When choosing a new car, it’s easy to become lost in the ether of brands and models. This can be particularly difficult for those who aren’t sure what car they should go for next. If you’re looking for a car in the luxury market, you may want to consider an Audi or BMW - but which brand should you go for? It can be difficult to compare the two, but we’ve made it easier by breaking down the similarities and differences of both brands and what both of them have to offer. The choice is ultimately up to you.
A brief History of Audi and BMW
BMW had beginnings in the aerospace industry, manufacturing aeroplane engines from 1916. It was only in 1928 that they began manufacturing cars. Their experience in making large engines for much larger vehicles made the process of transitioning to smaller engines much easier. The Dixi was the first car they manufactured, which had a power output of 15 horsepower and could reach a top speed of around 75 mph.
Before Audi was the name we know and love today, the company was first known as August Horch & Cie which was born in 1899 and was named after its founder, August Horch. Horch was one of the pioneers of automotive engineering and had previously worked for Carl Benz as Head of Automobile Production. The company was relocated to Zwickau where it became a share-issuing company. 1909 saw the withdrawal of Horch from his own company and instead founded a new enterprise named “Audi”. The name is derived from the translation of Horch’s name into Latin - “Horch” meaning “hark” or “listen”.
Comparison of Audi and BMW
Before considering the car you want to buy, it’s always essential to do some research into what will be the best car for your lifestyle and needs. Here, we’ve broken the main elements that you may want to consider if you’re choosing between either an Audi or BMW.
Ownership costs
When buying a luxury brand, such as Audi or BMW, most consumers don’t tend to worry about maintenance costs, as both brands are well-known within the industry for being less than fuel-efficient or budget-friendly when it comes to repairing them. The average cost of maintenance on both vehicles aren’t too far apart:
- BMW full service: £202
- BMW interim service: £142
- BMW MOT: £44
- Audi full service: £199
- Audi interim service: £139
- Audi MOT: £44
If you choose a brand new Audi, maintenance costs see an increase of around £25 after the car reaches 5 years old, compared to the BMW models. This is where you are more likely to see a difference in the cost of maintenance for these cars.
Styling and Design
BMW have always been bold with the designs of their cars, so you know when you’re looking at a BMW. The iconic grill of this brand stands out amongst its competitors and it would ideally suit someone who is looking for a prestigious looking car with a bit of muscle - perhaps a professional who values the performance of a car. Whilst the quality of the interior of a BMW is representative of a luxury brand, this company tends to value performance over aesthetics, so you may find that the styling of the interior is less refined than that of an Audi.
Audi’s design is a little more simplistic and subtle, offering a sporty look for most of their models - this is ideal for those who are big fans of the Audi style, as it tends to remain very similar for most of their vehicles. Audi’s interior is a clear winner between the two brands - it offers a quality aesthetic, manufactured with premium materials and adopting a minimalistic dashboard. Audi also gives you the ability to choose the material for your seats - options ranging from cloth to leather.
Safety features
When looking at buying a new vehicle, one of the most important things you should look out for is what safety features the car includes as standard. The safety you may want depends on what you intend to use the car for - are you looking for a family car or a commuter car? Both Audi and BMW are considered by Euro-NCAP to be very safe cars, with the majority of their models receiving 4 and 5 star ratings. Some unique safety features for a BMW include:
- Night Vision - warns or brakes for the driver should a pedestrian or animal step into the road in the dark.
- Parking Assist - assistance when parallel parking and to squeeze into tight spaces.
- Intelligent Emergency Call - calls the emergency services if you’ve been involved in an accident.
- Road Sign Recognition - has the ability to scan road signs and display them on-screen.
- Speed Limit Assist - automatically adjusts speed depending on speed limit.
- Approach Control - engages brakes if the car in front of you suddenly stops.
Some unique safety features of an Audi include:
- Audi Pre Sense - a system of predictive safety measures to help you relax when you drive by detecting any potential collision.
- Vehicle Exit Assist - this system uses the Audi’s LED lights to warn the driver and passengers if there are cyclists or other vehicles in the way of them opening their doors.
- Turn Assist & Collision Avoidance Assist - this system uses a radar and camera to monitor oncoming traffic and brake for you in emergency situations.
- Night Vision - warns or brakes for the driver should a pedestrian or animal step into the road in the dark.
Reliability
Both cars have a high reliability rating, especially in terms of safety and costs. Of course a lot of drivers will rely on their cars to take them on long journeys or commutes, so it’s vital that whichever they choose keeps their maintenance costs low and gets them from A to B safely. The quality of the build and materials used for both Audi and BMW are on a par with one another, as you would expect with higher-priced luxury cars.
Whilst BMW tends to score higher with reliability, Audi are not far behind. However, Audi’s models have the added benefit of being able to share platforms and parts - this ensures consistency in the performance and reliability across all of their cars. Both Audi and BMW come with warranties and maintenance plans, which will keep your car running reliably and smoothly for a long time.
Look to Swansway Motor Group for your next Audi
Of course, the type of car you decide on is entirely up to you and how it would fit into your lifestyle and cater to your needs. At Swansway, we have a range of new and used Audi vehicles available today to suit a wide range of requirements. Browse through our used Audi vehicles or if you fancy treating yourself, take a look at the range of new Audi vehicles we have for you. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.