Preowned Audi A6 Petrol or E280 CDI or

ppr · 18th July 2010, 23:27

Hi

I am thinking of buying an Audi A6 2.8 FSI or a E280 CDI or BMW 530D (not highline) used car. The Merc and Audi are 2-3 years old and the BMW is 5 years old. All are around the same price. The Audi is driven the least and is fully loaded. The BMW (being the oldest) is not in as good condition as the other two.

Which of these cars would give me the least maintenance costs over the next 4 years? I am leaning away from the BMW because it is an older car (and the more expensive) It is hard to make up my mind between the Audi and the Merc because the Merc is diesel and the Audi Petrol. I read the forums about the unreliability of recent Mercs and this is a major concern.

I am not interested in the smaller cars (C, A4 or 3) because of the lack of rear legroom.

Regards

ppr

ajmat · 19th July 2010, 08:32

The later Merc E classes - post facelift are fairly reliable except for the a/c compressor life being short. It will not be an issue as long as you find a good local independent. check out GTO's C class ownershi thread which will give you details.

The audi is worth it if well priced. Remember, being petrol and being an Audi, resale may take time. A competent car no doubt though

Akshay1234 · 19th July 2010, 09:22

Mercedes started selling certified used cars recently, why not have a look at that? Then you can be sure it will be in good condition and the maintenance wont be too high. Also see other places which might give you a warranty or guarantee, like Shreyans used cars or even Infinity BMW.

Ricky_63 · 19th July 2010, 10:10

The re-sale of the Audi will be very low because of it being a Petrol, otherwise it is a brilliant car. The Merc E 280 CDI is always going to be the easiest to sell & service. It drives like a dream (happens to be one of my all time favourites)

Having said that, the 530d is a brilliant car, but be sure of it's service record, as these cars are high maintenance (Obviously you'd be aware of that)

My pick the E280, better still from a Merc dealership used car program with warranty.

Cheers

Sahil · 19th July 2010, 10:50

E280 would be my pick here too. Although Merc reliability is debate but so is Audi.
The 530d would be ideal but if it's a 5 year old car then it's post LCI which were a lot less powered than the 530d launched in India. The car you are being offered is a CBU hence the higher price tag too.

happy.tripathy · 19th July 2010, 10:57

My pick would be the Merc. Reliability of the Merc and the Audi will be almost at the same level, but I guess the Merc would be easier to maintain and also the Merc would give you a good resale value as its a diesel. Could you share the asking price of the Audi A6?

ppr · 19th July 2010, 12:40

Actually the Merc is a year older (2007) and driven about 35000 kms (twice the kms of the Audi). Almost the same cost. I would also prefer the diesel but the Audi is fully loaded and looks new.

Are the 2007 cars post facelift? I thought the new model only came this year.

What maintenance am I looking at for both the cars? I prefer sending them to the official dealers for servicing.

Regards

ppr

ppr · 19th July 2010, 19:15

What about the petrol for the A6? Can we put regular petrol? I cannot find a 97 octane pump every day.

ppr

Ricky_63 · 20th July 2010, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppr

What about the petrol for the A6? Can we put regular petrol? I cannot find a 97 octane pump every day.

ppr

97 octane is NOT mandatory, but preferred. IMHO Go for the A6 if you are getting it MUCH cheaper than the E280..

If you do the math you'll want the E280, petrol vs diesel that is.

Cheers

Ricky_63 · 20th July 2010, 22:02

I am considering a E280 CDI myself ! Black, pristine, VIP number, single owner, 40K on the odo, accident free, full service history, brand new tyres !! What more can I say.

So for lesser than the price of a C 220 I can get a monster called the E280

what say fellas ??

Cheers

ppr · 20th July 2010, 22:38

The E is 1 lakh more expensive and 2 years older with double the mileage. The A6 is fully loaded (WCI package + adaptive air suspension) but has a small scratch.

JayD · 20th July 2010, 23:14

My vote goes for the E280, but it would be a lot easier for the members to comment if you'd give exact details of each car, rather than"car X is y times older than Y, which happens to have run z kms more than car 3" etc etc.....

ppr · 20th July 2010, 23:24

E 2006 37K kms 24L; A6 2008 17K kms 23L

Akshay1234 · 20th July 2010, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppr

The E is 1 lakh more expensive and 2 years older with double the mileage. The A6 is fully loaded (WCI package + adaptive air suspension) but has a small scratch.

I suggest the A6, it will be the best of both worlds, a balance between the merc's comfort and the bimmers driver oriented-ness. Only the service will be suspect but otherwise you should enjoy the car immensely.

Ricky_63 · 21st July 2010, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppr

E 2006 37K kms 24L; A6 2008 17K kms 23L

You are obviously taken in by the A6

If you like it so much go right ahead & buy it, it is a hoot to drive alright.

Lower re-sale & higher running cost does not seem to be your concern, so why worry.

Cheers

18th July 2010, 23:27	#1
ppr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 31 Times	Preowned Audi A6 Petrol or E280 CDI or Hi I am thinking of buying an Audi A6 2.8 FSI or a E280 CDI or BMW 530D (not highline) used car. The Merc and Audi are 2-3 years old and the BMW is 5 years old. All are around the same price. The Audi is driven the least and is fully loaded. The BMW (being the oldest) is not in as good condition as the other two. Which of these cars would give me the least maintenance costs over the next 4 years? I am leaning away from the BMW because it is an older car (and the more expensive) It is hard to make up my mind between the Audi and the Merc because the Merc is diesel and the Audi Petrol. I read the forums about the unreliability of recent Mercs and this is a major concern. I am not interested in the smaller cars (C, A4 or 3) because of the lack of rear legroom. Regards ppr
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 08:32	#2
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,858 Thanked: 27,925 Times View My Garage	The later Merc E classes - post facelift are fairly reliable except for the a/c compressor life being short. It will not be an issue as long as you find a good local independent. check out GTO's C class ownershi thread which will give you details. The audi is worth it if well priced. Remember, being petrol and being an Audi, resale may take time. A competent car no doubt though
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 09:22	#3
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,316 Times	Mercedes started selling certified used cars recently, why not have a look at that? Then you can be sure it will be in good condition and the maintenance wont be too high. Also see other places which might give you a warranty or guarantee, like Shreyans used cars or even Infinity BMW.
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 10:10	#4
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	The re-sale of the Audi will be very low because of it being a Petrol, otherwise it is a brilliant car. The Merc E 280 CDI is always going to be the easiest to sell & service. It drives like a dream (happens to be one of my all time favourites) Having said that, the 530d is a brilliant car, but be sure of it's service record, as these cars are high maintenance (Obviously you'd be aware of that) My pick the E280, better still from a Merc dealership used car program with warranty. Cheers
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 10:50	#5
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,605 Times	E280 would be my pick here too. Although Merc reliability is debate but so is Audi. The 530d would be ideal but if it's a 5 year old car then it's post LCI which were a lot less powered than the 530d launched in India. The car you are being offered is a CBU hence the higher price tag too.
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 10:57	#6
happy.tripathy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 76 Thanked: 3 Times	My pick would be the Merc. Reliability of the Merc and the Audi will be almost at the same level, but I guess the Merc would be easier to maintain and also the Merc would give you a good resale value as its a diesel. Could you share the asking price of the Audi A6?
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 12:40	#7
ppr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 31 Times	Thanks for the quick responses! Actually the Merc is a year older (2007) and driven about 35000 kms (twice the kms of the Audi). Almost the same cost. I would also prefer the diesel but the Audi is fully loaded and looks new. Are the 2007 cars post facelift? I thought the new model only came this year. What maintenance am I looking at for both the cars? I prefer sending them to the official dealers for servicing. Regards ppr
	() Thanks

19th July 2010, 19:15	#8
ppr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 31 Times	What about the petrol for the A6? Can we put regular petrol? I cannot find a 97 octane pump every day. ppr
	() Thanks

20th July 2010, 22:02	#10
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	I am considering a E280 CDI myself ! Black, pristine, VIP number, single owner, 40K on the odo, accident free, full service history, brand new tyres !! What more can I say. So for lesser than the price of a C 220 I can get a monster called the E280 what say fellas ?? Cheers
	() Thanks

20th July 2010, 22:38	#11
ppr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 31 Times	The E is 1 lakh more expensive and 2 years older with double the mileage. The A6 is fully loaded (WCI package + adaptive air suspension) but has a small scratch.
	() Thanks

20th July 2010, 23:14	#12
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	My vote goes for the E280, but it would be a lot easier for the members to comment if you'd give exact details of each car, rather than"car X is y times older than Y, which happens to have run z kms more than car 3" etc etc.....
	() Thanks

20th July 2010, 23:24	#13
ppr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 31 Times	E 2006 37K kms 24L; A6 2008 17K kms 23L
	() Thanks