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BMW 535i vs Lexus GS 350 vs Audi A6

73 messages,  Last post on Feb 08, 2013 at 9:08 AM

You are in the Audi A6 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS 350, Audi A6, Car Comparisons, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 7 of 8

#54 of 73 Re: in response to bmw vs audi vs lexus [juanbron] by anon3

Feb 11, 2008 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: juanbron (Feb 05, 2008 10:33 pm)
Is an X5 an option? The interior is identical to the 5, just a little bigger, and I believe it received 5 star side impact ratings for front and rear passengers. It's an SUV (sort of), but might be a reasonable compromise. Personally, I prefer it to the 5 series for many reasons.

#55 of 73 Re: BMW Reliability [blckislandguy] by anon3

Feb 11, 2008 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: blckislandguy (Feb 08, 2008 7:38 pm)
Probably because the 3 series is a blast to drive and it's nice to swap sometimes, especially after spending time in a large sedan.

#56 of 73 Re: BMW 535i vs Lexus GS350 vs Audi A6 [og_oggilby] by srikanthjanga

Feb 21, 2008 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: og_oggilby (Nov 30, 2007 9:04 am)
If you are looking at the AWD versions, i am afraid you are missing out a lot by not driving the audi quattro versions. they rank alongside the subaru for being the best AWD implementations on the market.

#57 of 73 A6 lease is up..what did i do? by abockstein

Feb 21, 2008 (7:38 pm)

after 3 fantastic years with my 05 A6Q 3.2 my lease is up, so i wanted to see my options and to possible save some money. I wanted my lease payment not to be too high...I also do not believe that you should ever put money down on a lease(other than inceptions, first month and fees..)(reminder GAP insurance does not give you back your inceptions and fees)..anyway I had the best 3 years with my A6, no real problems at all, a few rattles, trunk latch issues but no real problems... it was a pleasure to drive and exclusive, everyone that sat IN the car loved it, but never got a "great car" comment unless they sat inside..So i decided to look at the GS350, good looking car, nice interior, but such cheap plastic, mushy seats and a lifeless soft ride, braking and steering that were emotionless...and zero down 36/15K lease for 785/month--two dealers also! way to high for a really nice toyota. I looked at another A6, but no real changes and $800/month also(and no more free maintainence), so i had to drive the 535I because every single revie says it is one of (if not the best) engines around..after two minutes in the car i was sold, nothing is faster, smoother and handled better...yes, the interior and cupholders are way inferior to AUDI, it is still world class...bmw has set the standard so high with the mix of performance and handling, audi sets the standard for safety and quattro and interior and fit and fininsh...but i needed a change and when the payments on the new 535 were $75/month less and free maintanence, i decided a change would be in order..i will miss my a6 terribly, but i will love speeding onto I95 with my twin turbos......

#58 of 73 Re: A6 lease is up..what did i do? [abockstein] by jeqq

Feb 21, 2008 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: abockstein (Feb 21, 2008 7:38 pm)
You did not get the xi, so you are not comparing apples to apples dollar wise. BTW, I went for the A6 4.2 and believe I got the best of both cars - and most important ..... safety. I believe you will miss the AWD in certain circumstances.

#59 of 73 Re: A6 lease is up..what did i do? [jeqq] by kgary

Feb 22, 2008 (3:37 am)

Replying to: jeqq (Feb 21, 2008 9:42 pm)
I am also driving the 4.2 and agree that it is the best of both worlds.

#60 of 73 BMW again? by asteinberg

Mar 29, 2008 (7:05 pm)

I had Audis and liked them.
My last car was leased BMW 530i.
I'm actually considering 535i, because it resolved some key 530i problems (somewhat better NAV w/integrated live traffic; memory buttons for radio and AM-FM-satellite band-switching; voice recognition that actually works). Mileage worse than Lexus GS350 with more value, but lease terms not so great, and BMW has free maintenance (w/brakes!). Still prefer NAV and other user friendly items on Lexus, Infiniti and other alternatives I'm exploring.
As long as I can avoid my local dealer here in Calabasas (So Calif), I may give BMW another chance!
Questions--
(1) Given the slowness of the auto market, how close to invoice does 530i go?
(2) Does BMW offer financing deals, or just leasing deals?
(3) Other than premium, sports, comfort access, navigation, sirius satellite radio, does anyone reading this recommend any options ...especially if they are perosonally familiar with them? If I go beyond the above, I must special order:
(4) Are head-up display and night vision use mere toys or useful? (Seems odd that night vision visible only in NAV system.)
(5) Is rear door side impact airbag safe, or a threat to kids?
(6) power rear &manual side sunshades worth the money to keep the kids happy?
(7) any other options truly worthwhile and worth the money?
(8) Last time, I did 24 mo, cheaper per mo than 36. Now, 36 slightly higher. I still think 24 mo, to save buying 4 costly fun-flat tires.
(8a) FINALLY -- does anyone know what the Money Factor will be for 535i for APRIL for 12000, 24mo, 36 mo, and, possibly for 15000. If I go BMW, I could buy/lease Mon/3-31 or wait until Tues/4-1, if MF different.
(8b) IF I special order, due to other items, I'd use March MF or June MF, whichever is lower. My guess is June MF would be lower. Thoughts?

#61 of 73 Re: BMW again? [asteinberg] by pat

Mar 29, 2008 (7:43 pm)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 7:05 pm)
Actually, there really is no need to post this in so many places. People tend to read all discussions about vehicles which interest them, so you don't have to worry about it being seen.
 
Since this is a specific vehicle comparo, let's ask anyone who can respond to so at this link asteinberg, "BMW 5-Series Sedans" #12442, 29 Mar 2008 6:47 pm instead of in this discussion.
 
Thanks!

#62 of 73 Re: BMW again? [pat] by asteinberg

Mar 29, 2008 (10:25 pm)

Replying to: pat (Mar 29, 2008 7:43 pm)
Thank you, Pat.
I find these discussions very helpful, and I've recommended them to many friends.
Leasing a car means I'll likely be with it for 2 or 3 years; buying it for more.
I think it's worth the time to get the one right for me.

#63 of 73 Re: BMW again? [asteinberg] by usp357

Oct 07, 2008 (8:20 am)

Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 10:25 pm)
I thought I would add my 2 cents to this forum as I recently went through the same mental anguish of what to do when my '06 530ix lease was expiring this month. I looked at replacing with the 528ix, the A6, or the GS350 AWD. The A6 was out because I just couldn't get past how dated the car looked from both the inside and outside. I know they freshened up the A4 but I didn't want to get stuck with a A6 if a new design was going to be coming up in the first year of my lease. It then came down to the BMW or the Lexus.
 
The fact is that for the same price, the GS comes with a lot more toys than the BMW. You would think for the money, the BMW would come with xenon lights, keyless access, ventilated seats, and a few more things but only if you start checking off boxes at the dealer (not even sure BMW has ventilated seats). Also, the paint on the Lexus is far, far better than on the BMW. The reliability of the BMW came into question because my 530 did die on me once when heavy rains caused a short circuit that fried the electronics. Good thing for the warranty because I saw that the dealer charged BMW about $7,000 for the repairs. Would be horrified if I bought the car outright after the lease expired. My friend's 7 month old 528i also died on him as he was driving. Fortunately, he was able to pull over on the shoulder before his transmission failed. A new car at this price point should never, ever leave you stranded.
 
In the end for me it came down to ride and the fact that I have young kids. Everytime I pushed my 530ix, my wife for raise eyebrows. That being the case, what's the point of having a superior handling car if I can't flog it? That then led me to the GS which for someone who wants a lot of luxury and quiet, it's hard to beat. True the BMW handles infinitely better but the GS is much smoother and quieter. Also, for flat out straight line acceleration, the GS easily trounces the 528. So in the end, not a bad deal.

Messages Page 7 of 8

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