Audi a4 vs BMW 320d

Rachel91

Looking for some advice...I'm buying another car soon, I can't decide between the Audi a4 or BMW 320d. The years I'm looking at 01-03.
I'm currently driving a 1.9 Passat. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

fmcg_scribe

Have you driven both cars?

Rachel91

I haven't driven either, but I have been inside an Audi

Moneymaker

It'll be hard to find a good example of those years. Do you really need a diesel?

I'd consider the 3-series of that era superior. Nicer place to sit with the right spec and a far better drive.

fmcg_scribe

Rachel91 wrote: »

I haven't driven either, but I have been inside an Audi

People interested in German compact executive cars tend to have strong opinions about different brands. You might not be starting from a position of bias for or against Audi or BMW but you probably should test drive a BMW 320d and an A4 2.0 TDI as soon as possible because you will have to narrow your search from brands down to individual used cars.

Once you have settled on the brand and model you want to focus on, you can review buyers guides on web and get a sense of the things you need to look for and the trim level and options that you want.

Rachel91

Moneymaker wrote: »

It'll be hard to find a good example of those years. Do you really need a diesel?

I'd consider the 3-series of that era superior. Nicer place to sit with the right spec and a far better drive.

Yea, I need a diesel for travelling to and from work

fmcg_scribe

Rachel91 wrote: »

Yea, I need a diesel for travelling to and from work

Your current car is a diesel, so you probably know the sort of issues that can arise. As you probably know, diesel starts to make sense if you are doing at least 15,000 miles per year with the caveat that you are doing long journeys on a regular basis.

Moneymaker

Rachel91 wrote: »

Yea, I need a diesel for travelling to and from work

Are you sure? I'd want to be doing 12000-15000 miles at least before considering diesel.

At that budget it'll be hard to find a good example and service and maintenance costs will come into as well.

What's wrong with the car you have now?

How much money do you have to spend exactly?

Rachel91

Moneymaker wrote: »

Are you sure? I'd want to be doing 12000-15000 miles at least before considering diesel.

At that budget it'll be hard to find a good example and service and maintenance costs will come into as well.

What's wrong with the car you have now?

How much money do you have to spend exactly?

I do about 10,000 miles travelling to and from work, I also do alot of driving during the summer so a diesel is a must for me.

My current car is on the way out and isn't worth putting money into it

I've a budget of 3,00

Rachel91

Moneymaker wrote: »

Are you sure? I'd want to be doing 12000-15000 miles at least before considering diesel.

At that budget it'll be hard to find a good example and service and maintenance costs will come into as well.

What's wrong with the car you have now?

How much money do you have to spend exactly?

I do about 10,000 miles travelling to and from work, I also do alot of driving during the summer so a diesel is a must for me.

My current car is on the way out and isn't worth putting money into it

I've a budget of 3,000

Idbatterim

bear in mind an a6 would also come with the 1.9 engine. The 5 series E39 is 2.5L minimum in diesel...

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/03-audi-a6/7507757

fmcg_scribe

Rachel91 wrote: »

I do about 10,000 miles travelling to and from work, I also do alot of driving during the summer so a diesel is a must for me.

My current car is on the way out and isn't worth putting money into it

I've a budget of 3,000

Agree with your thinking about not putting more money into your current car.

However, your budget is on the low side for what you're seeking and many would question buying a diesel if you're doing no more than, say, 12,000 miles per year. 10,000 miles per yer in a petrol car is perfectly acceptable.

veetwin

Rachel91 wrote: »

I do about 10,000 miles travelling to and from work, I also do alot of driving during the summer so a diesel is a must for me.

My current car is on the way out and isn't worth putting money into it

I've a budget of 3,00

You don't need a diesel. Especially one for €3k. As everyone has said you would need to be doing far more mileage to justify.

On the other hand there is some great value to be had in petrol cars.

This would be one suggestion;

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-318-ci-se-coupe-2dr/7292976

Far nicer than a knackered 12 year old 320d or A4 with a million miles on the clock and a dodgy turbo.

Rachel91

I've had petrol cars in the past and they have burnt a hole in my pocket. I believe I'm getting better value on a diesel.

I think the miles I travel to work and any driving I do outside of that justifies having a diesel

Moneymaker

Rachel91 wrote: »

I've had petrol cars in the past and they have burnt a hole in my pocket. I believe I'm getting better value on a diesel.

I think the miles I travel to work and any driving I do outside of that justifies having a diesel

You asked for advice. You've been advised to consider a petrol. I believe it's worth considering. I'd rather spend 3000 on a well specced Corolla at your mileage. That's about as trouble free motoring as you can find and pretty respectable mpg too.

If you find a good condition 320d for 3k(unlikely but not impossible) and you're dead set on it, then go for it. But don't totally discount a petrol.

Check the bangernomics thread. Bargains(for less then 2k) pop up all the time. Both diesel and petrol.

Rachel91

Moneymaker wrote: »

You asked for advice. You've been advised to consider a petrol. I believe it's worth considering. I'd rather spend 3000 on a well specced Corolla at your mileage. That's about as trouble free motoring as you can find and pretty respectable mpg too.

If you find a good condition 320d for 3k(unlikely but not impossible) and you're dead set on it, then go for it. But don't totally discount a petrol.

Check the bangernomics thread. Bargains(for less then 2k) pop up all the time. Both diesel and petrol.

Yes I asked for advice, on a Audi and bmw not whether to buy a petrol or diesel. Like I said ive had petrol cars in the past and they didn't work out. Me and my partner had worked out before we swapped over to diesel which would benefit us more.

I do appreciate everyone's opinion