I've ordered an F31 330d M Sport about 10 days ago from (gulp) Central Vehicle Leasing. So far the process has seemed v smooth and they've been pretty communicative. I got an email confirming the order was placed with a dealership about a day after I signed and sent back the order confirmation.
This car will replace the old Audi A3 3.2 quattro (2007), which turned out to be a bit of a 'mare. Haldex busted at a cost of about £3k to repair (that's counting for Audi's contribution to cost - more like £6k if was full whack)
I've had an E87 120d SE and an E61 520d SE - both of which we loved/love. Although they've had their share of issues, it's not anything unreasonable.
The main difference I find though is that the BMWs seem to be so much more refined and 'tight' for what they are. In my example, the A3 3.2 was the top of the range of A3s when it came out, but all the buttons and feel is more like a VW (surprise?). With our 120, which was nowhere near the top of the 1 series range it was so much more comfortable and 'together'. The buttons and controls felt so much nicer. And although I did enjoy some drives in the Audi, in hindsight I'd have preferred a 123d M Sport any day (and was sorely tempted by the new 125d - but with extras the lease cost proved prohibitive).
Re: quattro - winter wheels beat 4x4 on 90% of the roads in this country. Sure the 4x4 will get you going in some situations where a rwd or fwd won't, but they're so few and far between and the key issue is stopping distance (before winter tyres we almost crashed twice in the audi trying to stop - false sense of security etc). Our 5er with winters was completely fine on snowy/icy roads. An A5 on summers struggled and gave up getting up our street (which is a tiny incline) - to be fair so did a mini & some other cars. Our 5er on winters had no issues at all. So I'll be keeping away from X drive too for the foreseeable - extra cost and maintenance for questionable benefit!...
And I've vowed never to go back to any VAG in future!
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