New Car: 2015 5 Series, 2015 A6 or 2016 Skoda Superb

francis1978

Hello everyone, I am looking for some assistance from fellow boardsies in relation to a new car, my situation is as follows;
Almost 40 year old male, returning home in October of this year, my girlfriend and I are expecting our first child in December. I have a budget of €30k, not really looking to exceed it. I have worked abroad for the last few years and have ‘tried’ out numerous cars in this time, at the moment I am considering the following three cars:
2015 BMW 5 Series (520d or 525d), 2015 Audi A6 or a 2016 Skoda Superb. The important factors in my selection are as follows;
·        Age 2015 or 2016 preferred, planning on keeping the car for 5 years minimum
·        Low mileage hopefully under 35k miles
·        Has to have Isofix etc. for baby seats, large boot for carrying baby related items etc.
·        Diesel – no option on this
·        Automatic preferred over manual but not a deal breaker
·        Servicing/maintenance costs, fairly new cars so they should come with some form of manufacturer’s warranty
·        Car tax – I believe the 2015/16 models should not suffer from ‘high’ tax
·        Insurance – I will be living in Dublin, and I have been out of the country for 4 years so I expect to take a hit on insurance.
·        Would prefer a saloon or hatchback over an estate but again I am open to suggestions
·        Planning on importing a car from either NI or GB, I have seen 5 Series, A6 and Superb for £20-21K which is around €23k, the VRT is in the region of €6K so that will come on budget. Flights, accommodation etc. are not included in the budget
·        I want leather, sat nav, Bluetooth, etc.
·        Driving is expected to a mixture of motorway, trips west, city driving etc.
My vehicle history is as follows; Opel Corsa, Seat Toledo, Mitsubishi Pajero, Skoda Superb, Toyota Landcruiser and a Honda Accord. I am aware that the Skoda will be considered lower than the other two, however I took one for a test drive and was pleasantly surprised, I can also purchase newer model of this car than the other two.
So boardsies please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.

Thank you.

bmwguy

You will find very few automatic Skoda models. That's the big difference with the other 2. I would be much more inclined towards the a6 or 5 series. Friend has the superb and it's nice, but just not quite as impressive inside. Nice looking car outside though.

The Rape of Lucretia

The Skoda if you can get one to those specs. The Audi will always leave you with the feeling that you just bought more expensive Skoda, the beemer is a different and decent car but impossible to shake off that loadsamoney plonker vibe.
The Skoda just ticks all the boxes really, with no downside.

mloc123

I have owned all three over the last 5-6 years... an e60 BMW, B7 A6 and a new Superb. Personally I would rate the interior on the A6 and Superb as much the same... providing you do not buy a low spec Superb, aim for a Style or L&K... you are unlikely to get a year old Sportline yet.

Auto Superbs are pretty plentiful now, aim for a 190 tho... the 120 and 150 are lacking, IMO. The advantage over a a6 or 5 series will be the spec you will get for the same money. A 'Style' will have leather, heated memory seats, sat nav, xenons, adaptive cruise etc.. and an 'L&K' will add electric tailgate, adaptive suspension etc.. while some/most of these will be extras that are not specced up when somebody buys a new A6/5 series.

E60 is probably a bit too old to compare but when I bought the A6 I test drove a handful of f10s and was put off slightly at how similar the interior on those were to the e60.

masterboy123

5 series from your list.

You may also consider Benz E class. Good prices in UK

ChrisBan

Skoda, had an Octavia for six years, can honestly say the best car I ever had. Currently driving a BMW 3 series, there is no comparison.

bazz26

mloc123 wrote: »

E60 is probably a bit too old to compare but when I bought the A6 I test drove a handful of f10s and was put off slightly at how similar the interior on those were to the e60.

You're the first person I've heard say that the F10 interior was similar to the E60s. I'm on my second F10 and drove a good few E60s too. From that experience I think the interiors of the two are like chalk and cheese. The F10 interior is much larger and has a more luxurious and modern feel to it. Of course it's all relative to the spec too, a basic spec F10 interior is nothing to write home about.

Summer wind

100% go with the BMW. I've owned two F10's and a '15 Audi A6 s tronic ultra. I've had the Skoda as a loaner for a week. The BMW is the best.

mloc123

bazz26 wrote: »

You're the first person I've heard say that the F10 interior was similar to the E60s. I'm on my second F10 and drove a good few E60s too. From that experience I think the interiors of the two are like chalk and cheese. The F10 interior is much larger and has a more luxurious and modern feel to it. Of course it's all relative to the spec too, a basic spec F10 interior is nothing to write home about.

I only test drove the f10s... So obviously didn't live with them for months. The centre console, idrive system etc .. was all much the same as the E60 (or at least this is what I recall, 5yrs ago now) and I guess they were early model f10s also so maybe low on spec. Went with the A6 at the time anyway.

bazz26

BMW iDrive just like Audi's MMI system has evolved over the years. I'm sure if you sat in an older model A6 the centre console would feel very similar too.

166man

OP would you look at a Volvo or a Jaguar?

You'd likely get more spec for your money than the BMW/Audi and you'll get just as much car.

francis1978

Hello everyone, thank you for the replies so far.
Jaguar is out had one on hire about 18 months ago, was not happy with it at all.
Had not considered Volvo, not really on my radar to be honest.

I would be grateful for information on servicing costs etc.associated with the three cars mentioned
https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/520d/WP15WTU

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611169817442?body-type=Hatchback&make=SKODA&fuel-type=Diesel&sort=sponsored&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bt153gg&model=SUPERB&price-to=25000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-from=18000&keywords=190&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=SportLine&page=1

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/audi/a6/WD65EEP

Regards

bmwguy

francis1978 wrote: »

Hello everyone, thank you for the replies so far.
Jaguar is out had one on hire about 18 months ago, was not happy with it at all.
Had not considered Volvo, not really on my radar to be honest.

I would be grateful for information on servicing costs etc.associated with the three cars mentioned
https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/520d/WP15WTU

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611169817442?body-type=Hatchback&make=SKODA&fuel-type=Diesel&sort=sponsored&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bt153gg&model=SUPERB&price-to=25000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-from=18000&keywords=190&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=SportLine&page=1

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/audi/a6/WD65EEP

Regards

All in around the same for routine stuff.

166man

Out of the three you linked. The Audi is the nicest example.

Don't like the Skoda at all, again I don't see the point of a fake luxury Skoda - not a sporty diesel one anyway.

mloc123

The Audi linked is a manual... I think auto is much nice option

bazz26

francis1978 wrote: »

Hello everyone, thank you for the replies so far.
Jaguar is out had one on hire about 18 months ago, was not happy with it at all.
Had not considered Volvo, not really on my radar to be honest.

I would be grateful for information on servicing costs etc.associated with the three cars mentioned
https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/bmw/520d/WP15WTU

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611169817442?body-type=Hatchback&make=SKODA&fuel-type=Diesel&sort=sponsored&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bt153gg&model=SUPERB&price-to=25000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&price-from=18000&keywords=190&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=SportLine&page=1

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/audi/a6/WD65EEP

Regards

The wheels on that 5 Series are absolutely mank. Black paintwork looks very flat too. I'd look for another example.

The Superb is not really in the same category as the 5 or A6 but in it's own right it's a good car especially up against the likes of the Passat, Mondeo, etc. Wouldn't be a fan of that red though, don't think it goes that well with the shape of the car. Don't think the Sportline exterior works as well with the hatchback shape as it does with the estate either.

Regarding the A6, I'd try and find a S-Tronic instead, it's Audi's version of DSG and is much better than the manual especially in this class of car.

Mantis Toboggan

I'd probably go with the BMW from that list.

But take a look at the Kia Optima. You could get a new 172 or 181 for that money. Excellent spec, 7 year warranty and seems to tick all your boxes.

francis1978

Hello everyone,

Apologies for not responding sooner, I came back a few weeks ago and last Wednesday I made a purchase! I ended up going for a 151 BMW 520d. So far I am very happy with my purchase, I ended up buying the car from a company in Newry, I probably would have gotten better value if I had gone across the water but I did not have the time.

Prior to going to Newry I tried two BMW dealers here in Dublin, I have to say neither impressed me; one based in Finglas were especially poor!

The car itself is the Msport model with black exterior and interior, once I get the VRT sorted out and ROI plates on it, i will put up some photos.

Regards

Theboinkmaster

francis1978 wrote: »

Hello everyone,

Apologies for not responding sooner, I came back a few weeks ago and last Wednesday I made a purchase! I ended up going for a 151 BMW 520d. So far I am very happy with my purchase, I ended up buying the car from a company in Newry, I probably would have gotten better value if I had gone across the water but I did not have the time.

Prior to going to Newry I tried two BMW dealers here in Dublin, I have to say neither impressed me; one based in Finglas were especially poor!

The car itself is the Msport model with black exterior and interior, once I get the VRT sorted out and ROI plates on it, i will put up some photos.

Regards

Well done, I would've selected 5 series too. I drive an f10 and recently drove an a6 and there was no comparison TBH, the f10 was much nicer to drive.