MB brand is the cheapest for me to drive from tens of brand I did use to own.
Actually, in the past, when I was buying older MB diesels and imported them to CA, 2-3 years later I was selling them for more, than I paid for them.
Obviously when I start buying newer cars, I went into depreciations, but still, few hundred$$ a year for driving relatively new luxury is not bad.
When I buy mostly diesels, I always buy them at high mileage. Most of the cars I bought over the internet unseen, but I concluded that MB is probably the best brand to buy unseen, as you can judge the paint quality base on pictures, when I am not worrying about mechanical repairs. Only 1 of those MB was real beater, but some elbow grease and few bucks for parts and 200k miles car start performing again. I actually meet the buyer few years later and the car with 300k miles was still driving good.
As for "rabbit hole" I had that with other brands as well, that usually crossing 100,000 miles, lot of things need to be replaced. But even old, beaten up Volvo, once fixed, drove for following several years without an isse.

 

So this weekend I drove a 2021 A6 allroad wagon, fully loaded, and a 2021 BMW M550i (v8 engine) fully loaded. Neither sold before the end of the day yesterday and today is Easter, both dealerships closed, so I have the opportunity to take some portion of the day to run some numbers and figure out what I want.

It's so hard to part with my Benz. I think it's still best to hold off until I can keep my (lien-free) E-class, which is still wonderful to drive, especially on the highway, and has so many great features, AND get something else. I have maintained this vehicle well and despite some cosmetic imperfections I'm unlikely to fix any time soon, I like the idea of keeping her for the long haul. Tough to part these days with a debt-free car, given I don't drive more than 5k miles/year these days.

This might sound crazy, but one of the things holding me back on the 5 series is the lack of a pano roof. It's just one of those things (like a heated steering wheel) I'll never want to be without it again in my vehicle, having it for 7 years now in the Benz. But besides that, the 5-series was loaded to the hilt and even had the Dynamic Handling Package, which is tough to find in those, and even has the right colors in and out.

The Audi is a wagon, and if it wasn't for that, Audi wouldn't be a consideration. I did drive it and absolutely love the look of the A6 allroad. I love the way it drove too, but it had more miles (49K) than the BMW. Both vehicles are CPO but the BMW's CPO expires in mid-2026 at unlimited miles, and the Audi's would expire after 1 year or 20K miles.

Tough decision. In the end, if I were to buy now, it would be the BMW despite no hatch rear end. (Don't ask me why, I've always wanted to own a Germany luxury wagon - we're small in number, but we are a proud people...).

And yes, I'll probably drive my family crazy pondering this today instead of being fully focused on Easter

 

Go for the Audi, it’s the better car. Yes the BMW is nice, but what’s it really do other than go fast? Also, it’s run-flat tires only, and they’re not cheap and a pain to live with long term. I also think BMW’s don’t age as well in appeal as Audi and MB.

look up APR Tuning, if you want more HP and TQ from a VAG 2.0t or 3.0t engine. Had APR on all of my GTI’s for over a decade and 0% problems ever. Completely unlocks the car.

Audi will serve you better in real life. Better weather, more useful for Home Depot / Costco runs, cruises exceptionally well, and the interior hardly ages. Plus, a lot easier on the wallet to deal with a near bullet proof 2.0t engine that the world’s largest car maker has been hanging their hat on across many different brands and models for over 15+ years. Cast iron block, can take a massive massive massive amount of pressure.

do be prepared to spend about $1k every 70k miles for a decarb of the valves service. Otherwise thats it beyond normal maintenance.

VW owns Audi, Porsche, Bently, Lambo, and so on. Lots of engineering brain power in their cars. My old 2015 GTI had a hell of a lot more “porsche” in it than VW. After the APR tune was put in it, it was the mist enjoyable little thing I have ever owned. Loved it, and might buy another to compliment the bronco down the road and the used market has softened even more.

 

I love my 2014 and think it drives amazing. We also added a new corvette last year and a ford raptor truck… in September ordered the cayenne and it just came in and decided I am still keeping the w212 becuase I like the way it drives

 

@Nc11 interesting.. I actually heard the opposite years ago re: the Audi brand, that yes, the BMW tax is very real, but overall quality vehicle. Re: Audi, I notice a conspicuous lack of older Audis on the road as compared to Benz/BMW, not to say I haven't seen them here or there. I also irrationally want the V8 almost as irrationally as I want a German luxury wagon 😁

Not to pile on Audi but back in the day - 2000-2004 model years let's say - I know from owning a fully loaded 2002 Passat wagon that you're correct on how they drive, but it had water leak issues (as did some Audi A4 and a6 models around that time) that resulted in CCMs getting fried. So that's why I'm more hesitant on Audi/VW despite the Porsche pedigree. You're welcome to talk some sense into me as I haven't kept up with the brand.

I will say that wagon was nice - incredibly smooth and solid - and it'd be nice to own something more practical AND fun. The BMW I loved for its sheer power but even despite both having adaptive suspensions, the Bimmer was definitely rougher on the bumps and I'm not as into that as driving purists might be.

Still pondering!

 

They’re definitely different cars from different manufacturers with different design/usage goals. If the V8 is what you want, then nothing will compare to that from the Audi wagon and you should go for the BMW. But just realize, if you live somewhere with somewhat rough roads, you’re likely going to be replacing those tires and fixing those rims a couple of times. Nail hole? New tire instead of patch. And it’s been my experience with friends and neighbors around me that are BMW fans they those tires do tend to get loud as they wear, and they ain’t cheap!

Your experience with the Pasat was over 20 years ago. Think they’ve got that part figured out! I’ve had an 07, 13, 15 GTi and now this 14 Tiquan SEL for my son. None of them had so much as a rattle or a squeak in any of them. No leaks, no quality issues. The 07 had 4 bent rims when we moved it from Chicago to DC in late 2011 with 65k on the clock. Instead of replacing the rims, I just replaced the car with a new one (13’) which was perfect. Had more Audi than Porsche in its DNA. Replaced it on a whim at 40k while at the dealership for the trans fluid change and they had a new white one (15) for the same price that I had paid for the 13’. Just swapped them out. That one had more Porsche in it’s DNA (a lot more) than Audi. It was flawless for the 7 years and 73k miles I put on it too.

I can tell you without hesitation, this 14’ Tiquan I now have for my son, with 40k on the clock, is wonderful! Comfortable, solid as stone, cruises great, peppy, roomy, and fun enough to keep a 16 year old out of trouble (hopefully).

But you’re comparing an A4 to a 550M. There really isn't much to compare. Either you want crazy speed and a 4 door sedan, or decent speed and the functionality of a wagon. All I al saying is the Audi is a solid vehicle that, if it were me, would keep me happy for a lot longer than the BMW would. Sure, the 550 will be a riot for a couple of years, but once the novelty of it wears off, what are you left with? You going to take it to Home Depot? The dog going to ride shotgun? You going to be up for a couple of thousand for the tires?

I do believe BMW fixed their VANOS (I think that’s what it’s called) cooling issues?

many people LOVE BMW, buy them exclusively, no argument against their merits! Ultimately Driving Machine for a reason. They are awesome. But not sure I would personally want one for the long haul of a decade. The Audi can at least become a hauler for you later on.

 

Thank you... that's helpful insight!