Audi A7 3.0 BiTdi or S7.. Owners Views?
Audi A7 3.0 BiTdi or S7.. Owners Views?
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Discussion

irfan1712

Original Poster:

1,307 posts

183 months

Sunday 3rd September 2017
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Hello all

The initial hunt for a used, 2/3 year old Range Rover Sport is still on going, not as well as I hoped. Lots of mix and match spec cars and being the fuss pot that I am I just can't settle on the right one at the moment. They seem to be holding their value tremendously too.

In London last weekend we came across an A7 S Line, Black edition. It looked fantastic and is something I'm actually considering instead of the RRS, weirdly.

I've done some looking into it, and I have 3 options : 3.0 Tdi in either 270bhp, the 3.0Bi Tdi with 320hp (Both S Lines and black editions for the black bits / bigger wheels / Bose etc) or finally an S7. The reason why I have looked into an S7 is because used prices don't seem to be commanding that much more for the S7 as opposed to the high spec diesels, and I like the claim of a combined 30mpg thanks to clever cylinder tech.

- how realistic is 30mpg or anywhere near that in the S7? Surely having one of the bigger bhp diesels I won't achieve 'far' from 30-35mpg anyway?

- im looking at used cars, but has anyone achieved any decent discounts when buying new?

-I've seen online 'rumours' that 2018 will see a brand new A7 introduced. What's people's thoughts on this? Il be annoyed if I drop a load on an A7 now only for a new one to follow in under 12 months!

Any other info regarding these will be greatly appreciated. I've declined a 6 series GC ( we have a 4GC now and just fancy a change) and I'm not overly feeling CLS's either.

Thanks
Irfan

PenelopaPitstop

2,482 posts

163 months

Sunday 3rd September 2017
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There are some leasing deals for A7 3.0tdi 272, some in stock cars are "relatively" cheap. It might be worth keeping an eye on deals:
https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/personal/ca... Car Leasing Online company seems to have stock cars quite often and at competitive prices.

The only bad thing is that they have poor spec, even Black Edition doesn't have folding mirrors in standard but it might not be important to you. You may get 40mpg in 272 version with quattro. There's definitely new model coming, hence big discounts. Could be good time to lease but not necessarily buy.

Go to carwow, configure the car you like and you will get discounts from dealers. You can compare it to figures from Broadspeed: https://broadspeed.com/new_cars/Audi/A7/Choose_Num...

I doubt you will see 30mpg in S7, more like 24mpg. That's based on brochure vs real life mpg for S8. I only see 30mpg when I drive 75mph on long distance motorway run.

RGambo

886 posts

199 months

Sunday 3rd September 2017
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I'v not had an A7, but a few of the current gen A6. same chassis. the 3.0l biturbo engine is a belter, really torquey and free reving (for a diesel) and mine would regularly return 35mpg on give and take driving with 40-45 achievable on the M-way. The performance was a big step on from the single turbo version.
I've not owned a S6/7 but I did test drive at the same time as purchasing the bi-turbo, it wasn't that much quicker, but it had the V8 noise! smile. The s7 has the same basic engine as the RS6. from personal expierience(i've done 50K miles in an RS6), you will struggle to get anywhere near 30mpg. Possibly if you want to do 60 on an M-way, but give and take driving my RS6 returned 21.5mpg with an average on a run of about 25mpg. Now I know the RS6 is more powerful, but the cylinder deactivation and basic engine is identical, and I can't see how you'd get an extra 8.5mpg by loosing 100bhp.
if fuel consumption isn't a concern for you, then I'd go for the S7, as you say, they are great value second hand and the V8 petrol has to win over the V6 diesel doesn't it??
if you decide that early 20's mpg is a going to hurt a bit, then you'll not be disappointed with the bi-turbo.
hope that helps.

rassi

2,517 posts

281 months

Monday 4th September 2017
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I have had an A6 Avant BiTdi for 2 years, and 40.000 km and have been considering a swap to the S7 - in the metal the S7 is very special, and the one I was looking at was fully loaded (B&O, ceramic brakes, comfort ventilated seats, night vision, double glazing, etc). First impressions are that the S Tronic is a bit clunkier than the super smooth ZF 8 speed, and that performance is not that much better than the BiTdi (mine is mapped to 370 bhp/810 nm), while economy is about 50 % worse.

The flip side is that the V8 has a nice sound (even if a bit muted), and a very linear power delivery (the BiTdi is more brutal, with its much greater torque), better ride even on 20 " with the air suspension than mine on 19" and SE suspension, and that with double glazing it is more hushed at speed.

I am in two minds about going for the S7, keeping the A6 or go nuts with a late F10 M5 to get the full bhp overload.

Either way, the S7 is a great car, and certainly a rare car.

RGambo

886 posts

199 months

Monday 4th September 2017
quotequote all
rassi said:
I have had an A6 Avant BiTdi for 2 years, and 40.000 km and have been considering a swap to the S7 - in the metal the S7 is very special, and the one I was looking at was fully loaded (B&O, ceramic brakes, comfort ventilated seats, night vision, double glazing, etc). First impressions are that the S Tronic is a bit clunkier than the super smooth ZF 8 speed, and that performance is not that much better than the BiTdi (mine is mapped to 370 bhp/810 nm), while economy is about 50 % worse.

The flip side is that the V8 has a nice sound (even if a bit muted), and a very linear power delivery (the BiTdi is more brutal, with its much greater torque), better ride even on 20 " with the air suspension than mine on 19" and SE suspension, and that with double glazing it is more hushed at speed.

I am in two minds about going for the S7, keeping the A6 or go nuts with a late F10 M5 to get the full bhp overload.

Either way, the S7 is a great car, and certainly a rare car.
That must be a monster biturbo!!! just out of interest, why not go for the RS6 instead of the M5??

rassi

2,517 posts

281 months

Monday 4th September 2017
quotequote all
RGambo said:
That must be a monster biturbo!!! just out of interest, why not go for the RS6 instead of the M5??
Quite simple: money! The pricing structure in Belgium may be a bit different to the UK, but a 2014 M5 and 40.000 km is 55.000 euro, a 2014 RS6 with similar mileage would be 75.000 euro.

The S7 I am looking at, a 2013 with 78.000 km, is up for 48.000 euro, the trade offer for my late 2013 with 48.000 km is 29.000 euro, so quite a chunk of money to change for not much more performance and much worse fuel economy, but this is probably not a rational decision.


RGambo

886 posts

199 months

Monday 4th September 2017
quotequote all
rassi said:
Quite simple: money! The pricing structure in Belgium may be a bit different to the UK, but a 2014 M5 and 40.000 km is 55.000 euro, a 2014 RS6 with similar mileage would be 75.000 euro.
WOW! that's hell of a difference. I think I'd probably take the same decision as you. smile


Dr G

15,983 posts

272 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
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I've seen 30 MPG in S7s plenty of times (although I'm very smooth behind the wheel). I often do longer motorway trips and ~32MPG is no problem. Low 20s is a more realistic average with some town and traffic driving, though.

Iver->Derby and back in a BiTDI A6 a few weeks ago saw 43MPG driving normally.

lengster

215 posts

189 months

Wednesday 6th September 2017
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Sorry for thread hijack but who mapped the A6 bitdi for you? How do you find it before and after economy and performance? Are they all double glazed I thought just the Rs6?

Justhe-1

156 posts

124 months

Wednesday 6th September 2017
quotequote all
RGambo said:
I'v not had an A7, but a few of the current gen A6. same chassis. the 3.0l biturbo engine is a belter, really torquey and free reving (for a diesel) and mine would regularly return 35mpg on give and take driving with 40-45 achievable on the M-way. The performance was a big step on from the single turbo version.
I've not owned a S6/7 but I did test drive at the same time as purchasing the bi-turbo, it wasn't that much quicker, but it had the V8 noise! smile. The s7 has the same basic engine as the RS6. from personal expierience(i've done 50K miles in an RS6), you will struggle to get anywhere near 30mpg. Possibly if you want to do 60 on an M-way, but give and take driving my RS6 returned 21.5mpg with an average on a run of about 25mpg. Now I know the RS6 is more powerful, but the cylinder deactivation and basic engine is identical, and I can't see how you'd get an extra 8.5mpg by loosing 100bhp.
if fuel consumption isn't a concern for you, then I'd go for the S7, as you say, they are great value second hand and the V8 petrol has to win over the V6 diesel doesn't it??
if you decide that early 20's mpg is a going to hurt a bit, then you'll not be disappointed with the bi-turbo.
hope that helps.
Agree with the above. I had a 14 plate A7 bitDi Black Edition (Black) for nearly 2 years (chopped it in for the S5). It had all the toys (HUD, radar cruise etc etc) and was a great car to munch the miles and was also surprisingly happy being "thrown" around when the mood took, for a big car.

I had a TDI-Tuning twin channel tuning box and a KaufateK active exhaust modifier module fitted to the car, and it sounded great for a diesel - added a very acceptable V8 type growl to the exhaust note, if you chose the right setting.

Think I averaged 34mpg over the term, but it was pretty much always driven in a spirited fashion.

I chose it primarily for the size of the boot. Went to view an SQ5, but it was too small for me, and the boot was a joke.
The A7 swallowed up a family of 4's luggage and 2 young kids paraphernalia with relative ease and still did 45mpg loaded up on runs to the coast.

As a direct comparison jumping from that into the S5 SB - I miss the torque, some of the toys and MPG - but its nice to be able to rev something past 6k revs again, not worry about the width of the car in small lanes and not have to add a box of tricks to get a decent exhaust note (on full chat anyway..)

HTH.

va1o

16,117 posts

237 months

Wednesday 6th September 2017
quotequote all
irfan1712 said:
-I've seen online 'rumours' that 2018 will see a brand new A7 introduced. What's people's thoughts on this? Il be annoyed if I drop a load on an A7 now only for a new one to follow in under 12 months!
No one seems to have replied to this bit. I would not be surprised if we see a new one within the next 12 - 18 months. It's definitely towards the end of its lifecycle I would've thought as we're due a new A6 based on the MLB Evo platform, and the A7 would presumably follow shortly after.

Maximum

108 posts

102 months

Monday 22nd April 2019
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Justhe-1 said:
Agree with the above. I had a 14 plate A7 bitDi Black Edition (Black) for nearly 2 years (chopped it in for the S5). It had all the toys (HUD, radar cruise etc etc) and was a great car to munch the miles and was also surprisingly happy being "thrown" around when the mood took, for a big car.

I had a TDI-Tuning twin channel tuning box and a KaufateK active exhaust modifier module fitted to the car, and it sounded great for a diesel - added a very acceptable V8 type growl to the exhaust note, if you chose the right setting.

Think I averaged 34mpg over the term, but it was pretty much always driven in a spirited fashion.

I chose it primarily for the size of the boot. Went to view an SQ5, but it was too small for me, and the boot was a joke.
The A7 swallowed up a family of 4's luggage and 2 young kids paraphernalia with relative ease and still did 45mpg loaded up on runs to the coast.

As a direct comparison jumping from that into the S5 SB - I miss the torque, some of the toys and MPG - but its nice to be able to rev something past 6k revs again, not worry about the width of the car in small lanes and not have to add a box of tricks to get a decent exhaust note (on full chat anyway..)

HTH.
Sorry to hijack this thread but how much did it cost to have the active sound booster fitted thanks maxsmile




RobbyJ

1,824 posts

252 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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I had an S7 for 3 years and now have an RS7. They are sort of the same engine but not. There are quite a few differences in the engine itself and the turbos are bigger on the S7.

My S7 had a remap from MRC and was 525bhp and around 800nm of torque from memory. It was a great all round car, nothing at all went wrong with it and it would genuinely do 30mpg (just) on a long sedate motorway run at 70-80mph (in France).

A mapped S7 is quick and a really nice place to sit. It’s not the most engaging car to drive and very quiet for a V8 but a really nice car all in all. I’d rather have the S7 over the diesel but it really depends on your mileage and how important fuel costs are to you.

Whilst 30mpg was pushing it you could easily get high 20’s out of a tank if you’re not going crazy though.

RobbyJ

1,824 posts

252 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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Oh, just noticed how old this thread is, I’ll get my coat!

Labradorofperception

8,108 posts

121 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
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I have just sold my S7 - ran it for 2 and a half years and put 60,000 miles on it.

You might get 30 mpg, with a very light foot, on a steady run, but work on 23 mpg to be closer to the norm.

It is a bit of a Q car - quite understated and catches a few people out. The mid range is superb, just goes and leave plenty in its wake.

Service prices are not too silly, but pads and discs at a dealer will be a grand. I got on well with mine, so managed to get them done for around £650.


Justhe-1

156 posts

124 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2019
quotequote all
Maximum said:
Justhe-1 said:
Agree with the above. I had a 14 plate A7 bitDi Black Edition (Black) for nearly 2 years (chopped it in for the S5). It had all the toys (HUD, radar cruise etc etc) and was a great car to munch the miles and was also surprisingly happy being "thrown" around when the mood took, for a big car.

I had a TDI-Tuning twin channel tuning box and a KaufateK active exhaust modifier module fitted to the car, and it sounded great for a diesel - added a very acceptable V8 type growl to the exhaust note, if you chose the right setting.

Think I averaged 34mpg over the term, but it was pretty much always driven in a spirited fashion.

I chose it primarily for the size of the boot. Went to view an SQ5, but it was too small for me, and the boot was a joke.
The A7 swallowed up a family of 4's luggage and 2 young kids paraphernalia with relative ease and still did 45mpg loaded up on runs to the coast.

As a direct comparison jumping from that into the S5 SB - I miss the torque, some of the toys and MPG - but its nice to be able to rev something past 6k revs again, not worry about the width of the car in small lanes and not have to add a box of tricks to get a decent exhaust note (on full chat anyway..)

HTH.
Sorry to hijack this thread but how much did it cost to have the active sound booster fitted thanks maxsmile
From (my not great) memory I think the sound activator was coming on for £300, ordered fro. Germany - and I fitted it myself, you just plug into into the loom behind the R\H panel in the boot.

Actually I never sold my unit, so still have it in the garage somewhere in a box as removed it when I sold the A7 - if that was of interest..?