Would appreciate some advice/comments/experience please.
I am looking to purchase a Merc E300TD, an Audi A6 2.5 TDI or the BMW 530d. I have already been told that the E300TD is boring and thirsty. The 530d is a great drive but blows turbo's (BMW mechanic information) and build quality not up to the Merc.Can anyone give me some advice to assist my choice. Many thanks.
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My brother-in-law bought a 2 year old Audi A4 estate 2.5 TDI off an Audi dealer and the engine blew after 25k miles. You pay your money and take your chance!
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The Audi 2.5 Tdi is a bit of an acquired taste, the power band is very narrow but it helps that most have 6 gears. It wasn't that economical from what I remember of the one I borrowed.
The BMW is quieter but I didn't like it that much - just find the 5 series very over-rated.
The latest Mercs with Cdi engines are great and the E-series is the best Merc by miles (haven't tried a latest S though).
You pays your money. I find the A6 the nicest to drive on m-ways but the extra cog-shifting can be a pain in town. A6 Tiptronic perhaps...?
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It's my understanding that the Tiptronic (recently replaced by a neat push-button Multitronic system) works best with the 2.5TDI engines, so an automatic - if you can find one - might be your best bet if you're going for an Audi. The 180BHP engines aren't worth the extra money though.
The Audi is also the biggest inside of the 3 cars.
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Mahatma,
Didn't HJ write somewhere that the Tiptronic greatly increases fuel consumption on a diesel(25%) - or was it only the BMW? If that is so it would negate one of the main reasons for considering these cars.
C
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In my experiece, the BeeEm is the nicest engine. Never heard any problems over blowing turbos. Just make sure you use decent synthetic oil (that goes for all turbo diesels).
The Audi has the narrowest power band but sounds great, the Merc is flawless but characterless.
The only thing I dislike about the 5series is that it seems old hat now. Engine wise its my fave.
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Just spoke to a mate who services the Bavarian things. Blown turbos on the 330d are not common but happen too often for anyone's liking. the engine is also getting a bit of a reputation for burning oil once 40k is on the clock.
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I have just bought an A6 2.5TDi multitronic, so it is the latest engine which is more economic than the earlier one. It only has 2500 miles on it, and does 40MPG. It pulls like a train, the engine sits at 2,200 rpm at 80 mph and is barely audible. At that speed you can boot the accelerator and it will fly up hills, past wagons, without braking into a sweat. The multitronic box is superb, and I can't find a good reason to use the tiptronic pseudo manual mode (except on the odd tight slip road/bend I know) as it works so well.
I just hope that in 2 yrs time I still feel the same about it, 'cos if it is unreliable I will be off to buy another Jap car.
The narrow power band comments don't seem to be an issue with this version, but then the multitronic hides all that, with the right foot on the floor the engine sits at a steady 3500 rpm and it just takes off like a rocket, then the rpm ease back once you hit your intended cruise speed.
Cheers
Tim
PS want to buy an Avensis?
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I got a 530d estate. No problems with it yet except for the imobiliser not always turning off. Engine is fantastic and I sincerely hope it doesn't end up blowing turbos.
Thought (very briefly) about the E320 CDI but it is too big for my needs and apparently doesn't handle that well.
I never even considered the A6 but did consider a Passat.
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