[rmorin1249]

Looking for those that have cross shopped, taken test drives, etc. After 13 BMWs I'm looking for a change but don't want to be disappointed. I'm hoping the winter new car shows will happen despite the pandemic. I have been attending the one at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Hoping the '21s will start showing up soon at the dealers.

[1zkx7]

I would avoid Audi for this generation with the new interior, the build quality is just not on par with the other two, it’s way too much plastic and u will here a lot creaking noise while driving...I actually just sold by 1y old a8 and get the m550 which I think it’s the sweat spot.

Also u get much better deals on bmws and can get 10%+ discounts on most models and if you lease the residual is also higher.

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Looking for those that have cross shopped, taken test drives, etc. After 13 BMWs I'm looking for a change but don't want to be disappointed. I'm hoping the winter new car shows will happen despite the pandemic. I have been attending the one at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Hoping the '21s will start showing up soon at the dealers.

I recently tested the A6 and had mixed feelings. The ride is smoother than my 540i and the interior is more modern, but the steering is too light and I could not stand the all touchscreen interface. It looks slick but the smudges and dust are annoying. There were four other factors that nixed the Audi. 1. The only way to get close to the features in my BMW is with the Prestige model and they are practically non-existent. 2. Leases for the Premium Plus are more than my 540i and missing features like HUD and adaptive cruise, well into M550i territory. 3. No cupholder cover. EU markets get one but US Audis are designed for larger cups. 4. No auto brake hold for the US market either.

[admannj]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Looking for those that have cross shopped, taken test drives, etc. After 13 BMWs I'm looking for a change but don't want to be disappointed. I'm hoping the winter new car shows will happen despite the pandemic. I have been attending the one at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Hoping the '21s will start showing up soon at the dealers.

I just posted that I ordered a new 540 after having thoughts of wanting a change. That said, I drove the A6 and E450 ... priced them out ... and came to the conclusion that, in my own opinion, neither of them matched the total value of the 540. Best of luck with your search.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Looking for those that have cross shopped, taken test drives, etc. After 13 BMWs I'm looking for a change but don't want to be disappointed. I'm hoping the winter new car shows will happen despite the pandemic. I have been attending the one at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. Hoping the '21s will start showing up soon at the dealers.

If you haven't done it already, I suggest that you also post this on an Audi and MB forum. Each forum will be somewhat biased to that particular brand.

[stein_325i]

All great cars, it honestly depends on what you're looking for in a vehicle. It might help if you list some of your priorities in your next vehicle.

Audi A6 3.0 - Overall one of the best looking mid-sizers (in my opinion) with the subtle design but very handsome. The seats (if optioned with the Nappa Comfort Seats) are super soft and supportive and the ride is very comfortable. If you are a techie you will love this car, if you're not a fan of touchscreens you will despise it. Nothing too exciting in the drive, but the 3.0V6 has plenty of power and the 7-Speed DSG is plenty snappy for up and downshifts. Interior materials are overall very nice with typical Audi fit and finish. A bit too much gloss black for my taste, but overall a nice place to spend time. Also, there are Allroad variants available.

MB E450 - I have a CLS and I always get an E450 Wagon as my loaner car. It is an excellent vehicle. Body control and handling are overall good, and the interior is beautiful with a large pano roof (available on the sedan too) that brings in some light to the cabin. The materials are also very good, especially the designo interiors. The 5er has overall better materials/build quality, but I prefer the modern design, especially with the ambient lighting at night. I would wait until 2021 models arrive as they are switching out the 3.0TT V6 for a 3.0I6 which will have a mild-hybrid system. In my experience the mild-hybrid system is excellent at eliminating any need to turn off start/stop, although my CLS has a more advanced system than the 450 since I also have an electric supercharger. 21's are also getting MBUX which is a huge improvement over Command. Otherwise, current models are still excellent and the 3.0TT V6 is powerful and bulletproof, just Command is a bit dimwitted but I mostly use CarPlay anyways so it doesn't bother me. Also the best part of any E-Class is the availability of a wagon, super practical and better than any mid-size SUV in my opinion but still get the sedan ride height and driving dynamics and weight. The E-Class can be sporty but for that you have to go more towards the higher end and get a "53" trim. Overall as a luxury car its an excellent drive/ride with some great updates coming and a really special feeling interior with an ambiance its competitors can't match. I recently switched from 540i to CLS53 in late 2018 and have been very happy with the switch. First non-BMW in 20+ years of ownership.

BMW 540i - A very nice mid-size sedan and most likely will be the easiest to get discounts on. If going for the 540 the multi-contour seats are a must have in my opinion as the sport seats aren't as comfy. Design both inside and out is overall handsome if a bit too familiar and stale but ergonomics are spot on. While arguably the sportiest of the three, driving dynamics in my opinion are just okay, competent, but nothing to make me go out for a Sunday morning drive (a 3-series would better suit your needs if you want something fun, also has almost identical interior space as the 5er shockingly), and BMW EPS is pretty terrible in my opinion, very artificial. The 5er is a better luxury car than sporty car in my opinion. The powertrain is also a peach as you can't go wrong with a BMW I6 and the ZF8-Speed is pretty smooth. In my experience though my 540i had some rattles and electrical gremlins that put it in the shop too often, however it was a first year model, so I would hope they fixed those.

Overall can't go wrong with any of them, all great choices, like Bob in IL said though, I'd also post this to AudiWorld and MBWorld on their respective C8 and W213 forums as being a BMW forum, the answers will obviously be skewered towards BMW. I imagine there may be a good amount of leftover 2020 models this year that all manufacturers will be trying to get off their lots with incentives.

[jjscsix]

Originally Posted by 1zkx7

I would avoid Audi for this generation with the new interior, the build quality is just not on par with the other two, it’s way too much plastic and u will here a lot creaking noise while driving...I actually just sold by 1y old a8 and get the m550 which I think it’s the sweat spot.

Also u get much better deals on bmws and can get 10%+ discounts on most models and if you lease the residual is also higher.

It sounds to me like you are describing the interior of my 540. Twenty days in the shop for rattles and creaks and never fixed any of them.

I had two A7s. One was very solid, the other had a very minor rattle that in five miles of driving with the tech it never made a sound. But it was nothing compared to my 540.

Audi had very good incentives for a while, but now it’s hard to find a sedan in stock and I don’t know what they are offering

[scoale]

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

If you haven't done it already, I suggest that you also post this on an Audi and MB forum. Each forum will be somewhat biased to that particular brand.

Agree. Bunch of good comparisons out there too.

https://mercedesblog.com/convergence...w-540i-xdrive/

[540i_DFW]

I used to think Audi was on par with BMW but they have become too conservative looking with bland and outdated exterior styling. I rarely give one a second look now. I do not see many Audi A6 or A8 most are A4 and when I do give one a second look it's to try to distinguish it from the others. The interiors used to be a selling point but they also have become outdated. What is going on at Audi?

[SteveinArizona]

In my market I have a collection of import car dealerships owned by a single company at one location. In that situation I would recommend driving each car for a test ride as close in time to each other and on the same routes as possible. That will maximize your chance to find the car that will best suit your desires.

[Machinebuilder]

If you want a change you consider the 2021 Lexus ES 300h ULTRA LUXURY, Volvo (great seats) and new Genesis models. The Audi and Mercedes are just competitive German vehicles and close in most measures. They are super competent cars but similar in quality and driving dynamics. I test drove the Lexus and was surprised how different it was but in a good way. Super quiet and smooth. Also check out Tesla if you really want a change. I love BMW's and German cars but if you want a change test drive a few different brands and see what you like.

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

In my market I have a collection of import car dealerships owned by a single company at one location. In that situation I would recommend driving each car for a test ride as close in time to each other and on the same routes as possible. That will maximize your chance to find the car that will best suit your desires.

I have the same option. Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA has all 3 dealerships in a single location plus a Porsche dealership as well. I plan to spend the day there when my X5 goes in for its annual service in January. I will test drive all 3 cars back to back. I am leaning toward an E450 wagon (estate) IF I can convince my better half.

Thanks to all who posted. Good points taken. Just posted in an A6 and an EClass forum.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

I have the same option. Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA has all 3 dealerships in a single location plus a Porsche dealership as well. I plan to spend the day there when my X5 goes in for its annual service in January. I will test drive all 3 cars back to back. I am leaning toward an E450 wagon (estate) IF I can convince my better half.

Thanks to all who posted. Good points taken. Just posted in an A6 and an EClass forum.

Good luck with the decision. Convincing a spouse of a wagon's superiority over an SUV is a very tricky task!

[rmorin1249]

She is pushing a nice comfortable sedan since we already have a Lexus RX.

[440xiGCMSport2]

I have driven these 3 pretty
extensively and the E450 with the air suspension is the most compliant ride but lacks just a little less in my opinion than the 5 series in sportiness. The A6 was the sportier of the 3 if driven on city roads and the 5 series come in the middle of the other 2 cars. If you push the A6 real hard in corners and I mean like track hard than the 5 series handles better at 9-10/10ths. In city driving the A6 feels like a smaller car to drive.
The one thing I don't like is the DSG because it is guaranteed to fail just when. The DSG hates being stuck in traffic and shortens life of the DSG. BMW 5 series is most likely the most reliable if you lease to own.

[nisam]

I had a 3.0T C7 A6 and now 540,I tried many C8 A6 and A7s and Audi is very much ahead when it comes to tactile feel and small details but the new direction they took with all the touch screens is not for everyone and you need to spend some time with the car (turo if dealer wont give you a car) to see if it works for you because i hated it but my friend loves his A7.
Audi has comfier seats (confirmed by my wife's bad back) dash map view is great but transmission tuning is very bad with very slow response ( i drove euro models and us and was present in both ), artificial steering and overall yawn dynamics (not that g30 is an athlete).

G30/540i has better steering, suspension and engine combo and looks better imo, idrive is great and easy to use.
C8 made me feel like i was a 65yo account and g30 like I wanna take a long road trip.


I don't have that much experience with the E Class but what I experienced wasn't for me (i tried getting a CLS but im 6.4/5 and I did fit )

Hope that helps

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by ArchJR

I recently tested the A6 and had mixed feelings. The ride is smoother than my 540i and the interior is more modern, but the steering is too light and I could not stand the all touchscreen interface. It looks slick but the smudges and dust are annoying. There were four other factors that nixed the Audi. 1. The only way to get close to the features in my BMW is with the Prestige model and they are practically non-existent. 2. Leases for the Premium Plus are more than my 540i and missing features like HUD and adaptive cruise, well into M550i territory. 3. No cupholder cover. EU markets get one but US Audis are designed for larger cups. 4. No auto brake hold for the US market either.

I am on my 10th BMW, ordered my car with all the options I really wanted. Have looked at Audis, MBs, Genesis and others. Could never get the right combination of colors and options. And I strongly agree about the touch screen interfaces. I hate them. They are as distracting as any texting or phoning. I have one on my Z06 and while I am now used to it, I wish it had the BMW's iDrive. It is a pain to have to look at the screen to know what you are poking at. The iDrive has evolved to be the best approach to controlling all the things one needs to control in a car. Even Consumer Reports thought so after initially bashing (rightfully so) it in the early days. I also do not like the Largemouth Bass approach to front grilles as exhibited by Audi, Lexus and others. If BMW puts the new hideous 4 Series grille on the 5 series I may well be heading for something else despite my happiness with the current cars. --Bob

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

I am on my 10th BMW, ordered my car with all the options I really wanted. Have looked at Audis, MBs, Genesis and others. Could never get the right combination of colors and options. And I strongly agree about the touch screen interfaces. I hate them. They are as distracting as any texting or phoning. I have one on my Z06 and while I am now used to it, I wish it had the BMW's iDrive. It is a pain to have to look at the screen to know what you are poking at. The iDrive has evolved to be the best approach to controlling all the things one needs to control in a car. Even Consumer Reports thought so after initially bashing (rightfully so) it in the early days. I also do not like the Largemouth Bass approach to front grilles as exhibited by Audi, Lexus and others. If BMW puts the new hideous 4 Series grille on the 5 series I may well be heading for something else despite my happiness with the current cars. --Bob

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