[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Maky

I see, So nothing too serious that would make one unconfident cornering at high speeds then.

Not at all. In fact I did push the car a fair bit as Moral and GTO and rudra would recollect.

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Honestly, this may sound stupid, but during the test drive, I hardly felt any difference in the throttle response and gear shifts also between the driving modes. There's noticeable difference in the softness of the ride quality between sport and comfort. But I think it takes a few days of driving before a person can really see the difference.

Technically. Don't know how BMW have managed this.

I agree a normal test drive isn't enough to notice many things. But I did go on a 400km odd test drive of the 328i and the 320d with the tbhp blokes and I think that was enough to figure the car out. The steering weighs up, the throttle response changes, so do the gear shifts, but I really couldn't feel any difference in the suspension. I mean in sport mode on the expressway the 328i's rear suspension was bobbing up and down at 140kmph.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Actually one of the deterrents may have been the fact that in many markets its perceived as a woman's car. Not being sexist or anything, but that seems to be deterring a lot of buyers (including a friend) to not buy the evoque. It was awarded the woman's car of the year last year. Then there was an Evoque "Victoria Beckham edition" which was launched.


Another Deterrant could be the price. It costs significantly more than the 3 series. Especially in India the OTR price of an evoque crosses 60 lacs vs. 35-36 lacs for the Beemers.

Just my opinion.

I agree with Bluebeemer. I find the Evoque to be a bit feminine. There is a man in my building who has purchased this very car. He's known to drive big butch SUV cars such as his Q7. I think he bought this because its the cheapest entry into the Land Rover club rather than owning it out of choice.
The fact it has a 4 cylinder engine and is offered in 2WD with a Land Rover Badge doesn't help. Or am I being a bit too insecure and motorheady : P

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

but I really couldn't feel any difference in the suspension. I mean in sport mode on the expressway the 328i's rear suspension was bobbing up and down at 140kmph.

Suspension will not change unless the car has adjustable dampers/air suspension. The 3 and 5 both do not have air suspension.

[Bluebeem]

Looking for a tuning kit for the F30 320d. Preferably something that doesn't kill the warranty.

Please help !

[deepjaju]

Hey Guys.
Can you help me decide of the age old decision question. 320d f30 Sports or Outgoing 520d F10 with discounts or Audi A6 ?

The dealer says the 320d will cost around 40L OTR. 520d will cost 45.50L OTR and Audi A6 45L OTR. Bargaining has not been done yet. Which is a better buy. ? In terms of VFM ?

[Bluebeem]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Hey Guys.
Can you help me decide of the age old decision question. 320d f30 Sports or Outgoing 520d F10 with discounts or Audi A6 ?

The dealer says the 320d will cost around 40L OTR. 520d will cost 45.50L OTR and Audi A6 45L OTR. Bargaining has not been done yet. Which is a better buy. ? In terms of VFM ?

Depends what you are looking for.

In terms of pure VFM the Audi A6 is far ahead of the 520d and 320d
- it gets rear climate control along with foot blowers for the rear passengers
- airomatic adjustable suspension
- many other little cosmetic stuff like larger display screen in the speedo.
- Full size spare tire - cant ignore that !


The choice remains between 320d and A6. The 520d remains a mixed bag and its going to be replaced early 2014. And it's not as comfortable as the new 320d or A6

The only problem with the A6 is that it comes with a not so powerful engine and not so exciting drive thanks to the CVT. if you're fine with those, the A6 is a no brainer .

Mind you this is coming from someone who just bought a 320d .

[Chirag911]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Hey Guys.
Can you help me decide of the age old decision question. 320d f30 Sports or Outgoing 520d F10 with discounts or Audi A6 ?

The dealer says the 320d will cost around 40L OTR. 520d will cost 45.50L OTR and Audi A6 45L OTR. Bargaining has not been done yet. Which is a better buy. ? In terms of VFM ?

My uncle just bought a 520d. They're offering 2012 models at 38 lacs only. 2013 models will cost you 4 lacs more. I suggest you settle with the 2012 model. Not many changes.

[deepjaju]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

Depends what you are looking for.

In terms of pure VFM the Audi A6 is far ahead of the 520d and 320d
- it gets rear climate control along with foot blowers for the rear passengers
- airomatic adjustable suspension
- many other little cosmetic stuff like larger display screen in the speedo.
- Full size spare tire - cant ignore that !


The choice remains between 320d and A6. The 520d remains a mixed bag and its going to be replaced early 2014. And it's not as comfortable as the new 320d or A6

The only problem with the A6 is that it comes with a not so powerful engine and not so exciting drive thanks to the CVT. if you're fine with those, the A6 is a no brainer .

Mind you this is coming from someone who just bought a 320d .

Honestly I was more bent towards BMW cause of their performance and rear wheel drive. The Audi 2.0L engines feels like a rip off considering the same engines are in other VW cars. Also the pickup and throttle response was no way near the 320d f30 which I drove the other day.

Now the question is new 320d sports line or outgoing 520d? The difference between the two is 4.5 Lacs.

[Bluebeem]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Honestly I was more bent towards BMW cause of their performance and rear wheel drive. The Audi 2.0L engines feels like a rip off considering the same engines are in other VW cars. Also the pickup and throttle response was no way near the 320d f30 which I drove the other day.

Now the question is new 320d sports line or outgoing 520d? The difference between the two is 4.5 Lacs.

Wow Finally ! Most people go for the badge and the luxury rather than the drive.

Anyway. I pretty much had the same dilemma and eliminated A6 for the exact same reason. I ended up with 320d. Here's why.
- Sharper drive. The throttle response and handling is absolutely amazing. 520d was not exciting enough to drive
- many features above 520d e.g, Bluetooth music streaming, Eco pro mode driving, better interiors, softer seats and suspension. More spacious.
- 3 series won't be outdated for at least 5-6 years. So your resale value remains high.

It's a very difficult decision. And I know snob value matters a lot to most . All the best.

[Akshay1234]

Bluebeem who are we kidding? The 5 certainly has more space than the 3 and if you feel otherwise it's because the 5s rear seat is much longer offering far better under thigh support, so it may seem the 3 has more legroom. Let's not even compare the front in terms of size or comfort.

Also the 520d has Bluetooth streaming and Eco pro.

Also the 5 series facelift will look very similar and will bring in the new touch idrive, otherwise as far as I knw the mechanicals will be untouched.

[Bluebeem]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Bluebeem who are we kidding? The 5 certainly has more space than the 3 and if you feel otherwise it's because the 5s rear seat is much longer offering far better under thigh support, so it may seem the 3 has more legroom. Let's not even compare the front in terms of size or comfort.

I beg to differ here. I actually did some very thorough first hand research on this as backseat comfort and space was a priority for me. While the front seats of the 5er are way more comfortable than the 3, they're extremely bulky and fat leaving very little space for the backbenchers.
I did the following test. Keep both cars (3&5) next to each other. Sit in the front passenger seat and bring it to a comfortable position (I'm 5ft 11). Go and sit in the back seat. First of all visually, you will see the distance between the back seat and front is bigger in the 3. The backseat under thigh support is almost same in 5 (maybe a couple of mm better, hardly noticeable for average backseater) but what use is it if your knees end up crashing against the front seat. I'd rather sacrifice a little bit of under thigh support and have some kneeroom instead so that I can at least move and easily get in and out. Also noticed that the 5's backseat is noticeably harder. In addition to this, the harder suspension on the 5 makes it more uncomfortable than it actually is.

I did this test over 4-5 times as I could not believe how the 5 ended up being less spacious than the 3. I thought I was doing something wrong. Do try this and give me your POV.

I tested a march 2012 registered 520d. It had only the comfort and sport driving modes. It also had no music streaming over bluetooth. Just phone connectivity for calling. I believe both these functions were added to some later models but there is no cut off date. Mr. Deepjaju will have to go check what car he's being offered.

One thing that's absolutely necessary but missing in 320d is lumbar support. I would've really liked that

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by Maky

\
The fact it has a 4 cylinder engine and is offered in 2WD with a Land Rover Badge doesn't help. Or am I being a bit too insecure and motorheady : P

The Evoque is offered with 4WD on all its variants in India.

[deepjaju]

Originally Posted by Bluebeem

I beg to differ here. I actually did some very thorough first hand research on this as backseat comfort and space was a priority for me. While the front seats of the 5er are way more comfortable than the 3, they're extremely bulky and fat leaving very little space for the backbenchers.
I did the following test. Keep both cars (3&5) next to each other. Sit in the front passenger seat and bring it to a comfortable position (I'm 5ft 11). Go and sit in the back seat. First of all visually, you will see the distance between the back seat and front is bigger in the 3. The backseat under thigh support is almost same in 5 (maybe a couple of mm better, hardly noticeable for average backseater) but what use is it if your knees end up crashing against the front seat. I'd rather sacrifice a little bit of under thigh support and have some kneeroom instead so that I can at least move and easily get in and out. Also noticed that the 5's backseat is noticeably harder. In addition to this, the harder suspension on the 5 makes it more uncomfortable than it actually is.

I did this test over 4-5 times as I could not believe how the 5 ended up being less spacious than the 3. I thought I was doing something wrong. Do try this and give me your POV.

I tested a march 2012 registered 520d. It had only the comfort and sport driving modes. It also had no music streaming over bluetooth. Just phone connectivity for calling. I believe both these functions were added to some later models but there is no cut off date. Mr. Deepjaju will have to go check what car he's being offered.

One thing that's absolutely necessary but missing in 320d is lumbar support. I would've really liked that.

Actually Lumbar support is present in the Sports line. Also I noticed the front seats of the luxury line is deep inside the car while the sports cause of its thick leather I suppose is noticebly higher in position.

[Bluebeem]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Actually Lumbar support is present in the Sports line. Also I noticed the front seats of the luxury line is deep inside the car while the sports cause of its thick leather I suppose is noticebly higher in position.

Not sure if you can call that lumbar support. It's more like a sport body grip for the sports seats, I guess to ensure that the driver stays stable at very high speeds. It doesn't really support the back. At least not in the traditional way.

Lumbar support provides lower and upper back support so that it doesn't ache on long drives. Try and compare the lumbar of the 5 series. You'll know what I mean.

Anyway. Other than that too I really really wanted the sports line but the black interior was too boring in a single tone for me and just didn't feel premium enough. And the red interior was just too red for me. Since this is my first german i wanted it too feel very premium on the inside. Believe me I tried so hard to convince BMW to give me saddle brown in sports line. But all in vain. :P

[275BHP]

Originally Posted by deepjaju

Hey Guys.
Can you help me decide of the age old decision question. 320d f30 Sports or Outgoing 520d F10 with discounts or Audi A6 ?

The dealer says the 320d will cost around 40L OTR. 520d will cost 45.50L OTR and Audi A6 45L OTR. Bargaining has not been done yet. Which is a better buy. ? In terms of VFM ?

Having been in the same situation a few months ago, I can say this: if you are looking for a sporty, fun to drive car, book for yourself the 320d. The 520d should come into the picture only if you find the 3 series lacking space on the inside, IMO. And let me add, even though the 5 isn't as much fun to drive as the 3, it sure isn't a disappointment.

Mind you, a million people can give you can give you a million opinions regarding how they find the two bimmers. Ultimately, it all boils down to how you find the car. Also, I've mentioned all the differences between the 2 cars and why I went for the 520d in my thread : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...-bmw-520d.html

Hope it helps
Cheers!