeys, and I love the torque from a diesel. All my commuting is in my work Hilux.
So... Does anyone have experience of these cars (or similar cars - A5, 320d etc) and could give me a good comparison and some advice? I'm obviously not wanting to completely lose the ability to hustle down a nice B road, but it'd be nice to feel a bit more comfortable on a long drive on the motorway (down to the Alps etc) - a bit more of an all-rounder?
For the record, I also have a Yamaha MT07 which provides pure adrenaline entertainment on a sunny day.
Thanks!
I currently own a 2008 BMW 123d M-Sport Coupe. It's fast, economical and IMO looks pretty good... It's not too well specced though, and doesn't have sat nav or cruise control or anything, just parking sensors.
I am considering a change, and a very well specced A4 3.0Tdi Quattro has caught my eye... 89k miles, FSH etc with just about every toy going for a little over £10k.
I love the BMW - on the right roads it's fantastic, but it can get very tiring on longer journeys due to the stiff suspension, run-flats and general shoddy state of the UK's roads. I'd describe the drive as engaging but not very relaxing. A 300 mile drive in a day can be quite tiring.
The A4 seems to be a quicker accelerating car, and on 17"s with drive select ought to make for a much more comfortable cruiser with similar overtaking ability. This presumably is at the cost of some of the BMW's crisp handling ability...
I don't do silly miles (around 10-12k a year) but my mileage is almost exclusively longer A Road and M'way journeys, and I love the torque from a diesel. All my commuting is in my work Hilux.
So... Does anyone have experience of these cars (or similar cars - A5, 320d etc) and could give me a good comparison and some advice? I'm obviously not wanting to completely lose the ability to hustle down a nice B road, but it'd be nice to feel a bit more comfortable on a long drive on the motorway (down to the Alps etc) - a bit more of an all-rounder?
For the record, I also have a Yamaha MT07 which provides pure adrenaline entertainment on a sunny day.
Thanks!
I have a bit of experience of both (similar) cars.
For me, I hated the 1 series suspension. It wasn't hard to me, just wrong. It also has a very gruff engine. The front end was always well stuck down though, and the rear-driven feel does make it seem like a premium car. I did find it very refined noise-wise though for a hatch at that time.
The Audi will have a much better engine in terms of smoothness. If a non-S-Line, it will have much more compliant suspension. It will also be very aloof to drive, albeit competent, and have little sparkle to enjoy on a fun drive.
You don't mention the A4's age or 123d's milage - overall condition should be important and if you've looked after it well and had no issues, the car you already own will be the "safer" option.
For me, I hated the 1 series suspension. It wasn't hard to me, just wrong. It also has a very gruff engine. The front end was always well stuck down though, and the rear-driven feel does make it seem like a premium car. I did find it very refined noise-wise though for a hatch at that time.
The Audi will have a much better engine in terms of smoothness. If a non-S-Line, it will have much more compliant suspension. It will also be very aloof to drive, albeit competent, and have little sparkle to enjoy on a fun drive.
You don't mention the A4's age or 123d's milage - overall condition should be important and if you've looked after it well and had no issues, the car you already own will be the "safer" option.
Thanks for the reply.
My BMW is an 08, formerly a colleague's company car so full BMW service history, although now with 96000 miles.
I'd be looking at a B8 platform A4, so 2008-2009, although wouldn't buy it without having a full Audi SH.
The BMW seems to be getting to an age when it'll possibly need a new clutch, and there's always the underlying N47 timing chain issue, which unfortunately wasn't under recent the 'quality enhancement' recall for me.
Is there much of a real life difference between the different Audis in terms of age?
My BMW is an 08, formerly a colleague's company car so full BMW service history, although now with 96000 miles.
I'd be looking at a B8 platform A4, so 2008-2009, although wouldn't buy it without having a full Audi SH.
The BMW seems to be getting to an age when it'll possibly need a new clutch, and there's always the underlying N47 timing chain issue, which unfortunately wasn't under recent the 'quality enhancement' recall for me.
Is there much of a real life difference between the different Audis in terms of age?
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