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Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic

21 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2006 at 9:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 3

#13 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [markcincinnati] by autoenthusiast

May 25, 2006 (9:57 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 24, 2006 7:19 pm)
Mark,
 
I wasn't ripping on the Audi. I've never owned one, though in my last round I seriously considered the A6. Years ago I considered the A4, but on the test drive, I found it was revving too high for too little turnout. Nonetheless, I gave credit to the Audi for having blown away all the others on styling.
 
By the way, Enterprise is indeed free. Mercedes pays for the loaners. That Enterprise services all the dealerships means they manage the loaner cars for all the dealerships at certain economies of scale and with better service because my service advisors don't have to worry about that nonsense.
 
I've never taken my car in for anything but routine maintenance and to have accessories installed, like ski and bike racks. They've given me a loaner every time, free of charge. However that's not true from dealership to dealership, even in BMW's case. My sister has had BMWs for a decade, and as in my case, experiences different levels of service at different dealerships in the Bay Area.
 
My point is about having to take the car in at all. Other than routine maintenance, you shouldn't have problems, period. If you're leasing new and only keep the car 2,3,4 years, even more reason not to. You should never have to bring it in more than once or twice a year depending on how much you drive.
 
On the cars' attributes, I think I stated as much earlier, meaning, I completely agree with you. The Audi wins hands down on styling, and it will be better handling on the track, if that's the type of car you need. I've driven both of them to, in, and from Tahoe, in both cars and like them both.
 
They're simply different cars. The Audi will be more comparable to the BMW as a "driver's" car. The Mercedes is more of a "rider's" car so it handles differently, though the Sport package narrows the gap. For me, I drive 60+ miles a day and I carry clients and other passengers including my dog. If it were just me, I'd be in a 5-series, but I think they appreciate the comfort.
 
I have plenty of friends who love their Audis and will remain loyal forevermore. My comment about Mercedes vs. Audi is only that I've *heard* reliability is bad. I commute a ways and work long hours so I don't have time to deal with problems, so for me, reliability and safety are paramount.
 
I'm not sure what you mean to say with the number of cars dealerships sell and loan out, and I sold cars to put myself through college. If it was an extension of MB loaners, they are free, even when dispensed by Enterprise.

#14 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [autoenthusiast] by markcincinnati

May 25, 2006 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: autoenthusiast (May 25, 2006 9:57 am)
The point was to suggest that the number of available [loaners] in dealership owned by the dealership cars could account for what might seem to be "more" free-rentals for one marquis than another.
 
The BMW store certainly runs out of loaner cars -- but never in my experience. The Audi dealer runs out if you aren't there by 8:30AM. Most of the time I do get Enterprise cars or Cadillac's (since the dealer owns both brands.)
 
Once, a fond ONCE, I got an S4, although it did have an automatic, as a loaner. I also got an A8 even when I no longer had an A8 myself. And, once for a three day weekend, I was given a Boxster (they own that brand too) and all I had to do was put gas in it -- and this time it WAS a stick.
 
Funny, my preference for a stick worked in my favor as the service manager said, "take the Porsche, no one wants it for a loaner since it doesn't have an auto transmission."
 
If the Mercedes is more comfortable and that is one of your needs, I would go with the Mercedes despite the bad service (need for, not bad dealerships) reputation it had for several years (especially with the brakes and electronics.)
 
I think for both Audi and Mercedes the current offerings, while perhaps NOT bullet proof, are very reliable.
 
Audis may have dealership issues that loom larger than actual product issues. Mercedes dealerships, in my observation, have been, on average, "better" than Audi dealerships, "on average."
 
The best in our city is the BMW store -- and personally I've no bad or sad words to say about the Audi store I frequent (the Audi Connection.)
 
But, it DOES make a difference when the dealership knows you and knows you have had over two dozen cars from them -- and when new tire kickers keep coming in dropping my name.
 
Do I get better treatment -- probably. But for the most part the folks I know that use this dealership are delighted. It is just that it is that teensy weensy bit better at the BMW store.
 
The diff is that the BMW store is owned by one guy and that is all he owns.
 
The Audi store is owned by a corporation and they own the alphabet and dealerships repping America, Europe and Asia.
 
The Mercedes 4Matics were absolutely wonderful cars that I would be happy to have.
 
I am where I am with the A6 due in no measure to any concerns about Mercedes at this point.

#15 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [markcincinnati] by esf

May 26, 2006 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (May 25, 2006 2:04 pm)
Lucky me...
 
I've had no problems with the four Audis I've owned, and the dealership experience (sans The Audi Exchange, which I got my first A6 from) has been impeccable.
 
When I got my S4, my dealer-friend, Paul, told me that my car was "the coolest looking car they'd ever had on the lot" and people stopped to admire it many times. That made me smile, and it didn't make me want to look at the newly re-opened Audi Exchange. He also gave my son a hat, and a poster of the R8 LeMans racer. When one of the other salesmen walked by and asked jokingly why he didn't get those things, Paul replied "Because you didn't buy an S4 Cabriolet!"
 
Just my luck, I guess.
 
Off-topic:
Marginally camouflaged 2007 X5 shots have been released, and one of them has been touched so it doesn't have any camouflage. I must say, I was very impressed, considering the way the 5 Series looks. It retains the current X5's muscular, timeless lines, but adds a touch more menace, and the engine choices remain largely the same in America:
 
3.0i is boosted to 260hp, but otherwise unchanged
4.4i is changed to 4.5i, with 330hp (I question why they didn't use the 750/550/650 engine?)
 
These engines are just speculation, but I am sure they are very close to the truth. It's convenient that the new X5 is coming out in October, and my wife is looking to replace her Lexus RX330 in January. The updated E350 4Matic is our top dog right now, while we are also looking at the Q7 4.2, Porsche Cayenne S, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the X5.

#16 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [esf] by esf

May 27, 2006 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: esf (May 26, 2006 3:53 pm)
Also speculation- the X5 actually may gain the new 335ci coupe's bi-turbo 3.0 liter 6, producing approximately 300hp. This would give it more than enough power to be faster than the Cadillac SRX V6/V8, Infiniti FX35/45, Lexus RX350/400h, Mercedes-Benz ML350/500, and Porsche Cayenne/Cayenne S.
 
This engine may be standard, but it also may just be the 3.0 260hp engine in the 330i sedan. Not sure.
 
Also, there was an updated '06 CLK500 cabriolet behind my car tonight- as gorgeous as mine. Just wondering, though, why the CLK didn't gain the new 5.5 liter V8 as its larger engine, as the E-Class will have it for the 2007 model year.

#17 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [esf] by merc1

Jun 04, 2006 (9:20 pm)

Replying to: esf (May 27, 2006 9:29 pm)
The CLK500 does indeed become the CLK550 for 2007.
 
M

#18 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [autoenthusiast] by reality2

Jun 06, 2006 (9:10 pm)

Replying to: autoenthusiast (May 25, 2006 9:57 am)
I am not sure what the Enterprise guy was thinking, but I find alot of ant-Audi bias out there for some strange reason. I have owned 9 Audis in the past 12 years with 3 pretty new ones in my garage. I have always wondered what all this talk was about Audi reliability compared to its competitors. From my personal experience, I have never had an issue with any of my cars and my current Audi A6 4.2 S-line and A6 3.2 Avant are gems. M-B cannot compare - sorry. JD Powers reliability surveys show Audi in the top 8 with the next round Audi is expected to be in the top 5. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with the purchase of the new Audi these days. They are solid and nicely pedigreed.

#19 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [reality2] by esf

Jun 19, 2006 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: reality2 (Jun 06, 2006 9:10 pm)
At least most people on this website are civilized and respect Audi, knowing that it is a serious competitor.
 
It's crazy how so many of my friends and acquaintances have Audis and love them- but then BMW ends up on top in my area.
 
I have had four Audis (used A4 1.8T quattro for my son, replaced with an A3 2.0T I use in the winter; A6 2.7T quattro for me, replaced with an S4 Cabriolet), and each one has been more reliable than the next- not to say I have had problems.
 
The worst I have had is the headlight washer caps flying off my first Audi, the A6, on the highway. The S4, A3 and A4 have all been (or were) perfect.

#20 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [reality2] by microrepair

Jul 06, 2006 (9:25 pm)

Replying to: reality2 (Jun 06, 2006 9:10 pm)
I'm curious as to how many miles you folks put on your Audis before you trade or sell them. And the same for the E-class owners. I've looked closely at the A6 V6's also but ended up owning 2 E320's. Maybe you don't keep them long enough to have any problems show up. The last three cars I have owned and used for myself have had 99K, 140K, and my current car has 78K. The first was a Mazda and except for a broken seat frame (my fault) was flawless. The next two were E320's; a 96 and my current 2001. I wish I could say they were reliable, but they do show problems in the 70/80K range, but they are relatively minor but potentially expensive. But that is why I buy them only with Starmark coverage. They are NOT Mazdas (or Toyotas like my wife's current car). If your priority is reliability, don't buy German cars.. Especially don't buy Swedish cars..! My daughter bought a Saab; huge mistake..
 

#21 of 21 Re: Audi A6 4.2 vs Mercedes E350 4matic [autoenthusiast] by 4rino

Aug 14, 2006 (9:07 am)

Replying to: autoenthusiast (May 23, 2006 3:16 pm)
Thats bull, I have had a 2003 A6 for 2 years now and I have only taken it in for oil changes. I am so impressed with Audi, that i'll probably get the A8 next. Besides the price difference and the reliability so far,I also think the styling is better than that of Mercedes and BMW. Though I will admit that BMW does have better handling than Audi. To me Mercedes is just a name everybody knows,not really impressed.

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