I was craving for a sedan ever since my BIL got Slavia in 2022. After multiple test drives over a week, A4 was finalised. Buying experience was butter smooth

BHPian Mach_1590 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

MY2024 Audi A4 40 TFSI
Variant - Premium Plus
Colour - Navarra Blue with Okapi Brown interiors
Purchased in November 2024
Total driven till date - 3700 Kms
Overall Mileage - 14.8 Kmpl
Fuel - 95 RON
Dealer- Audi Delhi South

Why Audi A4?

I was craving for a sedan ever since my BIL got Slavia in 2022. After driving SUV and C-SUV from past few years, driving a sedan felt different. Good different. Enjoyed driving the Slavia over various trips and made up my mind to get a ICE sedan in near future.

Initially set a 20L budget, liked the Virtus for its exterior looks and the Verna for it interiors and refinement. But there was a big compromise for me with interior quality of Virtus and exterior looks of the Verna. Plans to buy the sedan were halted since there is literally no D-segment or 30-lac rupee sedan out there and putting 60-70L on entry level premium sedans felt like a bad decision. I would have made up my mind anyway if regular 330i was still available. Also, liked the A4 since my teenage days as we used to see them frequently during 2010s around our campus. Fast forward to October 2024, read on Team-bhp about good discounts on BMW and Audi and paid both a visit.

Went to see the BMW 330i LWB first and yeah, I was right, 330i felt wider and longer to throw around in the tight city traffic, the GC is less and considering rear seat will mostly be empty, ruled it out and went straight to the Audi showroom and after multiple test drives over a week, A4 was finalised. Buying experience was butter smooth. Essentially, I wanted to replace my EcoSport with the new sedan, but I retained my Ecosport and use it for errands.

Initial impression for fence sitters.

Engine

• 2.0 TFSI with "just" 201hp and 320 Nm of torque may not be the most powerful in the segment, but it makes a strong case for itself. The engine is mounted longitudinally. NVH is fantastically controlled.

• Delivers diesel like mileage even at 100 kmph. I constantly get 18+ KMPL on my long rides. 12+kmpl inside city.

• Tractable, picks up cleanly from low rpms without any drama. The acceleration is linear. Doesn't feel stressed throughout the rev range. Sounds nice as the revs fly.

Gearbox

• 7 Speed DQ-381 Wet Clutch is a well calibrated unit. Compliments the engine very well by masking the turbo lag. Low speed city drives are breeze thanks to this.

• Upshits quickly in 'D' mode with driving mode set on comfort. Best setting for urban usage. Shifts to fifth at 45 Kmph. 100 comes at 1.5K in 7th. "Airplane Style" gear lever design is classy. Shifts are electronic. Drops two gears when in a hurry for that quick overtake! Upshifts and Downshifts both are smooth and not felt at all.

• Paddle shifters are available for manual mode. For our traffic and road conditions, I rarely use paddle shifters. But good to have nonetheless.

Suspension and Tyres

• Audi has done some wizardry with the suspension setup on A4. It's a Five link independent setup all. Plush at low speeds, even on "no-roads". Rides nearly flat at high speeds. At low speeds it may feel like this car is very softly sprung but that's not the case. Overall, makes for a supremely comfortable ride both at front and backseat.

• For enthusiastic driving, the suspension holds up well on corners, and car holds the line, with a hint of body roll. However, it's apparent that the suspension is tuned for "Comfort". The ride is very hushed at city speeds, I have started to appreciate the silence inside cabin by turning off the music.

• Audi A4 comes with 17 inch wheels shod with 225/50 Hankook Ventus tyres from factory. I suppose they are soft compound tires and prone to punctures. Rear right has developed 1 puncture even before hitting 1k on ODO. There is minimal tire noise till 80 kmph. Grip is good on dry surface, yet to test them out on wet.

• There is no spare tire! Hate this trend. Although I have used the spare only once in last 17 years, thanks to tubeless tires, but a major sidewall puncture can leave one stranded in middle of nowhere.

Steering

• Feel nice to hold. Not the best steering out there. It weighs up well with speed but feels artificial. Not very engaging, especially due to car being FWD and front heavy. Both my Fords especially Endeavour has fantastic steering feedback.

• Has physical buttons for music, multimedia screen and cruise control with limiter along with paddle shifters.

Headlights and Taillights -

• Projector LEDs at the front with all-weather lights(cornering lamps). Fantastic illumination on DRY surface, cornering lamps can be switched on with a button and they stay illuminated. Also, can trigger with steering input as well.

• Taillights are LEDs with sequential turn signals and include rear fog lamps.

Touch Screen And FATC

• High resolutions 10.1" screen with Android Auto and Apple Carplay - both wired. The screen is responsive with haptic feedback. Both Android Auto and Apple carplay work well with high quality graphics.

• FATC is 3 zone A/C unit with physical buttons. Surprisingly good cooling for a European car, let's see how it performs in peak summers. Low fan noise adds up to the premium experience. The high quality buttons are joy to use, that "click" is very satisfactory. Rear AC vents make a useful case for our extreme summers.

Interior space, Seats and Boot

• Interiors are typical European affair, high quality with exceptional fit and finish. For a car that's nearly 4.8m long, the interior space isn't much to write home about, a six footer sitting behind another six footer will make things very tight. It is essentially a 4 seater due to massive central hump. Okapi brown shade doesn't make it feel roomy either. The Glove box is smallish and is not cooled.

• 12-way adjustable electric seats, lumbar support adjustment range is quite good. The seat compound is hard, however I develop pain in my right thigh after few hours of continuous driving which is new for me. Organ type A-pedal could have made things better. It's a low slung "sedan" and perhaps I am not used the seating position yet. That being said, the view from driver seat is quite good. Bonnet is visible.

• Rear seats are fixed with 40-20-40 split. The recline angle could have been slightly better. The thigh support is adequate for adults under 5'10". Can access the trunk from the rear seats. There is a key-locking mechanism for the rear seats which I find a bit weird.

• 480L of boot space. It's a mediocre sized trunk which houses the battery(mild-hybrid) and tools underneath with neat arrangement. Has a puncture repair kit, inflator and safety jacket as well. It also has the removable net to hold loose items. The subwoofer mounted on the parcel tray may reduce practicality.

Safety

• The car is rated 5 star by Euro NCAP and comes 8 airbags, ESC, TC, 3-point seatbelts, ISOFIX and Auto-door lock.

Few noteworthy remarks

• All four windows are one touch up and down. Sunroof is decently sized. I am not a fan of sunroofs anyway.

• 10-speaker "Audi" music system has tight bass, may not cut it for audiophiles but will suffice for majority out there. Works well for me. On par with Endeavour's 10-speaker system.

• The speed alarms are very irritating and hog the multimedia screen for few seconds.

• No Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay is a bummer, since it also has wireless charging, you still end up using the cable.

• Ambient lights are present on the doors, front cupholders and footwell in 30 colours.

• Bonnet is very heavy and is supported by hydraulic struts.

• Passive TPMS is a let down. My 12 lac Ecosport has the active one along with passive keyless entry. I believe passive keyless entry should be standard on a premium car.

• Start-Stop system is ON by default. I always switch it off. Auto-hold is god sent.

• MID has neat layout and is very easy to read. The analogue dials are a treat to look at.

• Alloy wheels are plain-jane and boring. Plan to change them after 5 years. I want to keep things as stock as possible in the warranty period.

• The car has very good underbody protection coupled with 165mm GC, it took care of my concern of driving a "sedan" on unknown roads. Now I take it everywhere.

• My first choice was BMW 330i(discontinued), not the LWB, since I already have a large SUV, Audi A4 emerged as the next best premium yet compact option.

• Slidable front armrest with wireless charger and storage underneath.

• Didn't opt for Technology variant as the upgrade was mostly cosmetic, if it had ADAS, Ventilated Seats and 360 degree cam or any two, would have surely upgraded. I am not a fan of Virtual Cockpit. Less screens the better. Yes, 20L rupee sedans have more bells and whistles than A4.

• Got extended warranty(5yrs), Audi logo puddle lamp(4 Nos) accessory, full tank 97 Octane fuel a sapling and a cake as complimentary.

Closing statement

Had multiple test drives over various road conditions before finalising the deal. Dealership wasn't pushy at any point, had a premium experience all throughout. I was part of the PDI and the tech guy explained the PDI process in detail, no complaints there. VFM factor was hard to beat post discounts.

Few pictures clicked from mobile phone, please excuse the quality

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The other two cars in this comparison are the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine and BMW 2-Series GranCoupe.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

2024 Toyota Camry

What you'll like:

• An extremely well-rounded luxury sedan. Lots of road presence due to its sheer size too
• We find the Camry well-priced for what it offers
• Spacious, comfortable & well-equipped cabin
• Powerful and environment-friendly hybrid powertrain mated to a butter-smooth CVT automatic
• Excellent fuel efficiency. ARAI FE rating = 25.49 km/l. 15 km/l in the city is easy
• Compliant ride quality with sorted road manners
• Loaded with kit (9-speaker JBL sound system, ventilated front seats, reclinable rear seats, head-up display, drive modes, telematics, etc.)
• Top-notch safety ratings. Equipment includes 9 airbags, ESP, Toyota Safety Sense (ADAS) & more
• Toyota’s excellent reliability and superb after-sales service

What you won't:

• Styling isn't to everyone's taste. You'll either love it or hate it
• Not as solidly built as German competitors
• Handful of cabin plastics don't feel premium
• Owners will miss a panoramic sunroof, folding rear seat, glovebox cooling & illumination etc.
• Back seat is better suited to 2 adults, rather than 3
• Turning radius of 5.7 m and large size will make it difficult to manouver in congested cities
• Road noise is higher than expected

Official Review

Skoda Superb

GTO's Ownership Review

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine

Official Review

Audi A4

Sauravpat's Ownership Review

BMW 2-Series GranCoupe

Karan561's Drive Report

BYD Seal

What you'll like:

• Good build quality coupled with very appealing styling
• Punchy motor offers fast performance. RWD variant's 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds is enjoyable; AWD variant's performance is ballistic (0-100 in 3.8 seconds)
• Good high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling
• Spacious and well-built cabin with comfortable seats
• Useable 400-litre boot, along with a 50-litre frunk (in the front)
• Inherent EV advantages such as a green image, zero tailpipe emissions, low running costs (charge at home) & top-notch NVH
• We find the BYD Seal to be well-priced for what it offers
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes allow you to extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• Sufficient driving range (approx 500 km) for urban commuting as well as the usual road-tripping with family
• 6-year/150,000 km warranty on the car, 8-year battery & motor warranty, 6-year roadside assistance
• Features such as the vehicle-to-load function, soundproof glass, rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, climate control with heat pump, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable A/C vents, NFC key card, etc.
• 5-star NCAP rating, top-notch safety kit & level 2 ADAS to keep you safe

What you won't:

• 145 mm ground clearance requires you to drive with care over large speed breakers & broken roads
• Firm low-speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You feel bad roads
• Low slung body makes ingress & egress a challenge for the not-so-flexible and elderly
• No option of a lighter-coloured interior theme (the cabin is full-black)
• Rear seat offers poor under-thigh support
• Most functions and settings are controlled through the touchscreen, which makes them difficult to access on the move
• Vertical movement over road joints can get annoying
• Missing features such as connected car tech, a spare wheel (in India!!!), wireless Apple CarPlay, etc.
• Poor rearward visibility due to the acutely-angled rear windscreen and large rear headrests
• BYD's currently small dealership & service network. Even major cities like Mumbai & Delhi have just 1 dealer

Official Review

Here's what BHPian It's Magic replied:

Voted for Toyota Camry

For most Indian people, Mercedes, Audi, and BMW cars belong to a different class than Toyota, Skoda, and BYD cars.

Anyway, I guess the real competition is between the Toyota Camry and the BYD Seal. The BYD Seal is an amazing car, but BYD is still new in India and has only EVs in its portfolio.

I found the Toyota Camry to be well-priced for the features it offers. It also has good looks and is loaded with features. Toyota has better reliability and a more extensive service network.

Here's what BHPian AYP replied:

Voted for the 2 Series due to the 400NM of torque that it puts out from its diesel mill. And that too without any range or charging anxiety.

Here's what BHPian skb1811 replied:

Voted Toyota Camry.

Reliable, Proper Hybrid, so it's going to have a pretty good range, spacious, nicely equipped, and for around 51 lakhs on road, I think it's pretty good value for what it is.

And since it's a great everyday car (read: daily driver, grocery getter, long hauler) the eCVT gearbox isn't going to bother me much.

Here's what BHPian CArspeed replied:

Voting for BMW 2 Series GC

I need a car with a smaller footprint. I am 5’11, but all my family members are less than 5’4. Hence whatever BMW 2 series offers as rear seat space is good enough. Even for a week-long family trip, we carry only four small suitcases and hence the boot space is also sufficient.

Toyotas are reliable but are not easy on the pocket to maintain. I am telling this as an owner of a 2011 Corolla that has run about 1.8 lakhs kms.

The one that bothers me is the low ground clearance number in 2 series but being a car in this segment with a smaller wheelbase offsets the low ground clearance numbers.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I am 6ft and seating in the driver seat was good. Coming from an Audi A4, I definitely had more space to play with.

BHPian raviemailid recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I saw the new E-class at Sundaram Motors in Bangalore yesterday. They have both the models, with and without superscreen for display there. The E200 with superscreen in black color with brown interiors is available for a test drive.

No discount on pricing. Not sure if we can work out anything on a newly launched car. The car looks stunning in black though. This is my preferred colour anyway. I currently drive a black colour Audi A4.

I am 6ft and seating in the driver seat was good. Coming from an Audi A4A4, I definitely had more space to play with. The seat adjustment buttons were funny- you are never too sure if it is pressed or not.

The superscreen is the soul of the front dash (albeit with a lot of reflection). One without superscreen just didn't have the "charm". The other one skips the centre camera as well (for good). As you can see, the screen is a fingerprint magnet. I was also concerned about scratches and marks on such a large screen area. SA didn't know if it is a toughened or scratch-proof glass. Maybe we'll need to add a screen protector like the phones. The 3D maps are absolutely amazing though.

I was told that passenger seat screen will be operation for media consumption while car is running. I am not too sure about this. I'll be TDing this car in a few days - will update on this accordingly.

The rear seat is such an amazing place to be. I doubt there are cars that can complete with E-class rear seat in comfort under 1CR price tag. I found the boot to be a concern though. It felt pretty much the same that I have in A4.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The ghat section, with its blind turns and hairpin bends, proved to be an exciting challenge.

BHPian goenkakushal recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

A4's First Trip to Mahabaleshwar

MUMBAI – MAHABALESHWAR (7:00 AM)

Onward Route: Andheri → Mankhurd → Vashi Toll → Khalapur Toll → Khopoli-Pali Road (Imagica) → NH66 at Amdoshi Phata → Exit NH66 at Poladpur (Ghat Road) → Mahabaleshwar

Total Distance: 230 km

Total Travel Time: 4 Hours

Average Speed: 57 km/h

MAHABALESHWAR – MUMBAI (12:30 PM)

Return Route: Mahabaleshwar (Ghat Road) → Poladpur → Join NH66 at Poladpur → Exit NH66 at Mangaon → Nizampur → Pali → Khopoli-Pali Road → Khalapur Toll → Vashi Toll → Mankhurd → Andheri

Total Distance: 240 km

Total Travel Time: 5 Hours 05 Minutes

Average Speed: 47 km/h


The Journey:

This trip was a last-minute decision. We had originally planned to celebrate our anniversary in early December, but due to some uncertainties, we weren’t sure it would work out. So, we brought the celebration forward to November 8th. I booked everything on November 6th, and we were all set for Mahabaleshwar.

At first, I wasn’t familiar with the newer routes, so I checked Google Maps, which suggested the route via NH66. That’s when I started reading about it on various Team BHP threads, and after gathering some insights, I decided to take the plunge and experience NH66 for myself.

I encouraged my wife to leave early so we could avoid the traffic in Mumbai. Luckily, we had a smooth, nonstop drive without any delays—no traffic, no signals, nothing to slow us down. Reaching the expressway without a single stop felt like an accomplishment in itself.

The roads up to Pali were in great condition, except for the stretch between Khalapur and Pali, which, while well-maintained, wasn’t as wide as a typical highway. It was a two-lane, winding road, but not difficult to navigate.

By now, we were getting hungry, but food options were limited. Just as we joined NH66 after Pali, we spotted a Dutt Snacks outlet. Unfortunately, we missed it because we were cruising at triple-digit speeds and didn’t want to risk a sudden brake. About 100 meters further, we found Navratna Hotel, which didn’t look very promising, but with no other options in sight, we decided to stop. We played it safe with idlis, which were edible but not great. After a quick meal, we were back on the road.

Once on NH66, we picked up speed again, but there were frequent diversions that slowed us down to around 30 km/h in some sections. Beyond Indapur, NH66 was fully developed with 4–6 lanes, though the cement surface wasn’t as smooth as we’d hoped. Still, the A4’s suspension handled the bumps with ease, allowing us to cruise at high speeds without discomfort.

I was really starting to enjoy the drive on the less crowded highway, but soon, we had to take the exit for Mahabaleshwar. At this point, our average speed had been around 65–67 km/h.

The ghat section, with its blind turns and hairpin bends, proved to be an exciting challenge. I switched the car to Dynamic mode to handle the curves, and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive up the western side of the ghat for the first time. The other side, from Wai, tends to have more traffic but fewer sharp turns. I was surprised to see that we reached Poladpur in just 3 hours and 10 minutes. Another 50 minutes later, we had completed the ghat section and arrived in Mahabaleshwar in exactly 4 hours— this was by far the quickest I’ve ever made the trip. The journey felt much shorter than it actually was, and I didn’t feel any fatigue.

Credit goes to my wife for getting us on the road early, to NH66 for its wide and relatively empty lanes, and to the A4 for its brilliant suspension setup, which made it perfect for Indian road conditions. Interestingly, NH66 is also about 30 km shorter than the Expressway route via Pune and Wai.

Stay at MAHABALESHWAR

We checked in at The Fountain Hotel, which was recently taken over by the IHCL (Taj) Group. Having visited the hotel almost a decade ago, I could immediately notice the changes. From the entrance to the rooms, everything had been spruced up and revitalized.

We had requested an early check-in, and not only did the hotel accommodate us, but they also upgraded our room. They went above and beyond to make our anniversary truly special.

The hotel offered impeccable service, and the breakfast had a great spread. The food was also absolutely delicious.

The hotel organized a stargazing event, which was both fascinating and exciting.

We all know

Saturn

Jupiter

Above are actual images from the telescope

The weather was perfect—pleasant even in the afternoon, making it enjoyable to walk around without breaking a sweat, evenings were chilly at 17 Deg C

Wanting to avoid the usual crowds, we decided to visit a few sightseeing spots on Friday evening itself. Here’s where we went:

• Polo Ground
• Panchgani
• Table Land
• Mahabaleshwar Market
• Kate's Point / Echo Point
• Lingmala Waterfall

Lingmala Waterfall (This route is ideal for avoiding the heavy traffic around the lake area, but it’s narrow and isolated.)

Lingamala Falls road at night

We reached Lingmala Falls, only to find that it had already closed for the day. We decided to return on Saturday. The gates close at 5:30 PM, and you must be out of the gate by that time. It’s advisable to visit before 4:30 PM, as there’s a walk/climb of nearly 1 km, which should take about 15 minutes.

Above Pic from Lingmala Waterfalls. If you notice Carefully the property above the falls is Courtyard Marriott

Above Pic from Kate's Point

Above Pic from Cheese Factory

The Return journey:

We left The Fountain Hotel at 12:30 PM, taking only two brief stops for necessary breaks. So, it was pretty much a nonstop drive all the way back to Mumbai.

The ghat section was completed in under an hour, and we then hit NH66,

First break after completing the ghat section.

The roads were perfect until we reached Mangaon.

Above was the best section of NH66.

However, once we entered Mangaon, we got caught in heavy traffic and ended up losing almost 30 minutes there.

After reaching Mangaon, we took the exit from NH66 and headed towards the Pali-Nizampur road.

The Pali-Nizampur road is winding all the way to Khopoli, with some sudden speed breakers in the village area, this drastically reduces your your speed. The return journey felt never-ending. Many threads had recommended the Nizampur road due to the diversions on NH66. However, I believe NH66 has improved recently, and the number of diversions has reduced over the past few months. In hindsight, I feel that sticking to NH66 all the way to Pali might have been a bit faster, despite the diversions.

Took 5 Hrs on our return journey and thanx to heavy traffic at Mangoan and the Nizampur road.

All in all, the trip was fantastic. I enjoyed every bit of the drive, from the hills and curves to the highways—and even the bad roads.(They are always a part of Road Trips in India) It helped me know the A4's capabilities better.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

We did test drive the C-Class but the ground clearance was too low.

BHPian deep771999 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have both 3GL and A4. So I’ll make it easier for prospective buyers.

I brought 3GL two years back and A4 back in April this year. C Class we did the test drive but the ground clearance was too low. In the test drive only it scraped two times for a normal bump.

Pros of 3GL:

• Backseat comfort: The legroom and comfort of it is league ahead than A4 and it is very addictive.
• Fuel efficiency: If you are going to get the diesel variant like us. It’ll easily provide 13-14 kmpl whereas A4 will give 8-10 kmpl.
• Service costs: The BMW service cost is surprisingly cheap compared to other luxurious brands.
• MMI control: The MMI control toggle ahead the hand rest is just very convenient to use.

Pros of A4:

• Suspension: I don’t what set up they use but A4’s suspension is by far the best I’ve ever experienced. It just smoothly glides over the potholes. Whereas the 3GL suspension is on a stiffer side.
• B&O system: The Bang and Olufsen system is miles ahead than BMW’s H&K, with BMW I’m always changing the settings to get perfect sound. But in A4 I did once and never opened the settings again.
• Size: If you are gonna be driving it by yourself, I’d definitely suggest A4, because the size is just perfect whereas 3GL feels long and wider to drive especially in city traffic.
• Drive and power feel: Maybe because our A4 is petrol and 3GL is diesel, but A4 feels very fun to drive. A4 has more power on paper but 3GL also brings a smile to face when throttled down.

It all comes down to one simple question, where are you gonna spend most of the time?

If it behind the wheel then definitely go for A4. And if it is in the back seat and you are mostly gonna be chauffeured around then get the 3GL without giving a second thought. I’ve been to many trips in 3GL and it is very comfortable.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

This car don’t hold its value for long compared to the Mercedes C-Class (W204) and the BMW 3 Series (E90).

BHPian Shreyfiesta recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Used buying guide : Audi A4 B8/B8.5

Introduction :

You've just been given a promotion and now have the budget to move up to a bigger car that fits the bill. You’ve taken a look at the cars in the ₹ 8-12 lakh bracket but you really want to make a statement and move up in life. Get yourself an entry-level premium sedan at the price of a brand-new Maruti Baleno. Say hello to the Audi A4 B8/B8.5, probably one of the best cars to enter into the premium car segment?

The B8 generation has aged beautifully over the years.

Well, the B8 generation Audi A4 (2008-2016) is a solid, well-engineered sedan that makes a good buy in the used car market. This car don’t hold its value for long compared to the Mercedes C-Class (W204) and the BMW 3 Series (E90). So, buy one if you plan to keep it for a long duration. If you attribute luxury with something which is fill it, shut it type, this is not the car for you. Get a well-maintained Camry with your eyes closed in such a case.

Probably the toughest of three-way fights?

Understanding the variants :

The Audi A4 B8 was built based on Volkswagen group's Modular Longitudinal Platform, MLB-B to be specific. This platform allowed for a shorter front overhang, resulting in a greater wheelbase length without no major increase in overall length compared to the older generations of A4. The B8 generation itself was offered in sedan and estate (Avant) bodystyles. In the Indian market, the B8 generation sedan began in 2008 and ran all the way until mid-2016, with a mid-cycle refresh in 2012 (codenamed B8.5). The S4, a high performance variant of the executive sedan was launched in India softly in 2012. Only a few units were sold here, so let's exclude it from this thread.

Pictorial comparison between pre-facelift and facelift.

Majority of the pre-owned examples available in India are 2.0 TDIs.

For the pre-facelift A4, you can find various configurations like 1.8 TFSI petrol, 2.0 TFSI petrol, 3.2 FSI petrol, 2.0 TDI diesel and 3.0 TDI diesel in the used car market. Facelifted models came in 1.8 TFSI petrol, 2.0 TFSI petrol, 2.0 TDI diesel and 3.0 TDI diesel. Majority of the used examples available in the market are diesels, with the 2.0 TDI version accounting for around eight out of every ten cars. 2.0 TDI itself was offered on the A4 in two different state of tunes from 2013 onwards : 105 kW and 130 kW. The engine of course was the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, the construction, the bore and stroke, the compression ratio were all identical on the two engines. The additional power and torque then was courtesy a rewired ECU.

A facelifted 177bhp A4 2.0 TDI being test driven by Motorbeam in 2014.

Engine specifications table from a 2012 brochure.

The 3.2 FSI V6 petrol Quattro was discontinued in early-2012. While the four-wheel drive 3.0 TDI V6 diesel was quick enough, it was made available only on demand. Audi India kept experimenting on the A4 with trim levels as well for quite a long time. Premium, Premium Plus and Technology were the variants offered on the facelifted A4 initially, and Standard and Premium Sport trims came later in 2014. The Premium Sport has 20-spoke alloys, carbon black ORVMs and all-black cabin to differentiate it from other variants. Economic variants like Business Edition and Celebration Edition were stripped-down to the max, and were sold only for a limited period. A lot of creature comforts including sunroof, cruise control, window curtains, electrically-adjustable driver seat, etc were deleted from the latter in favour of a lower starting price back then.

Throwback to the time when there was no confusion in Audi's model nomenclature.

A Phantom Black A4 3.2 FSI Quattro displayed during the launch event in 2008. The 18" 5-spoke wheels were exclusive for the 3.2 FSI. Image courtesy : Hanmust.

Bodywork :

Corrosion isn't an issue with the VAG cars unless it has been living by the sea or has seen a poor accident-repair job. Audi India normally provides warranty against corrosion/perforation for a period of 12 years, without mileage limitation. This is transferable without cost to new owners, if ownership of the vehicle changes within the warranty period. Front wheel well rusting is a typical issue in pre-facelift cars. The wheel well liner, made of felt-like material, scrubs against the fender and the paint peeling and rusting begins from the inside. It would be wise to upgrade the wheel well liners to plastic ones, which comes installed on facelift models. Facelift cars get additional stone guard protectors too, and they are snapped with some kind of fixing pins in the wheel well liner (not in fender itself). If you want to have these on your pre-facelift car, you need to cut the pins away and tape them on wheel arcs.

A clear picture of the area where the rust is normally located.

8K0853823B - Part number for the stone guard.

Continue reading BHPian ShreyFiesta's thread for more insights and information.

I really liked Hycross but there is a waiting for 1.5 years and I do not intend to wait for that long.

BHPian jughead recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am currently a proud owner of Honda City IVTEC 2013 model. The car has generally worked very well for me for the past 11+ years, now looking for an upgrade. Typical run is 8000-10000 kms per year. It will be driven by me and I have a family of 5 people. Mostly in the Delhi-NCR area with occasional highway tours.

My first love have been sedan cars, but alas, there are no sedan cars available in the 25-40 lacs budget.

I considered the sub-20 lacs segment but found City to be the best amongst them keeping comfort, mileage, reliability in mind. Ignored that segment altogether as I don't want to keep driving City for another 10 years plus wanted to have a feel good factor of an upgrade.

I went above to 40+ lacs category; considered

• Camry: Very reliable and comfortable but the features look quite outdated for the price. Also, it is strictly 4-seater due to big central tunnel
• Merc A200: Quite cramped. Just did not feel like getting into luxury category with a impractical and over priced product.
• BMW 2-series: Same as Merc A200

Next I considered the SUVs, did not want to go with Diesel options and reliability, mileage, regular maintenance being a concern ruled out most of the options. I really liked Hycross but there is a waiting for 1.5 years (they are not even taking ZX, ZX(O) bookings at the moment) and I do not intend to wait for that long. Also, I did not like the attitude of the local dealer, they were just discouraging me to consider Hycross and were pushing for either Hyryder or Camry. It was a big put-off. I am open to consider XUV 700 petrol though but unaware of the waiting period there plus I am yet to take a test drive.

A friend advised me too check out EVs too. Though my annual run is not very high but I have a soft corner for them. Also, I plan to retain my City through its remaining lifetime of 3+ years. Considered

• BYD Atto 3: Liked the design but found suspension hard to my comfort levels. Unsure of quality of interior material and Chinese make is another concern
• BYD Seal: Looks stunning but low ground clearance. Dont want to keep that hassle. Chinese make is another concern.
• Ioniq 5: Absolutely loved it. Good space and features. Currently top of mind but little expensive for my budget.

I know I am looking into all sort of options right now but purchasing a ~40 lacs vehicle which I intend to keep for 10+ years is a big decision and I want to avoid buyer's remorse later.

Here's what BHPian DRPSREDDY had to say on the matter:

Simple reasoning as per my personal experience and choice:

Love pushing the car along the corners and love driving with a sporty experience, then it's the sedan.

Love touring along the country side and loading the car with heavy stuff. Also have to take many people along and have to drive out skirts then it is the SUV.

But also need to show-off your calibure, then you need to pick a luxury SUV.

If your travel is too less, that is less than 25 km per day, pick a petrol. If your travel is more than 55-60 km per day that can got upto 100 kms, then pick a diesel or Hybrid. If your useage is in the middle, then electric is optimal

Here's what BHPian Rajeevraj had to say on the matter:

Looks like the main reason you want to go for an SUV is the lack of sedan options. How about trying the Pre-owned route. 30-40lakhs will be a sweet budget to get a proper premium German sedan. Being in NCR you should have a lot of options also. Just need to be cautious about finding a good example.

Here's what BHPian Hillman had to say on the matter:

Go for XUV700 AX7L AWD. It is well within your budget and an ultra modern car. It is a driver's car and good as chauffeur driven too. All the niggles have been sorted in the last two years of its existence. The waiting period was 30-45 days when I last checked. But it depends on the colour of your choice. If a batch is coming out of factory and you are in luck, the car could be yours in a week as well.
Not sure why you want a petrol, modern Diesels are good too. They are low reviving and fun to drive.

On highways the adaptive cruise control and follow features will reduce the stress.

Here's what BHPian manson had to say on the matter:

I'd recommend you also checkout the following cars before pulling the trigger:

A4 - Feels premium inside out and considering its due for a new generation almost all the niggles feel ironed out. The A4 will certainly ease out the cons you have against the 2 series and A class.

Q3 - Not as premium as the A4 on the inside, but gets better GS and above everything else it gets Quattro across the trim levels.

Kodiaq - Again due for a replacement shortly, most niggles would have been fixed by now. Most car for your money frankly if you can live with the dated design.

Fortuner 4x2 AT: If you don't mind a ladder on frame construction this still remains the top selling product in this price band.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I wanted to buy the 3 Series but somehow it never gave me the same sense of luxury as Audi.

BHPian garyag79 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently bought an Audi A4 Technology over 3 series / C class and couldnt agree more with the positives mentioned by various owners in the thread. Still listing a few for perspective buyers:

• Classic / Timeless looks - The sharp lines, muscular bonnet, Matrix headlights make me turn my head everytime I park the car

• Luxury feeling - The interiors of A4 Technology are very well put together; quality of materials, reach to various controls, the MMI, interior lighting give you a very hushed feeling of luxury, its something you need to experience yourself.

• NVH - The cabin offers pin drop silence on NCR roads I have multiple times muted the B&O system to feel the silence offered by the cabin. This is complemented by well insulated engine bay, I have to check the RPM gauge to ensure engine is running

• Suspension - The Audi suspensions just glide over bad roads, speedbreakers and whatever pathetic roads of NCR offer

• Speed / acceleration / thrill - even in comfort mode, press the pedal and Audi just launches itself making overtaking easy and at the same time ego boosting. On the Dwarka Expressway I have floored the pedal in Sports / Dynamic mode and thats where the Audi shows its true colors. The car is stable, steering precise and that sound from the engine is true love

This is my first foray into the luxury segment and while I wanted to buy the 3 Series but somehow it never gave me the same sense of luxury as Audi no doubt the drive was better but how much of that will I use in city made me go towards Audi. The other option was C class which offers the best sense of luxury amongst the A4 and 3 series however punny petrol engine and those hideous pin stripes are not to my taste.

Happy to share more details to help perspective buyers and I suggest Audi South for best CRM experience amongst the dealers I dealt with.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Mercedes A Class Limousine and BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe are the other two cars listed in this comparison.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

BYD Seal

What you'll like:

• Good build quality coupled with very appealing styling
• Punchy motor offers fast performance. RWD variant's 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds is enjoyable; AWD variant's performance is ballistic (0-100 in 3.8 seconds)
• Good high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling
• Spacious and well-built cabin with comfortable seats
• Useable 400-litre boot, along with a 50-litre frunk (in the front)
• Inherent EV advantages such as a green image, zero tailpipe emissions, low running costs (charge at home) & top-notch NVH
• We find the BYD Seal to be well-priced for what it offers
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes allow you to extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• Sufficient driving range (approx 500 km) for urban commuting as well as the usual road-tripping with family
• 6-year/150,000 km warranty on the car, 8-year battery & motor warranty, 6-year roadside assistance
• Features such as the vehicle-to-load function, soundproof glass, rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, climate control with heat pump, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable A/C vents, NFC key card, etc.
• 5-star NCAP rating, top-notch safety kit & level 2 ADAS to keep you safe

What you won't:

• 145 mm ground clearance requires you to drive with care over large speed breakers & broken roads
• Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You feel bad roads
• Low slung body makes ingress & egress a challenge for the not-so-flexible and elderly
• No option of a lighter-coloured interior theme (cabin is full-black)
• Rear seat offers poor under-thigh support
• Most functions and settings are controlled through the touchscreen, which makes them difficult to access on the move
• Vertical movement over road joints can get annoying
• Missing features such as connected car tech, a spare wheel (in India!!!), wireless Apple CarPlay, etc.
• Poor rearward visibility due to the acutely-angled rear windscreen and large rear headrests
• BYD's currently small dealership & service network. Even major cities like Mumbai & Delhi have just 1 dealer

First Drive Review

EV Rivals Comparison

Skoda Superb

What you'll like:

• 75% of the A6 / E-Class / 5-Series luxury at a much lower price
• Timeless, elegant styling with “big car” presence. Fit, finish & build quality are top class
• Awesome space and comfort, including at the rear. Beats luxury cars costing twice as much
• Classy dark-brown cabin is luxurious & practical. Cavernous 625 liter boot gobbles up big bags!
• Enjoyable 12-speaker Canton sound system includes a punchy subwoofer
• Insanely fun 2.0 turbo-petrol engine with 187 BHP & 320 Nm on tap
• Fast & improved wet-clutch 7-speed DSG (instead of the notorious DQ200 which I’d never buy)
• Comfortable ride quality is just perfect for Indian roads
• Surprisingly easy to drive for such a large car. Driving experience makes us smile
• Loaded with features & technology. Equipment list runs pages long…
• 5 star safety rating & kit - 9 airbags, ESP, TC, ABS + EBD, EDL and lots more
• 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive maintenance pack
• Attention to detail (THREE lights in the boot, felt-lined & illuminated door pockets, ticket holder on windscreen, boss button, triple-zone climate, rear headrests with outer support, request sensors even on the rear doors, umbrellas with a drainage system…)

What you won't:

• DSG reliability woes
• Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories
• Complex electronics & suspect long-term reliability
• Available in only one variant
• Single digit fuel economy of the turbo-petrol in the city
• The economical & practical 2.0 turbo-diesel is no longer available
• For the list price, I’d prefer a RWD instead of a FWD layout
• No full-size spare wheel
• DSGs can get jerky in crawling traffic (between 1st - 3rd gears). It’s an inherent DSG trait
• Sheer size means the car isn’t really city-friendly. Good luck in tight lanes & parking spots
• 156 mm of ground clearance, coupled with a long wheelbase and soft suspension
• Skoda’s sorry attempt at a (fake) panoramic sunroof & the excessive chrome treatment on the L&K

Ownership Review Link

Toyota Camry

What you'll like:

• An extremely well-rounded luxury sedan. Lots of road presence due to its sheer size too
• Spacious, comfortable & well-equipped cabin. Ideal for self-driven or chauffeured owners alike
• High-tech and environment-friendly hybrid powertrain mated to a butter-smooth CVT automatic
• Terrific fuel efficiency! 15 km/l or more in the city
• Compliant ride quality with sorted road manners
• Loaded with kit (amazing sound system, ventilated front seats, reclinable rear seats, head-up display)
• Top-notch safety ratings. Equipment includes 9 airbags, ESP & more
• Toyota’s bullet-proof reliability and superb after-sales service. Camrys age very well

What you won't:

• Weird front styling isn't to everyone's taste. You'll either love it or hate it
• Not as much fun to drive as its German competitors (although it's no longer boring either)
• A couple of missing essentials (rpm counter, Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, folding rear seat...)
• Back seat is better suited to 2 adults, rather than 3
• Just a single trim. No choice of variants at all
• Long waiting period. Over 3 months in some cities

Review Link

Audi A4

Ownership Review

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine

Review Link

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

Ownership Review

Here's what BHPian Sensible_Speed had to say about the matter:

I wouldn't pick any of these cars in the segment. There's a reason this segment is shrinking by the day. Cars like the Camry and Superb used to be bread & butter models for buyers looking for entry-level luxury back in the day. Today, they're massively overpriced and don't feel special enough for the money you pay.

The German trio have their own problems. BMW and Merc are too cramped and expensive for what they are. Audi feels like a badge-engineered Superb with higher maintenance costs. BYD Seal is limited by its powertrain for highway usage.

If I were offered a Superb or Camry at a reasonable price, used (sub 25 L), I would consider buying. Otherwise, a big NOPE for me.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say about the matter:

I recently had a disappointing experience with A Class and 2 Series, finding them overpriced for what they offer.

Specifically, if considering the Superb or Camry, but if I'm going to spend around 50 lakhs, I want a car with more badge value than just value for money.

Right now, my choice is between the Seal and A4. It's a tough choice because the Seal has great range but could give me charging headaches on long drives, while the A4 is in serious need of an update.

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say about the matter:

Living in Mumbai, with a family - the BYD is a hard sell.

Yes - it's quick, which is good because I'll have to floor it between speed breakers so I can tackle them sideways before the rest of the traffic catches up.

But if you aren't able to do that - I can see this car scraping half the speed breakers regularly which coupled with its not-so-friendly rear seats becomes difficult to justify the car at home.

It would work if there were multiple cars at home, where I would daily it on good roads, etc. but after living with a lowered 3 series that required me to stick to known roads, and a generally low seating C Class in which my parents sit only when needed: it's not for our house. If it were a daily with multiple cars available for family use - I'd probably be exploring some loud pre-worshipped options instead because I will be forced to convert to electric in the future anyways so may as well try and get the largest petrol engine I can find before then.

Here's what BHPian abaliga had to say about the matter:

We own a 2023 Octavia and I would buy the Octavia again even if the BYD Seal was priced at par for the following reasons:

• Petrol engines have a character that can never be replaced by an EV.
• I cannot convince myself to buy a car from a company that is funded by an administration that has bullied my country and the world for long.
• As nice as the Seal is, there is a lot of uncertainty around it, long-term service, reliability, depth of engineering in terms of materials withstanding our harsh weather etc.
• EVs are not there yet in terms of doing 1000 kms per day trips, there is nothing like the convenience of filling up the car in 5 minutes vs a minimum 30-minute charge time (Not even considering the time spent on locating a convenient charger)
• Service back up for the Octavia exists throughout the country as of today whereas BYD hardly has a presence outside metros.
• If I had to buy an EV at this price, I would definitely pick the Ionic 5 over the BYD Seal, There is no comparison when it comes to service backup and peace of mind that Hyundai offers.
• Brand image is a big factor for cars that sell upwards of 40 lakhs and BYD is at a significant disadvantage here, until recently the general population was not prepared to shell out that kind of money for even a Toyota/VW/Skoda, However, Fortuner has single-handedly changed this mindset in the last 2-3 years!

On a side note, the brutal acceleration offered by EVs is nauseating and uncomfortable for many. While they may offer supercars/hypercars rivalling 0-100 times, I feel this should not be a huge factor in consideration while buying a luxury car (Sports car maybe), as an example, when I was in the States, I took a test drive on a Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor with my wife on the passenger seat, I had a brief drive of 7-8 miles and by the end of it my wife was car sick as I was trying out its acceleration for one or two quick bursts (I had a similar experience when I drove the XUV4OO in the fearless mode recently and I generally do not get car sick!)

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The car needs to be an SUV since I already have a sedan. I live in Delhi NCR (specifically Gurgaon), and you know that Gurgoan is known for its waterlogged and pothole laden roads.

BHPian thaithdriver recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am reaching out to you guys for your expert opinions. To get the basics out of the way first, I don't need a car right now. I own a Honda City Petrol that has been serving me well for the past 3 years. I drive about 350-500Kms monthly or about ~5K-6K Kms annually. As another BHPian put it, and I couldn't do more justice, this is more of a mid-life crisis solver. The urge to buy a new toy. I am doing well financially; I have a stable job with regular income and no EMIs and with that comes an itch to get a new horse.

I have decided that I have 30 lakhs to spend on a car (all inclusive). Here are my requirements.

• Needs to be an SUV since I already have a sedan. I live in Delhi NCR (specifically Gurgaon), and you know that Gurgoan is known for its waterlogged and pothole laden roads. Also, I sometimes travel to Himachal (no hardcore offroading requirement) and need decent ground clearance for that

• Great ride quality and driving dynamics. I don't want something like a MG Hector that is known for its floaty ride on highways since I occasionally do smack that tarmac

• Relatively plush interiors? Honestly, the inception of the idea behind buying a new toy is also to look at those sexy interiors

• Needs to be a somewhat efficient fuel guzzler, I don't want to think twice about going on a 500KM long roadtrip

• Something I am able to keep for 4/5 years at least. I take my decisions after deliberation and stick with them. I don't change cars very often

• If pre-owned then a fairly new and reliable pre-owned. I couldn't get a Fortuner that had been driven less than 80k honestly. Every decently maintained Fortuner/ Endeavour I tried was driven more than 70k KMs

Here is where my conundrums begin. My requirements took me to both new as well as pre-owned cars (luxury) aplenty. In terms of choosing cars by fuel type, my priority list looks like this, but I am pliable and open to suggestions.

• Petrol - Open to buying but not 100% sold since low FE and linear output response. Quite a few SUVs struggle overtaking on highways too.

• HEV/BEV - Open to buying but not 100% sold since my running doesn't justify the premium. Though I love the MG ZS EV motor.

• Diesel BS6 - No go but if BHPians tell me this is making sense. I am open to change my mind.

• Diesel BS4 (pre-owned) - Mostly a no go

I did also come across pre-owned listings of entry level VAG cars X1/ GLA that could be had for as low as 20L. I do want to buy a "fairly" new car that is made post 2020 and has less than 40K on the ODO. I am somewhat into the snob value of a badge and would love to get my hands dirty with one. However, I do understand that there are no cheap/ budget German cars, and I will have to ensure upkeep of those cars through FNGs, sometimes at high costs. I do want to preface that I will buy these through a reputed dealer such as Spinny Max that will provide a comprehensive 2-month warranty on the car. So, if there are any upfront niggles or replacements required those can be done directly from VAG dealerships at zero costs to me directly.

In summary, I have a couple of questions and want to understand a few things:

• Should I buy a pre-owned German SUV or a new car? Given, I am in it for the snob value too and would love to own a badge but at the same time want to balance the cost of ownership tradeoff. I am relatively stable financially but I am not someone who earns >50lakh+ a year

• Perhaps the most important question basis which I will get a lot of clarity. Would the costs of maintaining pre-owned German SUVs through FNGs be significantly higher than say a Toyota Hycross via official dealerships? I have never got any of my cars worked upon outside of official dealerships. Hence, I am quite used to paying 20k for a regular service and sometimes a couple of ten Ks for unanticipated breakdown. What I want to understand is, how much higher will a similar breakdown cost me for a VAG through FNGs? Ideally if I can get my Toyota tail light fixed via Toyota dealership at 20k vs. A BMW X1 tail light fixed via FNG in 25k then it is no problem for me to own a badge.

Ideally, if we could fill a table like the attached (Screenshot attached), that would be really helpful. I know putting a number to breakdown costs is almost impossible but an avg. number that you've experienced in your ownership could help. I know the 1-1.5% maintenance number that GTO posted but I am not sure about that number's definition. Does it only include breakdown costs? or breakdown + scheduled maintenance? Assuming I sort niggles with Spinny comprehensive warranty, is that number still valid?

If costs permit, do entry level badge SUVs make sense over higher end Mahindra's or Toyota's? I know that GLAs are cramped on space with beautiful interiors while X1s are ordinary on interiors. A MG Astor's cabin is sexier to look at compared to X1.

So in short, do entry level VAGs put the current gen domestic SUVs in dust either mechanically, electronically, or otherwise?

If you had 30 lakhs to spend within my car constraints/ requirements, what car would you buy? give me your top 2/3 so I can take a frequency run and go from there.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say on the matter:

1. I suggest you, buy the pre-owned German cars directly from a used car channel of the brand. Like Mercedes-Benz Certified, Audi Approved Plus or BMW Certified. You can check their inventory directly on their website.

They give 6 to 12 months warranty on the cars which gives Peace of Mind.

2. Costs will be higher even from FNG's-

The cost of a new headlight or taillight of Merc or BMW is above 1 lakh. So in this case getting this repaired by FNGs will only save you on the labour amount.

Regular services like oil, oil filter, and air filters from FNG will cost around 20k in comparison to 50k from ASS. Other items like brake pads and brake discs can be changed to aftermarket companies and will cost around 60-70k in comparison to 1.10 lac from ASS.

3. Depends upon What you want from a car.

X1 and GLA will offer badge value and excellent driving dynamics which no other car can match but lack size, and interior space.

4. What car I will Buy in 30 lakhs-

I will increase my budget a little bit and look for a pre-owned 2018-19 Mercedes GLC/X3, there are plenty of examples in a 34-36 lakhs bracket.

If I want a new car then I will buy a Hyundai Tucson, It is selling at a 2 lakhs discount currently for MY23 models.

Since you have a Reliable Honda in your garage then I think this time you can get your hands on Pre-owned German Cars.

Pre-owned German cars are a hit or a miss. Check carefully before buying that's why I suggested you Merc Certified or Audi Approved plus, buying a car from them increases the probability of getting a good car.

If you find a good car then you will have a smile on your face every time you drive it and if not then game over.

Here's what BHPian Chrome6Boy had to say on the matter:

Since you already have a dependable car with a big boot for highway drives, take a look at new EVs.

While they may not have badges to impress other people, they will simply blow you away in terms of performance, sometimes even matching cars two segments above them.

The BYD Atto 3 and the MG ZS EV are around your price range. If you have access to a 15A plug at home / work this will put a big smile on your face. It is cheap to run, cheap to service and really fun to drive. Both these cars have good tech, decent interiors and powerful motors. Take a test drive and see for yourself.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

Pre owned route isn’t the best idea for us Delhi NCR people. Diesel options will be BS4, which means major usability issues in winter. Petrol options will not the E20 compliant, which is its own can of worms. Better to buy new.

You say you are well settled and don’t have liabilities, which is a great position to be in. You can get yourself a nice new ride, or you can instead make some big investments which well and truly set you up for the future. That’s your call.

Since what you are looking for is a toy, an NCR compatible toy, may I suggest you consider the Jimny. Nothing quite like getting bitten by the 4x4 bug, and Gurgaon has a thriving off roading scene with active communities and regular events.

Here's what BHPian ike had to say on the matter:

With a 30 lac budget I'd get the Harrier/Safari or an XUV700 (I did get a Harrier in mid 2023). 30 lacs is really good budget and cars in this bracket get all the features that were aspirational/available only in high end luxury cars a few years back.

Unless you are looking for snob value(which I understand you are), there's really no need to go preowned with this budget. It seems to me that you are still trying to define what your use case is for the new car. Think long and hard as to whether you need an old German car that has the potential to be a white elephant unless still under warranty. But again the heart wants what it wants, maybe yours hasn't communicated clearly yet. And perhaps that's why they call it midlife crisis!

Here's what BHPian FAIAAA had to say on the matter:

Hi, you seek driving dynamics, feature set, relatively low maintenance, good FE.

Based on my past ownership experience of Germans (bought new)

1. There is a big difference in materials, quality of entry level German cars vs their mid and top segment offerings ( compare 3 vs 5 series etc).

2. For 30 lacs and recent model years, you will have to consider entry level german cars. For next segment, you will have to look at 5-6 year old options. 1. Won't suggest buying a pre owned German which is 5-7 years old and out of warranty 2. Even if you do, you need to compromise on feature set. ( my current Verna is plusher / more feature rich than my (then) 2015 E Class and 2017 3 series. The latter especially was a great driving machine but by no means, luxurious)

For 30 lacs, I would suggest you look at

Mahindra - Top end XUV700, Scorpio N

They will meet most of your requirements but will have niggles and petrols won't have great FE ( by the way, most of us spend more on buying /selling our cars than fuel)

If you wish a relatively niggle free experience, then consider the Korean crossover twins ( Creta, Seltos - better FE compared to the Mahindras) or maybe stretch to a petrol Tucson.As GTO says, 25-35 lacs gets you all the car you need and then some more.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.