Rs. 40 lakh Executive Express Showdown - Team-BHP

Revvmaster · 4th June 2005, 09:20

So, the competitors are finally here. Audi is officially in India now with the A8 and the recently launched A6.

BMW has finally showed its intent, homologated several models and is out here with its entire model range. Including the bangled 5 Series.

Mercedes, well have been around now for nearly 11 years. With 3 models assembled in India, and the rest coming in as CBUs, their sales of 1500+ cars a year is an enviable proposition for the above two companies. Its largest selling model? The E-class.

Of-course, the three aren't as similar as one would have hoped. While the 5-series and E-class are rear wheel drive, the Audi A6 is currently offered only in FWD, with the Quattro expected a lil' later. Besides that, the BMW is sporty, agile and a hoot to drive, the E-class an amazingly comfy mile-muncher and the A6 a simple, clean car that does the best of both its competitors.

So what is your choice? The Munich Muncher, the Inglostadt Hunter or the Stuttgart Punter?

Revv

GTO · 4th June 2005, 09:52

As much as I detest Bangles unnecessary cuts and curves, its the BMW M5 for me. Simple reason - It is the ultimate driving machine.

The Audi is FWD - eliminated on the spot. And the Mercedes....well

GTO

Steeroid · 4th June 2005, 11:48

Having driven all three (admittedly outside India and less of the Beemer than the other 2), I would pick the Audi A6.

Somehow, the Audi gives you more of a quality car feel than the other too. Never liked the Beemers looks ever since they were mangled by a certain Bangle.

Rtech · 4th June 2005, 11:59

As much as I wanted to pick the A6 for its lovely lines, the interior put me off. I hate the design of it's dash, and I also hate the FWD only option in India.

I've never been a fan of the 3 pointed star as I consider them too much of an old man's car (although I love the shape of the current E).

So I'm left with the 5 series. Not a fan of the i-Drive, but with that engine and handling, I could live with it. In India, I would pick the diesel though.

Sid Schumacher · 4th June 2005, 14:34

5 series for me.....A6 is also very good but the 5 series rules anywhere.

dipen · 4th June 2005, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

As much as I detest Bangles unnecessary cuts and curves, its the BMW M5 for me. Simple reason - It is the ultimate driving machine.

The Audi is FWD - eliminated on the spot. And the Mercedes....well

GTO

Its a 40 lakh shootout , so M5 is out of Question , U will have to settle for cheaper 5 series ones.

GTO · 4th June 2005, 15:24

Oops, caught me there Dipen. I meant the BMW regular 5 series. Gotta get over the M5 hangover

GTO

CaliforniaKnight · 4th June 2005, 15:26

In India, I would pick the diesel though.[/quote]

Have you driven the diesel..its amazing..blows the 270cdi to dust...its just like driving a high performance petrol engine..

dipen · 4th June 2005, 15:31

Can anyone get the exact on-road prices of the BMW 535i and the diesel variant , Audi A6.
I have a feeling that the BMW diesel costs approx 55 lakhs on road Bombay( as its a CBU ). If true, thats a huge 15 lak difference over the Merc.

Shan2nu · 4th June 2005, 15:44

It's the 5 series for me. It's a got a good engine, RWD and is reliable.

Audi's are good but no use paying 40 lakhs for a FWD.

Off Topic : But my fav top end car right now is the Acura RL.

Shan2nu

hot_rod · 4th June 2005, 15:47

I think i would go in for the audi it has a class of its own any way kinda never liked mercs and bmw's!

Montoya · 4th June 2005, 16:09

Has to be a 5series.. Its super fast and so good looking.. sharp angles and that grille drool.... but *** it has a casette player and no CD/MP3

lamborghini · 4th June 2005, 16:30

Dipen,
a mercedes E 270 costs 47L on road.
I would choose the 5 series even though i am an Audi fan.
But an A8/A4 over the respective 7/3 series for me anyday.

johnjacob · 4th June 2005, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Gotta get over the M5 hangover

I wouldn't mind having one of those

(M5 hangovers I mean!)

iceman91 · 4th June 2005, 18:10

gotta be a BMW...nothin else!!!

View Poll Results: German Exec class comparo
Audi A6	9	14.75%
BMW 5-Series	43	70.49%
Mercedes E-class	9	14.75%
Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

4th June 2005, 09:20	#1 (permalink)
Revvmaster BANNED Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,129	Rs. 40 lakh Executive Express Showdown So, the competitors are finally here. Audi is officially in India now with the A8 and the recently launched A6. BMW has finally showed its intent, homologated several models and is out here with its entire model range. Including the bangled 5 Series. Mercedes, well have been around now for nearly 11 years. With 3 models assembled in India, and the rest coming in as CBUs, their sales of 1500+ cars a year is an enviable proposition for the above two companies. Its largest selling model? The E-class. Of-course, the three aren't as similar as one would have hoped. While the 5-series and E-class are rear wheel drive, the Audi A6 is currently offered only in FWD, with the Quattro expected a lil' later. Besides that, the BMW is sporty, agile and a hoot to drive, the E-class an amazingly comfy mile-muncher and the A6 a simple, clean car that does the best of both its competitors. So what is your choice? The Munich Muncher, the Inglostadt Hunter or the Stuttgart Punter? Revv

4th June 2005, 09:52	#2 (permalink)
GTO Super-Admin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 12,394 View My Garage	As much as I detest Bangles unnecessary cuts and curves, its the BMW M5 for me. Simple reason - It is the ultimate driving machine. The Audi is FWD - eliminated on the spot. And the Mercedes....well GTO __________________ GTO Change the way you think, and watch the world change around you. Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

4th June 2005, 11:48	#3 (permalink)
Steeroid Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DXB Posts: 5,414 View My Garage	Having driven all three (admittedly outside India and less of the Beemer than the other 2), I would pick the Audi A6. Somehow, the Audi gives you more of a quality car feel than the other too. Never liked the Beemers looks ever since they were mangled by a certain Bangle. __________________ Cheers Steer In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is stoned to death.

4th June 2005, 11:59	#4 (permalink)
Rtech Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,982 View My Garage	As much as I wanted to pick the A6 for its lovely lines, the interior put me off. I hate the design of it's dash, and I also hate the FWD only option in India. I've never been a fan of the 3 pointed star as I consider them too much of an old man's car (although I love the shape of the current E). So I'm left with the 5 series. Not a fan of the i-Drive, but with that engine and handling, I could live with it. In India, I would pick the diesel though. __________________ He who makes the loudest noise usually has the least to say. Unfortunately they don't realise that and keep at it! ____

4th June 2005, 14:34	#5 (permalink)
Sid Schumacher BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 264	5 series for me.....A6 is also very good but the 5 series rules anywhere. __________________ *Don't drink and drive. You might hit a bump and spill your beer.*

4th June 2005, 15:24	#7 (permalink)
GTO Super-Admin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 12,394 View My Garage	Oops, caught me there Dipen. I meant the BMW regular 5 series. Gotta get over the M5 hangover GTO __________________ GTO Change the way you think, and watch the world change around you. Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

4th June 2005, 15:26	#8 (permalink)
CaliforniaKnight BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: IND + DXB Posts: 648 View My Garage	In India, I would pick the diesel though.[/quote] Have you driven the diesel..its amazing..blows the 270cdi to dust...its just like driving a high performance petrol engine.. __________________ Been there, done that........ but I MISS the MONSOON DRIVE '08

4th June 2005, 15:31	#9 (permalink)
dipen Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,058	Can anyone get the exact on-road prices of the BMW 535i and the diesel variant , Audi A6. I have a feeling that the BMW diesel costs approx 55 lakhs on road Bombay( as its a CBU ). If true, thats a huge 15 lak difference over the Merc.

4th June 2005, 15:44	#10 (permalink)
Shan2nu Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli/Blore - Karnataka - India Posts: 4,073 View My Garage	It's the 5 series for me. It's a got a good engine, RWD and is reliable. Audi's are good but no use paying 40 lakhs for a FWD. Off Topic : But my fav top end car right now is the Acura RL. Shan2nu __________________ VTEC flyby - youtube.com/watch?v=1AhWJlVRPqE

4th June 2005, 15:47	#11 (permalink)
hot_rod BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 154 View My Garage	I think i would go in for the audi it has a class of its own any way kinda never liked mercs and bmw's! __________________ 4get metrosexuals be a petrosexual.............:D TEAM-BHP.com pada pa pa IM REVVING IT!!!

4th June 2005, 16:09	#12 (permalink)
Montoya BANNED Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Best City In India Mumbai Posts: 657	Has to be a 5series.. Its super fast and so good looking.. sharp angles and that grille drool.... but *** it has a casette player and no CD/MP3

4th June 2005, 16:30	#13 (permalink)
lamborghini Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Mumbai/Smithfield, RI, USA Posts: 2,654 View My Garage	Dipen, a mercedes E 270 costs 47L on road. I would choose the 5 series even though i am an Audi fan. But an A8/A4 over the respective 7/3 series for me anyday. __________________ ¢нєєяѕ ℓαмвσ lamborghinirules@gmail.com

4th June 2005, 18:10	#15 (permalink)
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/bangalore Posts: 1,342 View My Garage	gotta be a BMW...nothin else!!! __________________ ...91 is back !!!!

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