Considering a either a new Audi A4 Avant, or a BMW 320D tourer. Has anybody seen any good offers on new UK supplied one lately.
Thanks
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Audi model is very recent facelift of car that is about three years old. BMW is either last model of old shape or not yet released new model. In other words either get the Audi now or wait for the new BMW.
Unlikely to be deals on new 3-series but possibly on old model.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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I went through this myself earlier in March.
The new shape BMW touring isn't out until towards the end of the year.
The A4 Avant has only recently come out and seems to be quite hard to get hold of - I've heard of discounts (there was a guy in What Car - last month? - who got a what struck me as a chunky discount but I can't remember the details) but I needed a car quickly and didn't get into serious discussions.
I ended up buying a 54 reg C-Class estate from one of the Mercedes Direct outlets. Their prices look pretty good to start with (although the cars are often loaded with options) plus I haggled a hefty discount. Many of the cars had the 'Sport' pack, which I didn't want, but some people might prefer.
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I'd suggest trying both (and the Mercedes perhaps) and seeing which you prefer, then looking for a deal. How much tyou pay depends on which model you go for.
I chose the A4 as I wanted a six-cylinder diesel, and the 2.5 TDI is cheaper than the 330d (the 320d being 4-cylinder). It has slightly more room for people and luggage than the 3-series, and personally I prefer front-wheel drive. There's also the option of 4WD with the A4.
For cornering on the limit (which young road testers insist os the main criterion) the general view is that a BMW is a better 'driver's car' than an Audi - I think it comes down to personal preference.
Nice to have that choice isn't it - I'm conscious how lucky we are.
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I chose the A4 as I wanted a six-cylinder diesel, and the 2.5 TDI is cheaper than the 330d
The V6 TDi engine really is a delight. I bought my spanking new 52 plate Passat with this engine (and although it was rated @ 163BHP as opposed to 180BHP in the Audi) it really did make for an effortless drive. The six speed manual box was sweet through all the gears and the larger engine really did make the Passat that much swifter. It sometimes surprised other drivers who expected it to be like all the other 99.9% Passats - 1.9 engined.
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Just for info, mine's a 163 as well: the 180 goes in the quattro.
I agree - it'a a delight. Mine has the multitronic whereas the quattro has a conventional automatic: there's not much difference in performance, although there is in price.
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The decision will be based on price - Has any one seen any good deals of uk supplied vehicles?. Drivethe deal.com seem to be the cheapest for a Audi A4 Avant
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The decision will be based on price..
Isn't there a saying about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing?
What about residual value, whole life costs etc?
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I think you definitely need to include servicing costs as well in your assessments as Audi servicing is horrendously expensive, - way more than BMW, who have a 3 year free servicing deal running on their diesels if you buy new.
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I think the 3 year free servicing has stopped. You can however pay for a package. Drive a RWD and find what you've been missing out on...
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I think the 3 year free servicing has stopped...
It looks like it's been extended to five years for the old-shape diesels (except the convertible).
www.bmw.co.uk/apm/owner/servicing/owner_servicing_...l
Andrew
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The 3 year free servicing is not available on the new E90 3 Series, but as the requirement was for a Touring model, it is still available on an E46 diesel Touring. I don`t think the E90 Touring is due for release until the back end of this year.
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