5 series vs passat cc

Sean Quagmire

Probably been asked a few times on here.

Have narrowed it down to a 5 series or a Passat cc.

Whats putting me off the 5 is the maintenance costs - run flat tyres, interval servicing, expensive break and fix. Am I being unreasonable, would the cc be a cheaper to own in that regard?

Bob Flanagan did a review on his youtube of the cc and couldn't praise it enough.

links to 2 models I have in mind.

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1442799&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D2241%26d%3D20000%26e%3D25000%26g%3D0%26z%3D8

http://www.crsubaru.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=1467729&r=

veetwin

I had a 520d for 6 years and having previously owned VAG cars I wouldn't say the BMW was any more expensive to run. I would get rid of the run flats though as its transforms the car into a much nicer, smoother and quieter machine.

The cc is a fine motor also and I would have no problem in buying one. I just wouldn't expect it to be much cheaper to run than the BMW.

bazz26

I've owned both for about 2 years each so my experience is of the two examples I had.

Two very different cars but running costs are not overly different between the two. The CC being lighter returned better mpg and engine feels torquier. The 5 Series was the more reliable of the two for me though, never gave me any problems whereas the CC needed a new gearbox, flywheel and clutch (which VW payed for under warranty).

Tyres will be pricy for both of those cars (decent mid range 18" tyres on the CC will still set you back north of €120 as they are not a very common size). 5 Series tyres will be similar in the smaller 17" if you stick with run flats.

Servicing prices from a main dealer for the 5 Series was an oil service and brake fluid change @ €240 whereas oil service and fuel filter from VW dealer was around €230. You will probably do better from a good indy. You would be correct though in saying that if something big went wrong with the 5 Series it would cost more to fix or replace in the same way an Audi A6 would. So overall there wasn't a huge difference in the overall running costs of either for me.

Of the two you linked to though I go with the CC, it's higher spec, has 30k less miles and a year younger. A DSG would be nicer though imo.

Sean Quagmire

Thanks lads very helpful.
Suppose it's possible to end up with a lemon with either car.
will test drive both and see which one draws me in.

Blazer

automatics beamers are very nice too..forgot what the purists say..for city and motorway automatics are the way to go..really miss mine from my last car (e60 525d).

macjohn

The cc claims to be high spec (not well up on them ) but the 520 linked is standard intro car with no extra spec other than the intro auto box so are you comparing like with like?

Edit: The xenons didn't come as standard on that model 520 and the halogen are known to be only ok on country roads so check that if you likely to be driving country roads.

Like Bazz between those two particular cars I would go CC as better spec, newer lower mileage.
Reasonably nice 2011 520 are there from around 23,500 to 26 if you can strectch the budget and like the BMW better after the test drives

veetwin

Agree on the lights of the E60. The standard headlights are rubbish. The car I have now has xenons and its like night and day (pun intended)

ofcork

The cc is alot rarer than the 5 too which are everywhere.

gallag

I have a 2015 520d and I can certainly say it pretty expensive to run, 40,000 miles will be it's third service, and tyres are £140 (sterling) a pop. The 8 speed auto is nice though and it's pretty comfortable to drive, the main thing is not to believe the manufacturer MPG figures, I get between 38-42MPG on average which is nowhere near the 60 odd as advertised, but the government believes it's super fuel efficient so up here in N.I it's only £20 per year to tax for 190bhp motor which is pretty fantastic.

Theboinkmaster

I have a f11 520d m sport and couldn't fault it, running costs are same as Passat I'd say once you avoid main dealer.

Just test drive both and see which you prefer, I'd only get auto in the 5 series as well as m sport and see if you can get decent spec as no premium on second hand market they just sell quicker - pro nav system would be a must for me, privacy glass is nice and obviously xenons.

macjohn

gallag wrote: »

I have a 2015 520d and I can certainly say it pretty expensive to run, 40,000 miles will be it's third service, and tyres are £140 (sterling) a pop. The 8 speed auto is nice though and it's pretty comfortable to drive, the main thing is not to believe the manufacturer MPG figures, I get between 38-42MPG on average which is nowhere near the 60 odd as advertised, but the government believes it's super fuel efficient so up here in N.I it's only £20 per year to tax for 190bhp motor which is pretty fantastic.

The service pack makes the cost of servicing very manageable - I reckon its a must have.
Mpg sounds poor - On a 2010 F10 the lowest I was getting around town was 46/47 mpg, better on motorway driving. But reckon the cruise control gives a little worse mpg.

bazz26

gallag wrote: »

I have a 2015 520d and I can certainly say it pretty expensive to run, 40,000 miles will be it's third service, and tyres are £140 (sterling) a pop. The 8 speed auto is nice though and it's pretty comfortable to drive, the main thing is not to believe the manufacturer MPG figures, I get between 38-42MPG on average which is nowhere near the 60 odd as advertised, but the government believes it's super fuel efficient so up here in N.I it's only £20 per year to tax for 190bhp motor which is pretty fantastic.

What are you comparing it with? The 5 Series is a big heavy car, a 2.0 litre engine is just about adequate in it so it's not going to return anywhere near the claimed official 60mpg. If you want those sort of figures then something like a Prius or Golf would have been a more suitable buy than a medium sized executive car.

Tyres again are expensive for the 5 Series as they are run flats and paying £140 for a tyre suggests they are sitting on large wheels so the cost of replacing these tyres should have been researched at time of purchase. At the end of the day the 5 Series is a 45k-50k car so it is never going to be run on a shoestring budget.

Regarding servicing, as I said servicing was not a huge amount more on the 5 Series for me over the Passat CC.