New 2013 BMW 520d m-sport or Audi A5 S-line?

sReq | uTeK

Pretty much as the title says.. What would you prefer and why?
A new 520d or a new 4-door A5.
Any advice from those with experience of these cars would be appreciated.
Any faults etc.....

Cheers

sReq | uTeK

OSI wrote: »

A5 is gonna feel a lot smaller than the 5 Series.

Yea I know... Have taken both for test-drive. Both nice cars... Very different... Both pros and cons to each....

blingrhino

the dogs in the street now are nearly all driving 520 d s at the moment !
but it is a brillant car if bought with the auto box.

The audi might be more unique as you dont see many of them about in 4 door format but they do look great in white.

Woodie321

blingrhino wrote: »

the dogs in the street now are nearly all driving 520 d s at the moment !
but it is a brillant car if bought with the auto box.

The audi might be more unique as you dont see many of them about in 4 door format but they do look great in white.

Yea thats kinda what im thinking... Everyone seems to have a 520d.. But it is a nice big comfortable car! Just think the Audi looks cooler... lol. you can spec the audi up quite nicely aswell for the same price as the bmw. Would be getting an auto box definitely in either.

sReq | uTeK

Anyone know of any faults with either of the newer models?

sReq | uTeK

OSI wrote: »

If you go for the Audi, just make sure you get the S-Tronic box and not the Multitronic.

why is this???

sReq | uTeK

OSI wrote: »

The S-Tronic is the newer dual clutch semi-automatic gear box that VAG have developed and is widely regarded as one of the, if not the, best automatic gearboxes out there. The Multitronic however is a CVT style auto, that while smooth, sucks ass in pretty much every other regard.

Just compared prices on the stronic and the multitronic there... s-tronic seems to be cheaper.. which would be a bonus!

Anyways.... any more comparisons between the bmw and audi would be great! thanks!

U.P.O.

I've driven both extensively. I own an A5 S-Line and my dad has a 520d.

Like you said, they are very different cars. (My A5 is a petrol model too so that'll add to the big difference)

For me, A5 looks much better, more fun to drive, feels lighter and more nimble (will have some to do with petrol v diesel) and isnt as common.

520d, bigger, heavier, more comfortable, better motorway cruiser, better family car.

Very different cars. But you know that from your test drive.

For me, id take the A5 all day for where i am now in my life. If i had a family i'd take the BMW though for the extra space and comfort (actually id probably take a Jaguar XF if i was going down the big 4 door diesel route)

carsfan

My understanding was that if you are buying a 2.0 diesel in the Audi, the only auto available is the multitronic. I thought s tronic only for the 3.0 tdi or the 2.0 petrol?

bazz26

Is the Jaguar XF an option if you want something a bit rare?

dar83

OSI wrote: »

Ugh.. You're right, the S-Tronic is only on the 2.0 TFSI on the A5 for some crap reason.

Sounds like a win-win to me in that case.

carsfan

I have a 520D and think it is a great all round car but would agree that they appear to be everywhere!
The A5 is certainly a beautiful looking car but I have heard that the handling and ride is not great, especially on bigger wheels.
Re. the auto gearbox, I had an A4 with a multitronic box that I sold at 3 years old and within a few weeks the gearbox went kaput while somebody took it on a test drive from the garage that had it. I believe they are known to give trouble.

BTW are you being offered good deals for the new year from the Audi and BMW dealers? I see that Audi are already pushing 2013 with their Future Now offers.

ghogie91

Jealousy that you have the decision which one you prefer... fml

sReq | uTeK

carsfan wrote: »

I have a 520D and think it is a great all round car but would agree that they appear to be everywhere!
The A5 is certainly a beautiful looking car but I have heard that the handling and ride is not great, especially on bigger wheels.
Re. the auto gearbox, I had an A4 with a multitronic box that I sold at 3 years old and within a few weeks the gearbox went kaput while somebody took it on a test drive from the garage that had it. I believe they are known to give trouble.

BTW are you being offered good deals for the new year from the Audi and BMW dealers? I see that Audi are already pushing 2013 with their Future Now offers.

Thanks for that carsfan. Cant believe the gearbox went after only 3 years!! Yea Audi mentioned that future now offer... The prices seem to be quite quite competitive if im honest.

However, after pricing up the 2 cars they are coming in at roughly the same price. The 520d has most of the things i want as standard. the audi a5 is coming up as the same price as the bmw once I spec it up to the same standard as the bmw.... eg. add leather seats, electric seats, auto, 19 inch alloys etc. just need to decide now. Over the years bmw seem to have many faults with their engines... eg.. coils going on the 320i and timing chain on the 520ds... I like bmw... just not sure if I want to go with them when there are so many known problems...... But i spose all cars have their faults....

Tea 1000

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Thanks for that carsfan. Cant believe the gearbox went after only 3 years!! Yea Audi mentioned that future now offer... The prices seem to be quite quite competitive if im honest.

However, after pricing up the 2 cars they are coming in at roughly the same price. The 520d has most of the things i want as standard. the audi a5 is coming up as the same price as the bmw once I spec it up to the same standard as the bmw.... eg. add leather seats, electric seats, auto, 19 inch alloys etc. just need to decide now. Over the years bmw seem to have many faults with their engines... eg.. coils going on the 320i and timing chain on the 520ds... I like bmw... just not sure if I want to go with them when there are so many known problems...... But i spose all cars have their faults....

BMW are much more reliable than Audi these days, Audi's give plenty of hassle, especially with the auto boxes. How about the new 3-series with a few extras? Best chassis in that class of car for the money, excellent engine, and you'd get a few extra's, one of which I'd add is the M-Sport seats, the standard ones are the weakest aspect of the car.
That or wait for the new Jag X-Type next year!

carsfan

My experience would make me tend to agree with Tea 1000.
My BMW has been trouble free since new where as I have had 2 Audi A4 and 1 Audi A6 all of which had to go in for bits and pieces pretty much all under warranty while I owned them. Nothing that ever caused them to break down but all inconvenient.
I think the BMW is a nicer car to drive too, just a bit common as OP has pointed out.

Eric Cartman

OSI wrote: »

Ugh.. You're right, the S-Tronic is only on the 2.0 TFSI on the A5 for some crap reason.

because nobody willingly buying a 2 litre diesel saloon even cares about driving enough to deserve a dual clutch auto box.

R.O.R

The A5 is a looker, especially in S-Line spec, but the sportback really is just an A5 hatchback. 5 Series is fantastic value for money and the Step-Tronic box is light years ahead of the multitronic.

While there are loads of 5 Series around, there still aren't that many M-Sport's.

Glenvw

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Anyone know of any faults with either of the newer models?

I have seen a alot 08 520d coming into my job with timing chains noisey. Would be worth doing some research to see if engine is modified

sReq | uTeK

Glenvw wrote: »

I have seen a alot 08 520d coming into my job with timing chains noisey. Would be worth doing some research to see if engine is modified

Yea I have heard a bit about this alright with the 520d's. I havent really researched this problem but from what I can gather the problem seems to be remedied from 2010 onwards. anyone please correct me if im wrong... If I am wrong I would definitely like to know as this would majorly impact on me considering this model of car.....

bazz26

The timing chain issue does not effect the F10 5 Series.

PaulKK

Glenvw wrote: »

I have seen a alot 08 520d coming into my job with timing chains noisey. Would be worth doing some research to see if engine is modified

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Yea I have heard a bit about this alright with the 520d's. I havent really researched this problem but from what I can gather the problem seems to be remedied from 2010 onwards. anyone please correct me if im wrong... If I am wrong I would definitely like to know as this would majorly impact on me considering this model of car.....

Thats on the 177bhp N47, its the chain tensioner I believe and is an engine out job. Don't think the 183bhp version has the same problem.

Idbatterim

is the audi a5 now a newer one than the one launched in 07 or just a facelift?

RedorDead

carsfan wrote: »

My understanding was that if you are buying a 2.0 diesel in the Audi, the only auto available is the multitronic. I thought s tronic only for the 3.0 tdi or the 2.0 petrol?

Nope - 2.0TDI 177 can be ordered in quattro s-tronic

carsfan

Is 2.0 tdi 177 quattro s-tronic a new model as I can't find it on the Audi website? I can see it for the A4 and the A5 coupe but not for the sportback model.
I imagine it would be a nice machine as that engine is very smooth.

R.O.R

RedorDead wrote: »

Nope - 2.0TDI 177 can be ordered in quattro s-tronic

carsfan wrote: »

Is 2.0 tdi 177 quattro s-tronic a new model as I can't find it on the Audi website?
I imagine it would be a nice machine as that engine is very smooth.

Hmmm....snuck that one in under the radar without any noise.

Wasn't on the Feb 2012 product guide but is on the MY13 guide.

carsfan - http://www.audi.ie/etc/medialib/ngw/ie/product_guides_2.Par.0005.File.pdf/a5_sb_product_guidemy13.pdf gives you all the info you need on the A5.

***Edit - scratch that, 2.0Tdi S-Tronic isn't on the MY13 product guide, but is on the MY13 price list. Wonder who I'd need to notify in Audi Ireland to get this glaring error rectified :pac:

***Edit again - It's not on the MY13 price list that's on the Audi website, but is on the one my dealer sent me.

8TA0W9LS A5 Sportback 2.0TDI 177HP quattro S-Line
8TA0WYLE A5 Sportback 2.0TDI 177HP quattro S-Tronic SE
8TA0WYLS A5 Sportback 2.0TDI 177HP quattro S-Tronic S-Line

Pricing is arseways on that though

carsfan

As a matter of interest is the quattro s tronic much more expensive than multitronic without quattro?