Help! Confused between Audi A4 3.2 quattro or BMW 530i. EDIT : Bought 530D!!

sujithnk · 21st July 2008, 21:15

audi A4 3.2 quattro
42 Lakhs + 3 lakhs for B & O sound system and drive select + 30000 for rear entertainment system + sinse i want 18 inch wheels that should cost me extra + taxes = around 51 lakhs on road

bmw 530i olso cost around that price bracket.

now i am really confused what to buy? these are the points i used to compare between both the cars.

1.audi looks fresh whereas i feel bmw is atleast 20 months old .
2.audi is much more powerful than bmw
3.audi has more gadgets inside too and i really like the lights too.

even though i found audi much better i am really confused because i have to be with the car i buy for the next 5 years minimum and some people are suggesting me that bmws are much better and will have a much better resale value later on .so please help

GTO · 22nd July 2008, 14:38

I'll make it simpler for you : Go for the 530D! It is so competent that I wonder why anyone would bother with the 530i. In most driving conditions, it will be as fast, if not faster, than the 530i. The torque delivery is stupendous and the engine, like most german diesels, will prove its robustness & reliability in the long run.

The Audi 3.2 is a stonker, no doubt. But the BMW is from an entirely higher segment altogether.

Quote:

will have a much better resale value later on .

No doubt on that. The 530D will have far superior residual value.

In the end, its you who has to make the decision. Testdrive all three (A4 3.2, 530i and 530D) extensively. When buying a car for 50 lakhs, always buy with your heart

.

Sahil · 22nd July 2008, 16:14

I'm with GTO on this.... undoubtedly if i were in your place it would be the 530d !

And being a diesel makes it easy to remap and churn out much more power and maddening torque (not that the stock torque levels aren't crazy enough) ... all this for a few hundred pounds from a renowned company is a good investment. BMW tuners like Hartge,etc make some really good remaps.

Moreover, browse through a few BMW forums and see the amount of mods possible on the 5 series. I know of someone in Bombay that has turned his 530i into an M5 body, there is no way you can make out the difference unless you pop the hood.

In terms of resale the BMW and especially if it is a diesel will fetch far better value than the 3.2 Audi.
FYI BMW does off total peace of mind when it comes to maintenance as well, they have service inclusive plans starting at 2.5lakhs for 5 years.

extreme_torque · 22nd July 2008, 16:25

An AUDI A4 for 51 lakhs on-road!!!

You can get a top of the line S500 Class with lesser money in US! Argh!

Veelubai · 22nd July 2008, 18:35

Sujithnk- all the best with your car purchase.
AFAIK the A4 3.2 comes stock with 18 inchers.

ecclipse78 · 23rd July 2008, 07:01

Hi,

I was in a similar situation 2 months ago. I owned an A4 ( 1.8 T ), and wanted to upgrade to the 3.2 FSI. But at 43 lacs on road, it does'nt make any sense.

Like the guys suggest just go for the BMW 530d,

with your eyes closed. Its not only a car from a bigger segment, but more comfy and a better all rounder.

Audi still has some way to go, before they catch up with BMW. ( in my opinion )

Insane Devil · 23rd July 2008, 14:30

AS GTO & Sahil rightly said, The 530d Is very very powerufl, and definately have very good resale value in future. The 51lk Audi A4 will not fetch u much in resale.

And there will not be a new 5 series till 2011.

GTO · 23rd July 2008, 16:41

Guys, the A4 is not for 51 lakhs. Its the options he wants, that may add up a couple of lakhs to the low 40's price tag.

Ricky_63 · 23rd July 2008, 18:11

If you are looking at figures such as what you are - then I'd suggest you may as well look at the Audi A6 3.0 TDi Quattro, compare this to the 530d & take a call

The A4 3.2 with all the add ons @ 51 seems a tad over the top if you ask me !! Though the driving pleasure is unparalled.

Cheers

P.S I am looking forward to the Q5

No I do not wish to add to your confusion !!!

no_limit · 23rd July 2008, 23:08

Having owned an Audi myself I can tell you that A6 is a much better car then a BMW..I have always found BMW much stiffer than Audis. I dont know if 3.5 FSI is available in India or not other wise I have found it has got enough performance and grunt.
Moreover an Audi diesel is reckoned to be the best diesel around.

danlalan · 24th July 2008, 00:20

The volvo s80 is also a car to look at.

V8 AWD (315 hp) 4.4litre AT 48 LAKHS ODD.

Variants - Engine Variants - Which S80? - Volvo S80 - Volvo Models - www.volvocars.com/in

Randhawa · 24th July 2008, 00:32

Audi=VW
BMW=BMW

If you don't mind the Diesel noise then I would suggest the same as GTO. But each to its own so go for what you really want.

Sahil · 24th July 2008, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_limit

Moreover an Audi diesel is reckoned to be the best diesel around.

I dont quite agree with that... IMO Merc diesel are extremly refined so are BMWs the latter being more performance oriented. Audis are good too but def not the best diesels.
A friend of mine has an A6 and a 5 series, he reckons he'd pick the BMW anyday.
I have driven his 3.0TDi and really liked it but the 525d is much more fun to drive. Hence the 530d would blow the A6 3.0Tdi in performance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randhawa

Audi=VW
BMW=BMW

If you don't mind the Diesel noise then I would suggest the same as GTO. But each to its own so go for what you really want.

There is barely any diesel noise noticed...i had a few friends who were recently suprised to know that my BMW was a diesel after haven sat in it a zillion times over the past 9 months.

Randhawa · 24th July 2008, 01:44

I know what you saying buddy but still there is some noise at least on idle

no_limit · 24th July 2008, 13:15

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

I dont quite agree with that... IMO Merc diesel are extremly refined so are BMWs the latter being more performance oriented. Audis are good too but def not the best diesels.
A friend of mine has an A6 and a 5 series, he reckons he'd pick the BMW anyday.
I have driven his 3.0TDi and really liked it but the 525d is much more fun to drive. Hence the 530d would blow the A6 3.0Tdi in performance.

A 1000Nm V12 TDI diesel in R8, A R10 TDI which won Le Mans 24 hrs in 2006 and becoming he first diesel powered car to win Le Mans...ever heard of any BMW or Merc diesel coming even close to this kind of performance?
I have never driven a BMW diesel road car, but owing a pertol merc and a diesel Audi, I can definitely say that I prefer my diesel audi for my every day commute to work, over my Merc..(and no diesel is not cheaper in England

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21st July 2008, 21:15	#1
sujithnk BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cochin Posts: 128 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Help! Confused between Audi A4 3.2 quattro or BMW 530i. EDIT : Bought 530D!! audi A4 3.2 quattro 42 Lakhs + 3 lakhs for B & O sound system and drive select + 30000 for rear entertainment system + sinse i want 18 inch wheels that should cost me extra + taxes = around 51 lakhs on road bmw 530i olso cost around that price bracket. now i am really confused what to buy? these are the points i used to compare between both the cars. 1.audi looks fresh whereas i feel bmw is atleast 20 months old . 2.audi is much more powerful than bmw 3.audi has more gadgets inside too and i really like the lights too. even though i found audi much better i am really confused because i have to be with the car i buy for the next 5 years minimum and some people are suggesting me that bmws are much better and will have a much better resale value later on .so please help
	() Thanks

22nd July 2008, 16:14	#3
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	I'm with GTO on this.... undoubtedly if i were in your place it would be the 530d ! And being a diesel makes it easy to remap and churn out much more power and maddening torque (not that the stock torque levels aren't crazy enough) ... all this for a few hundred pounds from a renowned company is a good investment. BMW tuners like Hartge,etc make some really good remaps. Moreover, browse through a few BMW forums and see the amount of mods possible on the 5 series. I know of someone in Bombay that has turned his 530i into an M5 body, there is no way you can make out the difference unless you pop the hood. In terms of resale the BMW and especially if it is a diesel will fetch far better value than the 3.2 Audi. FYI BMW does off total peace of mind when it comes to maintenance as well, they have service inclusive plans starting at 2.5lakhs for 5 years. Last edited by Rehaan : 23rd July 2008 at 11:02. Reason: Moved to luxury section. Thanks. In future please use the REPORT POST button.
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22nd July 2008, 16:25	#4
extreme_torque Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,377 Thanked: 5,105 Times	An AUDI A4 for 51 lakhs on-road!!! You can get a top of the line S500 Class with lesser money in US! Argh!
	() Thanks

22nd July 2008, 18:35	#5
Veelubai BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: B'lore/Trichur Posts: 317 Thanked: 87 Times	Sujithnk- all the best with your car purchase. AFAIK the A4 3.2 comes stock with 18 inchers.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 07:01	#6
ecclipse78 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 327 Thanked: 55 Times	Hi, I was in a similar situation 2 months ago. I owned an A4 ( 1.8 T ), and wanted to upgrade to the 3.2 FSI. But at 43 lacs on road, it does'nt make any sense. Like the guys suggest just go for the BMW 530d, with your eyes closed. Its not only a car from a bigger segment, but more comfy and a better all rounder. Audi still has some way to go, before they catch up with BMW. ( in my opinion )
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 14:30	#7
Insane Devil BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 987 Thanked: 173 Times View My Garage	AS GTO & Sahil rightly said, The 530d Is very very powerufl, and definately have very good resale value in future. The 51lk Audi A4 will not fetch u much in resale. And there will not be a new 5 series till 2011.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 16:41	#8
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,764 Times View My Garage	Guys, the A4 is not for 51 lakhs. Its the options he wants, that may add up a couple of lakhs to the low 40's price tag.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 18:11	#9
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	If you are looking at figures such as what you are - then I'd suggest you may as well look at the Audi A6 3.0 TDi Quattro, compare this to the 530d & take a call The A4 3.2 with all the add ons @ 51 seems a tad over the top if you ask me !! Though the driving pleasure is unparalled. Cheers P.S I am looking forward to the Q5 No I do not wish to add to your confusion !!! Last edited by Ricky_63 : 23rd July 2008 at 18:12.
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23rd July 2008, 23:08	#10
no_limit BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, U.K, Jaipur (India) Posts: 72 Thanked: 4 Times	Having owned an Audi myself I can tell you that A6 is a much better car then a BMW..I have always found BMW much stiffer than Audis. I dont know if 3.5 FSI is available in India or not other wise I have found it has got enough performance and grunt. Moreover an Audi diesel is reckoned to be the best diesel around.
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 00:20	#11
danlalan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mumbai,JUHU Posts: 1,636 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	The volvo s80 is also a car to look at. V8 AWD (315 hp) 4.4litre AT 48 LAKHS ODD. Variants - Engine Variants - Which S80? - Volvo S80 - Volvo Models - www.volvocars.com/in
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 00:32	#12
Randhawa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brighton Posts: 1,193 Thanked: 355 Times	Audi=VW BMW=BMW If you don't mind the Diesel noise then I would suggest the same as GTO. But each to its own so go for what you really want.
	() Thanks

24th July 2008, 01:44	#14
Randhawa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brighton Posts: 1,193 Thanked: 355 Times	I know what you saying buddy but still there is some noise at least on idle
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