Used A6 or 5 series?

PGE1970

Hi all,

I'm currently driving a 3 series e90 and looking to change.

I'm considering moving up to a 520D or Audi A6. I'm inclined towards a SE spec as I hear that the m-sport and s-line can be a hard drive. I'm also inclined towards auto over manual for these models?

For my budget, it seems a choice of a 13 reg 5 series or a 14 reg A6. Both would be imported from UK and fully specced (I brought my last two in from UK).

Any thoughts or suggestions? Does the 13 reg 5 series have the N47 engine?

Any issues with A6 to look out for?

Also, whilst I like the E-class or the Skoda Superb, I think it will be either the BMW or Audi.

Many thanks,

pge

bazz26

Yes a 2013 520d will have the N47 engine as the newer B47 engine didn't come in until mid 2014. Audi A6 2.0 TDI will have the multitronic CVT box which is not a patch on the 520d's ZF automatic gearbox. In order to get the better S-tronic box in the A6 you would need to go for the 3.0 TDi Quattro. Is a 530d/A6 3.0TDi Quattro an option since your going to the UK?

I'd also test drive a M Sport/S-Line as well as a SE of both, yes the suspension is stiffer on the M Sport/S-Line but they are still comfortable cruisers.

selectamatic

Another to consider could be a 6 cylinder diesel e60 5 series they have the m57 series of engines which are pretty reliable and don't have the timing chain issue but 2010 is the last of them. The late model e60 520d has the n47 engine.
F10/f11 5 series have either n47 4 cylinder or n57 6 cylinder diesels.

For me it'd have to be msport I never found the ride much harsher and the handling and interior spec is very good stronger resale value over non msport specs.

Really like the look of them a6's too so it's really down to your personal preferences get a test drive in a few possible candidates and youll be able to choose the right car for you

PGE1970

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes a 2013 520d will have the N47 engine as the newer B47 engine didn't come in until mid 2014. Audi A6 2.0 TDI will have the multitronic CVT box which is not a patch on the 520d's ZF automatic gearbox. In order to get the better S-tronic box in the A6 you would need to go for the 3.0 TDi Quattro. Is a 530d/A6 3.0TDi Quattro an option since your going to the UK?

I'd also test drive a M Sport/S-Line as well as a SE of both, yes the suspension is stiffer on the M Sport/S-Line but they are still comfortable cruisers.

I'd love the 530 or 3.0 quattro - not too sure if budget will allow though. Must look further (and present suitable arguement to my better half!!).

bazz26

Jaguar XF might be worth looking at too, same auto gearbox as in the 5 Series.

Harcrid

Having the same dilemma myself between 5 series and A6. Want to go auto, but the Audi autos don't have the best reliability record from what I can see and then the 5 series has potential timing chain issues. Might have to for one with a dealer warranty for the first time in a while!

Summer wind

I've owned both and if it was me I'd go with the BMW. Definitely go auto.

PGE1970

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes a 2013 520d will have the N47 engine as the newer B47 engine didn't come in until mid 2014. Audi A6 2.0 TDI will have the multitronic CVT box which is not a patch on the 520d's ZF automatic gearbox. In order to get the better S-tronic box in the A6 you would need to go for the 3.0 TDi Quattro. Is a 530d/A6 3.0TDi Quattro an option since your going to the UK?

I'd also test drive a M Sport/S-Line as well as a SE of both, yes the suspension is stiffer on the M Sport/S-Line but they are still comfortable cruisers.

Bazz,

Is there any way of checking in advance what engine is in the 5 series? Date of first registration isn't necessarily an indication of when the car is built.

Cheers!

bazz26

All F1x 520d had N47 engines up to about June 2014 when they switched to the newer B47 engine. The car's build date should be stamped on a plate located on the inside of the bonnet.

One thing to note is that if your looking at 2013 examples, the F1x got a facelift in mid 2013. Easiest way to tell the facelift model is that the side indicators are in the door mirrors and they came with xenon headlights are standard.

You can also check the build date by putting in the last 6 digits of the car's VIN here: https://www.bmwvin.com

bbari

Where in the car I can see whether is it N47 or B47 ? I have 142 M Sport and can look at it for you...

bazz26

Engine covers are the most noticeable difference:

BMW N47:


BMW B47:


Also have a look at your logbook. The engine code should be listed there. Engine code should have either N47xxx or B47xxx in it. N47 is 184bhp while B47 is 190bhp.

bbari

VIN or Chasis number starts with WBA. IIRC mine is 190bhp. Here's engine pic, opened the hood 1st time!

PGE1970

@Bbari

How do you find the car? Good power? Any issues?

bazz26

I had a 2011 F10 520d SE auto with the N47 engine and now have a 2014 F10 520d M Sport auto with the B47 engine. The B47 engine is more refined and is a bit more responsive but the F10 is still a big heavy car so it's not going to win a traffic light grand prix. In saying that it can move when plant your foot. Fuel economy is around the same from both.

bbari

PGE1970 wrote: »

@Bbari

How do you find the car? Good power? Any issues?

I agree with the above post of Bazz. I have it from new and I LOVE it! Economy wise I get 15KM/L in city. I have driven new CLS and new A6 recently and I prefer 5 over the both.

Blazer

Definitely go for the M-sport in the F-10..
Also try and get a late 2012/2013 model at least.
The software on the 2010-2012 is the CIC software which was replaced by NBT in late 2012. This version has lots of nice things like bluetooth streaming, bmw app support, connected drive etc that the 2010-2012 models don't have even the owners ponied up for the professional nav which is extremely limited.
Also go auto..the auto box in the F10 is fantastic.
My previous car was a e60 525D 3litre which had the 6 speed auto.
my current car is F10 525D 3 litre which has the 8 speed and it's miles ahead of the previous autobox.

Anatom

The clincher for you should be that the Audi has indicators that work...

bbari

Blazer wrote: »

Definitely go for the M-sport in the F-10..
Also try and get a late 2012/2013 model at least.
The software on the 2010-2012 is the CIC software which was replaced by NBT in late 2012. This version has lots of nice things like bluetooth streaming, bmw app support, connected drive etc that the 2010-2012 models don't have even the owners ponied up for the professional nav which is extremely limited.
Also go auto..the auto box in the F10 is fantastic.
My previous car was a e60 525D 3litre which had the 6 speed auto.
my current car is F10 525D 3 litre which has the 8 speed and it's miles ahead of the previous autobox.

Totally agree. I'd go for the 131 which is LCI model with xenon lights.

PGE1970

Anatom wrote: »

The clincher for you should be that the Audi has indicators that work...

I see what you did there

Some of us BMW drivers do actually indicate!

Theboinkmaster

Wouldn't buy an f10 unless it was an msport tbh - test drive it, I don't find it firm at all.

R.O.R

bbari wrote: »

Totally agree. I'd go for the 131 which is LCI model with xenon lights.

It's 132 when the LCI came through with Nav/Xenons and M-Sport front wing badges.

There were a fair few M-Sports sold with M-Sport suspension deleted, so you get the appearance, but without the harsh ride. Does sit a little higher but that's only noticeable when parked next to an M-Sport suspension equipped car.

Harcrid

R.O.R. Just the man! I'm assuming you have seen a few Audis with Multi and S tronic boxes in your fleet. What's been your experience of them reliability wise? Any horror stories?

R.O.R

Harcrid wrote: »

R.O.R. Just the man! I'm assuming you have seen a few Audis with Multi and S tronic boxes in your fleet. What's been your experience of them reliability wise? Any horror stories?

Only 1 failure in recent past that I can remember and that turned in to a horror story as the transmission failed on an A6 3.0tdi fwd Multitronic, in Northern Ireland, on the main road to Dublin, about 30 minutes before the Queen was due to pass there.

Meant the driver was kept company by the PSNI for a while as they couldn't move him on.

Apart from that I don't think we've had issues with either of the Audi gearboxes or the BMW ones.