Audi A6 2ltr tdi versus Bmw 520d

Bobby A · 25-10-2010 09:15PM #1

Looking at buying either 2006 Audi A6 2ltr tdi or Bmw 520d
Looking for a reliable car as i am doing 48000km per year
Any views please

J77 · 25-10-2010 09:42PM

Budget? If you don't mind me asking!

bazz26 · 25-10-2010 09:43PM

Well both cars are now almost 5 years old so reliability probably boils down to have the previous owners looked after them. If either car is going to be problematic then they will not be cheap to fix. The DPF and DMF are the most common failures on modern day diesel engines when the miles build up. The DPF has a tendancy to go at between 80k and 100k miles and the DMF tends to go from 100k miles. Of course you eliminate the DMF issue if you choose an auto and the 520d is suited to it but I've also read the A6 multitronic box has it's own reliability issues.

Car wise, the 520d will have 163bhp compared to the 140bhp of the A6 which can be a big factor in a heavy car the size of either. Not sure how important it is to you too but the 520d is also rwd compared to the fwd A6 which makes the 5 Series a more rewarding drive.

Having been looking at these cars myself recently I have also noticed that generally the 5 Series are better spec'd. It is tough going trying to find an A6 of that vintage with a MFSW or leather interior, pretty mean in this class of car to be honest.

For me based on the above I would take an 520d auto over the A6.

Zonda999 · 25-10-2010 10:35PM

True enough about the interiors but to be fair, the audi's were much the cheaper car when bought, it was different buying cars in that class in 2006, very different

Squall19 · 25-10-2010 10:55PM

Whatever you buy will become pretty worthless with 30k miles a year.

After 3 years with that kinda milage it will be worth very little.

From a finanical point of view it would make alot more sense to get something like a Skoda Superb at 5k imo

samsemtex · 25-10-2010 11:10PM

Squall19 wrote: »

Whatever you buy will become pretty worthless with 30k miles a year.

After 3 years with that kinda milage it will be worth very little.

From a finanical point of view it would make alot more sense to get something like a Skoda Superb at 5k imo

What a dull dreary way of choosing a car...so just because you do high mileage you shouldnt buy something nice?

I'd take the BMW over the Audi any day. The old A6 is not up to the same standard as a 5 series or E-class.

Bonito · 26-10-2010 02:42AM

.

Leonard Hofstadter · 26-10-2010 11:41AM

OP I would look at buying the larger engined 525d or 530d or if you want the A6 then the 2.7 or 3.0 TDI.

The advantages of buying a larger engined model are as follows:

lower purchase price because of the Irish phobia of buying anything with an even remotely large engine.
a much nicer driving experience, a lot more power and because the bigger engines have six rather than four cylinders, they are quieter and sound nicer too. If you're interested in the A6 the big engines have quattro four wheel drive which makes them better balanced and safer because of the extra grip.
most important of all, reliability. The 3.0 TDI A6 is very reliable for a diesel, and the 530d is also far less prone to turbo trouble than the 520d.

The simple fact is that the large engines will have a far easier life than their smaller engined breathern, meaning that they will last a lot longer doing big mileage.

Yes a large engined A6 or 5 series will be worth very little in a few years time, especially one with high mileage, but a 520d or A6 will be a hard car to sell on with high mileage as well.

The one thing you need when doing big mileage is reliability. A large engine, being far less stressed, will not be worked anything like as hard and therefore should less much longer. There are 530ds running with over 200,000 miles on the clock, there are very few 320ds or 520ds out there that have passed even 150,000 miles, it's a bit of an achievement for these to get to 120,000 miles to be honest.

Both the 520d and 2.0 TDI A6 suffer from problems, especially the A6, those 2.0 TDI PD engines are a disaster to be honest, they cause all kinds of problems from as early as 70,000 miles. The 520d suffers from turbo trouble as well.

My point is that a 520d will be cheaper to tax and fuel than a 530d but it is far more likely to go wrong and the lifespan will be much shorter, so the 520d could well end up costing more to run overall than the bigger engine.

Whatever you buy OP, make sure you buy the automatic, manual is a big no-no, especially with your circumstanaces.

-Chris- · 26-10-2010 11:55AM

I'd go for A6 in those circumstances - it's a more comfortable and larger car than the 5er and with the mileage you do I'd expect you'll appreciate that a lot.

Pound-for-pound I'd think you'll get better value on the spec with the A6 because they don't hold their value as well as the 5er (although I haven't compared them in a little while).

GTE · 26-10-2010 12:02PM

A6 with a bigger engine is my vote.

Tragedy · 26-10-2010 02:46PM

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd go for A6 in those circumstances - it's a more comfortable and larger car than the 5er and with the mileage you do I'd expect you'll appreciate that a lot.

Pound-for-pound I'd think you'll get better value on the spec with the A6 because they don't hold their value as well as the 5er (although I haven't compared them in a little while).

I've been looking at A6's and 520d's for a few weeks for the brother in Law(budget around 20k).

To be honest, I don't see a6's from 05-07 generally being any cheaper than 5 series.
Probably because there's twice as many 5er's for sale as A6's

26-10-2010 04:14PM

Hi Bobby A

My 2003 A4 Multitronic 1.9 TDI 130 has just hit 192,300 miles. I bought it with 100000 miles, 3 years ago. English car full service record (varified) 1 problem, A/C compressor died @ 120000 miles. Still has original Varta battery, crazy but true! :-)

Long Life oil change every 15000 miles, timing belt every 40000 (costs 600 Euros) If automatic, they must have oil changes every 40,000 miles or they DIE, mine has never had a problem. I believe in Ireland Audi won't change the multitronic oil unless you ask them. LOL if it's not in the book then don't buy the Auto!

My mechanic says Skodas and Audi's 1.9 not 2.0 TDI's are the most reliable cars you can get. (after the Toyota Prius) If you are prepared to look after them. The newer 2.0 common rail is supposed to be a very reliable engine and way better than the 2.0PD! He says he would never buy a merc or BMW out of warranty!

The interior of Audies are far better than BMW, imo, which I find to be too old. The new A4 and A5 are superb cars, My brother has the new A5 and it's an unbelieveably nice car to sit in, The dash is super and the Audio system is faantastic with the lcd screen.

There are also many complaints of BMW's very harsh ride quality,

I agree with Squall19, doing that mileage any car will be worthless when selling on!

Everyone here has some good points, but at the end of the day all cars have goods and bads, faults and what not, but as regards driving and interior, that's more individual and each person willl tell you different things. Go take the 2 cars for a spin and make up your own mind. Good luck!

Bonito · 26-10-2010 04:26PM

Bonito wrote: »

.

Who ninja edited my post with the Jag!

Tragedy · 26-10-2010 04:41PM

Deleted User wrote: »

The interior of Audies are far better than BMW, imo, which I find to be too old. The new A4 and A5 are superb cars, My brother has the new A5 and it's an unbelieveably nice car to sit in, The dash is super and the Audio system is faantastic with the lcd screen.

http://pictures.autotrader.ie/imgser-ie/servlet/media?id=10196062&defaultImageUrl=http://www.carzone.ie/es-ie/images/no-image-large.gif
http://pictures.autotrader.ie/imgser-ie/servlet/media?id=10890157&defaultImageUrl=http://www.carzone.ie/es-ie/images/no-image-large.gif

I don't see the huge difference, although personally I prefer the BMW interior. What about the A6's interior makes it "far better" than the beemers in those pics?

There are also many complaints of BMW's very harsh ride quality,

Complaints of BMW's with m-sport suspension and RFT's. Just like there are many complaints of Audi's with s-line suspensions very harsh ride quality.

26-10-2010 05:09PM

Tragedy wrote: »

http://pictures.autotrader.ie/imgser-ie/servlet/media?id=10196062&defaultImageUrl=http://www.carzone.ie/es-ie/images/no-image-large.gif
http://pictures.autotrader.ie/imgser-ie/servlet/media?id=10890157&defaultImageUrl=http://www.carzone.ie/es-ie/images/no-image-large.gif

I don't see the huge difference, although personally I prefer the BMW interior. What about the A6's interior makes it "far better" than the beemers in those pics?

Complaints of BMW's with m-sport suspension and RFT's. Just like there are many complaints of Audi's with s-line suspensions very harsh ride quality.

Hi Tragedy,

I don't know, but I really like Audi interiors compared to BMW's, Especially sitting behind the wheel. Again that's my opinion.

And I totally agree about the suspension, but Run flats are bad for ride quality, and are more common than sports suspension Audi's. I wouldn't like a BMW with run flats and a sports suspension. I would have to have my Vaseline handy! LMAO

AFAIK most BMW's above 1 series have run flats as standard?

Tragedy · 26-10-2010 05:40PM

Bridgestone Runflats are meant to have been vastly improved over the years compared to the original runflats. I know other makers have gotten into the RFT game, but not heard any experiences from them.

Cousins 59reg 335D m-sport with Potenza RFT's had about the same ride quality as my MG ZT with sports suspension and non RFT 18" Potenzas.

-Corkie- · 26-10-2010 07:04PM

I would have the beemer. I was always a mad Audi man but I have begun to hate them... I never had a 5 series but the Audi`s are troublesome enough especially with the multitronic box...:mad:. The 04-09 model looks very plain compared to the 5 series.

I wouldnt buy the 3.0 tdi either. If I was buying a car with that size of a engine again it would be the BMW 535d. Thats a car..;)

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 07:10PM

The BMW would have 164bhp vs the a6's 138bhp,
which in a big car is too little in my opinion.
a facelift 5series has 177bhp.
which is 1bhp less than the 2.7v6 tdi audi:eek:...
so they get 1 bhp out of 2 extra cylinders in a v and 700cc.

a 530d has 235bhp 500nm vs the 3.0tdi v6 222bhp 500nm.

surely the 5series would be quicker i would think.

now op which do do prefer the look of?

attachment.php?attachmentid=329046&stc=1&d=1259105278

test drive both.do you prefer fwd or rwd?
if you think the 5series has a harsh ride on run-flats(mostly fan boys of other brands opinion) then you can get normal tires.

moonshadow · 26-10-2010 08:01PM

Sure the steering wheels are on the wrong side............:eek:
Good post 535D.

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 08:05PM

moonshadow wrote: »

Sure the steering wheels are on the wrong side............:eek:
Good post 535D.

first pics that google images threw up:)

26-10-2010 08:11PM

Those interior Audi pics are years out of date lol. Ill try find some decent ones!

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 08:12PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Those interior Audi pics are years out of date lol. Ill try find some decent ones!

ok i just picked the first one and was surprised there was no tv screen?

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 08:15PM

there i edited my post with newer pics.

YouThinkThat · 26-10-2010 08:17PM

I have a 1 series BMW with runflats and I find that they dont wear anything as well as 'ordinary' tyres - I never had a puncture with 'ordinary' tyres in over 20 years driving...and have had 2 with the run flats..in 2 years!!....and at €130 a pop, they aint cheap! Next car deffo wont have them....I dont find them great in snow either...

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 08:18PM

YouThinkThat wrote: »

I have a 1 series BMW with runflats and I find that they dont wear anything as well as 'ordinary' tyres - I never had a puncture with 'ordinary' tyres in over 20 years driving...and have had 2 with the run flats..in 2 years!!....and at €130 a pop, they aint cheap! Next car deffo wont have them....I dont find them great in snow either...

why don't you get ordinary tires now?

26-10-2010 08:19PM

This is more like it!

Audi A6.jpg

bazzachazza · 26-10-2010 08:21PM

If your in it for the engine get the BMW, if your in it for the size of car get the A6 bigger more practical boot more than likely it WON'T have folding rear seats as they are NOT standard.

The styling and interior are purely a personal choice so I wouldn't suggest either to you.

The 3.0 litre diesel's are 4 figure road tax that and insurance might reflect it as well.

YouThinkThat · 26-10-2010 08:22PM

They told me I would have to change all 4 tyres and I dont have the spends to do that!! When I bought the car they told me they only came with run flats and I hadnt any previous experience of them...so I was willing to give them a go...the thoughts of being able to keep driving even with a flat was very appealing....:o

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 08:31PM

would everyone agree that the BMW be woefly more responsive on the road, as in a twisty back road it would be alot more rewarding than the big motorway cruiser that the a6 is? OP are you into throwing your car into corners on the limit of grip for alot of fun? or do you prefer to cruise at 120kph on a long motorway in the utmost of luxury and comfort,(bar the a8,7series)

you really need a test drive and pick the car that tickles your spot basically.

26-10-2010 09:00PM

bmw535d wrote: »

would everyone agree that the BMW be woefly more responsive on the road, as in a twisty back road it would be alot more rewarding than the big motorway cruiser that the a6 is? OP are you into throwing your car into corners on the limit of grip for alot of fun? or do you prefer to cruise at 120kph on a long motorway in the utmost of luxury and comfort,(bar the a8,7series)

you really need a test drive and pick the car that tickles your spot basically.

Much better pics!

Though the New A4 handles nicely on the bends, the A5 goes around bends like it's on rails, But the only thing is the steering feels a little light on the A5, that's why people should get the optional drive select, I think they call it? where you can adjust the steering assistance. I think the A6 would be the better long distance motorway cruiser. I really LOVE the A5 though, the interior is amazing. It's worth a look if anyone is seeking a new car!

I think the BMW's ride is too hard, I mean if you loose any decent modern car on bends then you are going way too fast, I don't think it's worth it on Irish roads! I think the Audi's are a better balance between ride comfort and handling.

I agree too with what you say, you need to pick a car that tickles your spot! lol and nicely put!

bmw535d · 26-10-2010 09:59PM

let us know how you get on in a test drive OP, i suspect you will be disappointed in the 138bhp the AUDI has to offer, and the tax hike on the 2.7tdi for 1bhp will probably put you of the 2.7tdi. so test drive a 3.0tdi to get a real feeling for an a6.

Audi A6 2ltr tdi versus Bmw 520d

Comments