2006 E60 530D vs. Audi A8 3.0 Quattro

MiketheMechanic

Folks,

looking to upgrade from a petrol E39.

How would a 2006 E60 530D compare to a 2006 Audi A8 3.0 Quattro in terms of handling, performance, reliability and real-world consumption?

Thanks, MtM

bazz26

The 7 Series is the BMW equivalent to the Audi A8, not the 5 Series so you're not comparing like with like. The A8 is a luxury executive which is bigger, heavier and more refined whereas a 5 Series would be a mid size executive similar to the Audi A6.

scannerd

Nice choices, both have pluses.

bmw - m57 engine is great, can be tuned to add power easily, expect about 7.2-7.5 lt per 100km, suspension will need refresh.

Audi - not my choice re handling / feel, but the quattro will grip, would say more risky re reliability as more complex.

_Kaiser_

A8 all the way, though as above the 5 series Audi equivalent would be the A6 (though in my view - certainly in the E60 vs 3F/C6 generations anyway, the BMW is more comparable to an A4).

Now, to be fair I'm somewhat biased as I've owned 2 A6's so far (a 05 and 2010 - both 3L Quattro diesels) but I've driven/temporarily had several E60s too and if you get yourself a spin in a nice 3.0 TDI Quattro A6, you'll see what I mean
It's a far more comfortable, spacious and nice place to be than that generation 5 series. A full tank of mostly motorway will do about 850/900km. Handling/performance are excellent and I can't say I've had any major maintenance issues beyond wear and tear - and that's even with high mileage.

Watch out for the timing chain rattle for a few seconds on startup though as it's a common - and expensive - problem to resolve on pre-facelift cars. There's also an intake manifold swirl flap issue with the pre-facelift cars that presents as a engine warning light.. also expensive to fix. That said, my 05 had both of these and drove on unaffected for nearly 2 years.

ION08

As mentioned already the A6 3.0 TDI would be the direct competitor for the 530d

In my opinion, the Audi wins hands down .. much better interior, slightly more powerful engine and, most importantly, the reassurance of Quattro to get the power down on our frequently wet roads.

I drive an A4 3.0 TDI and a friend has a 330d and the difference is vast in favour of the Audi.

Most will tell you the BMW is the purer handling machine, having driven both back to back, the BMW doesn't feel so pure and like a drivers machine when you're putting the foot down in 2nd and 3rd gear down a slip road with the ESP constantly cutting your power.

ESP interference is also very noticeable around roundabouts. Whereas in the Audi, you'd really have to be trying to misbehave to break traction.

So in my opinion, from an interior quality and drivability perspective, the Audi wins hands down.

That being said, I do believe the BMW 30d is the slightly more economical engine of the two.

MiketheMechanic

Thanks folks.

I'll take a spin in an A6 and A8 quattro 3.0 and see how I like them.

The problem with driving an E39 is that it makes everything else you sit into feel like a poor relation - unless you spend top dollar on very new metal.

_Kaiser_

MiketheMechanic wrote: »

Thanks folks.

I'll take a spin in an A6 and A8 quattro 3.0 and see how I like them.

The problem with driving an E39 is that it makes everything else you sit into feel like a poor relation - unless you spend top dollar on very new metal.

I'd have to disagree. I had a E39 530d for a few days as well and while externally they've aged very well, internally I felt it was doing the opposite.

The E60 with its love or hate em looks (I tended towards the latter although the black 525d M Sport I had for a day wasn't too bad!) and awkward control layouts and seating position, coupled with a very clunky UI and controller just did nothing for me at all. Plus it's a LOT smaller internally than the A6.

Personally the only way I can see myself changing out of an A6 at this stage would be for an A8 or maybe an E/S class.

Blazer

ION08 wrote: »

As mentioned already the A6 3.0 TDI would be the direct competitor for the 530d

In my opinion, the Audi wins hands down .. much better interior, slightly more powerful engine and, most importantly, the reassurance of Quattro to get the power down on our frequently wet roads.

I drive an A4 3.0 TDI and a friend has a 330d and the difference is vast in favour of the Audi.

Most will tell you the BMW is the purer handling machine, having driven both back to back, the BMW doesn't feel so pure and like a drivers machine when you're putting the foot down in 2nd and 3rd gear down a slip road with the ESP constantly cutting your power.

ESP interference is also very noticeable around roundabouts. Whereas in the Audi, you'd really have to be trying to misbehave to break traction.

So in my opinion, from an interior quality and drivability perspective, the Audi wins hands down.

That being said, I do believe the BMW 30d is the slightly more economical engine of the two.

from what you're saying the BMW is a purer car to drive..more power in higher gears than the audi and DTC/DSC can be disabled. Also I find people put cheapass tyres on big engined cars which is only asking for trouble. Another thing is quatro Audis are very front heavy which again takes away from driving I find.
Saying that the Audi interior is miles better than BMW I feel.

ION08

Blazer wrote: »

from what you're saying the BMW is a purer car to drive..more power in higher gears than the audi and DTC/DSC can be disabled. Also I find people put cheapass tyres on big engined cars which is only asking for trouble. Another thing is quatro Audis are very front heavy which again takes away from driving I find.
Saying that the Audi interior is miles better than BMW I feel.

It's not about being able to switch DTC on/off (it can be switched off on the Audi too) its about the DTC interfering due to loss of traction which occurs frequently and easily in the BMW. (when wet)

As regards power, the Audi 3.0 TDI is actually the slightly more powerful engine by a couple of BHP. (but also a bit heavier so I suppose it equals out)

As for tyres, there is only so much grip good tyres can give you in the wet.

My mates 330d does indeed have good rear tyres ... but level of grip still incomparable to my Quattro on 4 x Pirelli's.

Point to Point, the Audi is a much more capable, safer and confidence inspiring car to drive.

My friend and I were driving somewhere together in his 330d and my A4 3.0 TDI. Honestly, I don't drive like a loon but it was great opportunity to "compare" the two cars and it was ridiculously easy to leave him behind.

We swapped cars on the way back and I got to sample the 330d for myself. I found the constant loss of traction in the 330d very frustrating as my A4 driven by my friend pulled ahead effortlessly. (this takes away from the enjoyment much more than the slightly nose heavier Audi in my opinion)

My friends excuse was "it would be a completely different story in the Dry" ...... Yes, I'm sure it would - but we live in Ireland :P

Blazer

ION08 wrote: »

My friend and I were driving somewhere together in his 330d and my A4 3.0 TDI. Honestly, I don't drive like a loon but it was great opportunity to "compare" the two cars and it was ridiculously easy to leave him behind.

We swapped cars on the way back and I got to sample the 330d for myself. I found the constant loss of traction in the 330d very frustrating as my A4 driven by my friend pulled ahead effortlessly. (this takes away from the enjoyment much more than the slightly nose heavier Audi in my opinion)

My friends excuse was "it would be a completely different story in the Dry" ...... Yes, I'm sure it would - but we live in Ireland :P

he sounds like a pussy that should be driving a toyota not a bmw.

ION08

Blazer wrote: »

he sounds like a pussy that should be driving a toyota not a bmw.

LMAO, I'll be sure to pass that message on to him

Not too sound totally biased, I do think the straight six 30d engine sounds slightly better than the 3.0 TDI v6 (when flooring it)

ironclaw

Any reason you are not considering the 535D? Monster of a machine and generally came in a higher spec. Hard to find a low mileage one in Ireland, but they are a very capable car. Would be closer to your petrol performance and are as fast as an M5 in a 100km/h sprint.

RustyNut

You seem to have your mind made up between BMW or Audi I would suggest you take a spin in an E320cdi mercedes before you pull the trigger,great power, great economy, great handling, luxerous as anything and bomb proof.

Wailin

ironclaw wrote: »

Any reason you are not considering the 535D? Monster of a machine and generally came in a higher spec. Hard to find a low mileage one in Ireland, but they are a very capable car. Would be closer to your petrol performance and are as fast as an M5 in a 100km/h sprint.

Er no they're not! M5 0-100kph in 4.2sec, 535d 0-100kph in 5.5sec. Ok, just over a second in it but would be noticeable! But the 535d is a very capable car for a big heavy saloon.