BMW 320d, Audi A5 Sportback or Mercedes C-Class?

2013 BMW 320d M Sport, Audi A5 Sportback S ine or Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG Sport? Want something that's well built. Am hearing differing stories about the quality of the BMW, DPF issues on the Audi 2.0 TDI, the Mercedes more expensive that either.

S S (Meath)

Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

---

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

Generally speaking all three of these cars are really well built and shouldn't give you any major troubles. The BMW 2.0-litre diesel engine has some well documented and recurring issues with weakness in the turbo, but if you buy one on BMW's approved used programme, you'll get a two-year warranty that should cover you for any issues. The Diesel Particulate Filter issue on the Audi 2.0-litre TDI engine is usually related to drivers doing too low a mileage at too low a speed for the DPF to heat up sufficiently to clean itself - it's a recurring problem on any diesel car bought by someone who fundamentally doesn't understand how diesels work and are best driven.

I'd say of the three, my choice would be the last-gen C-Class. If you're looking at 2013, try and track down one of the last Edition C models - they were loaded with equipment and got an extra AMG body kit and nice wheels too. Superb to drive, cracking 2.1-litre diesel engine (if it touch noisy) and the only drawback is that they're not very spacious in the rear.

Of course, if it's reliability and reliability above all that concerns you, buy a Lexus IS 300h and you won't go wrong...

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe