BMW 123d or Audi A5 3.0 Quattro

[Skimpybeardy]

Hi All,

I hope this finds you well on a Sunday evening.

I was after a little bit of advice if I may. Good old honest feedback always welcomed. I've set myself three options in the next month, based on cars I have been looking at over the last year or so.

1: Audi A5 3.0 tdi Quattro. - A friend has one (which I'm taking for a spin next week) I'm impressed with the overall build quality. The layout of the car, the mpg return for a 3ltr tdi and Torque.
2: BMW 123d, I've always owned BMW's. The 08 version of the 123 (coupe) twin turbo interests me, especially a professional remap returning a safe 250bhp. Again I would go for one with idrive.
3: keep the current e90 320d msport, but remap to get a little bit more out of the 4 pot.

I do a fair amount of miles and my commute to work warrants a diesel. My budget (10/11k) would allow an A5 3.0 tdi Quattro with higher mileage than that of a BMW 123d..

Any help, or light shedding would be really appreciated.
Skimpy

[Baryonyx]

If you're just using the car for plodding along and commuting, you may find the A5 is the nicer place to sit and drone away the miles. The 123d is probably the better drive if you're pushing it along a decent B road, but there is no hiding that the engine is still a grumbling diesel (even if it is relatively quick). I like the sports seats in the 123d though, they grip you round the shoulders like seats in a decent sports car should, even if the rest of the car is definitely not a sports car.

The source for all of this is a colleague of mine who has decided that a 123d would be his 'occasion' car. He has a '57 plate 123d with less than 50,000 miles on it (there can't be many of that age with this low of a mileage). Despite the diesel drone, it's not a terrible car. It has a good turn of pace, handles well enough and is a nice place to sit. I have chided him though, that if I was spending the same sort of money as he has for an 'occasional use' car, I might find something with a little more spice than a 123d!

[SkySonner]

The 3.0 diesel from Audi isn't known for it's real world economy, and it's such a dull engine compared to the six cylinder diesel offerings from BMW.

In regards to the 123d, Ii am in a fairly good position to recommend it highly. I owned one after owning a 320d m sport auto and my word what an engine, very worthy of all the awards it won, just wish it wasn't so rare otherwise I would have had another one.

250bhp would not be considered a 'safe' map on a 123d, quantum state an increase to 227bhp and they aren't known for conservative claims.

Only had a short drive in an a5 3.0tdi and been a passenger in one on a long journey, but did have to drive a a4 2011 3.0tdi Quattro for around a week as a company car and I found the chassis very under steer prone and not at all rewarding.

The 123d is more fun, more frugal, rare and would cover ground just as quick as a5

Edited by SkySonner on Monday 23 March 06:52

[ZX10R NIN]

If it was just out of those two I'd choose the Audi as it'll be quicker & more comfortable, but in saying that I'd choose an Alpina D3 (197bhp 302ft/lb torque plus some great chassis upgrades as standard)over both or if comfort & cruising is your thing (which is where the A5 will shine) then a last of the line CLK320 Sport fits the bill to as does a 330d, all will still give good fuel economy especially after being mapped.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 23 March 06:53