[des16]

Is anyone deciding between these 2 new diesels. From what I've read in the European reviews, the Audi 3.0 TDI engine seems to have an edge over the 530d (the European equivalent). At this point, the biggest deterrent to me getting the Audi are the seats, as sadly, Audi's sports seats are not an option in the A6.

[igom3]

As far as I know BMW 535D engine is more powerful than Audi.

[copello]

It should be more appropriate to compare bmw535d with A6 3.0TDI twin turbo ?

[des16]

Originally Posted by copello

It should be more appropriate to compare bmw535d with A6 3.0TDI twin turbo ?

The comparison I am making is between the US 535d x-drive, which is a rebadged European 530d x-drive, and the Audi A6 3.0 TDI (240 hp @ 3,500-3,750). It looks like the 310hp Audi bi-turbo is not available in the US, just as the 535d engine is not available.

[metrathon]

Let's fix this: 535d US is the-rest-of-the-world 530d. They just badge it as a 535d so they can charge more. Same story with the US 328d which is actually is a 320d outside of US. After all US of A is the land of possibilities, don't forget

Now back to topic: 5 Series is a pretty different from an A6 (Quattro I suppose). The overall difference is that the 5 tries to be sort-of-a sports sedan, whereas A6 doesn't bother. Therefore there are differences in handling, balance, steering feel, etc.

Drive both.

[cpippolo]

Not sure the 5 series is sportier than A6 anymore. A6 seems to win most of the comparos. A6 3.0 TDI is available with the optional sport suspension. 535D is not, even in m-sport.

[Luminor513]

Originally Posted by cpippolo

Not sure the 5 series is sportier than A6 anymore. A6 seems to win most of the comparos. A6 3.0 TDI is available with the optional sport suspension. 535D is not, even in m-sport.

After September build dates should include the 704 msport suspension on msport 535d.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by cpippolo

Not sure the 5 series is sportier than A6 anymore. A6 seems to win most of the comparos. A6 3.0 TDI is available with the optional sport suspension. 535D is not, even in m-sport.

The biggest turn-off for me at an Audi is the steering: super light, buttery-rubbery, no feedback, nothing. It's like disconnected from the wheels.

[cpippolo]

may be lighter, but don't think there is less feel than the electric steering on the 535. there was certainly a time when the BMWs had better steering feel, but with the latest generations Audi has improved a little and BMW has deteriorated a lot.

[K-A]

Originally Posted by cpippolo

Not sure the 5 series is sportier than A6 anymore. A6 seems to win most of the comparos. A6 3.0 TDI is available with the optional sport suspension. 535D is not, even in m-sport.

They've never tested an A6 against a '13 M suspension car though. The '13 RWD M Sport I feel would beat an A6 in comparo's, even in pleasing singularly minded (sporty>everything) auto journalists.

[cpippolo]

Originally Posted by K-A

They've never tested an A6 against a '13 M suspension car though. The '13 RWD M Sport I feel would beat an A6 in comparo's, even in pleasing singularly minded (sporty>everything) auto journalists.

That's true. Website doesn't suggest that m-sport package includes sport suspension, but perhaps just a problem with the website.

[E60MKF]

From personal experience the A6 is terrible compared to the 5. The A6 is better than the E-class but that isn't hard. If you want a good drivers car and a good car to be driven in, go for the 5!

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by E60MKF

From personal experience the A6 is terrible compared to the 5. The A6 is better than the E-class but that isn't hard. If you want a good drivers car and a good car to be driven in, go for the 5!

The 5 has no steering feel whatsoever, and honestly I'm not quite liking the interior (frankly I like the 3er nav screen more). The A6 interior is beautiful, and flows quite well. The nav screen is hidden unless needed, and that's cool. Also, the A6 ended up being a good 4-5k cheaper than the 5er..so....

[K-A]

I'm sorry, you lost me at "I like the 3er Nav screen more".... WHAT?! The A6's Nav is also about the worst implementation I've seen (can't believe how tacked-on it looks), and the A6 interior feels and appears at least a segment below the 5's IMO. The A6 is fully of cheap plastics and lacks stitching in multitudes of areas where the 5 has in spades. Back to Nav screens.... the 5's is in another league with its elegant integration from those cheesy haphazard pop-up aftermarket looking screens everyone's doing now (and I'll bet the 5ers fully integrated theme actually costs more to design, so the tacked-on popup theme could be even a cost cutting measure). Not to mention as I experienced on the 6 Series, you get HORRIBLE glare from the standup screens, which the F10's functional "dome" design doesn't allow for.

On the '13 with M suspension I happen to like the 5's steering. Nice and heavy yet not annoyingly so, decent feedback yet not to the point where you lose that luxury and silky smooth feeling.

[E60MKF]

Originally Posted by K-A

I'm sorry, you lost me at "I like the 3er Nav screen more".... WHAT?! The A6's Nav is also about the worst implementation I've seen (can't believe how tacked-on it looks), and the A6 interior feels and appears at least a segment below the 5's IMO. The A6 is fully of cheap plastics and lacks stitching in multitudes of areas where the 5 has in spades. Back to Nav screens.... the 5's is in another league with its elegant integration from those cheesy haphazard pop-up aftermarket looking screens everyone's doing now (and I'll bet the 5ers fully integrated theme actually costs more to design, so the tacked-on popup theme could be even a cost cutting measure). Not to mention as I experienced on the 6 Series, you get HORRIBLE glare from the standup screens, which the F10's functional "dome" design doesn't allow for.

+1

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by K-A

I'm sorry, you lost me at "I like the 3er Nav screen more".... WHAT?! The A6's Nav is also about the worst implementation I've seen (can't believe how tacked-on it looks), and the A6 interior feels and appears at least a segment below the 5's IMO. The A6 is fully of cheap plastics and lacks stitching in multitudes of areas where the 5 has in spades. Back to Nav screens.... the 5's is in another league with its elegant integration from those cheesy haphazard pop-up aftermarket looking screens everyone's doing now (and I'll bet the 5ers fully integrated theme actually costs more to design, so the tacked-on popup theme could be even a cost cutting measure). Not to mention as I experienced on the 6 Series, you get HORRIBLE glare from the standup screens, which the F10's functional "dome" design doesn't allow for.

On the '13 with M suspension I happen to like the 5's steering. Nice and heavy yet not annoyingly so, decent feedback yet not to the point where you lose that luxury and silky smooth feeling.

I admire the A6 nav screen. It slides out of a pocket behind the screen when you turn the car on, and goes in there when it's not in use.

The Volvo nav screens are nice, they're hidden unless needed as well.

I actually don't like the recessed 5er nav screens as much. They're nice, but the whole shape of the dash gets affected. Which I don't like.

[remmib]

^Really?! I think the placement of the nav screen in the f10 is awesome.

[raleedy]

It is really important for the nav screen to slide in and out.

[K-A]

Originally Posted by turbolag

I admire the A6 nav screen. It slides out of a pocket behind the screen when you turn the car on, and goes in there when it's not in use.

The Volvo nav screens are nice, they're hidden unless needed as well.

I actually don't like the recessed 5er nav screens as much. They're nice, but the whole shape of the dash gets affected. Which I don't like.

I always thought the F10 actually has the best Nav implementation. To me being integrated into the dash like that makes the dash look better and purposeful as they designed them seamlessly in harmony with each other. I for one think dash designs improved when they started to integrate the screens. The screen has no reason to retract if it's seamless therefore aside from being IMO an eyesore, the A6's retractable screen is just something else I can imagine malfunctioning or breaking down the line.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by remmib

^Really?! I think the placement of the nav screen in the f10 is awesome.

It's great, but I sat in an A6 and really liked the way the nav screen worked. The Volvo nav screen isn't something like iDrive, it's just a nav system. Unless using nav, it slots into a space in the dash. 5 years so far without problem...

I like the 5er dash but I don't like that odd crease at the passenger-side.




The 5er interior imho is completely perfect other than that odd crease. I like the placement of the wood trim over the slits of the A6 (though it's MUCH better with a light-colored interior). In hindsight, the 5er nav is pretty nice (I envisioned it being much more recessed), but I still like the A6 sliding more. I don't like how Audi's wood trims are either burl or a weirdly light-colored layered trim. I absolutely love the Platinum/Fineline combo on the F10.

[igom3]

Originally Posted by K-A

I'm sorry, you lost me at "I like the 3er Nav screen more".... WHAT?! The A6's Nav is also about the worst implementation I've seen (can't believe how tacked-on it looks), and the A6 interior feels and appears at least a segment below the 5's IMO. The A6 is fully of cheap plastics and lacks stitching in multitudes of areas where the 5 has in spades. Back to Nav screens.... the 5's is in another league with its elegant integration from those cheesy haphazard pop-up aftermarket looking screens everyone's doing now (and I'll bet the 5ers fully integrated theme actually costs more to design, so the tacked-on popup theme could be even a cost cutting measure). Not to mention as I experienced on the 6 Series, you get HORRIBLE glare from the standup screens, which the F10's functional "dome" design doesn't allow for.

On the '13 with M suspension I happen to like the 5's steering. Nice and heavy yet not annoyingly so, decent feedback yet not to the point where you lose that luxury and silky smooth feeling.

+1

Also Audi lease rates can’t even come close to BMW rates

[steve-p]

Originally Posted by remmib

^Really?! I think the placement of the nav screen in the f10 is awesome.

I agree. When I was looking, I ruled out the current 3 series and various other makes straight away because the screen stuck up out of the dash like some cheap afterthought add-on.