Is This a Crazy Idea?

hiscan

My wife drives an 07 Audi A4 S Line 1.9 TDI,now I don't drive it much as I find it a bit cramped in the front(I'm 6' 1") what I was thinking of doing was changing it for a 06 BMW 520D or an Audi A6.
My question really is,as the finance is now cleared on the Audi,would I be better off going back a year or two for a bigger car or take out a small loan and go up in the years a bit?
Also any opinions on the BMW and the A6 would be appreciated.

Eric Cartman

what kind of mileage do you do ? something bigger than a 2 litre daysel is the order of the day unless your doing rep miles . you might not have to go back in years if you go petrol, the whole country seems to be afraid of it at the moment and are switching to diesel for no reason

hiscan

There's 94k on the Audi so I make that around 25k a year

mathepac

I found and drove a 08 520D MSport ex-lease import at the weekend, full leather interior, F&R parking sensors, sat nav, cruise, beautiful chrome alloys, MSport body-kit, the works basically, with 87k miles, full dealer service history, full documentation, etc.

If you're interested (the car is with a dealer in Galway to be VRT'd & registered) I can pm you contact details. He may do a px depending on your own yoke.

Eric Cartman

hiscan wrote: »

There's 94k on the Audi so I make that around 25k a year

25000 kilometers is not much for a year, Id go for a larger petrol engine, the tax is a bit of a bitch but youd save a lot in the purchase and maintenence versus a diesel

Biglad

mathepac wrote: »

I found and drove a 08 520D MSport ex-lease import at the weekend, full leather interior, F&R parking sensors, sat nav, cruise, beautiful chrome alloys, MSport body-kit, the works basically, with 87k miles, full dealer service history, full documentation, etc.

If you're interested (the car is with a dealer in Galway to be VRT'd & registered) I can pm you contact details. He may do a px depending on your own yoke.

Lovely machines, mate has an '08 one, touring, just found the suspension very stiff in combination with the poor roads around here. Otherwise they are a fine piece of kit. Worth considdering for OP.

L-M

I'd stick with the diesel, the larger petrols are bigger on tax, consumption and pretty much everything else (incl. depriciation).

Also, if you put a few bob towards it and come up to 08 520d you'll be able to avail of the cheaper tax!

J77

I agree, throw a bit of cash with it and go up to an 08 520d. Because it's lower to tax it'll have slightly better residuals aswell, therefore better investment.

marc1

I test drove a 520d and a 530d over the weekend. 2006 and 2007. I was not impressed.

I drive a Golf and I felt like I have more room in the Golf! You might want to make sure that you are happy with the space in the BMW. The steering wheel is not fully adjustable - just up an down from what I could see (or maybe I didn't find the right button?).

The 520 also felt a little sluggish compares to the Golf (petrol, 140 BHP). 530d was very strong and made a lovely noise, but the tax on that is ridiculous.

E39MSport

marc1 wrote: »

I test drove a 520d and a 530d over the weekend. 2006 and 2007. I was not impressed.

I drive a Golf and I felt like I have more room in the Golf! You might want to make sure that you are happy with the space in the BMW. The steering wheel is not fully adjustable - just up an down from what I could see (or maybe I didn't find the right button?).

The 520 also felt a little sluggish compares to the Golf (petrol, 140 BHP). 530d was very strong and made a lovely noise, but the tax on that is ridiculous.

Given the above, what were youu not impressed with relative to your Golf? Steering wheel and 'impression' of roominess?
The M57 espcially is an awesome machine. The 520 is reported to be very good also.

marc1

Sorry, don't get me wrong, I was impressed with the 530d. Very much so. I just can't afford it.

I thought the 520d felt really heavy and was hard to move, didn't feel nimble. I believe the engines were changed in 2007 or 2008, so maybe those extra few horsepower changed things. Of course it can't be compared to the Golf in terms of luxury, the interior is top class. And I think they are gorgeous, I just did't enjoy driving it. I was ready to buy it... but then didn't.

I know I am going against what nearly all commentators say, but that is my personal opinion.

hiscan

Thanks for the replies so far.The majority of you are going for the 08 BMW,nobody for the A6 yet.
My thinking behind going down in the years was as the car is paid for I wouldn't have to refinance to change but ye think it would be better to back it the few quid and go up a year (hence my title about the crazy idea)
I suppose the best thing I could do is test drive one and see,beleive it or not I've never sat in a BMW 520,just that they look massive from the outside and are a very classy looking car.

L-M

hiscan wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far.The majority of you are going for the 08 BMW,nobody for the A6 yet.
My thinking behind going down in the years was as the car is paid for I wouldn't have to refinance to change but ye think it would be better to back it the few quid and go up a year (hence my title about the crazy idea)
I suppose the best thing I could do is test drive one and see,beleive it or not I've never sat in a BMW 520,just that they look massive from the outside and are a very classy looking car.

The only reason I wouldn't go near an A6 is because the facelifted model is ten times nicer! But that's on the 2010 models only IIRC.

marc1 wrote: »

didn't feel nimble.

I wouldn't expect a diesel saloon to be as nimble as a turbo petrol Golf in anyway, chawke and cheese!

Wildly Boaring

hiscan wrote: »

My wife drives an 07 Audi A4 S Line 1.9 TDI,now I don't drive it much as I find it a bit cramped in the front(I'm 6' 1") what I was thinking of doing was changing it for a 06 BMW 520D or an Audi A6.

Is this the only reason you want to change your wife's car?

Must be a tall 6'1".

Eoin

I was just thinking that - is the A4 really that cramped?

Wildly Boaring

Well I'm 6 3 and have found some cars/vans cramped....Caddy, Civic, Santa Fe and thing the size of a shoe box, but I drove an A4 quite happily for a year and a half

dodzy

eoin wrote: »

I was just thinking that - is the A4 really that cramped?

Nope. Make sure that the seat is at its lower height setting. 'Er indoors may have it maxed out thus burying your scalp in the headcloth

opinion guy

Seriously not buying the 6'1" thing either. Being that height myself and always finding audi's to have buckets of space.

Come on OP.....you can say it....you just want a BWM.......:D

R.O.R

First thing I do when I get in a car is put the seat on to the lowest setting.

Only car I've ever had to adjust up again is a 5 Series M-Sport (SE's don't seem to go as low), so there should be plenty of headroom.

Tea 1000

It's amazing the different people's perspective and sense of space here. Some 6'3" guys finding room where 6'1" guys can't and vice versa, and some finding Golf's more spacious than a 5-series. I must say, every time I sit in a Golf I find them cramped and very narrow around the knee space area. I find 5-series's to be big cars, loads of room in every dimension. The A4 isn't a big car, but driver space is OK. I'm under 6' though.

SpannerMonkey

well i know where your coming from OP im 6ft 5 and used to drive a 3 series bmw about the same size as an A4 and i found it quite small i took a part ex of a bmw 5 series when i sold it and i found it very roomy and lovely to drive i would say get the 520d its the perfect compromise between size, economy ant running costs , as for an audi A6 i have a loan of a 2006 Audi A6 3.0TDI Quattro at the moment and it is also a very nice car the quattro is very secure in the bad roads but my god its a very agricultural engine very very noisy when cold and doesnt feel as fast as a 3 litre diesel should , having said that the interior is very roomy the ride is good and the interion is nicely appointed but i would still prefer the 5 series purely because its a much nicer car to drive , quiter more refined and more powerful engine, and looks better imho,
and i wouldnt say you were mad , no point having a car you dont fit in , or dont like, as said if your looking for a bargain get a petrol , if your going newer than 2008 it has to be diesel for the tax

hiscan

mathepac wrote: »

I found and drove a 08 520D MSport ex-lease import at the weekend, full leather interior, F&R parking sensors, sat nav, cruise, beautiful chrome alloys, MSport body-kit, the works basically, with 87k miles, full dealer service history, full documentation, etc.

If you're interested (the car is with a dealer in Galway to be VRT'd & registered) I can pm you contact details. He may do a px depending on your own yoke.

I went up and had a look at that one today and all I can say is that it's a superb car,first time I've ever sat in one and they are every bit as good inside as they look from the outside.It will be down to price with it as he wants to see the trade in first but he said he would take it.
Cheers for the heads up

scanlone wrote: »

Is this the only reason you want to change your wife's car?

Must be a tall 6'1".

dodzy wrote: »

Nope. Make sure that the seat is at its lower height setting. 'Er indoors may have it maxed out thus burying your scalp in the headcloth

opinion guy wrote: »

Seriously not buying the 6'1" thing either. Being that height myself and always finding audi's to have buckets of space.

Come on OP.....you can say it....you just want a BWM.......:D

I'm serious and don't mention when there is someone in the back I could steer it with my knees,but having said that after seeing the BMW today I wouldn't need much persuading either way:D

hiscan

Just to add,leaving the reason for changing aside:)would you go the extra money to go up in the years or change for a similar year or older for less money?

http://woodlandmotorco.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201050200552350

This is the one I saw today

L-M

hiscan wrote: »

Just to add,leaving the reason for changing aside:)would you go the extra money to go up in the years or change for a similar year or older for less money?

For me I'd be as happy (probably happier, depending on changes and faults being ironed out) in buying a 05 520d over a 08. It really depends on how much you would save and if you could get a low mileage, genuine car.

hiscan

Limerick man wrote: »

For me I'd be as happy (probably happier, depending on changes and faults being ironed out) in buying a 05 520d over a 08. It really depends on how much you would save and if you could get a low mileage, genuine car.

The only difference I'm getting so far is the road tax,I think the 05 and the 08 look very much the same to the ordinary person that's why I'm wondering is it madness spending the extra money on an 08?

L-M

hiscan wrote: »

The only difference I'm getting so far is the road tax,I think the 05 and the 08 look very much the same to the ordinary person that's why I'm wondering is it madness spending the extra money on an 08?

Yes, it's absolute madness. I could explain why, but it would take me too long.

eljono

@ OP

Just took a look at the ad for the blue '08 and one thing that struck me is that it is riding on 19" alloys. Don't forget to take into account the cost of replacing 19" tyres. Just out of curiosity, what was the ride like and did you drive it on country roads?

Andrew42

opinion guy wrote: »

Seriously not buying the 6'1" thing either. Being that height myself and always finding audi's to have buckets of space.

Come on OP.....you can say it....you just want a BWM.......:D

Maybe it all depends on whether OP is long in the leg or tall in the torso, might just be a comfort thing. Also, I know if I move my seat/backrest for any reason it can take a day or two to fine tune the seat again to my exact comfort so if a car is being shared by two people it's likely you'll never get it exactly as you want it (unless you're lucky enough to have lecky seats with memory buttons!:D).

hiscan

eljono wrote: »

@ OP

Just took a look at the ad for the blue '08 and one thing that struck me is that it is riding on 19" alloys. Don't forget to take into account the cost of replacing 19" tyres. Just out of curiosity, what was the ride like and did you drive it on country roads?

I didn't drive it,I have to go up to him again on Saturday as I didn't have the car with me today.
How much roughly would it be for them tyres?

Edit: Quick Google search and they are coming in around the 200 Euro mark,tyres for the Audi at present are costing 150

gondorff

hiscan wrote: »

would I be better off going back a year or two for a bigger car

This. People are too anal about having the latest year on their numberplate.

I own an A6 Avant and I'm 6"3'. Very spacious indeed - not just for legroom but also width-wise.

Test drive one if you can.

hiscan

gondorff wrote: »

This. People are too anal about having the latest year on their numberplate.

I own an A6 Avant and I'm 6"3'. Very spacious indeed - not just for legroom but also width-wise.

Test drive one if you can.

I don't mind the number plate,just wondering would I be going backways by doing this now for when I want to trade in the future.

-Corkie-

The Avant is a beautiful car. They hold there value over the saloon as a good example is scace in comparison to the saloon.