What do you think about the A7?
Discussion
I'm selling my Audi TTS soon (only 40k miles on the clock so should get 12-13k).
- Car has to be comfortable
- Nice interior
- Fast
- Economical
A7 for around 18-20k. Can get a decent S-Line i reckon. Either this or a BMW 6 series.. don't let me go to the dark side boys
Pros/Cons anyone?
- Car has to be comfortable
- Nice interior
- Fast
- Economical
A7 for around 18-20k. Can get a decent S-Line i reckon. Either this or a BMW 6 series.. don't let me go to the dark side boys
Pros/Cons anyone?
Edited by Crispystork on Tuesday 20th June 10:09
Great value for money
Good standard specification (so only needs a few options)
I still think they look fantastic
Quality/reliability very good so far
Front wheel drive version not nice to drive, quattro much much better
I would want navigation plus (the standard SD nav looks very cheapo), Bose, and whichever larger wheels you like the look of. The 19s look too small. Head up display and adaptive cruise are good too.
Gearboxes are reliable but need oil changes every 40k.
Good standard specification (so only needs a few options)
I still think they look fantastic
Quality/reliability very good so far
Front wheel drive version not nice to drive, quattro much much better
I would want navigation plus (the standard SD nav looks very cheapo), Bose, and whichever larger wheels you like the look of. The 19s look too small. Head up display and adaptive cruise are good too.
Gearboxes are reliable but need oil changes every 40k.
My last two cars were a 2011 A7 and a 2013 640d Gran Coupe so here's my two penn'orth 
Had the Audi almost two years and the BMW just under one. Both were approved-used cars. The BMW had a couple of minor issues, sorted under warranty. The Audi needed a new transmission about 18 months after I bought it.... thankfully, I'd extended the warranty with Audi and it was entirely covered. I believe it was a £6k-ish repair and the warranty had cost around £800. Personally... I wouldn't even consider buying either without an approved used warranty because the bills, if they come, could be notable! If you buy either at the right time, you can get 2 years warranty or free servicing. A lot of the 6 series have service packs which may still be running.
I appreciate it's subjective but I preferred the looks of the A7. It also attracted more compliments than the BMW... not important, but quite nice when it happens. The Audi made me smile when I looked at it, whereas the BMW only did that from certain angles... in the right light. They were both silver, so there's no colour bias.
The stereo in the the BMW was better... I had the Professional Multimedia audio which I believe is the HK system? The Audi stereo was the standard system and was OK, but I'd definitely seek out a Bose or B&O version if I was looking for an A7 again.
The idrive seemed dated compared with the Audi MMI. The A7 had the larger display and colour drivers information display, which are essential... the small screen is crap and if you have the larger screen you also get the touch pad, which is great for nav. On that subject, the satnav on the A7 used google maps and was significantly better than the BMW system, which was very average. If you have an older A7 like mine was, you need to choose your phone carefully... it will ideally need to support rSAP otherwise you can use some features but not others without adding another SIM (which I never tried). I don't think that's an issue with the 6 series.
I don't know whether it's still the case, but the Audi Connect features didn't cost a bean. BMW needed a subscription... £120/year.
I thought the interior of the BMW was more upmarket but then so it should be... the invoice price with options was a gnats under £70k. The A7 interior is very nice and unfussy, but at the end of the day it's the same as an A6, which (while lovely) is obviously a different price point However, I also felt the BMW was again a bit dated... just my preference, but the Audi was much more modern.
The BMW's boot is quite large, but I didn't half miss the hatchback of the A7.
The BMW had a HUD and 360 degree surround view, both of which were wonderful. Didn't have either on the Audi (just a reversing camera) so couldn't compare.
The Audi had comfort seats whereas the BMW had sports seats. The Audi's were much more adjustable and generally more comfortable but I imagine BMW's comfort seats would be comparable.
The A7 only had two rear seats... actually, three seats but only two belts. Go figure. Didn't really bother me, but irritated my wife considerably. Newer models have three, but worth checking if it's important to you.
The BMW had three rear seats, but I imagine the coupe only has two. The centre one is s
t anyway.
The A7 was the 3.0 quattro TDi... cracking engine (250ish-bhp?) but I always wanted a little more. Excellent S-tronic gearbox.
The BMW had the 3.0 twin turbo... 313bhp I think, and much quicker than the Audi. Just effortlessly awesome. More economical too.
The BMW had VDC, which doesn't seem to be that common but probably worthwhile. I think it improved the ride, but I only briefly drove one without it and I didn't check what wheels/tyres that was on. Mine had 20"s but they were probably too big and I'd go for 19's given the choice. Apparently adaptive drive is great, but even less common. And for the love of god, if it comes with run-flats, ditch them and get a tyre kit.
Most people will probably suggest that the BMW would be the better driver's car, but I think I had more fun driving the Audi. My wife loved driving the Audi and hated the BMW.
If I was to choose between them for my next car, I'd go for the Audi. But I'd get the BiTDI...
Had the Audi almost two years and the BMW just under one. Both were approved-used cars. The BMW had a couple of minor issues, sorted under warranty. The Audi needed a new transmission about 18 months after I bought it.... thankfully, I'd extended the warranty with Audi and it was entirely covered. I believe it was a £6k-ish repair and the warranty had cost around £800. Personally... I wouldn't even consider buying either without an approved used warranty because the bills, if they come, could be notable! If you buy either at the right time, you can get 2 years warranty or free servicing. A lot of the 6 series have service packs which may still be running.
I appreciate it's subjective but I preferred the looks of the A7. It also attracted more compliments than the BMW... not important, but quite nice when it happens. The Audi made me smile when I looked at it, whereas the BMW only did that from certain angles... in the right light. They were both silver, so there's no colour bias.
The stereo in the the BMW was better... I had the Professional Multimedia audio which I believe is the HK system? The Audi stereo was the standard system and was OK, but I'd definitely seek out a Bose or B&O version if I was looking for an A7 again.
The idrive seemed dated compared with the Audi MMI. The A7 had the larger display and colour drivers information display, which are essential... the small screen is crap and if you have the larger screen you also get the touch pad, which is great for nav. On that subject, the satnav on the A7 used google maps and was significantly better than the BMW system, which was very average. If you have an older A7 like mine was, you need to choose your phone carefully... it will ideally need to support rSAP otherwise you can use some features but not others without adding another SIM (which I never tried). I don't think that's an issue with the 6 series.
I don't know whether it's still the case, but the Audi Connect features didn't cost a bean. BMW needed a subscription... £120/year.
I thought the interior of the BMW was more upmarket but then so it should be... the invoice price with options was a gnats under £70k. The A7 interior is very nice and unfussy, but at the end of the day it's the same as an A6, which (while lovely) is obviously a different price point However, I also felt the BMW was again a bit dated... just my preference, but the Audi was much more modern.
The BMW's boot is quite large, but I didn't half miss the hatchback of the A7.
The BMW had a HUD and 360 degree surround view, both of which were wonderful. Didn't have either on the Audi (just a reversing camera) so couldn't compare.
The Audi had comfort seats whereas the BMW had sports seats. The Audi's were much more adjustable and generally more comfortable but I imagine BMW's comfort seats would be comparable.
The A7 only had two rear seats... actually, three seats but only two belts. Go figure. Didn't really bother me, but irritated my wife considerably. Newer models have three, but worth checking if it's important to you.
The BMW had three rear seats, but I imagine the coupe only has two. The centre one is s
t anyway.The A7 was the 3.0 quattro TDi... cracking engine (250ish-bhp?) but I always wanted a little more. Excellent S-tronic gearbox.
The BMW had the 3.0 twin turbo... 313bhp I think, and much quicker than the Audi. Just effortlessly awesome. More economical too.
The BMW had VDC, which doesn't seem to be that common but probably worthwhile. I think it improved the ride, but I only briefly drove one without it and I didn't check what wheels/tyres that was on. Mine had 20"s but they were probably too big and I'd go for 19's given the choice. Apparently adaptive drive is great, but even less common. And for the love of god, if it comes with run-flats, ditch them and get a tyre kit.
Most people will probably suggest that the BMW would be the better driver's car, but I think I had more fun driving the Audi. My wife loved driving the Audi and hated the BMW.
If I was to choose between them for my next car, I'd go for the Audi. But I'd get the BiTDI...
fatgus said:
My last two cars were a 2011 A7 and a 2013 640d Gran Coupe so here's my two penn'orth
Had the Audi almost two years and the BMW just under one. Both were approved-used cars. The BMW had a couple of minor issues, sorted under warranty. The Audi needed a new transmission about 18 months after I bought it.... thankfully, I'd extended the warranty with Audi and it was entirely covered. I believe it was a £6k-ish repair and the warranty had cost around £800. Personally... I wouldn't even consider buying either without an approved used warranty because the bills, if they come, could be notable! If you buy either at the right time, you can get 2 years warranty or free servicing. A lot of the 6 series have service packs which may still be running.
I appreciate it's subjective but I preferred the looks of the A7. It also attracted more compliments than the BMW... not important, but quite nice when it happens. The Audi made me smile when I looked at it, whereas the BMW only did that from certain angles... in the right light. They were both silver, so there's no colour bias.
The stereo in the the BMW was better... I had the Professional Multimedia audio which I believe is the HK system? The Audi stereo was the standard system and was OK, but I'd definitely seek out a Bose or B&O version if I was looking for an A7 again.
The idrive seemed dated compared with the Audi MMI. The A7 had the larger display and colour drivers information display, which are essential... the small screen is crap and if you have the larger screen you also get the touch pad, which is great for nav. On that subject, the satnav on the A7 used google maps and was significantly better than the BMW system, which was very average. If you have an older A7 like mine was, you need to choose your phone carefully... it will ideally need to support rSAP otherwise you can use some features but not others without adding another SIM (which I never tried). I don't think that's an issue with the 6 series.
I don't know whether it's still the case, but the Audi Connect features didn't cost a bean. BMW needed a subscription... £120/year.
I thought the interior of the BMW was more upmarket but then so it should be... the invoice price with options was a gnats under £70k. The A7 interior is very nice and unfussy, but at the end of the day it's the same as an A6, which (while lovely) is obviously a different price point However, I also felt the BMW was again a bit dated... just my preference, but the Audi was much more modern.
The BMW's boot is quite large, but I didn't half miss the hatchback of the A7.
The BMW had a HUD and 360 degree surround view, both of which were wonderful. Didn't have either on the Audi (just a reversing camera) so couldn't compare.
The Audi had comfort seats whereas the BMW had sports seats. The Audi's were much more adjustable and generally more comfortable but I imagine BMW's comfort seats would be comparable.
The A7 only had two rear seats... actually, three seats but only two belts. Go figure. Didn't really bother me, but irritated my wife considerably. Newer models have three, but worth checking if it's important to you.
The BMW had three rear seats, but I imagine the coupe only has two. The centre one is st anyway.
The A7 was the 3.0 quattro TDi... cracking engine (250ish-bhp?) but I always wanted a little more. Excellent S-tronic gearbox.
The BMW had the 3.0 twin turbo... 313bhp I think, and much quicker than the Audi. Just effortlessly awesome. More economical too.
The BMW had VDC, which doesn't seem to be that common but probably worthwhile. I think it improved the ride, but I only briefly drove one without it and I didn't check what wheels/tyres that was on. Mine had 20"s but they were probably too big and I'd go for 19's given the choice. Apparently adaptive drive is great, but even less common. And for the love of god, if it comes with run-flats, ditch them and get a tyre kit.
Most people will probably suggest that the BMW would be the better driver's car, but I think I had more fun driving the Audi. My wife loved driving the Audi and hated the BMW.
If I was to choose between them for my next car, I'd go for the Audi. But I'd get the BiTDI...
thanks buddy. just what i wanted in terms of comparison.Had the Audi almost two years and the BMW just under one. Both were approved-used cars. The BMW had a couple of minor issues, sorted under warranty. The Audi needed a new transmission about 18 months after I bought it.... thankfully, I'd extended the warranty with Audi and it was entirely covered. I believe it was a £6k-ish repair and the warranty had cost around £800. Personally... I wouldn't even consider buying either without an approved used warranty because the bills, if they come, could be notable! If you buy either at the right time, you can get 2 years warranty or free servicing. A lot of the 6 series have service packs which may still be running.
I appreciate it's subjective but I preferred the looks of the A7. It also attracted more compliments than the BMW... not important, but quite nice when it happens. The Audi made me smile when I looked at it, whereas the BMW only did that from certain angles... in the right light. They were both silver, so there's no colour bias.
The stereo in the the BMW was better... I had the Professional Multimedia audio which I believe is the HK system? The Audi stereo was the standard system and was OK, but I'd definitely seek out a Bose or B&O version if I was looking for an A7 again.
The idrive seemed dated compared with the Audi MMI. The A7 had the larger display and colour drivers information display, which are essential... the small screen is crap and if you have the larger screen you also get the touch pad, which is great for nav. On that subject, the satnav on the A7 used google maps and was significantly better than the BMW system, which was very average. If you have an older A7 like mine was, you need to choose your phone carefully... it will ideally need to support rSAP otherwise you can use some features but not others without adding another SIM (which I never tried). I don't think that's an issue with the 6 series.
I don't know whether it's still the case, but the Audi Connect features didn't cost a bean. BMW needed a subscription... £120/year.
I thought the interior of the BMW was more upmarket but then so it should be... the invoice price with options was a gnats under £70k. The A7 interior is very nice and unfussy, but at the end of the day it's the same as an A6, which (while lovely) is obviously a different price point However, I also felt the BMW was again a bit dated... just my preference, but the Audi was much more modern.
The BMW's boot is quite large, but I didn't half miss the hatchback of the A7.
The BMW had a HUD and 360 degree surround view, both of which were wonderful. Didn't have either on the Audi (just a reversing camera) so couldn't compare.
The Audi had comfort seats whereas the BMW had sports seats. The Audi's were much more adjustable and generally more comfortable but I imagine BMW's comfort seats would be comparable.
The A7 only had two rear seats... actually, three seats but only two belts. Go figure. Didn't really bother me, but irritated my wife considerably. Newer models have three, but worth checking if it's important to you.
The BMW had three rear seats, but I imagine the coupe only has two. The centre one is s
t anyway.The A7 was the 3.0 quattro TDi... cracking engine (250ish-bhp?) but I always wanted a little more. Excellent S-tronic gearbox.
The BMW had the 3.0 twin turbo... 313bhp I think, and much quicker than the Audi. Just effortlessly awesome. More economical too.
The BMW had VDC, which doesn't seem to be that common but probably worthwhile. I think it improved the ride, but I only briefly drove one without it and I didn't check what wheels/tyres that was on. Mine had 20"s but they were probably too big and I'd go for 19's given the choice. Apparently adaptive drive is great, but even less common. And for the love of god, if it comes with run-flats, ditch them and get a tyre kit.
Most people will probably suggest that the BMW would be the better driver's car, but I think I had more fun driving the Audi. My wife loved driving the Audi and hated the BMW.
If I was to choose between them for my next car, I'd go for the Audi. But I'd get the BiTDI...
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