The lease on my 00 2.7T expires soon. I have narrowed the choices for the new car to another A6, Allroad or 530i. I love the 2.7T but it would be nice to have a change of pace. I like the extra size of the Allroad but the gas mileage is discouraging. The 530i is not as fast as the 2.7T but is a beautiful driving car. I do not like the look of the new 5 series. I can lease the 530i for under $600/month no down. Probably could do a little better on both audis due to the loyalty discount.

I would appreciate any thoughts from anyone who has driven the cars.

 

couple of things that affected my decision.

1) This was the major one....QUATTRO!!!
2) Price. I would have paid $70 more per month for the 530. Just not worth it.
3) 6 Speed vs 5 Speed.

 

I had the same choice when the lease ended on my 2000 2.7 and I opted to purchase a pre-owned, Audi Assured 2000 4.2. I had owned a '95 S6 before the 2.7 and liked the agressive looks and feel. Just another option to consider ;-)

Jay

 

I'll probably get a chance to drive it this weekend but here are my initial comments on seeing the car. I still prefer the interior on my 2001 2.7T over the brand new 530i. While the 530 is nice, it's a bit sterile IMHO. It was put together very well and it looks a little better than the last 5 series (2000 528) that I spent significant time looking at. It still has the little plastic grills scattered about the interior that look out of place and all of the plastic looks a bit more "plastic" than the Audi.

I was also reminded about the huge amount of space afforded by the A6. The rear seats are comfortable in the 530 but the amount of leg room in the A6 is significantly more. The trunk space is not only larger in the A6 but it looks more usable. The 530 CD changer compartment intrudes into the trunk opening and the trunk is just not as wide as the A6 to begin with. On a humorous mote I saw a little placard velcroed to the trunk to show how 3 golf bags should be oriented to make them fit. Apparently this is a subject that comes up frequently.

The A6 even does cup holders a lot better than the 530 as well. The A6 cup holders are a bit weird and fragile but they are quite a bit better than the 530i cup holders. They are also located in better locations than the 530i.

The 3 spoke steering wheel is about the only thing on the 530 that I prefer over my 2.7T. The BMW //M 3 spoke wheel is very well done. My friend has a 330i and he says that the performance feel is not that much different in both power and handling. He feels that the 530 is better tuned to highway cruising and the 330 more tossable. To be expected...

I'm probably going to go for the S4 on the next buy cycle but I'd choose a 6 sp 2.7T over the 530. It would be no competition if I had to choose from the 2004 530i. Fugly. My BMW friend feels the same way. He ordered the 2003 model so he wouldn't have to get the 2004.

 

Oh, and BTW, before the S6 I had a 535i.

 

I also compared 530i to another 2.7T 'cause I wanted something different. The '03 2.7T is indeed a different car. 5 is smaller and no quattro. If you are a returning lessee, there are strong incentives that I can't believe BMW can come close to matching. Honestly, no contest in my book. I was really close to a 5 until I drove the '03 2.7T.

 

The interior was not even in the same league as the A6, the ride was harsh, and I got tired of hearing about "what a drivers car" it was from the sales guy. Fun, sure, for some spirited driving around town, but I just didn't want that sort of ride all the time.

 

don't forget the current 5 Series is at the end of its life so the incentives will start appearing.

And for a contrary position, read one of the columns in the latest Autoweek for someone who greatly against his will fell heavily in love with a 540.

 

seriously...

you just need to drive them all and see what fits you best.

if I was in your situation, I'd opt for the allroad- but that's because <i>I</i> like avants and the versatility/features/fit&amp;finish/rarity/looks/relative performance of the allroad appeals to me more than the other two.

incentives also appeal to me. but I'm not in your situation so its up to you

you just need to sit down to hash out what's really important to you. questions like: what do I want to be able to do with this car? is interior comfort/space/aesthetics important to you? do you want extra cargo space? off road capability? all out driving performance? speed? looks? a badge? all wheel drive vs. rear wheel drive?

help us out here...

; )

 

Ive heard the new 2.7t is quite an improvement on an '00