Audi A5 Sportback tdi or BMW 4 series Gran coupe

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

Thinking of a car change, after 5 years of VWCC ownership. 

Trying to keep to the £30 road tax, which is tricky when the gov planted the £40k sh1te tax increase for 5 years. So newest would be March 2017 first reg. 

Motoring press don’t rate the A5 as a drivers car, particularly the chassis and steering, but I’m being seduced as the build quality is great, although reliability ratings are poor. Go figure!

BMW more of a drivers car but, in my eyes, not as pretty! We have an X5 which is awesome but for ruddy tyres!

Looking for 2litre TDI (I could be pursuaded petrol- as I do max 6k annually), auto, low miles 

 

So open this one to the Wscc community, who has an A5? Do you agree with the motoring press?

Anyone with the 4 series GRan Coupe, rear passenger accommodation, ok for 15 and 16 year olds?

 

Appreciate feedback guys.

Andy

[John Dolan - Wirral & North Wales AO]

Audi A5 Sportback tdi or BMW 4 series Gran coupe?

 

Andy, what’s happened, you used to be a nice guy? Big birthday, or something more evil?

 

John, Ford Kuga driver.

 

😉

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

54 minutes ago, bollockybill said:

Audi A5 Sportback tdi or BMW 4 series Gran coupe?

 

Andy, what’s happened, you used to be a nice guy? Big birthday, or something more evil?

 

John, Ford Kuga driver.

 

😉

Haha! Not all Audi and BMW drivers are bad! The indicators do get used and work on the X5 !! 😂 

[Arm]

A5 was the most boring car I ever had which was a shame as it looked great and was well screwed together .

Steering and chassis dull dull dull. 

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

9 minutes ago, Arm said:

A5 was the most boring car I ever had which was a shame as it looked great and was well screwed together .

Steering and chassis dull dull dull. 

Exactly what motoring press says. Thanks Ash.

so BMW is looking more likely then ...

[Steve (sdh2903)]

The mrs has the same platform in a 2017 a4. Agree totally with @Arm It's nice to look at and is beautifully made but it's absolutely dire to drive. No feel whatsoever. My old mondeo drove much better and was more fun.

 

Test one and try for yourself but out of those 2 it would be the bmw for me everytime.

[Arm]

The Passat cc was a nicer car as was almost every other VW Audi Seat or Skoda. Reminds me the Octavia VRS was a jewel at fair money.

[Alan France]

I enjoyed my Passat CC, but not at all impressed with the DSG box.

 

Bit of concern for the VW group given the state of the worldwide car market and this graphic from the Daily Telegraph. Just look at the revenue, compared to employees.

 

 

 

[darve]

I had a 2L A5 s-line for 3 years and loved it. Only sold it as a train commuter now.

 

Never had one problem with it in my time. Was 1 year old when I got it. Think I did about 60k in it.

 

Not the most exciting to drive but it is a large hatchback (great for fitting loads of gear in) so what do you expect? Never found myself wanting more cornering speed or power.

 

Have the westie for that

 

Guess I'd say it's a great looking, reliable commuter. Really high quality feel to everything. 

 

The engine doesn't rev but loads of torque from very low down and in my view the gearbox got it right most of the time. Quick double tap of the stick or flappy paddle if you want to shoot off or qet in a gear ahead of a corner / roundabout. I'm perplexed when ppl moan about that as the electronics can't guess that's what you want

 

Clutch take up off the line a little slow in normal mode. I.e. slight delay when pulling away. If you do need to REALLY shoot off then holding the brake whilst lightly on the accelerator and then take your foot of the brake and pushing the throttle makes it snap the clutch up and fly! Probably not good for the car though lol

 

Could get 60mpg on a really good run

 

That's my ramblings!

[Chris Brading]

I had 3 litre A5 diesel, and it was like my first girlfriend, very beautiful and very boring. My son used to mock it when he was a passenger saying ohh my neck hurts, ahh because you’re accelerating hard.  Really felt heavy on braking and chucking it through tight corners it would mysteriously lose power as the traction fun police would kick in.

 

zenon headlight starter failed and cost £960

[Alan France]

9 hours ago, darve said:

If you do need to REALLY shoot off then holding the brake whilst lightly on the accelerator and then take your foot of the brake and pushing the throttle makes it snap the clutch up and fly! Probably not good for the car though lol

 

Exactly the same with the Passat CC and the best precaution when pulling out.

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

1 hour ago, Alan France said:

 

Exactly the same with the Passat CC and the best precaution when pulling out.

Assume you are referring to DSG box here. My manual is ok. 

Must admit to getting frustrated at times with electronic meddling (damping etc) on throttle, very noticeable after jumping out of the Westie on tb’s!

They are all electronic throttle now, I get that, it’s just how they can completely isolate driver! Hence sport modes!

[Alan France]

18 minutes ago, Greenstreak-Andy D said:

Assume you are referring to DSG box here.

 

Yes, only the DSG.

[SootySport]

Mad buying a DERV for 6k miles a year.  Diesel costs more per litre and DPF clogs with short journeys, although modern DPF’s use more fuel just to burn of excess soot and you end up with very low mpg. 

Anything that goes wrong with DerV engines  is expensive.

Unless you buy a Euro 6 you’ll be banned driving in London and later other big cities. 

I used to always have Dervs but changed to petrol 3 years ago for the above reasons.   

Audis in general are well built, reliable, safe especially Quattro, I n all weathers.  One thing they are ‘Not’  though is fun.

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

12 minutes ago, SootySport said:

Mad buying a DERV for 6k miles a year.  Diesel costs more per litre and DPF clogs with short journeys, although modern DPF’s use more fuel just to burn of excess soot and you end up with very low mpg. 

Anything that goes wrong with DerV engines  is expensive.

Unless you buy a Euro 6 you’ll be banned driving in London and later other big cities. 

I used to always have Dervs but changed to petrol 3 years ago for the above reasons.   

Audis in general are well built, reliable, safe especially Quattro, I n all weathers.  One thing they are ‘Not’  though is fun.

I understand your reasoning here, tend to agree, but not having any dpf issues on the CC for 5 years and seeing 50mpg most times, apart from the depths of winter where it drops to 40 something... I just like the way diesel drive. Low revs high torque I guess. Total opposite of Westie.

Now Euro6 will undoubtably mean adblue, which may be nothing but it could be an annoyance, even just once a year top up. So maybe I should take a look at Petrol. No harm in a test drive. 

Interesting how Audi have eliminated ‘fun’ in motoring! Seems consistent. So I’m leaning towards BMW.

Appreciate your comments.

Andy