.

If you want to look at the Audi again take a trip out to Biener Audi, 795 Northern Boulevard in Great Neck. We bought our A4 Avant there and were treated well.  If nothing else, they have good cookies  

I'm with Howie as I'm another biased Audi owner. 
We have a 2012 Q5 and love it.

I have a few friends with them. I have driven and ridden in one. It's a nice ride. Standard Mercedes quality (you can take that how you want. I personally am not a Mercedes' fan, but they are well appointed and tend to be rock solid from a mechanical standpoint from personal friends experience).

If you want the better highway efficiency, I'd secure a deposit on one of the diesels ones. However, make sure it is refundable (or an amount you don't mind losing) as you might not like the way it drives. Maybe drive a BMW X5 diesel beforehand to see if you like the diesel-style engine/transmission. It is quite a bit different. Also check/speak with the Mercedes dealer to see if the diesel version requires the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). I know the SUV VW's require it, not sure about the X5. I have heard it isn't that big of a deal, just have the fluid topped off at your (most likely) 10k oil change intervals.

The downside is: Do you live in NYC or outside? How is the availability of diesel in the area? I know it can be a pain in the ass to find at times inside large cities, which is a drawback if you spend a lot of time there.

Let me know if you need any other info!


- Brian R.

I can't imagine driving any of those rigs in NYC but whatever you decide on you should pay for the Consumers Report car evaluation that will tell you what the dealer pays so you can negotiate wisely.

Quote from: vincheung on April 24, 2012, 06:37:21 AM
Im in bayside queens and now that i think about it there is only one local pump that i know of off-hand.

you can search here by zip:

http://www.newyorkgasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=D&area=Queens&dl=Y&intro=Y

Quote from: Ducatamount on April 24, 2012, 04:28:00 AM
 but whatever you decide on you should pay for the Consumers Report car evaluation that will tell you what the dealer pays so you can negotiate wisely.

Edmunds.com can do the same thing as well....

anyways...since Ducati is now owned by VW/Audi, you should buy the Audi anyway...J/K  

Quote from: vincheung on April 24, 2012, 07:07:06 AM
.... i actually have a vw and she hates the damn thing (swore for a while she would never touch an audi/vw), says its expensive to maintain, i told her the damn thing is bulletproof and i do all the fixin....   

if she thinks the VW is expensive to maintain....hell...wait till you see the 1st repair bill on the Benz...HAHAHAHAHHAA

4 MB products and one ML 4-matic.  I've never had a lick of trouble and maintenance isn't horribly expensive.   There is a service D, now called B, where the tranny fluid is changed and that one is pricey.   The 4 matic system is incredible in the ice and snow.  The GLK is a C class and I've known them to be reliable (2 of those).  IMO the 4 matic is a necessity where you live and heated seats are a must!  Buy a used CPO and add the MB factory warranty and save yourself 10-15k

Quote from: vincheung on April 24, 2012, 06:37:21 AM
We actually went to biener and knowing the wife i knew she would have liked the Q5.  The guy was acting like he was doing us a favor and we are very easy to deal with (just in case you are wondering if we're those kind of buyers).  I am definitley an audi guy myself and got the wifey to like them as well after driving across spain and france in a nice diesel A4. 

Driving a diesel is definitley different that i would have expected (different throttle response) and good call on the diesel pump locations.  For some reason I just assumed that diesel was readily available but now that i thunk about it, maybe i should scout some locations first.  Im in bayside queens and now that i think about it there is only one local pump that i know of off-hand.

Driving this thing around NYC actually wont be too bad the thing is relatively small, smaller than a crown vic i think.  Never knew about the consumer report thing thanks for the tip.

Any thoughts on the options? anything that is a must have?

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at Biener.  Possibly you just hit a bad salesperson who is no longer there.   The person who I bought my car from simply helped us buy the car and expedite the paper work.  He also was there on delivery to make sure all went well.  He even set up the Bluetooth for my phone.  I was accidentally overcharged for a service.  I figured I would wait for the credit card statement and then speak to them about the overcharge.  Lo and behold, when I looked at the statement they fixed it on their own.  Anyway, if you don't want to go back there, the gentleman who sold us the car is now at Audi of Huntington.  His name is Eric Shuster (sp).
If you go there tell him Howie and Ellen sent you.  If that doesn't ring a bell just say "Bronx Zoo".

As far as GPS etc go, whatever you buy compare packages too.  I didn't get GPS, wish I did.  The reason is it is there when you need it.  Much easier than getting it out, setting it up and then stowing it.  Plus I would have built in storage for music.  Just little more than the cost of the GPS would have equipped me with Smart Key, memory seats and more.

lucky man.

sounds like you got a winner...but let me play devils advocate for a second...

are you planning on selling said vehicle within the 1st 3 years of ownership?...outside of 3 years of ownership, the value isn't that much of a hit as it were, whether it be a '12 or a '13...and the value with that in mind is that right now the potential savings you can get by getting the '12 at the discounted price could more than make up the difference you are projecting as a loss in your head...that and you get the vehicle you want as you have spec'd it out now while there is the availability NOW, that there probably won't be later on in a '12 and who knows how long you'll have to wait for the "right" one spec'd to what you want for the '13...because in my experience...the varying choices in a new body/vehicle introduction model year, just aren't right away....the dealer knows that and is trying to clear thier inventory now...and by doing that...they create a demand for the '13's and can potentially jack the price up...

I still vote for the diesel

Maybe I missed this, but it seems no one suggested the VW Touareg.

The way gas prices are going, the V6 TDI is very tempting!

Quote from: The Mad King Pepe' on April 28, 2012, 06:22:27 AM
Maybe I missed this, but it seems no one suggested the VW Touareg.

The way gas prices are going, the V6 TDI is very tempting!

For some reason, people are deterred from the VW Toureg Diesel from the "blue fluid" that must be added to the exhaust system. I've talked to several VW Mechanics and Salesmen alike and all think it is just bad press. All you have to do is have it topped off when you change the oil every 10k miles. That's it.

Then again.......the difference of a VW and Benz are quite different. Maybe they have the disposible income to purchase a Mercedes over a VW. Nothing wrong with that. I could have bought my wife a cheaper car that was probably more reliable, but bought her a Maserati. Just depends on what you want to spend and the experience you want.