A6 vs BMW 5 (E60) Series

[Rikster23]

I havent had the chance to test drive the A6 yet, and my cousin is currently driving a 5 series.
I was impressed by the car and currently looking to buy a new car.

Im armed with around £15k and have an 8L Audi A3 with 50k on the clock. Although I love my Audi to bits, starting a family with an A3 is quite tight for space.

Is there any specific model or engine size should I look for if purchasing an A6.

I am hoping based on advice on here, I will be able to go and test drive a few A6's. Im based in London so going to test drive a car in Scotland for instance is a no go for me

 

[HerefordQuattro]

This will do you nicely :

2005 AUDI A6 3.0 TDI QUATTRO S LINE 5DR TIP AUTO (SAT-NAV)

 

[Rikster23]

Nice find thank you.
However to be a pain in the bum. Im not after an estate

I wanted some pointers and possibly a reasoning why I should stick with Audi.
I mean I am aware of the pedigree behind Audi and BMW.

But currently the newer 5 series just does it for me

 

[mk1chopper]

What are you after in terms or performance, equipment, manual or auto, quattro? Personnely I prefer the bigger bmw's over the bigger audis, I have a soft spot for E39 5's you can get 530i sports for under 7k but hard to find low milage ones and im guessing your after a newer car. I think the bmw will offer a better drivers car over the audi unless you look towards the s models but then these tend to just have stiffer suspension.

 

[mk1chopper]

with the money you've got to spend I'd be looking at E60 530d or 535d all seem to be well spec'd and both have decent performance and mpg

 

[Rikster23]

I am a fan of the RS versions, but it being a family car and how often will I be able to open up the car is questionable.
Im after an automatic car, not massively after performance so power is not that important.
I know after driving the 530 I was impressed with the comfort and control the car had and when you had to boot it, you could.

This car will be a family car so it will be something that I intend to drive for the next 5-7 years should momey improve more over the years.

I would prefer something with a little less mileage as I am aware that for under 10k I can find lots of cars over 80k miles on the clock and more!

 

[mk1chopper]

Get yourself down your local audi dealership and get a test drive, but personnely i'd be looking at going down the bmw route I think the 5 is a lot nicer than the A6 but this is based on looks alone as I've not had the chance to drive either.

 

[Rikster23]

Good advice. Been lazy thats all.

However which model should I be looking at? So therefore I have something to benchmark with?
Im not fussed it being diesal or petrol, and must be auto as it makes driving around town so much easier.

 

[alanyork]

ive had both , first e60 535 m sport, then audi 2.7 07 plate (with ecu remap) now S6 V10. myself Id go for a Audi over bmw every day.

 

[The Slug]

If you combined Audi interior with the BMW exterior that would be the best car to have! Lol

 

[Rikster23]

Test drive booked for next weekend

Asked for the saloon, but unsure which engine to try. Will it matter with a showroom model vs a 1-2 year old A6?
If so what should I be looking out for? I know after testing a new one, there wont be any problems to look out for.
But at least I have a benchmark.

 

[ph-allroad]

Test drive booked for next weekend

Asked for the saloon, but unsure which engine to try. Will it matter with a showroom model vs a 1-2 year old A6?
If so what should I be looking out for? I know after testing a new one, there wont be any problems to look out for.
But at least I have a benchmark.

At circa £20k you are in the territory of of a good A6 Quattro

Once you have driven a Quattro in the wet/ice/snow you will understand why the Audi is the best choice, especially with a family on the way.

In addition the boot on the C6 A6 is enormous. However, with a family the Estate would be the better choice.

The Allroad that I have is fantastic and good 3 year old versions can be found for about £20k

 

[Rikster23]

Yes I agree on that part having an estate. However jumping from an 8L A3 to an A6 is already a big jump. Then again I have never experienced driving or parking an estate car

I did think about test driving a quattro, but the idea is to spend around £15k and keep the A3 for my brother instead now.

Will report in a few weeks and tell you what I think

 

[The Slug]

I went from an A3 to an S6 Avant and tbh for how much bigger the car is you forget its actually that big, just have to take a slighly wider birth on tight turns apart from that you'll be fine.

 

[Rikster23]

Hmm...I will see. I will test both anyways

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ex-vag]

How did it go with the test drive? Having got an A6 saloon as a family car I wished I'd gone for the estate now, would have to recommend you getting one especially if you're going to be dragging the buggy in and out of the boot along with associated baggage. Could flog you my saloon and go buy an estate I suppose......