Wowdi

My wife has the "BMW bug" and since she is somewhat image conscious and owned a BMW 2002 many years ago, an Audi just would not do Yesterday we drove a 2001 530i which I consider to be the closest competition (OK maybe the 525i) that BMW has to the A6 2.8 Frontrak. Here are my impressions:

1) The 530i has a bit sportier feel than my A6. The car I drove had no sport package but does have a manual tranny since my wife insists on it (yeah, I prefer the Tip, no flames please). The BMW had more power than my A6 due to its 225hp versus my 200hp. The 530i has BMW's version of ESP for the rear wheels in addition to traction control and ABS. A 2.7T would almost certainly smoke the BMW.

2) The BMW steering feels tighter but has similar steering precision as the A6 and a bit more road feel is transmitted through the steering wheel.

3) The car is as quiet if not a bit quieter than the A6.

4) The BMW steering wheel has numerous controls for the stereo, etc. In all there were about 8 buttons although I'm not sure what they all controlled but there were scads of them. Heat in the steering wheel is an option that we are passing on.

5) The interior is more cramped than the A6, especially in back. Interestingly, the front seats can go so far back the I couldn't reach the pedals and I'm 6-foot-1, futhermore the passenger seat is manual with power as an option. The rear seats lack seat heaters which are not an option. I get a sense that BMW doesn't care much for the rear passenger's creature comforts.

6) In general, the interior is more spartan-feeling than the A6. The A6 interior is better layed out and more "rich" feeling. The BMW "sand" leather looked somewhat "yellow" versus the Audi "melange" leather. Audi has much better interior creature comforts especially for those in the rear seat. And as a silly comment, the Audi cup holders feel more substantial than the BMW's.

7) The car comes prewired for Homelink, a trunk-mounted CD changer, and a Digital Cell phone with a detachable flip-phone with hands-free in-car features (lucky devils). Come on Audi, get with it in the digital car phone department!

8) The dealer provides a 4-year/48,000 mile warranty; free maintenance for 3-year/36,000 miles with road-side assistance which includes 1 complete brake job; free loaner with valet service for the life of the car; free state inspections for the car <b>AND any make cars in the immediate family at the same home address for the life of the BMW (guess where my A6 is getting its annual inspection?) </b>.

All in all, the 530i is a great car at an $8,000 premium over my A6. I still prefer my A6, however, since it beats the 530i in overall comfort not to mention price, and will probably be better in snow due to its Frontrak with ASR. I think Audi's are a much better value!

<b>OT Price Question: The 530i has a $44945 MSRP and the dealer has offered me $2700 over the $40430 invoice price. Anyone have any comments about this offer? Does it sound reasonable? I'm getting mixed signals from the bimmer.org crowd.</b>

April

Guess I view BMW on par with the Audi. I would offer a profit margin in line with what people offer on an Audi - depending on the region. Using this logic, $500 to 2000 over invoice is reasonable.

Of course, peace with your wife is priceless;-)

TXurS6

As far as performance, the published numbers for the 2.7T and 530 show the 2.7T Tip as .1 sec. faster than the 530 which makes the 6sp 2.7T much faster than the 530.

Given all that you have mentioned, would your wife forever regret getting the 530 if you convince her to choose the A6? The Audi is a better value on paper (and in my heart but people choose different cars for different reasons...

Jim

Lone Starr (Ivan)

Does BMW offer free sched maint on all cars now?

Bob C

We considered the same car.... Early this year my wife and I looked at the BMW 528 and 530, as well as the A6 2.7T. We ended up buying the Audi and we love it. The BMW is a great car, but we chose the Audi based on the quattro, the increased interior room (especially for the driver), the look of the interior, and the better overall performance. If you equip the 530 similarly it costs almost $5000 more new. Take a look at the May 2000 Car & Diver. It reviews tha A6 and a number of cars in the same price range including the 528. The Audi came in #1. They also picked it as one of the "10 Best Cars" later in the same magazine.

Kenny

BMW offers 3yr /36k mile free maintenance, and Mercedes offers 4yr/50k miles...

Wowdi

AMEN to peace with my wife :-)

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I hope Lexus is close behind. 15K service on my wife's car was $400.

Norcal2.7t

$2700 is 6.7% over invoice. That sounds high. Top for this car would be 5.5% over invoice, but definately start lower. Agree with April/Verdegrrl in the end.

pablo1

shopping a little over a year ago on a 540i sport was $2,500 over dlr cost. The dlr could not get the car in time and I got an A6 4.2 spt. One comment a BMW 525i is probably faster than your A6 Frontrak. It has good acceleration especially with the 5 spd. If I were you I'd test it. It's a lot less $'s too.