Should I swap to an Audi A5 3.0 TDI?

[jonathancaddick1]

Hello all,

Apologies this topic isn't technically about the Z4, but I wanted to get peoples' opinions on something.

I've had my 2004 Z4 convertible for a year now and I love it, when it's sunny and you can have the roof off it's great, even with the roof up actually. However, I now live in an area with horrendous roads and quite a bit of traffic, and I find myself bouncing around on the way home with bits of trim rattling away, which doesn't always put one in the best of moods after working 8-5.

I'm considering changing car to a 2009-2010 Audi A5 3.0 Diesel for more comfort but still enough performance to satisfy me. I know they cost around twice what mine is worth so it can't be a direct comparison, but I was wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and can offer any advice? Do you think I would regret getting rid of the Z4 especially with summer coming? Are diesels anywhere near as fun?!

Thanks!

 

[pvr]

Do you need a diesel first of all?

I have an Audit A3, it is a "fine" car to drive - but I don't love it, it is just functionally fine for what it is.

If you want a more involved drive, I would look at a 3 series instead really.

 

[Ewazix]

Unless you are doing big mileages the Diesel is an expensive waste really. Big D engines aren't great in urban driving, cost more to service and are gaining a reputation for expensive unreliability compared to petrol, particularly if you do a lot of urban driving. I understand the issue with crashy ride and rattles, most early Zeds will go that way unless sorted which isn't hard.

Mine was awful until I ditched the runflat tyres to sort the ride, and went through all the tweeks to get rid of rattles including re-torquing the under bonnet strut and going through the interior with sticky felt and the help of the excellent 'rattles' how to guide on the forum. Once sorted it's a whole new car and the lack of rattles makes it feel special again rather than sounding like a shed. Maybe give the rattle guide a go.

 

[Zeld4]

A mate of mine has the very same car. The S line model on 19s is incredibly bumpy. I was shocked by the ride, and if the roads near you are as bad as you say you will not get any more comfort than a Z4.

He also had a 2k spend on the turbos recently.

 

[skelters]

Don't buy the Audi.

1 Series hatchback although I think they're hideous.
1 Series Coupe Nice looking cars
3 Series Loads of them on the road usually with faulty indicators.

How about a Mondeo? Bit different. Guy at work has one and fills it up about once every 6 months as it seems to run on fresh air. Very little work ever needs done to it and I don't think it's ever been washed! Had it for years and it just keeps going. He drives about 60 miles per day.

 

[Geezah]

I am scared off these modern diesels by the diesel particulate filter thats fitted to them. They are flawed technology and are a 'service' item which costs thousands to replace. Fleet buyers buy a lot if cars and the trend seems to be moving away from these diesels.

I bought my wife a citroen c3 diesel, for only an extra £500 I could have had the new shape model, but it came with the DPF, so I bought the older pre DPF model instead.

 

[grumps]

If you want a more involved drive, I would look at a 3 series instead really.

Totally agree with this. I had an automatic e91 330d Touring SE from new for about 75k miles. It was awesome to drive but I got rid of it because I was terrified of big repair bills. The last bill before I sold it was for a leaking oil filter housing which cost about £450 to replace. Great car otherwise.

 

[srhutch]

If you want a more involved drive, I would look at a 3 series instead really.

Totally agree with this. I had an automatic e91 330d Touring SE from new for about 75k miles. It was awesome to drive but I got rid of it because I was terrified of big repair bills. The last bill before I sold it was for a leaking oil filter housing which cost about £450 to replace. Great car otherwise.

3 series is the way I would go to, retaining rear wheel drive for driver entertainment.

 

[Yorkie Z]

I'd buy the A5, think its a great looking car and are really nice inside. Found the build quality on the 2 audi's I've owned to be way better then the BMW's I've had. Plus with a remap that 3.0 will fly.

 

[RayM]

Have both! The Audi for the daily hack and the Zed for the weekend, that's what I do.

I have an A6. Great car for the miles, superb build quality, 50 mpg but no soul

As many have already said the 3 series is the one to go for when you want the best of both worlds but IMHO the build quality on BMW is not as good as Audi is now.

 

[Jasey]

I went to 435xd from a 35is.

The only thing I miss is the roofless motoring.

You should test drive a 335d. Pretty sure the a5 Will be equally good

 

[MattHall91]

If it matters to you the MMI in the A5 is old now and looks dated compared to the other models in Audi's line up.

 

[stuartC]

Interesting thread... been thinking about swapping the wifes petrol V50 for a 330D touring. I used to have an E46 330D and loved it and still miss it. Now I'm not so sure, we don't do big mileage - about 7k per year each.

 

[Lambpie]

I had a current shape A6 avant which was great as a load lugger & lovely to be in but dull to drive & the ride wasn't that great. Swapped it for my z4 coupe and a daily driver 118d sport - z4 for fun, and the 118d is way better to drive and has pretty good comfort compared to the Audi.

My twopenneth would be if you can afford to, keep the z4 and get something else for daily duties. It'll make the z4 more special I guarantee it. I'm a returning z4 owner and always regretted selling it - the a5 will not be fun to drive and won't have a comfy ride. Get something more involving if you have to go down to 1 car. But that's just a random persons opinion, do whatever you feel is best!!

 

[Anonymous]

I've have an 2009 A6 2.0 TDI which I'm currently trying to sell to fund another Z . Probably a coupe . The Audi is an excellent car, build quality and ride comfort are sublime on mine, and it goes well enough , but I don't love it like I do my Z

 

[jimmybell]

Despite buying a C63 - one of the most impressive cars i found (for the money) was the m135i. Bare in mind i had a deposit on an RS3, and drove most of the audi lineup, also quite liked the A45 - i still think, for the money - the m135i is hard to beat. It's modern, powerful, comfortable and a total pocket rocket. (the m235i is a great shout too if you prefer the coupe shape..)

If you prefer the bigger business coupe shape, i'd be looking at 335i or something.

Big diesels are fast, but theres no sense of occasion at all, thus essentially they're just relatively efficient motorway boats. Granted, it will be comfortable.

 

[Paulwirral]

My wife had one for 5 and a half years , 3ltr s tronic , great car , just as fast as a z4 3 ltr , around 43 mpg over its 44k miles she drove it .
They are a bit numb and feel a little heavy but a very nice place to be sat . She bought a 340 to replace it and her very comments are , the BMW is a nicer drive but not as nice inside and not as pleasing to look at .
I had a z4 3 ltr at the same time so I'm not guessing as to what the comparisons are .

 

[Havard]

If you have the room, I would get another car for the daily run. E46 3 series deisel can be picked up for not a lot of money. Great cars to drive and much more fun that the Audi.

H.

 

[W17GLE]

I had a remapped 3.0tdi a6 so not technically the same car but I bought mine on 100k and put another 85k on it before I sold it and had no issues what so ever. It was fast with 290bhp and 400ftlb. The build quality was far better than my BMW Z4 coupe and the interior was far better too. I wouldn't touch a 2.0 one with a barge pole though. I'd say go for it.

 

[jonathancaddick1]

Thank you very much for all the comments and advice, a lot to think about!

I'd love to keep the Z4 and get another car however I don't have the space unfortunately. I know the A5 wouldn't be as fun to drive etc. but I've always loved the looks and have heard great things about interior and build quality.

Plan is to keep the Z4 for another couple of months and sell in middle of summer, so I can enjoy it for a little longer and hopefully get a bit more interest than selling in the middle of winter!

If anyone is thinking of buying a 3.0i 2004 sterling grey with CSL wheels at some point in the future, let me know

Jon