Convince me to get a 540i over a Audi A6 4.2!

[Shadow 540i]

Alright - doing some general research here. I currently have a Audi A4 2.8 Quattro and love it. Still don't believe the bimmers can take an Audi in the corners. That being said, for my next ride I want to go up in size and the 5 series looks pretty hot compared to the A6 series.

I'm looking at comparing the 01-02 540i with a 01-02 A6 4.2. Any thoughts?

 

[epj3]

It can definitely take an A6 in the corners, especially if you buy the 540i sport (6 speed).

I think you would be so happy with a E39 540i sport, that you would never go back to audi (unless bmw keeps making their new cars ugly). A 5 series wouldnt get the wet/snow traction that an audi would get, but your in texas.. AWD is wasting gas and is kind of unnecessary. I would definitely go with the BMW!!!

 

[Shadow 540i]

I agree with you that the AWD is going to waste down here in Texas. When I was up in MN it was the best thing on the road. 6" of snow and rear wheel drive cars don't mix to well. I know that the 540 is a beast, but what about reliablity and maintainence?

I put to many miles on my cars to bother with a significant mods other then the brakes packages. Plus, any major differences in the years that would make me want to look at a certain production year over another.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[epj3]

BMW wont be any better or worse than the audi in maintainence, and remember, you have half the drivetrain parts now. No difference in years, i'm tellin ya -- test drive a 540i sport (with manual if you choose... nothing like a overpowered 6 speed sedan) you'll enjoy it beyond belief.

 

[Shadow 540i]

Just test drove the 2004 Audi S4. No question that this is the next ride. Love BMWs, but this car is too good to pass up.

 

[epj3]

Just test drove the 2004 Audi S4. No question that this is the next ride. Love BMWs, but this car is too good to pass up.

You said A6, not S4... if you had said S4 in the first place, I would have said DEFINITELY buy the audi

 

[drbmw]

My previous bimmer was a 2000 540i manual. After 3 years of leasing I turned it in without so much a single problem or failure. that car was flawless. A 700 mile trip at speeds of 70 - 80 mph gave me a gas mileage of 26-27, which is the best I ever got. I loved that car, and was sorry to turn it in. The driving feel and handling is what made that car so fun to drive. My vote goes with the bimmer. It beats the A6 hand down in looks.

 

[MrElussive]

I can justify getting a 540i over an Audi A6 4.2. The A6 is certainly a nice car, but it's not sporty-looking at all! Audi's have good traction (even on dry roads) thanks to their legendary Quattro AWD, but if you don't get any snow, I would get that 540i in a heartbeat.

 

[HornyHornet]

Yes, the 540i 6-speed is your best bet in TX. It will take any A6 any day. The 2003 model gained an additional 10HP for a total of 292.

 

[Bryan330i]

That is a difficult decision. It would be so close but I may tend to go with the Audi by 51% to 49%. I just don’t like the lights on the 5 that wrap around the sides of the car so much. But if I remember correctly the new 5 is going to be redesigned a bit in the near future.

 

[DRWWE]

When I was looking at cars in 2002 I considered three: 530i, Mercedes E class, and Audi A6. I was moving up significantly from a Camry. The Mercedes drove so smoothly that I could barely feel the road (boring in my opinion). The A6 and 530i were close in feel and general fun. Both fast, good brakes, good handling. I felt like I had a little more room in the A6. But the final decision was looks; I loved the look of the E39. The Audi's are great driving cars but they look like squashed VW beetles to me.

[driving2]

 

[CosmosBlack]

Just go get yourself a 540i.
Case Closed.

 

[bmw046series]

Which has a better resale - Audi or BMW?

 

[CosmosBlack]

I dunno...but if I want a particular car coz' of what it can do and how it looks,
that would be the least of my concerns...there can't be much of a difference anyway.

 

[dayallan]

[No message]

 

[dayallan]

OHH PURRRLEEEEZE, The beemer wins hands, feet and anything esle down

 

[NICOLA]

HELLLLOOOOO!! You're in a bimmer forum! And you expect any other answer than going with the BMW? And any of you who vote for the Audi - you're - lol...

 

[GTMAN]

Ok Guys,

Here is the deal. I previously owned a 98 Legacy GT AWD, with majorly modified suspension the right way, and not slammed. It was one of the most fun cars I've ever driven, and my very 1st new car. Now I own a 01 540i6MT. All I can say is my average speed around 90 corners is faster than my 540 easy. The GT's chassis balance was awesome too 51/49% f/r split. Sure you cant expect too much power out of a 2.5L 170hp engine, but cornering under ACCELERATION and surefootedness is no doubt better than any 2wd. With the Z rated tires, and high performance suspension, I seriously needed 300hp to shake that car loose as it was superglue.

I drove a chipped 307hp 02 S4...which was one of my choices before getting my Bimmer. The S4 fit like a glove, and AWD rules over 2wd in giving the driver a feeling of superhero confidence. Till today, after test driving Z06's, E46M3's, 5406MT, G356MT and many more.....AWD rules on street driving when you have cambered roads, and also with a whole bunch of crap on our roads like sand, oil, water. Its not the race track...if it is, then I choose 2WD with awesome tires and a well balanced chassis ala BMW. One can put ALL the power down during a 0mph launch without any tire slippage on an S4 or WRX STi, or EVO. Now there is no way I could do that with my 540 without traction kickin in. In fact I need more skill to launch properly than if I had AWD due to the fact that it has humungus torque at low end...AWD is more repeatable, and less skill is required. You should take note, almost everytime an article is written on an AWD car, it always contains the word "surefootedness"...this I have never read on a 2wd car.

The 540 is a fun car, and perhaps one of the best sport sedans ever put together. I believe Motor Trend wrote an article comparing the 015406MT, with E Calss 430 Sport, A6 4.2Q, and another car??...and they chose the 540. Every car in this segment is a sweet ride, and it comes down to budget, whats available, and what do you really like. I personally like AWD for street driving, but I did not get the S4 back then because of the subcompact size....not to mention, I love the e39 body style, and the low end troque of a V8 that sets you back in the seat. I have eased off on taking corners spiritedly, and look forward in dipping in the juice once straightened up.

At the end....get what you like and fits within your lifestyle....but make sure you drive all your choices, especially in this segment.

 

[GTMAN]

Almost forgot, one of the most convincing points to getting a RWD high hp performance car was after watching and riding in a 2003 C32 AMG by a pro driver on a high speed autocross track where we hit 90+mph in some areas. I thought AWD cars rule in traction and grip when swung left right left right etc....in tight corners under accleration and braking (especially when one can apply engine braking via 4 WHEELS rather than 2!)...but after seeing the AMG's composure.... I was pretty convinced with dynamic stability, traction control, wide footprint high perf. tires, and electronic brake force distribution on a well tuned and balanced car, I can live with 5series RWD.