A6 Hybrid vs 520d

[kuntakinte]

i agree with the fact that the 100% tax exemption benefits those who have the hybrid tech but it is a reward for the HUGE investment made and commitment to a new technology, not just making the existing diesel tech more efficient....

I think Mercedes has every right to be pissed, the are the biggest loser in Malaysia now. At least BMW somewhat benefitted from the partial tax exemption with their activehybrid models alto' not as much as Audi. In Europe, hybrids have not taken off in a big way due not only to its pricing disadvantage. It loses out to clean diesel in terms of emissions output and overall mileage and yet, the govt continues to drag their feet on euro4 while continuing the crap talk on bio-palm diesel which is politically motivated to suit the palm producers, which was the essence of the entire article.

Amidst all that, Audi happened to be at the right place and time in Malaysia and euromobil took maximum advantage of this to reap max profit.

 

[boonster]

i understand the frustration of the local merc and bimmer dealers but it really comes from their HQ's direction on new tech...

i drive a diesel and i personally prefer diesel power over my wife's hybrid, but there is a future for this tech, expecially in our hot climate (with a proper solar panel on the roof of the car) and short distance commute... if we get the numbers manufactured then the cost will continue to drop... for fully electric cars that is probably another 10 years plus away...

on the Biodiesel, i think government trying to solve 2 problems at 1 go, ie to get ride of the palm oil stockpile whilst reducing the subsidies on the fuel.... do not think Euro 4 will come until the subsidies are removed!

 

[anaksarawak]

[video=youtube;8BIkWlsgXOM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIkWlsgXOM[/video]

 

[alpina b5]

So i went to test drive the audi a6 hybrid today. My verdict, the only reason I would buy this car is because of its low price, CBU status and sort of high specs. Otherwise, it felt really really boring to drive to me, felt like a German Sonata, even though the performance is rather strong. The interior is uninspiring while the exterior is just ok especially when virtually all the other cars in the showroom were of the S-Line kit (i kind of like the back of the a6 hybrid with the twin tailpipes though, 535i style). Boot space wasn't so much of an issue to me, seats are foldable. BTW, Audi Glenmarie's toilet is awful. In short, I can think of 101 reasons why to not buy the a6 hybrid but just one factor "price" is strong enough to overrule the other factors, it's just stupidly good value.

That said, should the 520d ever drop to the same price as the audi a6 hybrid, I would buy the 520d without thinking, everything just feels so much better.

All i can say is I felt so uninspired by the Audi I went to Jaguar nearby to try the new XF and XJ 2.0 and 2.2 diesels which while not as powerful are much more exciting cars to drive, sit in and look at. Plus, place wasn't crowded like Audi's and salesmen were more keen. (Sisma, please fix your doors though)


And why is it that all car dealers in malaysia have stop giving out the proper thick international brochures that they used to give out, if I'm going to throw 400k of my hard earned money on a car, I expect much more than a piece of a4 paper with your car's price tag and cc etc. I just hope they don't tell me about the environmental friendly save the trees bullcr@p.

 

[Bruce_Z]

I was there too yesterday. Must say that the crowd, the "who cares" salesmen, and the car itself didnt excite me in the end. After looking at it up close, the initial excitement was gone, eg. interior trim combi felt "off" for that type of car. Was also surprised that the rear leg room didnt feel as generous as it should be, for a car in the 5er league, and not much diffrence from the f30's.

It also looked rather "slow" and not very "agile". So didnt bother to test drive it. Agree that an up specced 520d would be more interesting.

 

[alpina b5]

I was there too yesterday. Must say that the crowd, the "who cares" salesmen, and the car itself didnt excite me in the end. After looking at it up close, the initial excitement was gone, eg. interior trim combi felt "off" for that type of car. Was also surprised that the rear leg room didnt feel as generous as it should be, for a car in the 5er league, and not much diffrence from the f30's.

It also looked rather "slow" and not very "agile". So didnt bother to test drive it. Agree that an up specced 520d would be more interesting.

agree. have something to say about those audi salesmen. very uninterested and my sales fler that i was test driving with was like bloody yawning all the way. dude, you are selling audi, not proton. in fact, maybe its just me but the whole a6 "cheap price" hybrid thing sort of kicked the @sses of the sales ppl in auto bavaria nearby, first time i see them so responsive and eager to sell cars after past few experiences of them being not very interested, in fact the fler was so eager to let me test drive the car which wasn't available that day he gave me his own car to test drive. :top:

 

[colebruno]

I was there too yesterday. Must say that the crowd, the "who cares" salesmen, and the car itself didnt excite me in the end. After looking at it up close, the initial excitement was gone, eg. interior trim combi felt "off" for that type of car. Was also surprised that the rear leg room didnt feel as generous as it should be, for a car in the 5er league, and not much diffrence from the f30's.

It also looked rather "slow" and not very "agile". So didnt bother to test drive it. Agree that an up specced 520d would be more interesting.

Couldn't agree more. I was at the Audi Glenmarie showroom after i dropped my car for service at AB. The reception told me that they do not have any sales person to attend to me!!! Left the reception to look at the cars and the reception managed to get me a sales lady. I think she must be seconded from Proton due to her lacklustre attitude. Was told that I have to wait around 2 hours for a test drive on A6h as they only have 1 car available. Sigh!!!

She kept asking me to give deposit as there is no need to test drive and they were told to stop taking order when the bookings reached 900 units! Selling like hot cakes according to her - there are many people in the showroom. I was told they may not even import more after the incentive is over since the price of the car will jumped to > $420k.

If Euromobil is only taking orders for 900 units, would they develop the expertise required to service the car? Main concern is lifespan of the battery and the high cost to replace it. Perhaps the savings from the duty can be used to offset this.

I heard a lot about the fine finishing for Audi car and i must say that i was a little disappointed when i stepped into the car. At the end, I did not test drive the car and walked out rather disappointed.

For $280k, i think it is good value but i am happy with my F10.

 

[E46Fanatic]

The A6h which EM brings in needs the sports seats, black roof lining, and 3 spoke steering. But apparently the A6h is not positioned as a sports oriented model (although decent power/acceleration figures), but more of a comfort, silent cruiser. There is no Rev/RPM meter as well. The 3.0T A6 is the exciting model to drive. A must try if you are considering a F10 535i.

 

[328Sport]

A F10 535 cost 2 units of A6 hybrid bro ....

BTW, I am not sure if those who are in the hunt for 535 should consider the Active hybrid since the BMW AH is cheaper right ? But styling is ah..ehm ....... uncle

 

[kuntakinte]

Honestly, coming from an e90 M sports 320d, the drive in the A6h is comparatively less edgy,that I agree. I still feel a great adrenaline rush from my Sunday morning hard charges on the highway and near empty city drives when I tapau breakfast home. But I can tell you very honestly as well, that the A6h is definitely no slouch. I have driven the standard A6, A6h and 520d. All of them lose to the superb e90 Msports in terms of road feedback and driving aplomb.

Having driven all 3 on the glenmarie drive track, I can say the A6h handles way better than the standard A6 probably due to the better weight distrubution from the hefty battery pack in the rear. Driven in dynamic mode and with paddle shifts, it tackles hard corners comparatively well like the 520d. However, unlike the 520d, the front tyres in the A6h squeal on initial hard acceleration probably due to the insane amount of 480nm torque on full boost. Both the A6h and 520d are guilty of numb steering feedback even in dynamic drive mode compared to the 320d m sports

I have no complaints about the drive. For a comfort cruiser, It's insanely quick, handles surprisingly well and power available in abundance on tap and pulls like a diesel yet can be driven sedately without the bone jarring ride of a sports saloon. I think the handling should further improve with a set of performance gripping tyres as they are currently all shod with either michelin primacy, Bridgestone turanza or Goodyear efficientgrip.

I am beginning to love the exterior design too. Understated Audi elegance does offer a certain degree of exclusivity from the sea of the 5ers on the road.

My few gripes with it - the poor boot space, the bland dark interior (love the cockpit tho') and the cheapish look and feel of the coarse Milano leather and of course, audi malaysia legendary after sales service. As everyone here has said, the pricing makes one to overlook these minor blemishes. The 4 year warranty is a welcome too compared to BMW's stingy 2.

Will I still choose the A6h if the 520d is priced similarly? That's a very hard decision. The A6h records near performance figures of the 528i but loads more torque (altho' in short bursts). Being an F1 fan, I do relish the experience of such technology transferred to a road car. So, yeah, on the same price level, only the 528i is comparable, the 520d couldn't cut it anymore.

The standard A6 with a puny 181hp and 280nm paired with a sissy CVT (altho' I must say its a very meaty CVT compared to traditional ones) is a non starter at all (little wonder it didn't sell at all), but this h carries a different demeanor, wolf in a sheep's clothing is an apt narrative. And This is an honest opinion of a Bimmer diesel diehard.

 

[safri]

Good feedback...I have a strong feeling all the 900 units will be snapped up very soon

 

[328Sport]

According to some SA of Audi, all the quota of 900 (or 1000 I am not sure) are all taken up, order closed.

Whether it will be offered for sales in 2014, same price or more expensive, remains unknown as Govt has yet to give another concession on the duty & tax waiver.

 

[kuntakinte]

According to some SA of Audi, all the quota of 900 (or 1000 I am not sure) are all taken up, order closed.

Whether it will be offered for sales in 2014, same price or more expensive, remains unknown as Govt has yet to give another concession on the duty & tax waiver.

Yep, my SA has also confirmed with me today that orders were closed since yesterday when they had around 900+ units. They will not accept further orders until they can get confirmation from Germany of more supply or info on the status of tax incentives for 2014.

 

[kwwong99]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

 

[skyven]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

I totally agree !!

 

[andrewlim8]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

I dont agree at all..........

 

[kuntakinte]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

I think the essence of this topic was a call for an objective shoot out between the two models. A prospective buyer's dilemma on whether he should follow his heart or his head.

I guess when it comes down to matters of the heart, most will follow their faith unquestionably while others may like to balance this passion with some degree of practicality. Sad to say, the 4 rings ticks all the right boxes for now. But , many of us who are jumping ship are all BMW diehards at heart. Akin to short fling with a hot babe, maybe one needs an experience to eventually come home to where the heart is.

I do agree with you now that the stocks of the A6h are exhausted, what needed to be compared had been extensively discussed, we should close this topic lest it turns out to be an owners' forum instead. But I guess it'd be perfectly ethical for us to post about the A6h ownership shortcomings in the general topics instead

 

[dark1234]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

you house only have BMW ? no other make ?

 

[dark1234]

I think the essence of this topic was a call for an objective shoot out between the two models. A prospective buyer's dilemma on whether he should follow his heart or his head.

I guess when it comes down to matters of the heart, most will follow their faith unquestionably while others may like to balance this passion with some degree of practicality. Sad to say, the 4 rings ticks all the right boxes for now. But , many of us who are jumping ship now are all BMW diehards at heart. Akin to short fling with a hot babe, maybe one needs an experience to eventually come home to where the heart is.

I do agree with you now that the stocks of the A6h are exhausted, what needed to be compared have been extensively discussed, we should close this topic lest it turns out to be an owners' forum instead. But I guess it'd be perfectly ethical for us to post about the A6h ownership shortcomings in the general topics instead

its an alternative for F10 i do not see anything wrong at all. alas since all A6h snap out want to buy also too late ,but i hear A8h coming also.
there are always other better makes and other inferior makes , thus its up to us to choose, F10 no comfort access no bose sound . its a short coming but we live to accept that.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Dear All, I can't understand why we even allow this discussion here. It seems obvious that some forumers here have made up their mind mainly on financial and NOT so much for their love on BMW, and to make it even more ironic, this is a BMW Club Malaysia. For those whose loyalty is based on price, I suggest you should voice your opinion somewhere else.

I agree... Comparison threads in BMW club forums should only be allowed if it's clear that BMW will always be the obvious choice. ~Bravo!