dannyboy10

Would you sell a 2006 TL (automatic) for either German car ? Assume 60-70k miles in each of the 3 cars.

ez12a

Nope.

Redlantrn

After having a german vehicle (BMW), I would say no, unless you have $500 a month set aside for repairs/maintenance. There are parts that will break that you never even knew existed.
G/L

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Def. not the Audi. Too many problems with that brand. Even though they have the whole 'look' theme perfected.

Mercedes eh is ok. I'd go with a c class.

jimsta

iTrader: (1)

What everyone else says, but not all Audis have problems... I know some friends who have had theirs for a long time and do the same maintenance as me with my TL, albeit more expensive for parts...but hey you paying for the upgrade.
I also know some people with some horrendous problems of the smallest things going out, like dashboard lights, rear door locks..led burnouts on the display... jsut small annoying electronical things.

I don't think I answered your question...but in the end.. if you want to move to Euro cars, just be prepared to spend more in every way.

NIGHTEHAWK

If you have the money for repairs yes, if not... no. good luck!

Guiltyox

Keep your TL as your daily driver and buy a FD3S for your weekend car (have money set aside for TLC) :-D.

dgracer

A German car with that many miles is close to needing one of three things; electrical issue, transmission, or coolant leak (usually out of the head gasket). Everyone I know that brags on their fine German auto's over my 08 TL spends about 2k a year in repairs and doesnt care in the least about it. Since I do care, I'm happy knowing mine can go 200k+ (my 01 CL-S has 202k all original miles) with minimal repair. My latest german car aficionado just got rid of his 02 A4 3.2 which has a bad head gasket at 112k miles. Dealer quoted him 12k for a new motor and couldnt understand why he wouldnt let him go ahead and fix it! These cars are built to be leased for 3-4 years then thrown away.

allin

I had an 06 BMW 325i that had serious electrical issues. The needles on the gauges (all of them) would just swing back and forth sometimes or just choose to stay still. Guessing your speed among other things was not very fun. But the dealer could never reproduce because it never threw a code. Even when I brought a video of it to the dealership.

Don't get me wrong, (here's where I get flamed) but my RWD Bimmer was a much better driver's car than my FWD TL. However, it was entirely nerve racking to own a late model BMW that you did not trust at all.

So my long winded tale concludes with this...it isn't just the cost of upkeep and maintenance like others have pointed out, it's also the headache/uncertainty/countless trips to the dealership that makes owning a German car so painful.

Keep the 06 TL or buy a NEW GERMAN car where warranty is still good.

mike33175

If you have a chance to examine the underhood wiring in that used Mercedes, you will see the insulation cracking and it will crumble in your fingers! That's where the electrical gremlins originate from.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

I agree with everyone else said.

Also, the 2005 Audi A6 looks ugly from the rear. The front looks the same as every other car in the Audi line up. The E320 is BLEH from the front and rear.

Now if it was a 2009-current E350 than I would trade it no doubt. I always loved the way the new front end and the rear LED tail lights looked on the newer e350.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

Yes DO IT! All German cars are not bad. Its some people, most who have never even owned a german car but just speak from hear say that create these false impresssions that german cars are bad.

If the car was well maintained by the previous owner(s) then I would do the trade. I would not trade it for the Mercedes but I would do it for the A6. They are great cars. A more reliable german sedan option would be the 04-06 E60 525i/530i or the 06 E90 325i/330i.

But always remember this. Even though you will get the car cheap or for nothing $$ wise if you trade the TL....these cars were once $50k-$60k and even though the value of the car goes down the maintenance stays the same. Check out the Audi/Benz forums and get some more info on the car from owners. For the E class http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/ for the Audi http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumd...6-C7-A6-S6-RS6

Nick337

iTrader: (2)

I completely agree, some of the newer a4's have the same issues.

flyromeo3

maybe my s4 IS the exception.

never had electrical problems.

Nothing aside from wear and tear parts needing replacement.

car has 97k miles now, Stage II chip when I had 7k miles.

In the 97k miles I've owned it ive replaced:

-leak detection pump
-headlight switch
-wheel bearing

- did timing belt myself-----this is a HUGE cost if you have dealer or independant shop do. Your looking at 1500 or so. Its super simple to do on the Audi,,

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like you're disappointed with your TL because you don't get to work on it enough.

knavinusa

No, and this is coming from a current Audi owner who used to own a TL. The A6 isn't a bad car and it's comfortable, but there's no sense in trading your fairly new, reliable TL for an older German car. If you're looking for more power you'll be disappointed in either car unless you're prepared to shell out a bit more for the 4.2 V8 in the A6, but that engine is prone to carbon build up and needs to be taken apart and cleaned from time to time like all the first-generation FSI engines.

As for the Mercedes, even if it's reliable, I don't see a good reason to make the trade. If you're looking for luxury, there's not much more that either car can offer you over the TL. If you're looking to get into a sportier car, why are you looking at these cars? I'd easily take the E60 5-series over either one.

Make sure you have money. Even routine maintenance is much more expensive compared to the TL.

dannyboy10

Thanks for the replies. My TL's poor leather quality and heated seats issue bother me a little at times. I also think the driving dynamics are better with the A6 or E320. I do love the low cost of maintaining the TL !!

mY sLOW UA6

Fuck that I'd never trade my TL for either of those cars (maybe an S4) OP just get ur seats fixed and call it a day. Ive been in a limited number of german cars and let me tell u there is not as much comfort found as there is in my TL.

SiriusCity

BukvaMan

your acura tl will never ever drive like an audi or bmw. The Tl is a good car for its money but not more then that. I have no problems with mine except that it just doesnt drive like it should . I have a constant low end problem which nobody can find a fix for. Summertime its a nightmare... Very soon im gonna get my dream car which is an Audi S4. It really comes down to if you can afford it and if you really enjoy driving. If you do i would go for German car.

The Tl is not that reliable either, look at all those transmission problems.

knavinusa

Just because I own a German car doesn't mean I provide biased advice.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Meh. Love the looks of the A6, not sure if I'd want one. The older E class does nothing for me, but it probably would be more reliable than the Audi. Claims that Germam cars are always unreliable are way over exaggerated.

Side note- My Acura has been in for service more than my dads GL450 with 100k miles.

3gstealth

iTrader: (2)

Don't do it. My last car was a 2002 S4. That car was in need of constant repair. I traded it in before the warranty expired. I never knew it would be possible for so many things to go wrong with one car. It almost was like it was designed to self destruct.

vinhdzn

chuck testa

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

I just bought a 2003 e320 last week for shipping to Dubai.

After driving it, I'm just unimpressed. For being so much more expensive tab a Honda/Acura/most other cars it doesn't feel that great. The interior was boring and I felt a lack of power that I really love in the TL. It's just too much luxury and not enough sport for me at least.

I actually like my 2011 Accord rental better.