Audi A6 vs BMW 3 Series
Audi A6
Audi’s executive saloon.
BMW 3 Series
BMW’s compact executive saloon.
Audi A6
Pick the A6 for quattro, the 530-litre boot and the frugal 2.0 TDI — but the climate controls are touchscreen-only.
BMW 3 Series
Pick the 3 Series for benchmark handling, efficient engines and a premium cabin in a compact executive sedan.
Performance
EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 320i · Petrol
| Audi A6 | BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
245 hp
Winner
|
184 hp
|
| Torque |
370 Nm
Winner
|
300 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
6,0 s
Winner
|
7,1 s
|
| Top speed |
250 km/h
Winner
|
240 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
148,5 hp/t
Winner
|
125,2 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
160 g/km
|
134 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
7,1 L/100km
|
5,9 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| Audi A6 | BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
530 L
Winner
|
480 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
—
|
—
|
| Wheelbase |
2,92 m
Winner
|
2,85 m
|
| Length |
4,94 m
|
4,71 m
|
| Width |
1,89 m
|
1,83 m
|
| Height |
1,46 m
|
1,44 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| Audi A6 | BMW 3 Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MLB Evo (longitudinal) | CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid | B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic (DSG) | 8-speed automatic (ZF) |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
- S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point, especially on diesels
- EA288 diesels: AdBlue/SCR needs attention with mainly short trips
- Direct-injection TFSI petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips
- Early iDrive/infotainment quirks
- DPF on diesels doing mainly short trips
- Timing chain rare but known on B48
Pros
- quattro optional — standard on the 3.0-litre engines
- 530-litre boot
- 48V mild-hybrid standard on most engines
- Benchmark handling (rear-drive base)
- Efficient, strong B48/B47 engines
- Excellent iDrive 7 infotainment
Cons
- Touchscreen-only climate controls (no physical buttons)
- S tronic/tiptronic only — no manual gearbox
- Firm ride on M Sport suspension
- Rear seat less roomy than some rivals
Driving experience
Audi A6
As a model line, the A6 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at motorway speeds. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners (standard on 3.0-litre engines, optional on 2.0-litre models). The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 45 TFSI is smooth, and the 3.0 TFSI is genuinely quick. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.
BMW 3 Series
—
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
For sale at dealers
Audi A6
30 for sale · from € 7.990
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BMW 3 Series
0 for saleNo listings at the moment
