A6 Hybrid vs 520d

[primus2211]

Cool stuff, have you brought your cars to the track or rempit drives? In your opinion may I ask which is your favourite?

Can't really answer fairly because the last 3 cars are higher bhp cars than the first 2, naturally they'd fair better under those conditions?

My favourite time with the F10 is when I walk into the Shell station cos I'd only need to spend ~RM 150 for a return trip to Singapore whilst I'd need to pay ~RM 450 for some of the others.

 

[paultantk]

Audi a6 hybrid launch already

http://paultan.org/2013/02/27/audi-a6-hybrid-launch/

 

[kuntakinte]

A very good malaysian test drive review of the a6 hybrid
http://www.livelifedrive.com/malays...rid-malaysia-test-drive-a-hybrids-progression

Will try to arrange for a test drive this weekend. My only gripe with this car is the boot space, let's see how much of that is compromised

 

[conan]

boot is very small, but won't matter to me, as i hardly use my boot 95% of the time i'm driving.. for that price, it's a totally no-brainer.. the only concern is the level of after sales service - which has been notoriously bad in the past..

 

[Sah147]

boot is very small, but won't matter to me, as i hardly use my boot 95% of the time i'm driving.. for that price, it's a totally no-brainer.. the only concern is the level of after sales service - which has been notoriously bad in the past..

As a current Audi owner, I can attest to the inconsistent quality of their service staff. Most of the service centers have a hard time retaining staff. Low pay perhaps? Would you as customers be prepared to pay, let's say a 30% premium for labour charges to get worry-free service?

 

[paultantk]

Audi A6 Hybrid Review

I would have snapped up this car already if not for the boot space. Some more Audi now has 4 year warranty, double that of BMW.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Great review Paul. It's tax free, full CBU car. After years paying premium taxes on new cars, use that benefit the govt. has given. No where else in the world will this A6 hybrid with this spec be comparable in price with a C250, 328i and cheaper than an A4 2.0T!

 

[conan]

As a current Audi owner, I can attest to the inconsistent quality of their service staff. Most of the service centers have a hard time retaining staff. Low pay perhaps? Would you as customers be prepared to pay, let's say a 30% premium for labour charges to get worry-free service?

actually i won't mind paying more provided i get quality service.. applies to maids, detailing, restaurants etc . but it's not even an option with Audi now, i guess... ?

 

[conan]

Audi A6 Hybrid Review

I would have snapped up this car already if not for the boot space. Some more Audi now has 4 year warranty, double that of BMW.

But you already have the S-class with it's humongous boot...

 

[E46Fanatic]

I would rate Euromobil aftersales svc similar to AB Glenmarie level of service, which needs improvement. But it wouldn't stop my decision to enjoy the car, as I don't clock as much mileage as some here and will likely only go for service once a year based on the service intervals.

Based on Euromobil bringing in 100 A6 hybrids per month for sale, the sales volume will be high enough (combined with the rest of the range) to warrant Audi AG to come (they decide to come into markets based on sales volume threshold from what I was told) in and expand the dealership network which only does good for us as consumers. A new 3S center in Penchala is opening mid year, and will be the largest 3S Euromobil center based on the info I got. I just hope the staff and service level will be the best as well among the rest of the other EM centers in Klang Valley.

 

[kuntakinte]

Great review Paul. It's tax free, full CBU car. After years paying premium taxes on new cars, use that benefit the govt. has given. No where else in the world will this A6 hybrid with this spec be comparable in price with a C250, 328i and cheaper than an A4 2.0T!

Quite frankly, the full tax exemption has not been fully passed on to consumers but instead diverted to excessive profiteering by euromobil. I've used Audi UK configurator to mimic similar options and it came up to about 51k pounds, less the 20% VAT and you have an AUdi UK sales price of GBP 42.5k or RM 200k. Add the 10% sales tax and you have RM 220k.

One can argue about cost of shipping and logistics to support the new model but at RM 60-70k per car??? You be the judge.
Maybe it was a strategic decision (to not cannibilise too much into the A4 1.8 maybe) or it was simply a very smart move to exploit the loophole of tax waiver for cars below 2000cc and in the process, arbitrage maximum profit at the expense of the merc and bimmers.

So, there, after years of being exploited by our govt to pay super excessive protectionist tax, we are simply elated to finally be free of these crutches. Only to be exploited again by the cronies. Such is life, I guess.

No doubt, relatively speaking, the car is priced very competitively compared to the rest. And I've got PMs thanking me for bringing this topic and highlighting this model to them. They've all made bookings, was told and I may be a convert soon myself if my home minister can approve the puny boot space. I wonder how BMW and Merc will respond. Pre reg me a 520d for $260k and you have my money. I know, its too early to dream.....

 

[E46Fanatic]

There are some options we get not available in the Audi.co.uk configurator. I used the audi.de configurator (http://konfigurator.audi.de/controller?next=summary-page&mandant=accx-de) and based it on our local specs here : http://www.audi.com.my/etc/medialib...13.Par.0001.File.pdf/audi_a6_hybrid_price.pdf

Total price is EUR65,970 or roughly RM266k.

Add sales tax and logistics.. its about right.

 

[kuntakinte]

I've checked the Audi uk configurator and find most, if not the most expensive options are already ticked and I still get GBP52k including VAT

I got lost in the Deutschland configurator. The only word I know there is Achtung!

Anyway, we can whine the whole day over this yet its not gonna change the price of $280k before options.

I sneaked out to Audi today and managed to test drive the German slut. I must say I came away fully impressed with its performance and handling. Tho' It was a short stint, I tried a drag race to butt dyno the torque and slow start stop go to assess the feel of the EV mode, brake regeneration.

- the engine was started before you knew it. It's eerily quiet
- the torque on high boost felt more like the 420nm in my 320d than the claimed 480nm. The difference being its a petrol engine, the torque pulls thru the revs effortlessly and kept asking to be pushed. Very torquey like a diesel
- as with most hybrids, brake regeneration may need some getting used to as the motor grabs the brakes on the slightest tap, coming to a progressive smooth halt needs some adaptation
- you find yourself naturally wanting to invoke the battery drivetrain as much as possible cos the graphics encourages one to take a gaming like encouragement to work towards it
- The auto start stop and the switch between battery and engine is super seamless, you can't feel a hint at all.

I came with a cheque book but Alas, the darn boot, that darn boot space! Damn! Will be bringing my home minister over again this weekend to make the final decision.

Meanwhile, estimated Delivery is now up to June July

 

[Bruce_Z]

Intriguing Audi. irresistible due to the price. I wonder what would be BMW malaysia's response. A lot of the 520d, 520i potential customers may jump ship, and The activehybrids are way above in price.

 

[kwwong99]

What happen to being a BMW enthusiast and die-hard? As well create another club called "Best Value For Money Car Club"!!

 

[dark1234]

the die hard is sold for discount not brand loyalty here :wink:.tomorrow F10 if sell for RM 268k i think all audi and merc die hard fan also come to bmw.

 

[556129]

There goes the resale value of BMW's and mercs, and of course audi's themselves.

 

[kuntakinte]

There goes the resale value of BMW's and mercs, and of course audi's themselves.

The Mercs and Bimmers resale values may have just been spared more excruciating depreciation.

According to Audi, response has been so overwhelming that it's akin to some warehouse sale. Euromobil has only been allocated around 900+ units this year (not 2500 as earlier claimed). As of yesterday, my SA says there were already 650+ confirmed bookings and if the crowds in the showroom are any indication, they will turn away orders as early as next week.

Delivery is now stretched to oct nov period

The Mercs and bimmers values may have just salvaged a little bruised dignity if indeed bookings are stopped next week

 

[dark1234]

this statement is true if we sell our car now. after a year when A6 is out the second hand value will be 250 ~ 260k so all car within this segment will go down together.

assume in 2014
A6 2013 : 250k
F10 2012 : 280k

which one you take ?

The Mercs and Bimmers resale values may have just been spared more excruciating depreciation.

According to Audi, response has been so overwhelming that it's akin to some warehouse sale. Euromobil has only been allocated around 900+ units this year (not 2500 as earlier claimed). As of yesterday, my SA says there were already 650+ confirmed bookings and if the crowds in the showroom are any indication, they will turn away orders as early as next week.

Delivery is now stretched to oct nov period

The Mercs and bimmers values may have just salvaged a little bruised dignity if indeed bookings are stopped next week

 

[kuntakinte]

Quite frankly, I'll take the A6. Allow me to explain. I held on to my cheque book until yesterday because I was Bimmer diesel head diehard. Not only do i love the torquey engine offering me loads of guilt free driving, the Bimmer exterior appeals more to me too.

But after having test driven the A6 hybrid and visited the showroom several times, I found myself lost for reasons NOT to take the A6 save for the puny boot space. It's a car that grows on you every moment you lay eyes on it. Design cues may not be as aggressive as the 5er but it exudes the typical understated Audi saloon elegance. With an interior is to die for, it's also the latest model laden with up to date tech wizardries compared with the mid life 5 which is due a facelift soon.

Frankly, I could have had one of the 2011 520d advertised on mudah for 230k as there was an urgent seller (last I heard its sold), but I still find the 50+k premium for the latest German slut well worth the money spent.

To the merc and bimmer owners, Take it as fortunate that the govt hybrid incentive ends this year and until the new policy on hybrid is out, euromobil will just stick to the 900+ unitsavailable for sale this year. It could have been worse if the full hybrid exemption is further extended.