BMW 640d GC or Audi A7 3.0 BiTdi

[karl922]

I had a BiTdi A7 for a few years, loved it and did everything I could ask of it. Quick off the line with launch control, Quattro surefooted, average 44 in its lifetime, 50 was achievable on a long run.

Had all the kit you’re after, regularly complemented on how well they sound, almost V8 petrol sound due to the trick exhaust. It was a great dog wagon with the hatch boot and rode lovely even on the 20” wheels fitted.

Any questions fire away, it’d get my vote.

[Shiv_P]

karl922 said:

I had a BiTdi A7 for a few years, loved it and did everything I could ask of it. Quick off the line with launch control, Quattro surefooted, average 44 in its lifetime, 50 was achievable on a long run.

Had all the kit you’re after, regularly complemented on how well they sound, almost V8 petrol sound due to the trick exhaust. It was a great dog wagon with the hatch boot and rode lovely even on the 20” wheels fitted.

Any questions fire away, it’d get my vote.

Those are some impressive MPG stats!

[karl922]

Shiv_P said:

Those are some impressive MPG stats!

Yeah it was impressive, it was much better than the previous Gen 3.0Tid I had in the A6 in every way. Wish I had kept it, sold pre covid and took a bath.

[fatgus]

I've had both A7 (single turbo 3.0d) and 640d GC, albeit older models than you're looking at, so thought I'd add my couple of pennies...

I loved the A7 and kept it for more than two years, which is quite unusual for me. Sold it and bought an Approved Used 640d, which I truly loathed and sold after 11 months of trying, and failing, to convince myself I would grow to like it.

It had pretty decent kit (HUD, rather pointless soft close doors, VDC, adaptive headlights, surround view etc) but... it wasn't that much quicker than the Audi, the seats were less comfortable, the visibility was worse, it was huge but had comparatively little interior space, it had a truly useless boot (big, but a tiny opening), awful run-flats (that I eventually replaced), the ride quality was no better than the A7, even after ditching the run-flats, it wasn't as attractive as the A7 (subjective, I know!). The 'premium' sound system wasn't as good. The sat-nav was awful. Much preferred the interior of the A7 too... more practical, less 'old man'. It was also not much fun to drive.... I appreciate it's a cruiser not a sports car, but not what I was expecting from my first BMW.

I imagine both models have improved in all regards since I had them, but based on my experience I struggle to see the appeal of the BMW. I think the most positive thing I could say about mine would be that it never broke down.

[jason61c]

the bmw engine is the better of the two.

the a7, maybe a little more 'chav'.

640 the better drive.

[Phil Dicky]

I had the same dilemma and opted for the A7 Bitdi as the four wheel drive and hatchback worked better for me. However both are a good buys and bloody quick cars.
Mine is in for a new high pressure fuel pump, but fhe only issue in 12 months.

[Doomhunk]

I had a MY16 A7 3.0BiTDi and loved it. Only gave it up because it would have cost more to extend the lease. I have the face lifted A7 in a 55 TFSi now and far prefer the look and drive of the previous model. There was a fair bit of lag in the gearbox, but that it pretty much accounted for with a quick knock into Sport mode.

The Black Editions have real presence and I feel they have more rarity value than the BMW, which all seem totally generic across the range.

That said, I’m probably going to end up with a 440i next year.

[karl922]

jason61c said:

the bmw engine is the better of the two.

the a7, maybe a little more 'chav'.

640 the better drive.

Curious to know, what makes the BMW engine better? Outputs and MPG seem identical.

[jason61c]

karl922 said:

jason61c said:

the bmw engine is the better of the two.

the a7, maybe a little more 'chav'.

640 the better drive.

Curious to know, what makes the BMW engine better? Outputs and MPG seem identical.

I’ve had both back to back, 640d engine is smoother, pulls better from lower down, bit better on fuel and without some of the reliability worries. 640 engine revs cleaner also.

Just the same as the e400d engine is just that bit better again.

The GC is a great looking car, just seems a class ahead of the A7.

[cerb4.5lee]

jason61c said:

I’ve had both back to back, 640d engine is smoother, pulls better from lower down, bit better on fuel and without some of the reliability worries. 640 engine revs cleaner also.

Just the same as the e400d engine is just that bit better again.

The GC is a great looking car, just seems a class ahead of the A7.

I've just recently purchased a GLE400d having had a 640d in the past. The engine in the 640d was my favourite diesel engine that I'd had, but the engine in the GLE400d definitely trumps it now I agree. It is just so lovely to use for a diesel.

[jason61c]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've just recently purchased a GLE400d having had a 640d in the past. The engine in the 640d was my favourite diesel engine that I'd had, but the engine in the GLE400d definitely trumps it now I agree. It is just so lovely to use for a diesel.

I've said it loads on here, its an amazing engine. I chose it over the e43 as I felt it was just better in the real world. revs well, smooth, great on fuel, fast.

[Doomhunk]

I had a MY16 A7 3.0BiTDi and loved it. Only gave it up because it would have cost more to extend the lease. I have the face lifted A7 in a 55 TFSi now and far prefer the look and drive of the previous model. There was a fair bit of lag in the gearbox, but that it pretty much accounted for with a quick knock into Sport mode.

The Black Editions have real presence and I feel they have more rarity value than the BMW, which all seem totally generic across the range.

That said, I’m probably going to end up with a 440i next year.

[ZX10R NIN]

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've just recently purchased a GLE400d having had a 640d in the past. The engine in the 640d was my favourite diesel engine that I'd had, but the engine in the GLE400d definitely trumps it now I agree. It is just so lovely to use for a diesel.

I've said it loads on here, its an amazing engine. I chose it over the e43 as I felt it was just better in the real world. revs well, smooth, great on fuel, fast.

The 400d drive train is just epic everytime I use one it just really impresses, the straight 6 petrol hybrid found in the 53 is another peach but the 400d still trumps it.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 9th April 18:59

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've just recently purchased a GLE400d having had a 640d in the past. The engine in the 640d was my favourite diesel engine that I'd had, but the engine in the GLE400d definitely trumps it now I agree. It is just so lovely to use for a diesel.

I've said it loads on here, its an amazing engine. I chose it over the e43 as I felt it was just better in the real world. revs well, smooth, great on fuel, fast.

The 400d drive train is just epic everytime I use one it just really impresses, the straight 6 petrol hybrid found is another peach but the 400d still trumps it.

I'm over the moon to finally get my hands on the 400d engine(I've wanted a car with that engine for ages). On paper it has always really appealed to me, and I've always liked reading about jason61c's positive feedback about it too.

It has definitely impressed me for sure, and the way it revs out and sounds is very undiesel like in many ways, and it reminds me of a lower revving smooth straight six petrol engine.

I'm getting a GLE300d as a loan car next week, so it will be interesting to compare the engine to the GLE400d. The GLE400d has air suspension, whereas the GLE300d doesn't, so I'm also looking forward to experiencing the differences in that regard as well.

[jason61c]

cerb4.5lee said:

ZX10R NIN said:

jason61c said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've just recently purchased a GLE400d having had a 640d in the past. The engine in the 640d was my favourite diesel engine that I'd had, but the engine in the GLE400d definitely trumps it now I agree. It is just so lovely to use for a diesel.

I've said it loads on here, its an amazing engine. I chose it over the e43 as I felt it was just better in the real world. revs well, smooth, great on fuel, fast.

The 400d drive train is just epic everytime I use one it just really impresses, the straight 6 petrol hybrid found is another peach but the 400d still trumps it.

I'm over the moon to finally get my hands on the 400d engine(I've wanted a car with that engine for ages). On paper it has always really appealed to me, and I've always liked reading about jason61c's positive feedback about it too.

It has definitely impressed me for sure, and the way it revs out and sounds is very undiesel like in many ways, and it reminds me of a lower revving smooth straight six petrol engine.

I'm getting a GLE300d as a loan car next week, so it will be interesting to compare the engine to the GLE400d. The GLE400d has air suspension, whereas the GLE300d doesn't, so I'm also looking forward to experiencing the differences in that regard as well.

Its a good job you agree!

I fear it might be peak oil burner. its pleasing to hear you think the same about that lump as I do.

[cerb4.5lee]

jason61c said:

Its a good job you agree!

I fear it might be peak oil burner. its pleasing to hear you think the same about that lump as I do.

You are spot on about it for sure.

It is definitely the best 6 cylinder diesel engine that I've used, and I'm certainly very impressed with it.

[Shunbun]

Hi all

Sorry to resurrect a seemingly old thread but I was wondering if those of you who had/own an Audi A6/A7 bitdi could share your experience when it comes to maintenance.

I'm considering a 2017 A7 BiTdi which has decent spec however my concern is the mileage at 94k now.

Are there any things I should pay particular attention to at this mileage?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Vic

[Simon-k41v9]

coming up to covering 40k in my BiTdi.
had a sensor on the EGR go, but thats it other than tyres and servicing.

[Chamon_Lee]

Shunbun said:

Hi all

Sorry to resurrect a seemingly old thread but I was wondering if those of you who had/own an Audi A6/A7 bitdi could share your experience when it comes to maintenance.

I'm considering a 2017 A7 BiTdi which has decent spec however my concern is the mileage at 94k now.

Are there any things I should pay particular attention to at this mileage?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Vic

I had a 2015 facelift A7 Bitdi. Personally as long as its got a full service history and never been remapped it should be a safe bet.
I enjoyed the ownership of mine too for the 2 years I had it

[puresilk]

I have had audi a5 3.0 tdi on a 2007 plate a few years ago and loved it. Then bought the a5 2.0 tfsi black edition in white and although beautiful i hated the 30 mpg combined fuel economy.

I then bought a bmw 420d m sport x drive and realised it was a better drive then the audi a5 quattro but the audi looked better.

I then had a bmw 520d m dport f10 and loved it before i replaced it with the bmw 640d m sport GC. Its on a 2017 plate and has HUD , adaptive lights, high beam assist, HK sound, mem seats, 20 inch wheels and i love it.

My dilemma was choosing between the Audi A7 3.0 bi tdi or the BMW 640d GC. Both were roughly same price at 27k, 35k miles, and had to have HUD. The audi has beautiful 21 inch wheels and the rear design is just awesome, it has a better interior and tech. The bmw though is a better drive and has better build quality.

1 year on i love the 640d but i still think about the a7 lol, i know if i bought the a7 instead i would be thinking about the 640d right now.

Both are beautiful cars.