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AUDI A6 VS BMW 540I

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Punisher007

Senior member
I'm having a hard time choosing between these vehicles, so anyone that has some experience/knowledge help me out!

Some concerns I have with the BMW is how it would perform in the winter (all season tires). From my experience (I own a 98 Audi A4), Audi's Quattro system has been very good in the past. This is important because I live in Canada and it snows here 🙂

Note:

2002 BMW 540I has 4.4L v8
2004 AUDI A6 4.2L V8

both cars have very low mileage and are automatic

Thanks
 
Originally posted by: Punisher007
I'm having a hard time choosing between these vehicles, so anyone that has some experience/knowledge help me out!

Note:

2002 BMW 540I has 4.4L v8
2004 AUDI A6 4.2L V8

both cars have very low mileage

Thanks
Click to expand...

I've got an 2003 A6. 2.7T
Great car. I bet that 4.2L would be sweet. Plus it's 2 years newer 😀
 
Hmmm a 2004 would be a C5 A6, not the newest body style.

I'd pick the 540i, especially if the 2002 (it was a mid year split I beleive) is the year where they added the nice aero panels and the led tailights and the clear projector headlamps.

The A6 4.2 is auto 5 speed versus where the 540i could be a 6 speed manual?
 
Originally posted by: Colt45
Does the A6 have Quattro or not?
Click to expand...

4.2 V8 only comes in quattro tiptronic, as far as I know. They may be manual in europe. The 2.8 and 3.0 were avaible in FWD or quattro, and the 2.7T was quattro only, but had either a 6spd or a tip.
 
Audi V8 has more horsepower, but it's lost through the drivetrain and I think it's heavier. If you're considering the 6 speed manual BMW, that's definitely the better driving car. Better handling, better weight distribution, RWD, better everything in the handling department. With the 6 speed it's like a poor man's M5. And although it's the previous body style, does anyone here think the new 5 series body style was actually an improvement?
 
Originally posted by: Triumph
Audi V8 has more horsepower, but it's lost through the drivetrain and I think it's heavier. If you're considering the 6 speed manual BMW, that's definitely the better driving car. Better handling, better weight distribution, RWD, better everything in the handling department. With the 6 speed it's like a poor man's M5. And although it's the previous body style, does anyone here think the new 5 series body style was actually an improvement?
Click to expand...

I test drove both vehicles and your statement is 100% correct. I also noticed the BMW has higher torque at any RPM level. Also, I don't believe the new body is an improvement!
 
I have E39 6 speed 540I and I love it. I can't comment on the Audi since I haven't driven one nor can I comment of the snow since I live in California but it did rained the last 3 weeks and I didn't have any problem driving fast in the rain. From what I have read, the right tires really make a difference in the snow. All E39 6 speed 540 come with Sport Package with optional: Heated Seats, Sunshade, and folded back seats and DSP Stereo. If you do decide to go the 540I route be prepare to spend some serious money on maintenance. Although the E39 Engines and Tranmissions are bullet proof if properly maintain. Some members on the roadfly have reported over 250K Miles on the E39 without major issues. Good luck.

For mor info on the E39:

Bimmerforums
And
Roadfly
 
Which ever one you decide on, make sure and get a dependable extended warrenty.

Either one of those rides will drain your bank account if you end up with a buggy one. My best friend has a 02 A6 4.2 and it's very sweet, but the thing is always at the dealer with some kind of an issue.
 
thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning towards to 540I at this point, but not entirely convinced.

However, I did find an interesting review from MSN Autos 🙂

2002 BMW 5-Series 540i 6-speed
12/05/2002
By: Bimmer Avenger
Owned: Less than 1 year
Review ID: #329330

10.0 Overall Rating
10 Styling
10 Performance
10 Interior
10 Quality
10 Recommendation



Pros:
A Superb Performance Sedan


Cons:
They are sometimes bought by clueless fairies.


Overall Review:
Excellent!

 
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