Audi A6 vs VW Passat CC vs BMW 520D

Craven Lodge

Folks
Trading in an 08 320D Edition MSport that I imported from the North. Has 38,000mi

Looking at purchasing one of the below
A6 140 Bhp TDi, leather interior, bluetooth, Sat Nav. New imported from UK. My car +15,500

VW Passat CC: new 2.0L 170 bhp, dealer is going to put a parrot phone system in
(doesn't have leather or Sat Nav)
My car +11,000

520D SE business edition 09, imported from UK (with a main dealer in Dub), leather, sat nav, bluetooth. Has 15,000 miles on the clock.
My car +12,000

Would appreciate folks view on this. Which will have the best resale in 1 yrs time with 35,000 additional miles on it?

Big Nasty

Though I would find the 520d underpowered I reckon this would be your safest bet. Will definitely hold it's value better than the Audi and has lots more prestige than the VW. Another consideration may be what you do for a living - with that sort of mileage I am thinking sales? Would your customers rather see you pull up in an unassuming Passat, a conservative A6 or would you rather be the d**khead in the Beemer?

Don't get me wrong, I'm on my 7th BMW but that's how some people think. If it wont affect business my choice would be the 5er.

rebel.ranter

A few observations:
- The Audi is the most underpowered of the bunch. Even if it is the best looking IMO
- Are rear seats important to you? The Passat CC would have poor rear headroom I'd imagine
- That 5 Series is about to become "the old model" in about 6 weeks, would that bother you?

W.B. Yeats

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Though I would find the 520d underpowered I reckon this would be your safest bet. Will definitely hold it's value better than the Audi and has lots more prestige than the VW. Another consideration may be what you do for a living - with that sort of mileage I am thinking sales? Would your customers rather see you pull up in an unassuming Passat, a conservative A6 or would you rather be the d**khead in the Beemer?

Don't get me wrong, I'm on my 7th BMW but that's how some people think. If it wont affect business my choice would be the 5er.

It wouldn't be customers that would bother me so much as the people I work with. I'm on a car allowance whereas most of the rest are on company cars. Company cars haven't been changed last year and won't be this year. The 5 series is a Director/CEO level car which I most definitely am not. For any of them I'm not certain how it would look me having the newest car in the car park but I'll get over that.
I drove the 520 yesterday and it was nice, I also drove the A6 and it had that lovely new car feel. Also felt a bit better equipped than the 520D was even though I don't think there was actually any difference. I was in the Passat CC today and its a lovely car but doesn't have the same top spec as the others.
Is there really that much of a difference second hand between 5s and A6s? Bearing in mind in a year's time my 520D could have 50,000miles, be a UK import and have had 2 owners vs either of the other 2 that will have 35,000miles and one owner......

bazz26

The 5 Series is being replaced this year so a 2 year old "old" model from the UK will loose a substantial amount of money 12 months from now.

The A6 is not being replaced for at least another 18 months afaik but they do suffer from heavy depreciation and a UK import will be worth even less.

The Passat CC is rare enough but it has an image problem where it is just seen as a niche model of a mainstream family saloon rather than a premium car.

So to recap if you are only keeping the car for 12 months and concerned about depreciation then none of the above or any new car for that matter is suitable imo.

W.B. Yeats

rebel.ranter wrote: »

A few observations:
- The Audi is the most underpowered of the bunch. Even if it is the best looking IMO
- Are rear seats important to you? The Passat CC would have poor rear headroom I'd imagine
- That 5 Series is about to become "the old model" in about 6 weeks, would that bother you?

The old model 5 series wouldn't bother me that much- its priced to reflect that already, but it has a sort of mean feel about it even though its an SE business edition which makes no sense at all.
I didn't think the A6 was all that underpowered, my 320 has a lot of grunt so that surprised me. I liked the A6 a lot.
For me the left field choice is the Passat CC- its a handsome car and not that common and is sort of understated in a way. I also think its a bit more of a driver's car, but its spec isn't as good as the others and I spend 3 hrs a day in the car... I know the back space isn't great but there is a v decent boot in it and we only have one child. Its the cheapest to change to but it too will be old model in a few months, all the new CCs will have 3 seats in the back.

W.B. Yeats

bazz26 wrote: »

The 5 Series is being replaced this year so a 2 year old "old" model from the UK will loose a substantial amount of money 12 months from now.

The A6 is not being replaced for at least another 18 months afaik but they do suffer from heavy depreciation and a UK import will be worth even less.

The Passat CC is rare enough but it has an image problem where it is just seen as a niche model of a mainstream family saloon rather than a premium car.

So to recap if you are only keeping the car for 12 months and concerned about depreciation then none of the above or any new car for that matter is suitable imo.

Agree that an old model 520 UK import won't be a great catch for anyone looking for a trade in next year.
Don't necessarily agree re the A6 suffering as a UK import- its a new car, never registered in the UK, just sourced there, will be registered here first

What would you go for if you were me then?

-Corkie-

I think i would go with the beemer. The audis are speced very badly and the a6 is very rough to drive as it has sports suspension and i would say the passat has to as i have one. I am waiting for the cc Rline which is more sexier. The se 520 is cumfy and well speced and is quick too.

bazz26

If you are buying a brand new A6 from the UK then you are obviously getting it cheaper than buying the same car here so this in turn effects it's resale value. If you are buying it cheaper through the UK then you cannot expect to get the same money for it as an Irish model come selling time.

Regarding what to get, keeping a car for only 12 months is not doing you any favours especially in the current climate where manufactures are slashing prices off new models to shift them. If it were me I would not buy a car so new if selling it 12 months later, you will loose too much on it.

rebel.ranter

bazz26 wrote: »

If you are buying a brand new A6 from the UK then you are obviously getting it cheaper than buying the same car here so this in turn effects it's resale value. If you are buying it cheaper through the UK then you cannot expect to get the same money for it as an Irish model come selling time..

Hi Bazz I don't think I would agree with you here on the effect of sourcing new in the UK. It will never register anywhere as being a UK car no matter what Cartell/HPI/AA/Motorcheck reports are run. It will be registered in Ireland from new.

I do agree on the whole selling after a year though.

veetwin

Agree that its madness to be buying a new or nearly new car to sell in 12 months. The depreciation will be eye watering...Of all the choices I would go for the BMW also but I would try to sell my own privately and buy directly from the UK myself. The BMW dealers here are charging a huge mark-up for a car you could buy yourself from a UK BMW dealer. I'm guessing in the region of €8-10k profit for a 09 520D Bus Edt

unkel

'10 A6 for +15.5 vs '09 used 520 for +12

520 is a better car, the A6 is a bit underpowered, but for those prices it is better value for money. Trade whichever you get back in in 2 years time and the BMW will have cost you several thousand more in depreciation - at that stage the newer model will be everywhere...

alpina

As long as you don't mind a new model 5 series on the road as of March, would go for the 5 series. It's not dramatically different anyhow.

W.B. Yeats

unkel wrote: »

'10 A6 for +15.5 vs '09 used 520 for +12

520 is a better car, the A6 is a bit underpowered, but for those prices it is better value for money. Trade whichever you get back in in 2 years time and the BMW will have cost you several thousand more in depreciation - at that stage the newer model will be everywhere...

That's what I think

whiterebel

malcox wrote: »

I think i would go with the beemer. The audis are speced very badly and the a6 is very rough to drive as it has sports suspension and i would say the passat has to as i have one. I am waiting for the cc Rline which is more sexier. The se 520 is cumfy and well speced and is quick too.

What a load of horse****e.

-Chris-

Malcox has the e model which has sports suspension (thus harder ride) and lower spec. He's not wrong, his experience is different.

-Chris-

@OP

I'd immediately discount the Passat CC. I have the feeling that in a couple of years it'll be mentioned in the same breath as a Maxima, Scorpio or Camry - where a mainstream manufacturer has tried to build a "premium" car.
I don't see the residuals of the Passat CC being any better...
Also, as you say, you'll have the 4 seat version when the 5 seat version is for sale - this will cripple the potential market. The 4 seats are the biggest issue the Passat CC faces against its competition.

That leaves the 5er vs the A6.
The 5er is the better car for the sporty driver, they'll be neck-and-neck for the average commuter.
The A6 is quite a bit bigger, if you're carrying additional people or gear (golf clubs, baby buggies etc.)
The 5er is slightly quicker.
The A6 arguably has the better interior.

Being imported from the UK is more likely to affect the A6 than the BMW, BMW have broken down the "stigma" of being imported with their Sterling Collection cars.

The A6 will suffer higher depreciation by virtue of being a brand new car against a year old car. The 5 Series will be the old model in a matter of months.
I'd say they're fairly close from a depreciation point of view.


I'd pick the A6 over the 5er because I prefer Audis. Between the two of them there's probably not a hell of a lot in it, it depends which car you'd prefer to do 35,000kms in.

copacetic

good summary from chris, only thing I would disagree with is saying the 520d is slightly quicker than the A6 140. There must be over 2 secs 0-62 between them? Which is a lot, not a little. The A6 is due for a change in 2011 also, so you have to take that into account. In a year or so it'll be the 'old' model too.

-Chris-

copacetic wrote: »

good summary from chris, only thing I would disagree with is saying the 520d is slightly quicker than the A6 140. There must be over 2 secs 0-62 between them? Which is a lot, not a little. The A6 is due for a change in 2011 also, so you have to take that into account. In a year or so it'll be the 'old' model too.

There's a bit of a speed difference alright between the 5er and the A6. It's not enough that it would sway my decision, but that's personal preference.

The A6'll be released internationally (probably) in Jan '11, which means it'll be here 6 months later, and will be here with a 2.0TDI engine in Sept '11.
When the OP trades in the A6, it'll still be the current model.

copacetic

-Chris- wrote: »

There's a bit of a speed difference alright between the 5er and the A6. It's not enough that it would sway my decision, but that's personal preference.

The A6'll be released internationally (probably) in Jan '11, which means it'll be here 6 months later, and will be here with a 2.0TDI engine in Sept '11.
When the OP trades in the A6, it'll still be the current model.

but at that stage it'd be well known it was changing Chris, so it may as well be the old model. eg the current 520d is still the current model, you probably won't be able to buy a new model 520d until June. However once the new model is launched it is really the 'old model' as far as pricing goes. The same will hold for the A6 next Jan.

-Chris-

Quite probably. Hard to tell at this stage.

At the moment they've stopped building the current 5 and the new 520d won't be available till late June or early July. It's definitely the old model in 12 months time.

In 12 months the A6'll be (just about) the old model - it'll be barely released in Germany (with only the big engines), it'll be 6-9 months later before the equivalent model will be available in Ireland.

Seeing as the A6 is worth a bit less than the 5 series usually, it'll probably be much of a muchness.

Fishtits

-Chris- wrote: »

@OP

I'd immediately discount the Passat CC. I have the feeling that in a couple of years it'll be mentioned in the same breath as a Maxima, Scorpio or Camry - where a mainstream manufacturer has tried to build a "premium" car.
I don't see the residuals of the Passat CC being any better...
Also, as you say, you'll have the 4 seat version when the 5 seat version is for sale - this will cripple the potential market. The 4 seats are the biggest issue the Passat CC faces against its competition.

That leaves the 5er vs the A6.
The 5er is the better car for the sporty driver, they'll be neck-and-neck for the average commuter.
The A6 is quite a bit bigger, if you're carrying additional people or gear (golf clubs, baby buggies etc.)
The 5er is slightly quicker.
The A6 arguably has the better interior.

Being imported from the UK is more likely to affect the A6 than the BMW, BMW have broken down the "stigma" of being imported with their Sterling Collection cars.

The A6 will suffer higher depreciation by virtue of being a brand new car against a year old car. The 5 Series will be the old model in a matter of months.
I'd say they're fairly close from a depreciation point of view.


I'd pick the A6 over the 5er because I prefer Audis. Between the two of them there's probably not a hell of a lot in it, it depends which car you'd prefer to do 35,000kms in.

Good post Chris, sums it all up IMHO.

Idbatterim

let me get this straight! you are prepared to pay up to 15k to "upgrade" from an 08 to an 09 bmw?!

mickdw

Idbatterim wrote: »

let me get this straight! you are prepared to pay up to 15k to "upgrade" from an 08 to an 09 bmw?!

Crazy stuff really but its 12k and its going from a 3 series to a 5 series which imo are worlds apart.

Idbatterim

the 5 series by this time next year will be worth a hell of alot less! the new one is due out shortly. Regarding the comparisons between the 3 and 5 series, alot of people prefer the 3. Im just saying that kind of money for a marginal upgrade, that will lose a ton in depreciation over the year is very questionable, unless you have money to burn, and if you have money to burn you wouldnt be looking at a 2n hand bmw...you can buy and 01 - 02 m3 for 12k to put it into perspective!

-Chris-

I don't know if an M3 is a good choice for someone doing 35k miles per annum on a company car allowance.

bazzachazza

Idbatterim wrote: »

let me get this straight! you are prepared to pay up to 15k to "upgrade" from an 08 to an 09 bmw?!

Its not his money he is on a car allowance rather than a company car.

As this is a right now decision I would go with the A6. Brand new car rather than second hand.

5 series 8.3 to 60 versus A6 10.9 i think to 60, a good bit in the difference in acceleration.

Sure why not try the Audi then next year if you dont like it go back to BMW. Don't get the VW you will regret it.

Idbatterim

if the 0 - 60 time of the a6 is correct its pedestrian!

Matt Simis

-Chris- wrote: »

@OP
I'd immediately discount the Passat CC. I have the feeling that in a couple of years it'll be mentioned in the same breath as a Maxima, Scorpio or Camry - where a mainstream manufacturer has tried to build a "premium" car.

The Camry? Think are you miles off there. The most popular car in the US and an extremely well regarded and selling car WW. My dad had one and Taxi drivers were leaving him notes to contact them when he wanted to sell it.
When he did get around to selling it (2.5years old), it was gone within two weeks, to a Taxi driver looking to upgrade from some other Toyota. This was the 2.4l Petrol, manual, model (which incidentially gets diesel like MPG).. in Ireland.


To the OP, I think you have outlined a shockingly stupid and close-minded plan. Worrying about people thinking you have "too new" a car? Get over the reg plate game, that was 2007. Id like to think we learned something from Boom to Bust.
The fact it will cost you over twelve thousand Euro to prove how unimaginative you are is simply the icing..
If you want to change car identify a valid reason (size, performance etc) then get something in warranty but 1 to 2 years old, beat the curve.

W.B. Yeats

-Chris- wrote: »

@OP

I'd immediately discount the Passat CC. I have the feeling that in a couple of years it'll be mentioned in the same breath as a Maxima, Scorpio or Camry - where a mainstream manufacturer has tried to build a "premium" car.
I don't see the residuals of the Passat CC being any better...
Also, as you say, you'll have the 4 seat version when the 5 seat version is for sale - this will cripple the potential market. The 4 seats are the biggest issue the Passat CC faces against its competition.

That leaves the 5er vs the A6.
The 5er is the better car for the sporty driver, they'll be neck-and-neck for the average commuter.
The A6 is quite a bit bigger, if you're carrying additional people or gear (golf clubs, baby buggies etc.)
The 5er is slightly quicker.
The A6 arguably has the better interior.

Being imported from the UK is more likely to affect the A6 than the BMW, BMW have broken down the "stigma" of being imported with their Sterling Collection cars.

The A6 will suffer higher depreciation by virtue of being a brand new car against a year old car. The 5 Series will be the old model in a matter of months.
I'd say they're fairly close from a depreciation point of view.


I'd pick the A6 over the 5er because I prefer Audis. Between the two of them there's probably not a hell of a lot in it, it depends which car you'd prefer to do 35,000kms in.

That's a good post, thanks for that

-Chris-

Matt Simis wrote: »

The Camry? Think are you miles off there. The most popular car in the US and an extremely well regarded and selling car WW. My dad had one and Taxi drivers were leaving him notes to contact them when he wanted to sell it.
When he did get around to selling it (2.5years old), it was gone within two weeks, to a Taxi driver looking to upgrade from some other Toyota. This was the 2.4l Petrol, manual, model (which incidentially gets diesel like MPG).. in Ireland.

OK, maybe the Camry's in a kind of weird middle ground - worldwide it's very popular and it's a pretty well regarded car.
How much did your dad pay for it new and how much did he sell it for? How does that residual percentage compare to a BMW or Merc?

The Camry hasn't been on sale in Ireland for a while, and Toyota brought out the Lexus brand to create brand separation between their mass-market and their luxury cars.

My point really is that when a mass market brand tries to create a premium car, those cars tend not to have the same residual strength or brand image of a "thoroughbred" premium brand.
More examples that come to mind are the Opel Omega or Mazda Xedos 9.

If Toyota had brought out the LS400, or if VW had brought out the A6 under their own brands, would they have the same residual strength as they do now under Lexus and Audi?

My point is not that the Passat CC is bad value, or a bad car. I just think that if you spend €40k on a VW rather than spending €40k on a BMW or Audi, you'll suffer a higher level of depreciation.

W.B. Yeats

Interesting to see practically a different opinion from everybody on this
I'm surprised at the level of antipathy towards somebody considering buying a new car, some people like new cars and are prepared to pay a premium for them, that's life. Everybody has their own preference.
I'm well aware that moving it on next year will mean losing a chunk of depreciation but the alternative is keeping it another year and losing another chunk and so on and so on. (whether depreciation is a straight line or not is another issue)

W.B. Yeats

Matt Simis wrote: »

To the OP, I think you have outlined a shockingly stupid and close-minded plan. Worrying about people thinking you have "too new" a car? Get over the reg plate game, that was 2007. Id like to think we learned something from Boom to Bust.
The fact it will cost you over twelve thousand Euro to prove how unimaginative you are is simply the icing..
If you want to change car identify a valid reason (size, performance etc) then get something in warranty but 1 to 2 years old, beat the curve.

To paraphrase I believe that's a shockingly stupid and unhelpful post. You don't work where I do, deal with the people I do and work in the industry I work in. In recessionary times arriving into the car park in a new premium car may not be my smartest career move when the company is laying people off

galwaytt

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

To paraphrase I believe that's a shockingly stupid and unhelpful post. You don't work where I do, deal with the people I do and work in the industry I work in. In recessionary times arriving into the car park in a new premium car may not be my smartest career move when the company is laying people off

I think Matt was a bit OTT, so I'm hoping it's just his enthusiasm got the better of him.

I can make one observation, based on driving an 09 A6 2.0 occassionally. The interior is lovely, the outside is lovely, the auto 'box is fabulous, and I have no idea whether its slower/faster on paper, or the road, than a 5-series, but I still think it drives very well.

However, I have one huge problem with it, which would actually put me off it, wholesale: suspension. It is shockingly, awfully, hard. If your 35k kms p.a. is on the lovely new M6, great. If it involves anything else..........it's going to be, at the very least, uncomfortable.

I would seriously advise a (very) long test drive, over your route-to-be. If you can get a 2 or 3 day test drive, take it. If not, seriously think about renting one for a week-end and evaluating it yourself. A couple of hundred now, is far better than a few thousand, later.........

I love the look of the CC, but, no, it's going to plummet in value hugely, so it's not that it's not in the running, it's just not in the running at the money you're being asked for. Now, if they really did a deal on it, I think it's nice, and you won't put anyone's nose out of joint at work, either; you can always claim 'it's just a Passat...'

Whichever you buy, buy a high-spec one. Preferably, imho, auto and leather. You can argue about it now, but when you're selling it, if your's has a few trinkets, yours is the one that'll sell quicker than all the other std ones on the forecourts.............and it'll be nicer to be in, in the meantime !

whiterebel

Unless everyone but me is driving the e Series A6, I can't see where the hard ride talk is coming from. I have the 2.0TDI 136BHP and it is a brilliant cruiser, probably the most comfortable car I have ever driven. I go from Cork to Wexford, Dublin, Shannon etc regularly and it is a brilliant car to eat miles. Compare that to the 320D on run flats that I test drove when looking for a car, and I'd be minus fillings pretty quickly. Any BMW I've ever owned or driven has had really hard suspension.

-Corkie-

whiterebel wrote: »

What a load of horse****e.

Its not xxxxx if you spend 40k on a new a6 tomorrow you get the se model with no leather and very few other extras also has that sports suspension like my passat which is horrible on bad roads..

whiterebel

malcox wrote: »

Its not xxxxx if you spend 40k on a new a6 tomorrow you get the se model with no leather and very few other extras also has that sports suspension like my passat which is horrible on bad roads..

I spent €46K(Now 43K) on a new SE last year, and got full leather, heated seats NO sports suspension, multi function wheel, MMI, Bluetooth, voice control etc, so I think you may be mixing up your models. BTW, that SE at €46K was 2 grand cheaper than a 320D to get the same spec.

W.B. Yeats

whiterebel wrote: »

I spent €46K(Now 43K) on a new SE last year, and got full leather, heated seats NO sports suspension, multi function wheel, MMI, Bluetooth, voice control etc, so I think you may be mixing up your models. BTW, that SE at €46K was 2 grand cheaper than a 320D to get the same spec.

That's the spec I am considering
I have the 320D with run flats and it is a hard hard ride, to be honest my only complaint about the car. Its an animal and I love it.

-Corkie-

whiterebel wrote: »

I spent €46K(Now 43K) on a new SE last year, and got full leather, heated seats NO sports suspension, multi function wheel, MMI, Bluetooth, voice control etc, so I think you may be mixing up your models. BTW, that SE at €46K was 2 grand cheaper than a 320D to get the same spec.

Some of them have sports suspension for lower emmisions (150 euro tax). Thats intresting.

-Corkie-

-Chris- wrote: »

Malcox has the e model which has sports suspension (thus harder ride) and lower spec. He's not wrong, his experience is different.

Although i dont do a lot of motorway driving, its mostly regional roads and back roads. The low suspension wouldnt be an issue if you were doing all motorway driving as you would be on flat surface all the time

Matt Simis

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

To paraphrase I believe that's a shockingly stupid and unhelpful post. You don't work where I do, deal with the people I do and work in the industry I work in. In recessionary times arriving into the car park in a new premium car may not be my smartest career move when the company is laying people off

Right. I dont know where you work and you dont know where I work as you didnt state such things. I have worked in both sales and marketing if thats what you are referring to. And I climbed the corporate ladder far higher since and Ive never bought an entry level engine'd, new plate rep. mobile.

You say driving into your car park with a new car wouldnt look good.
I say going from an 08 to 09 car, same marque, same engine, is a silly and unimaginative plan, but above all a colossal waste of money, ie not good.
So we agree, albeit via different lines of thought, this is a bad plan right?

You openly admit you will be in a situation where you loose EUR12k and look bad to peers. I proport you will "look bad" to some others too, for the reasons above.

Given your choice of cars, lust for shiney new plates, comments about how you are "seen", obviously perception of others greatly affects you.
This is a perception of another and Im not going to be alone in it.

W.B. Yeats

Matt Simis wrote: »

Right. I dont know where you work and you dont know where I work as you didnt state such things. I have worked in both sales and marketing if thats what you are referring to. And I climbed the corporate ladder far higher since and Ive never bought an entry level engine'd, new plate rep. mobile.

You say driving into your car park with a new car wouldnt look good.
I say going from an 08 to 09 car, same marque, same engine, is a silly and unimaginative plan, but above all a colossal waste of money, ie not good.
So we agree, albeit via different lines of thought, this is a bad plan right?

You openly admit you will be in a situation where you loose EUR12k and look bad to peers. I proport you will "look bad" to some others too, for the reasons above.

Given your choice of cars, lust for shiney new plates, comments about how you are "seen", obviously perception of others greatly affects you.
This is a perception of another and Im not going to be alone in it.

You draw a lot of conclusions about what I want and what I am affected by from a few short posts. With that sort of insight you really shouldn't limit yourself to giving us your opinion on cars.

Its interesting how you have been the only person on this thread to drag the debate into subjective comment about another person, and what they value. I of course have foolishly engaged with you. That ends here.

I'll allow others to make their own perceptions of you from your comments

kebrosnan

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

That's the spec I am considering
I have the 320D with run flats and it is a hard hard ride, to be honest my only complaint about the car. Its an animal and I love it.

Given that you like this car so much, have you considered replacing the run flats with standard tyres and getting a spare for the boot?

I test drove a 5 series on run flats and couldn't believe how poor the ride was over slightly rough surfaces. But having done a bit of research, general consensus on different forms is to replace the run flats with normal tyres and all is good. That said, I don't run one so maybe not the most reliable source here:)

W.B. Yeats

kebrosnan wrote: »

Given that you like this car so much, have you considered replacing the run flats with standard tyres and getting a spare for the boot?

I test drove a 5 series on run flats and couldn't believe how poor the ride was over slightly rough surfaces. But having done a bit of research, general consensus on different forms is to replace the run flats with normal tyres and all is good. That said, I don't run one so maybe not the most reliable source here:)

Thanks and a good idea.

Any link?

Matt Simis

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

Its interesting how you have been the only person on this thread to drag the debate into subjective comment about another person, and what they value.

Welcome to an Internet forum. You dont get to dictate the responses you get.
But of course that goes both ways, so no need to continue our tangent.

I'll allow others to make their own perceptions of you from your comments

And they have been doing that for 11 years and counting..!

Thanks and a good idea.
Any link?

They're 3rd gen Run Flats out now that are meant to be much better allround, would allow you to keep the convienience of RFs with better ride..
Changing them to non-RF is generally straight forward, just goto a good tyre place and let them do it, but people are hearing mixed reports from BMW on warranty issues if you swap out RFs. Technically the wheel itself and suspension are setup for Run Flats. Ive been personally told it would void the warranty by a BMW garage to put on regular tyres.

I would do it if the warranty was already up however.

kebrosnan

W.B. Yeats wrote: »

Thanks and a good idea.

Any link?

Did a quick google and here are two I found for both sides:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/03/12/reasons-to-have-run-flat-tires-on-your-bmw/

http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/03/17/reasons-to-have-regular-tires-on-your-bmw-part-ii/

I don't know about the warranty piece but would definitely be interested to know as I plan on getting a 5 series later on this year.

port

520d on runflats without sports suspension = nice,comfortable ride

copacetic

Matt Simis wrote: »

They're 3rd gen Run Flats out now that are meant to be much better allround, would allow you to keep the convienience of RFs with better ride..
Changing them to non-RF is generally straight forward, just goto a good tyre place and let them do it, but people are hearing mixed reports from BMW on warranty issues if you swap out RFs. Technically the wheel itself and suspension are setup for Run Flats. Ive been personally told it would void the warranty by a BMW garage to put on regular tyres.

I would do it if the warranty was already up however.

Although 'out' is a bit of a reach, they were announced 9 months or so ago but still no actually sign of them being released here or the uk.

TJJP

port wrote: »

520d on runflats without sports suspension = nice,comfortable ride

+1 and €20 spent on four wheels balanced every now and then makes a world of difference.

The set up on these cars is sensitive so worth keeping right. I find the 520d four-pot a different animal to the straight six e39 I had before but it's still a good car. The Audi interiors are lovely but just not the car for me, I didn’t consider the VW.

As for the cost and all that, that’s your prerogative. If you can afford it why not, and remember a 2010 is a 2009 in ten months. I presume no one will give a hoot then.

Choose the spec carefully though, I picked up a 2010 520d sports business with a friend today (his car). Well loaded (nav, m-pack, leather) and all lovely but I might have pushed for the USB connection (€600) and adaptive xenon (€1,300) if it was me. Retrofitting these can cost a lot if you regret not getting them after. A set of 19” alloys and a space saver is an easier upgrade down the line, no programming required!

I can live without the adaptive cruise, lane departure and the head-up display at 30kph on Aston Quay…