Audi A6 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs BMW 5 Series: Which one has the lowest running costs?

The market for premium mid-size sedans has been shrinking for over a decade now, with impressive products such as the Audi A6 which populate this segment not receiving the attention they perhaps deserve as consumers shift towards high-riding SUVs. The A6 has had fellow German rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, among others, for company in this segment for decades, meaning that with every passing generation, the competition heats up and the products get better. How do the running costs of the A6 compare with these two key rivals? Today we will compare the entry-level A6 with two similarly priced E-Class and 5 Series models.

The figures

	Audi A6 40TDI	Mercedes-Benz E220d Aventgarde	BMW 520d
Engine size	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	140 kW/400 Nm	143 kW/400 Nm	140 kW/400 Nm
Gearbox	7-speed dual-clutch automatic	9-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Seats	5	5	5
Airbags	6	7	6
Kerb weight	1 645kg	1 750kg	1 675kg
Load Capacity	530-litres	540-litres	530-litres
Fuel capacity	73-litres	66-litres	66-litres
Claimed consumption	5.2 L/100 km	5.2 L/100 km	5.2 L/100 km
CO2 emissions	136 g/km	137 g/km	137 g/km
Service plan	5-yr/100 000km (maintenance)	5-yr /100 000km (maintenance)	5-year/100 000km (maintenance)
Price	R1 041 000	R1 061 476	R1 056 376

 

Related: The best Audi S6 offers AutoTrader found advertised in 2022.

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Audi A6 40TDI

With the instalment parameters in place, the A6 will work out at R17 833 per month over 72 months.

Mercedes-Benz E220d Avantgarde

With the instalment parameters in place, the E220d will work out at R18 184 per month over 72 months.

BMW 520d

With the instalment parameters in place, the 520d will work out at R18 096 per month over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

On paper, the three products are identical in terms of fuel consumption, and when looking at their powertrains and kerb weights, which are so similar, the real-world consumption of the three products should be similar too.

Service plans

All three models come with 5-year/100 000 maintenance plans, again meaning that there is no clear winner.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, in the first five years of ownership, there is very little to choose between the three models in this comparison, and we would be tempted to state that your brand preference would be the only way to choose between the three, however, there can only be one winner, and that is the Audi A6, thanks to its marginally lower list price.