5 series GT or Tourer
Discussion
I'm currently in the process of looking for a replacement for my A4 Avant which was recently stolen from my address in a burglary, initially I decided I didn't want a German car but there's very little else which really meets all my requirements and which really appeals to me.
Anyway I'm really liking the look of the 5 series GT models, cabin wise it looks like the space would be more than ample for me, the wife and two kids whichever variant I choose, the issue is I do need some decent boot space as we tend to holiday in the UK and kids come with a lot of luggage, particularly as the youngest is still in a pushchair. and comes with all the other stuff infants need.
I'm really wondering how practical the boot on the GT models are for loading in say two large suitcases and a pushchair as a minimum, I haven't looked at one closely yet?
Also if I went for a 550i as opposed to say a 530 is there a huge increase in service costs and maintenance costs over the obvious fuel economy difference?
Many thanks
Anyway I'm really liking the look of the 5 series GT models, cabin wise it looks like the space would be more than ample for me, the wife and two kids whichever variant I choose, the issue is I do need some decent boot space as we tend to holiday in the UK and kids come with a lot of luggage, particularly as the youngest is still in a pushchair. and comes with all the other stuff infants need.
I'm really wondering how practical the boot on the GT models are for loading in say two large suitcases and a pushchair as a minimum, I haven't looked at one closely yet?
Also if I went for a 550i as opposed to say a 530 is there a huge increase in service costs and maintenance costs over the obvious fuel economy difference?
Many thanks
Jamescrs said:
I'm currently in the process of looking for a replacement for my A4 Avant which was recently stolen from my address in a burglary, initially I decided I didn't want a German car but there's very little else which really meets all my requirements and which really appeals to me.
Anyway I'm really liking the look of the 5 series GT models, cabin wise it looks like the space would be more than ample for me, the wife and two kids whichever variant I choose, the issue is I do need some decent boot space as we tend to holiday in the UK and kids come with a lot of luggage, particularly as the youngest is still in a pushchair. and comes with all the other stuff infants need.
I'm really wondering how practical the boot on the GT models are for loading in say two large suitcases and a pushchair as a minimum, I haven't looked at one closely yet?
Also if I went for a 550i as opposed to say a 530 is there a huge increase in service costs and maintenance costs over the obvious fuel economy difference?
Many thanks
I think the bootspace on a GT is around the same size as a tourer, just has easier accesss.Anyway I'm really liking the look of the 5 series GT models, cabin wise it looks like the space would be more than ample for me, the wife and two kids whichever variant I choose, the issue is I do need some decent boot space as we tend to holiday in the UK and kids come with a lot of luggage, particularly as the youngest is still in a pushchair. and comes with all the other stuff infants need.
I'm really wondering how practical the boot on the GT models are for loading in say two large suitcases and a pushchair as a minimum, I haven't looked at one closely yet?
Also if I went for a 550i as opposed to say a 530 is there a huge increase in service costs and maintenance costs over the obvious fuel economy difference?
Many thanks
I had a 630d GT which is a newer 5 GT for a few weeks and loved it, I loved the higher seating position, it was easy to see out of and all the windows were massive. Will be good for kids. It felt like an SUV without the obvious pitfalls being less dynamic, a bit of both, I didn’t like the look of it at first but after driving it and seeing how capable it was, it suddenly became perfect in every way.
The good thing about the GT’s are they because they didn’t sell very well, a lot of them were demonstrators or dealer cars so most of them are packed with options. The reason I had one for a few weeks was because Cooper Cobham had 3 demos that didn’t sell so they gave them out as loan cars!
I can’t comment on the 550i however if you go for the 530d, be sure to get the updated 258 bhp engine, it’s usually in the adverts. Are you going for a facelift model?
I have to say I loved ours.
Far better finished than the F11 5er Touring we had, and it is a different ride, it felt like a slightly raised 7 series, which it is.
Handled as you would expect, like a slightly raised 7 series.
Compared to an F11 M-Sport it is not as sporty, compared to any standard Audi out there though it will be just as good if not better handling wise.
Rear seats move back and forward, when forward you have the same space as a 5 series, when back the same as a 7 series. The boot is touring size with the seats back, and you gain a few inches when they are slid forward.
Very colour dependant car though, and the facelift looked much better imho. Still no looker though.
Far better finished than the F11 5er Touring we had, and it is a different ride, it felt like a slightly raised 7 series, which it is.
Handled as you would expect, like a slightly raised 7 series.
Compared to an F11 M-Sport it is not as sporty, compared to any standard Audi out there though it will be just as good if not better handling wise.
Rear seats move back and forward, when forward you have the same space as a 5 series, when back the same as a 7 series. The boot is touring size with the seats back, and you gain a few inches when they are slid forward.
Very colour dependant car though, and the facelift looked much better imho. Still no looker though.
We've got a first-gen 5GT 530d.
The boot space is quite a bit less than a Touring, although you can make it a bit larger by releasing the bulkhead catches. It is a big heavy thing and somewhat boat-like in handling, so you won't be "hustling it through the bends". It's also very long, so can be a bit painful in cramped car parks.
On the plus side, it's roomy and nice inside with some good comfort features even on a fairly basic spec (reclining rear seats, 4 zone climate), and I think it makes a decent family barge, as long as you can live with the negatives. The later versions are nicer looking than the original ones, although that's not saying much !
Oh, and I'd recommend 18s for comfort. Ours came with 20in wheels, two of them cracked so I replaced the lot, and I like it much better with the smaller wheels.
The boot space is quite a bit less than a Touring, although you can make it a bit larger by releasing the bulkhead catches. It is a big heavy thing and somewhat boat-like in handling, so you won't be "hustling it through the bends". It's also very long, so can be a bit painful in cramped car parks.
On the plus side, it's roomy and nice inside with some good comfort features even on a fairly basic spec (reclining rear seats, 4 zone climate), and I think it makes a decent family barge, as long as you can live with the negatives. The later versions are nicer looking than the original ones, although that's not saying much !
Oh, and I'd recommend 18s for comfort. Ours came with 20in wheels, two of them cracked so I replaced the lot, and I like it much better with the smaller wheels.
Edited by outnumbered on Friday 14th December 13:01
Thanks for all the feedback everyone,
Having looked into it more since my first post I've come to my senses and realised the 530d would be by far the most sensible choice, generally the ones I'm looking at are on around a 10 plate with around 50k miles on average.
I'm not overly concerned about pin sharp handling as I drive an Mk2 MX5 for fun days and track days so really I want a big comfy cruiser for the daily commute and family trips.
Having looked into it more since my first post I've come to my senses and realised the 530d would be by far the most sensible choice, generally the ones I'm looking at are on around a 10 plate with around 50k miles on average.
I'm not overly concerned about pin sharp handling as I drive an Mk2 MX5 for fun days and track days so really I want a big comfy cruiser for the daily commute and family trips.
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