BMW 640d GC or Audi A7 3.0 BiTdi

[puresilk]

Dear All

My first post on here but I have been on previous Audi and BMW forums in the past.

I do a daily commute of 72 miles and around 18,000 miles a year on mainly motorway and some A Roads.

I am looking to replace my car in the next 1-2 months and narrowed it down to 2 cars that I really like, the BMW 640d GC or the Audi A7 BiTdi both are 3 litre diesels, looking at 16 to 18 reg up to 30k, no more than 40k miles, both must have heads up display and premium sound system.

Both models seem to be very well kitted out with memory seats, 20 inch wheels, etc etc, I must admit I like both cars the BMW in M Sport and Audi in the Black Edition, the running costs seem to be fairly similar, The Audi seems to have a bit more tech but again both are similar.

My question is what is the better car out of the two ? I know its subjective but anyone with any experience of either or both.

Replies appreciated

Regards

[Hammerhead]

I think the versatility/liftback of the A7 would swing it for me. It's also quite a handsome design, inside and out, that is ageing very well IMHO. They appear to be pretty solid mechanically so should be a safe bet for the use you'd give it. I quite fancy one, myself! (S-line, no tints, 272 or 320).

They do seem to stick on dealer forecourts for quite a while, so maybe longterm residuals might not be the best?

[toon10]

I've not driven either but I know a couple of guys who are taller (over 6ft) who prefer Audi over BMW as a brand yet criticise the Audi's for having uncomfortable seats on longer journeys. I always find BMW's drive much better than the equivalent Audi's but like I say, I've not driven either. They're both good looking, have plenty of luxury and tech and have premium interiors so it will most likely come down to smaller nuances like comfort, practicality, etc.

[ST270]

I have a coupe 640d and it is a quality piece of kit - the engine is a masterpeice for a diesel - not bad sound in sports mode and the torque is brilliant.

Feels quite a special car from the inside too, top quality fiments and the arced leather top dash adds a nice touch. Spec wise i would look for HUD, Harmon Karden (or B&O) glass roof is good as it can be quite dark in there without due to the low roof line, rear camera is very useful. Sports seats a v good but comfort seats have more adjustability.

Driving wise - perfect for the sort of milage you mention - feels planted at all speeds and can be fun and punchy on A & B roads - both BM and Audi are big cars though.. BM can be fun in the twisties and shrinks around you when hustling a bit.

GC wins in the design stakes IMO!

[cerb4.5lee]

I like both of them to be fair. I was very happy for 70k miles in a F13 640d Coupe, and only the lifeless electric steering and the very harsh ride on the runflats on the 20" wheels(over pot holes/broken tarmac) let the side down for me.

I'd be happy with either of those, and neither of them are exactly sporty, but they are definitely both lovely GT/cruisers though I think.

[anonymous-user]

Last time I researched the Audi 3.0 TDI engine a while ago as I was trying to make a similar decision. I wasn’t impressed and what I found put me well off:

https://vwtuning.co/vw-audi-30-tdi-engine-problems...

My guess is (and I could be wrong) that’s why they spend more time on forecourts.

[Shiv_P]

aguywalksintoabar said:

Last time I researched the Audi 3.0 TDI engine a while ago as I was trying to make a similar decision. I wasn’t impressed and what I found put me well off:

https://vwtuning.co/vw-audi-30-tdi-engine-problems...

My guess is (and I could be wrong) that’s why they spend more time on forecourts.

All engines have problems, my best is the 35/40d has equal amount of issues that can be put into a list

[Speed1283]

Both are so very capable at what you need them to do. I think you should go with which you prefer in terms of looks and interior.

Running costs are probably on par, I can and do get 50mpg from my 640d, I assume the Audi 4wd may make it marginally worse on economy if that bothers you.

I meant to try both but I loved the 6 series the moment I sat in and drove it.

[anonymous-user]

Shiv_P said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

Last time I researched the Audi 3.0 TDI engine a while ago as I was trying to make a similar decision. I wasn’t impressed and what I found put me well off:

https://vwtuning.co/vw-audi-30-tdi-engine-problems...

My guess is (and I could be wrong) that’s why they spend more time on forecourts.

All engines have problems, my best is the 35/40d has equal amount of issues that can be put into a list

Yes. The EGR cooler. Also some sad cases of stretched timing chains despite double the oil changes. At least in some cases you might hear that chain.

[anonymous-user]

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

[Shiv_P]

aguywalksintoabar said:

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

That's the wrong spec for the 3.0 Bi-turbo diesel A7, it has a lot more power and torque than that, i think close to 320PS / 479lb ft

[ZX10R NIN]

Both are good & very capable of what you're looking for I prefer the looks of the 640d GC but the Audi edges it with the interior , both drivetrains are superb but the BMW edges this too.

In all honesty a test drive in both will make up your mind for you.

[Andy665]

Personal opinion but always thought the 6 GC was very handsome whilst the A7 I have trouble telling apart from an A5 Sportback

640d GC every time for me

[georgeyboy12345]

aguywalksintoabar said:

Last time I researched the Audi 3.0 TDI engine a while ago as I was trying to make a similar decision. I wasn’t impressed and what I found put me well off:

https://vwtuning.co/vw-audi-30-tdi-engine-problems...

My guess is (and I could be wrong) that’s why they spend more time on forecourts.

Yes you are wrong, if you read the first line of the article, you will see that it says "The Volkswagen/Audi 3.0 TDI is an engine that was introduced in 2004 and used up until 2013..." OP is interested in a >2016 model. It's a different (more reliable, better) engine.

[anonymous-user]

Shiv_P said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

That's the wrong spec for the 3.0 Bi-turbo diesel A7, it has a lot more power and torque than that, i think close to 320PS / 479lb ft

There are several specs across the years. So it is the correct spec for one of those years. The earlier models were less powerful from what I can see.

[georgeyboy12345]

aguywalksintoabar said:

Shiv_P said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

That's the wrong spec for the 3.0 Bi-turbo diesel A7, it has a lot more power and torque than that, i think close to 320PS / 479lb ft

There are several specs across the years. So it is the correct spec for one of those years. The earlier models were less powerful from what I can see.

Again, you are wrong, he's after a 2016 spec BiTDI - read the thread title! The BiTDI has 320 bhp / 479lbft.

[SWoll]

aguywalksintoabar said:

Shiv_P said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

That's the wrong spec for the 3.0 Bi-turbo diesel A7, it has a lot more power and torque than that, i think close to 320PS / 479lb ft

There are several specs across the years. So it is the correct spec for one of those years. The earlier models were less powerful from what I can see.

There's never been a 3.0 biTdi with less than 313PS.

https://www.greencarguide.co.uk/2012/01/audi-bitur...

To the OP, I'd go for the BMW every day of the week. Better looking , better to drive, better interior etc.

Edited by SWoll on Friday 1st April 19:37

[anonymous-user]

My bad folks. Ignore me talking out of my corn hole on the specs. I still think the BMW is the better car though.

[anonymous-user]

SWoll said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

Shiv_P said:

aguywalksintoabar said:

I think the BMW clinches it for me:

Audi 3.0 TDI:
218 PS and 369 lbs/ft
45.60 mpg (urban), 53.30 (extra urban), and 50.40 (combined).
Torque: 369 lbs/ft @ 1250-3250 RPM

BMW 640d GC
313 PS and 464.69 lbs/ft
41.5 mpg (urban), 57.6 (extra urban), and 50.4 (combined).
Torque: 464.69 @ 1500-2500 RPM

Both cars are effortless to drive but IMO the 640d GC is more so and has waves of torque due to the power band. It also revs to 5k which is interesting for a diesel.

That's the wrong spec for the 3.0 Bi-turbo diesel A7, it has a lot more power and torque than that, i think close to 320PS / 479lb ft

There are several specs across the years. So it is the correct spec for one of those years. The earlier models were less powerful from what I can see.

There's never been a 3.0 biTdi with less than 313PS.

https://www.greencarguide.co.uk/2012/01/audi-bitur...

Lesson learned not to trust Auto Trader stats at face value

[ZX10R NIN]

aguywalksintoabar said:

There are several specs across the years. So it is the correct spec for one of those years. The earlier models were less powerful from what I can see.

The OP clearly specified the 3.0 BiTDI which is a very different unit, you got the wrong spec this time round.