Test drive Audi A8 3.0 TDI, BMW 730d, Mercedes S 320 CDI: class struggle

Will we be able to experience maximum driving pleasure without being marred by fuel bills? An attempt to achieve this combination gives the new BMW 730d in competition with the Audi A8 3.0 TDI and Mercedes S 320 CDI, now in the Blue Efficiency version.

Let's, at least in theory, let our imagination run wild - despite recession forecasts, a sense of crisis and austerity rhetoric. Let's imagine that we have the income of a senior European bureaucrat, and we can choose between three luxury cars - an Audi A8, a BMW "week" and a Mercedes S-Class in their respective base diesel versions.

These models combine enviable torque with modest fuel consumption - each requires an average of less than ten liters per 100 kilometers. For the first time, the S 320 CDI Blue Efficiency is included in the race – according to its creators, it is particularly environmentally friendly, making it socially acceptable.

Look what I bought!

Is it socially acceptable? Here we cannot help but smile when we look at the new BMW 730d and experience the first head-on collision with the dramatically enlarged front grille “kidneys”. In the "week", attracting attention, so to speak, is standard. Prospective owners should be able to live in the center of admiring, envious, or even downright disapproving looks.

The atmosphere of ostentatious wealth also reigns in the interior of the “week”. The dashboard impresses with a collection of beautiful knobs, decorative bracelets and wood surfaces. However, unlike the futuristic command system of its predecessor, ergonomics are simplified here. BMW engineers have taken two steps back from the future to the past - and this puts them ahead of the competition. The transmission control lever is no longer on the steering wheel, but again in the central tunnel. Finally, the iDrive system boasts fast function control logic. And the seats can be adjusted without asking the manual (which is now electronic) for advice.

For connoisseurs only

A lot of things at Mercedes are obvious. Here, however, adjusting the air conditioner (using the controller and screen) still requires a real spirit of discovery from the owner, and finding and storing stations on the radio is like fiddling with an old tube receiver. In the S-class, it is in vain to look for the boast of a parvenyushko - in front of such a discreet dashboard, decorated in a restrained style, a hereditary representative of a wealthy class would feel most comfortable. Maybe that's why the TFT-screen with electronic images of control devices here looks like a foreign body.

The discreet but unmistakable branded grille with horizontal slats blows confidently into the headwind, and the Mercedes star serves as a universal reference point - both in terms of front dimensions and a symbol of a certain image. However, it would be better if the designers of the S-Class abandoned the protruding wings - they would fit the AMG version at best.

Cocky young man

The face of the Audi A8 3.0 TDI, with its ominous gaping mouth, also looks unrestrained. However, the clean lines of this car make it forever young. Even before the model change that's expected in 2009, the A8 is about to become a classic - with a timeless, elegant interior that still squeaks a little on bad roads and creates less character. S-class feeling of a spacious interior. This impression is reinforced by the fact that Audi is only allowed to carry 485kg; four big passengers with a lot of luggage would probably make the GXNUMX difficult.

Today, the big Audi is no longer up to par, as can be seen in its controls. True, they read well, but not as versatile as in BMW and Mercedes models. In addition, even the list of additional options lacks technical innovations, such as automatic swing compensation and an automatic high beam on / off device. Additional safety features do not include night vision goggles or runflat tires. This is the reason that overall the S-Class and the Week are ahead of the Audi in terms of bodywork and safety.

Power disciplines

All in all, the A8 is an old-school limousine. Don't expect internet access offered (as an option) by BMW here - everything revolves around a very dynamic movement from one place to another. For its part, Audi attracts buyers with its feature - a serial dual transmission. As before, this advantage gives the A8 a confident ride without losing valuable traction in the cold season. However, if the driver is tempted to test the lateral dynamics on a traction pavement, he should not overdo it with tight corners - otherwise Audi will arbitrarily increase the radius set by the pilot, showing a tendency to understeer. During such exercises, the steering system moves as if immersed in thick oil, and more bulging waves on the road cause noticeable shocks.

Compared to the car from Ingolstadt, the other Bavarian car accurately and dynamically captures the curves of hilly terrain. You immediately experience a feeling of grounding and inextricable connection with the road and perceive the “weekly” car as a much smaller car than the S-class. Indeed, thanks to the adaptive dampers, the Mercedes model corners at almost the same speed, but lives up to the motto "Don't worry, we're not racing." Naturally, with these general settings, the highly motivated BMW becomes the leader in road dynamics – and by a clear margin.

However, "the week" shows that the steering system can also be overly motivated. When driving on the highway, even the smallest details of the road surface are transmitted to the steering wheel. The suspension behaves in a similar fashion, causing the car to bounce on rougher bumps and shake at the lateral joints, especially when they are tighter. This is possible even in the comfort mode of the three-stage shock absorbers. With the serenity of a luxury liner, the 730d only overcomes the long waves on the road. In an Audi, however, passengers never get the pleasure of the pleasant suspension hugs they would expect from a car in this class.

In a direct fight

Again, in this test, the benchmark for comfort is the S-Class – all you have to do is switch from the sparsely upholstered Audi seats to the fluffy Mercedes seats to see for yourself. Only here, at high speeds, you can enjoy Bach pieces performed by Glenn Gould without being distracted by annoying noises.

In terms of comfort, the 730d was forced to retreat but then regained ground with its superior six-cylinder diesel engine. In the race to reduce fuel consumption, BMW EfficientDynamics wins, albeit by a small margin, against Blue Efficiency, Mercedes' new economy strategy in the base diesel version of the S-Class. In the latter case, the power steering pump only works when the driver turns the steering wheel, and in the event of traffic lights, the S 320 CDI seven-speed automatic transmission automatically shifts to N position to limit losses in the hydraulic inverter. However, this affects only in the city and in traffic jams, but does not bring advantages in the measured value in the test.

On the other hand, you can find a certain disadvantage in terms of comfort. If you quickly press the accelerator pedal at a green traffic light, you will feel the drive mode engaging in a slight jerk. The rest of the time, however, the Mercedes' transmission runs very quietly and allows the driver to ride a wave of torque, while the BMW's automatic downshifts rather quickly when more power is needed.

What about Audi? Its crude diesel seems to come from a bygone era - so the A8 3.0 TDI watches the match between the 730d and the S 320 CDI through the stadium fence. As the cheapest car in the test, it only won in the cost section and finished last. The fact that the "week" with its completely new design wins this comparison is hardly surprising - it is surprising that the three-year-old S-Class follows on its heels thanks to exceptional comfort.

It turns out that even if you have the money and the desire to buy a luxury car, the choice will be difficult.

text: Marcus peters

a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert

Evaluation

1. BMW 730d - 518 points

A powerful and economical diesel engine with excellent manners compensates for the performance of the suspension, which is definitely dominated by the desire for dynamism. Working with i-Drive no longer puzzles anyone.

2. Mercedes S 320 CDI - 512 points

No one takes care of their passengers so well – the S-Class is still a symbol of maximum possible comfort, not so much of road dynamics. Blue Efficiency doesn't have the price advantage that an inevitable win would otherwise.

3. Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro – 475 points

The A8 is no longer in its prime and can be seen for the comfort of the suspension, seating, drivetrain and ergonomics. The car lags far behind in safety equipment, earning points for its price alone and minimal maintenance costs.

technical details

1. BMW 730d - 518 points	2. Mercedes S 320 CDI - 512 points	3. Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro – 475 points
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	245 k. From. at 4000 rpm	235 k. From. at 3600 rpm	233 k. From. at 4000 rpm
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	7,4 with	7,8 with	7,7 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	38 m	39 m	39 m
full speed	245 km / h	250 km / h	243 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	9,3 l	9,6 l	9,9 l
Base Price	148 800 levov	148 420 levov	134 230 levov

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