A7 old model

AmberGold

Driving a '15 5 Series I have an opportunity to pick up an '181 plate A7 S Line at a savage discount to what they cost new, 20K to change. I've always admired them and it'll be a step up from the 5.

VRT is low due to emissions in the 218bhp version. To the untrained eye the exterior isn't to different to the new model.

Really wanted a 640d but VRT is mental.

Thoughts?

bazz26

218bhp is a bit underwhelming from a 3.0 litre v6 these days imo. Is it quattro? I'd avoid the front wheel drive version to be honest as the big v6 lump makes them very nose heavy. It would have to be the biturbo quattro to be comparative with the 640d. Have you test drove it?

AmberGold

Not 4wd and I had a short spin in one locally was impressed enough. Appreciate its not a 640 but its the difference between a 16 640d vs an 18 A7.

7 secs 0-60 is not shabby and I understand the bhp isn't a reflection of the torque in this car?

More concerned with the styling and depreciation. Is the interior getting on a bit?

carsfan2

Are you importing the car yourself or trading?
20k to come up 3 years seems reasonable but will it feel "old" inside as the tech will be dated enough.

AmberGold

Yep, self import.

listermint

bazz26 wrote: »

218bhp is a bit underwhelming from a 3.0 litre v6 these days imo. Is it quattro? I'd avoid the front wheel drive version to be honest as the big v6 lump makes them very nose heavy. It would have to be the biturbo quattro to be comparative with the 640d. Have you test drove it?

Is that all they are putting out .

Wow assumed it would be more

bazz26

Really up to you but if you wanted something like a 640d then a fwd A7 with 100bhp less would be a big compromise imo. I think you should go drive a more powerful A7. At the very least you should see if you can get an extended test drive of the 181 for a day or two to see if you can live with it. Once you get over the "newness" and "difference" from what you currently have you might get a more realistic view of it.

bazz26

listermint wrote: »

Is that all they are putting out .

Wow assumed it would be more

It's the entry level front wheel drive model. There are more powerful quattro versions - 272bhp, 286bhp and the biturbo 326bhp.

bazz26

AmberGold wrote: »

Yep, self import.

Worth trying to get a spin in one of these if you can just for comparison:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2113094&r=s.php%3Fm%3D7%26o%3D2210%26r%3D2016%26g%3D0

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2013102&r=s.php%3Fm%3D7%26o%3D2210%26r%3D2016%26g%3D0

carsfan2

I would have 16 640d over entry level A7 to be honest.
The 6 series is depreciating hugely here and in the UK. What's the difference in money on 18 A7 versus 18 640d?

AmberGold

Ok its not a Porsche beater like the 640 but still a V6 so will be smooth enough, its also has 100Nm more torque than the 5 series I'm driving today.

AmberGold

Right heres the stinger its costing me just over 42K to get an 18 landed VRT paid. Mondeo money

AmberGold

carsfan2 wrote: »

I would have 16 640d over entry level A7 to be honest.
The 6 series is depreciating hugely here and in the UK. What's the difference in money on 18 A7 versus 18 640d?

20 grand, 8K on the VRT alone. £11K on the car. For the same money its a 16 plate 640d.

carsfan2

If you’re happy with the A7 go for it.
It’s a lot of car for the money and I’m sure in the real world driving is plenty quick and very comfortable.
I imagine running costs would be lot better than 6 series too.

Heres Johnny

AmberGold wrote: »

carsfan2 wrote: »

I would have 16 640d over entry level A7 to be honest.
The 6 series is depreciating hugely here and in the UK. What's the difference in money on 18 A7 versus 18 640d?

20 grand, 8K on the VRT alone. £11K on the car. For the same money its a 16 plate 640d.

If the 640d is actually the car you want I'd personally go to the 16 plate rather than 18 in a car you don't want as much.

I recently bought a 530d 2014.

I was looking at 2012/13 640d and 2016 330e which were both in same budget of 25k approx. I realised in the end a 530d was the car I really wanted and I very happily compromised on year for the 5 series over the newer 3 series. Just more car. If the 640d was what I really wanted I'd have dropped back another 2 years no problem.

Nothing wrong with the a7 either though it's a stunning car up there with the 6 series, the model you are looking at would probably be badged a 625d in BMW language I'd say

AmberGold

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the a7 either though it's a stunning car up there with the 6 series, the model you are looking at would probably be badged a 625d in BMW language I'd say

Good point, the lure of an ‘18 plate is strong thou.

Heres Johnny

AmberGold wrote: »

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Nothing wrong with the a7 either though it's a stunning car up there with the 6 series, the model you are looking at would probably be badged a 625d in BMW language I'd say

Good point, the lure of an ‘18 plate is strong thou.

If it is that's fair enough. Helps just to get your thoughts on paper doesn't it.

I'd never advise anyone not to go for an a7, they have serious road presence probably even more than a 6 series. Never drove one though.

Cyrus

AmberGold wrote: »

Good point, the lure of an ‘18 plate is strong thou.

why?

its a number on a piece of plastic

AmberGold

Twist in this thread that the garage selling the car have refused to sell it to me because its for export. WTF. I have a UK based friend lined up to do the deal.

carsfan2

Any link to the ad for the car?

AmberGold

Cant sorry, still going thru.

bazz26

It's probably because of motor tax, they don't want the car to leave their premises untaxed as it could have repercussions for them. That or head office has an agreement not to compete directly with Irish Audi dealers here.

Heres Johnny

Mercedes had something like that a few years ago I remember a poster here being refused a car in UK from a main dealer.

declan123

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Mercedes had something like that a few years ago I remember a poster here being refused a car in UK from a main dealer.

They still do, It isn't due to motor tax. They won't even allow the car to be collected by transporter. Its surely to protect the Irish dealer network which is anti competitive and against single market rules

GavMan

declan123 wrote: »

They still do, It isn't due to motor tax. They won't even allow the car to be collected by transporter. Its surely to protect the Irish dealer network which is anti competitive and against single market rules

So is VRT but ho hum...

Gravelly

declan123 wrote: »

They still do, It isn't due to motor tax. They won't even allow the car to be collected by transporter. Its surely to protect the Irish dealer network which is anti competitive and against single market rules

This is exactly what it is. Theoretically, you should be able to buy any make of car new from any dealer, but in reality it doesn't work like that.

AmberGold

They gladly registered it in my friend's name who doesn't even have a drivers licence, so deal done more or less, just have to pay for it now 64K on the forecourt in Ireland managed to pick it up for 42K landed.

Nonoperational

Just FYI, have an A6 which is essentially the same car. Has Rear view camera, CarPlay, heated seats, front and rear sensors, voice activation, adaptive cruise. Im not sure what else it could have really to make it more modern.

carsfan2

Well wear.
What colour Is it and any options on it?

AmberGold

Nonoperational wrote: »

Just FYI, have an A6 which is essentially the same car. Has Rear view camera, CarPlay, heated seats, front and rear sensors, voice activation, adaptive cruise. Im not sure what else it could have really to make it more modern.

With all due respect the new A6 / A7 has a seriously different dash & centre console. The design of the previous model is getting on to nearly 10 years now.

Carsfan, Mythos Black, Base model SLine, no Bose or black pack unfortunately..

comerla

I just bought the same car - 218 bhp Ultra, imported it last week. Mine had than 4k miles, first registered in september 2017, s line demo model in immaculate condition. Price coming in at 43k euro including VRT.

Strangely this one was also advertised (and registered) as Quattro but it’s not. I always wanted a Quattro car but the difference in VRT alone is the guts of a grand. Similar spec Quartto would have been another 3k gbp in the purchase price and twice the annual car tax, less efficient etc so on balance I’m ok with the Ultra.

Am happy enough with the handling and grip and the acceleration, coming from a 170bhp 2009 A6.

AmberGold

Good luck with it, great car. Waiting for the figure from the VRT office myself.

bazz26

Be sure to lube up for that: