To buy or not to buy.

**quattro-nick** · 7 February 2014, 19:54

i've driven with a audi a4 2.7 tdi and drive now with a a4 3.0 tdi.
the v6 2.7-3.0 diesel from audi is reliable
i have 270.000 km without oil consumption
the v6 2.5 diesel is not so good,bad dieselpump
if you choose for audi with automatic gearbox,take than the tiptronic (used by quattro).multitronic is not so good,many problems
good luck

**Cottis** · 7 February 2014, 20:00

Not sure how much "stuff" your kids come with but for that money, you are getting close to A5 3.0TDI Q money. Seen a couple recently that have turned my eye but might not be big enough for you looking at your other choices.

A mate who I play golf with has an X3 and hates it. Boss had a 730d and loved it. He replaced it with a Range Rover Sport diesel which he hates with its disco effect lights on the dash surprising him every morning ha ha. I tried to tell him. Cannot comment on the rest but they look like sound choices.

**Ross** · 7 February 2014, 20:14

Personally - it would be a toss up between the 3.0tdi A6 and 535d.

I like the look and quattro that the A6 offers, pretty good mpg / power. The 535d is going to be the most rapid on that list if performance is a deciding factor.

730d - too big and tame for my taste, drove one for a few weeks and it was like tavelling on a comfy leather sofa. It ate miles better than anything else I've driven and had loads of room. Probably the best value. A8 is the same class really, certainly the S8 is nice...

Utility - the X3 is a good car with 4wd and the 35d is quick. It is 3-series size inside so dont expect it to feel big, just high.

Cant comment on the merc of vw.

**RustyNut** · 7 February 2014, 20:32

Thanks chaps. If I'm honest it's the x3 that I wanted most out of the bunch because I love their 6pot diesels and it offers a bit of versatility. Joint second is the A6 and 5series. I guess it's a case of driving each and making a choice. Out of these three which would be the most reliable generally?
@cottis, would love an a5 but only the 2 door comes near my budget and if I got one the mrs would go nuts...

**Cottis** · 7 February 2014, 20:46

Have to agree with what Ross said about the 7 Series. I once borrowed it to drive 35miles to a little golf tourney I was playing in. By the time I go there, I was so ridiculously relaxed that I was awful at golf. It was sooooooo comfortable to drive and I was all loose and floppy (almost asleep) when I got to my destination. It was quicker than it should have been as well. Lots of kit.

**RustyNut** · 7 February 2014, 21:01

Hmmm, tempted by the 7 now too... I'll have to drive one and see. They're really good value too.

**bartolomeus** · 7 February 2014, 21:58

Rusty I have owned E60 530d, and 2x 535d, and a 335d.
The bi-turbo is more reliable than the single turbo. At least that's what my BMW mechanic is stating.
I never had any problems with my 530d or my 535d.
From the list of cars, I will clearly pick the 535d. It has a big boot, big interior space and it will tire you less than a 530d. I know it may sound silly because it's the same shell but I don't know the explanation. All my friend felt a difference between 530d and 535d. Maybe because 535d has stronger parts like 7 series brake discs, M5 pads and some other high performance parts.
X3 is small. Is like a 3 series with a larger boot. But inside space cannot be compared with E60.
VW Phaeton is not reliable. Problems all the time with the soft close, engine is also not reliable.
730d is also OK but you will get better mileage from 535d.

Also keep in mind that if you get the 535d with 286 HP, PRJ can tune it for you to get it around 380 HP and it will be a beast of a car!

**anthonys2** · 7 February 2014, 22:09

I personally don't like the 7 series BMW but before 2001 absolutely fantastic brother had a 740L and it was so comfortable fast and uneconomical!!!!! If your budget can stretch a little the my choice would be a Range Rover Sport 2.7 TDI HSE fantastic luxury 30mpg very comfortable and refined

**Rusty** · 7 February 2014, 23:09

Allroad? X3 makes me sick in my mouth...

**DJones** · 7 February 2014, 23:22

From my experience of ownership of the above list.....

730d sport (57) super smooth car got stuck in the snow though...
A8 3.0tdi quattro sport (08) great car as above but didn't get stuck...
A6 3.0tdi quattro s line (55) great car best of the above in truth....
A5 3.0tdi quattro (57) wouldn't bother for the money.
A6 3.0tdi Biturbo quattro s line (13) the best of the lot goes like stink sounds like a V8 and still does 42+ Mpg on a run....

**RustyNut** · 8 February 2014, 18:20

Originally posted by DJones

From my experience of ownership of the above list.....

730d sport (57) super smooth car got stuck in the snow though...
A8 3.0tdi quattro sport (08) great car as above but didn't get stuck...
A6 3.0tdi quattro s line (55) great car best of the above in truth....
A5 3.0tdi quattro (57) wouldn't bother for the money.
A6 3.0tdi Biturbo quattro s line (13) the best of the lot goes like stink sounds like a V8 and still does 42+ Mpg on a run....

Is there a particular year to avoid with the A6? I'm thinking 07-08 if I can find one within budget but only really because the Le Mans edition is available at this point and generally comes with all the toys and with the right wheels looks really good. If the early ones are reliable then I can get a lower mile example for a decent price and go for the s-line spec? Not too worried about it being auto (would prefer a manual) because the multitronic is only fwd I believe and as quattro-nick says the tiptronic is pretty robust. Quite looking forward to the point when I can start the search for real. There's some nice examples available at the moment.

**80Quattro** · 9 February 2014, 11:39

I've driven the 535d and 530d out of that list, both were great cars but I definitely have a preference for the 535 for the way it effortlessly accelerates. I don't like the steering feel at all though, it's far too light and feels very disconnected from what the wheels are actually doing. They are also terrible in the snow on the standard tyres.

**Rusty** · 9 February 2014, 12:09

Skoda Superb 4x4?

**Error404** · 9 February 2014, 13:07

I would discount the X3 just on size, they are small inside with no leg room, oh and the ride is awful.

For my money I'd go with either A6q avant, 535d estate, or throwing a curveball probably the most comfortable car out there and cheap - Citroen C6

To buy or not to buy.

To buy or not to buy.

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment