[Zen]

I really love the Xenons with LEDs on the Audi, it looked really cool imo.

S-Tronic would be nice as its a DSG with 7 gears. It will be a pretty smooth ride and loads of fun during the weekend. What's the ride like on the Audi? Also, when you throw it in a corner, does it roll a fair bit?

I feel that you will have alot of fun test driving all the cars on your list, and also alot of decision making to do.

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by vgr02

If you are not a badge snob, and looking at a balance between value for money and performance, then go look at the VW R36.

That's the wagon I wanted, but my wife's a badge snob...

[TwoTriBeZ]

hahaha, yes test driven 3 cars, just 1 320i to go now. The ride in the Audi is ok, quiet, comfy steering ok but no drivers car. It did kinda feel heavy though or big, not sure which way, as it was front wheel drive I did get slight torque steer. In a corner there is slight body roll and understeer. Its hard for me to judge as my Evo previously had no body roll and whereever I point, the car just goes. I don't even think the BMW handles as well as the Evo but it is close as it is a rear drive car as well.

Maybe I can ask him for a price on the Stronic model hahahaa, that could be really pushing the his buttons on price.

I was just looking at one outside the front of my house. Geez, I can't get over how long it is, does look ok though. Plus neighbour likes the doof doof of his BO system in the Audi which kinda turned me off the car. By all means he is not a young guy either haha.

Seems more like a 5 series competitor but interior not that roomy, I believe the BMW back seats have more leg room.

Yes VW is value but snobby dealers have put me off them totally.

[scheps]

tell him that the CVT and FWD are the factors preventing you from "helping" him with his quota and see what he can do. If thats what he offered you without you promising to committ right there and then, and also emphasise to him the fact that he will be poaching a bmw buyer, hopefully he can give you a deal on the quattro. Have you added up the numbers? is it much more? I have no idea, just thought options could possibly be cheaper on a high base priced model.....

Also Audi sales numbers inc in feb so they would be particularly keen to keep the trend.

Push all the buttons you can find

[Zen]

The Quattro S-Tronic will definately be much more than the 1.8T the current offer the dealer is offering. When you add all the option up and the ORC etc, I reckon it will be around 85k. Plus, you probably won't be able to take delivery till late May or early June.

For 1.6k the BO speakers as an option, if it is as good (or even better) than the BMW's Logic 7 speakers, then its definately an option to be ticked.

Maybe you should also tets drive the 2.0T Quattro in 6sp manual.

[TwoTriBeZ]

haha yeah ok base 1.8T is 53,900. Base Quattro 2.0TFSI STronic is 75,000. So I reckon there's not much of a chance for getting it at that price or even close lol. But should I try?

There's no harm trying I guess, my budget is 65k though. I don't want to spend much more.

I didn;t bother with manual as the reason for auto is my missus otherwise it will be manual all the way for me haha.

I am also going to buzz other Merc dealers today and see who needs their quota topped up. But the Merc, will have to at least have the AMG kit. Which is the biggest ripoff of 12 grand ever.

[Zen]

Yeah, they've incorporate the Advantgarde into the AMG sports pack, and it will be another 4k for the 18inch rim and an extra sport button on the center console.

I mean you could try and see how desperate that Audi salesperson is trying to fill in that quota for this month. :P

[Chris.G]

You located in Sydney?

[TwoTriBeZ]

I just got off the phone with Merc lol. Funny stuff, one dealer wants me to come in and talk and says that he can try and do a deal which will make me quite happy. (probably try and sell me avantgarde spec only) Probably not lol as I told him my budget. Another one said nar no way, you will be looking into the mid 70s for just AMG and satnav.

They don't seem to be desparate enough. Oh well.

[TwoTriBeZ]

Sorry I am located in Mel, if it was me you are asking

[erko]

Hi TwoTriBeZ - understand what you're going through.. Went through a similar thought process...

I know you mentioned that it really comes down to price - but obviously not - as you would have chosen the cheapest one. Perhaps you need to ask yourself deep down - which car you really want... You don't want to be going through this same process 6 months after you have bought thinking "this is good, but i really wanted the other car"..

Decisions, decisions. Good luck...

[TwoTriBeZ]

haha yeah you are right. So very right. I have fallen in love with the BMW. Stupid diesel engine. Had to be that good haha. But the steering and drive is still the best out of the bunch and that is what I enjoyed.

Not many diesels available though so I have expanded my options to a 520d. YES, big car but apparantly good handling as well? I do not know, my missus seems to like big cars but she is tiny. I personally prefer agile smaller size vehicles.

I have a feeling I will end up with a BMW. Either 320d, 320i or 520d? The 2008 models of the 520D seem to be quite well priced and good value. Anyone here driven a 5 care to comment?

[VGR00]

I'm all for negotiating hard for the best deal however it's totally irrelivant to talk price at this stage until you have decided on the car. You should have a rough idea of where the pricing is going to sit with your financial expectations. Settle on the make first then once you are totally serious, negotiate. Tell them what you want and what you are prepared to pay then negotiate up accordingly. Nothing pisses off a sales person than a tyre kicker who's wishy washy and avasive from making a commitment. It's the end of the month and sales are slow so timing is in your favour to get a good deal. Good luck with it.

As for the 5 series .... very lovely car however it will depreciate a lot faster than a 3 series. On the plus side, if you intend to keep it for a while, they don't go out of style as fast as other cars.

[TwoTriBeZ]

yeah nothing worse then a tyre kicker. I guess I have already decided pretty much on the BMW. I will go on saturday to meet the dealer and negotiate. Yeah 5 series do seem to have big depreciation but not of a concern I guess as I do plan to keep it for awhile.

[Zen]

haha if it's the bmw you wanted the most out of the 3, then you should really just try and bargin hard with the dealers this wkend.

Good luck, and keep us up to date on your purchase.

[TwoTriBeZ]

haha yeah I will. I just thought I should broaden my horizons. Try out new things and get out of my comfort zone. Merc dealer is still calling me, I said your price is out of my league. But he said he is not giving up and will go search and get back to me.

But its BMW where I will go. My last stop. Hope the dealer is friendly, if not it can really turn me off. nothing worse then shelling out a heap of cash and not feeling good about the salemen.

[scheps]

sounds like the merc sales is sussing you out re: commitment.

It also sounds like budget is a defining parameter here so perhaps sit down and decide what is the max you would pay for each model and see which dealer comes close and get that. If you turn up looking all emotional over the car you won't get a good deal.

btw isnt the 520d in a different price bracket? and can you put m kit on that ??

[Sherweeeny]

holy CRAP they gave u a good deal with the Audi!!!!!

shame you didnt like it, but trust me it will grow on you, but at the end of the day the dynamics of the BMW, who can really go past that?

this actually IS toughter than you would think. also, id say drop the merc altogther if they arent willing to deal, due to the fact that they won wheels car of the year, the dealers havent been willing to deal for shit, and shit prices really arent worth it as the car itself is small and kind of odd looking (rear and interior) and IMO isnt much of a competitor to the BMW and Audi

[KingClifton]

Originally Posted by TwoTriBeZ

haha yeah ok base 1.8T is 53,900. Base Quattro 2.0TFSI STronic is 75,000. So I reckon there's not much of a chance for getting it at that price or even close lol. But should I try?

There's no harm trying I guess, my budget is 65k though. I don't want to spend much more.

I didn;t bother with manual as the reason for auto is my missus otherwise it will be manual all the way for me haha.

I am also going to buzz other Merc dealers today and see who needs their quota topped up. But the Merc, will have to at least have the AMG kit. Which is the biggest ripoff of 12 grand ever.

The previous model A4 2.0TFSI Quattro ended up being around $84K OTR by the time you added metallic paint, sunroof etc etc - and on OzAudi.com I heard of punters getting $14K off that price for *new* ones.

Audi dealer in Adelaide laughed at that and hence I drive an R8 and not a 5th Audi.

[TwoTriBeZ]

Yeah, I am going to keep my emotions intact when going on saturday. I will even see what sort of price they will do if I build one to my specs just to see if they are competitive. But no doubt they will want to push floor stock on me for sure.

Yeah I did get a great deal on the Audi. I reckon if I just push slightly more, I could get them to throw in the TV system intot he Sat Nav. They definitely had the best deal. But I just couldn't like the CVT. I am surprised they went that option with the transmission. I can foresee problems with that in the future.

5 series is out of my league but I was looking at second hand ones. There is one with 6000kms asking for 68k private sale in Queensland. He apparantly upgraded to an X6. Car is pretty well equipped with the Heads up Speedo thingy and TV Professional Sat Nav and 19 inch wheels. But he didn;t opt for the M-Sport kit . Its a 2008 MY08 model and I am sure he will be willing to negotiate. So theres an option if the dealer is not willing to negotiate this Saturday.

I bet you all the dealers must be gearing up for a big day on Saturday as its the last weekend for the sale.

Yeah the people may be getting good prices on the Quattro but even if I did with options, can't really see the sell price as dipping below the RRP of the vehicle itself. So it will still be beyond my budget.

[scheps]

are there any options you can do without? perhaps test drive the quattro and see?

that second hand deal seems good, but 19" ouchies on the bum lol. 520D cant get m kit right? not an option isnt it?

Mate hurry up and buy the 320D so i can stop checking this thread lol, its like a fairy tale unfolding slowwwwwly :P

[Zen]

Originally Posted by scheps

are there any options you can do without? perhaps test drive the quattro and see?

that second hand deal seems good, but 19" ouchies on the bum lol. 520D cant get m kit right? not an option isnt it?

Mate hurry up and buy the 320D so i can stop checking this thread lol, its like a fairy tale unfolding slowwwwwly :P

LOL.

You can opt the M-Kit for the 520d as I've seen a few 520d in Sydney with the M-Kit + 18inch m wheels.