I drive aprx. 50k per year and want a diesel. I was not sure Audi was going to bring the 3.0 here soon enough by the time I was going to buy another car, (in about 1 year). I figure the MB should be in the low 30's and the A4 ? $36k?
Thoughts comments?

C class CDI if they import it would be more inline with A4. E320 is = to A6 in cost.

car should price somewhere in the low 30k range with 40-60K. With this, what's your thought/opinion between the two?

as I have to lease a car now for company use. Would love to wait for the B8 A4 TDI, but I don't think we're going to see that for at least a year here in the US. I hope I'm wrong. Are you in the US?

Depending on your situation of when you need the car. I'd wait for the B4 A4 TDI , especially if you need Quattro. If you don't need AWD, then the 2006 320 CDI might be the way to go today. Either is a great car.

I'm going to look at the ML320 CDI and the Jeep Cherokee diesel for a 24 month lease now, so that I'll be able to get into the B8 A4 TDI sooner, than if I lease a current B7 A4 for 36 months. The Jeep uses a Mercedes diesel, I think, but need to check that out.

Hope that helps some.

a year away for the diesel, but I did have the dealer tell me it may be sooner last week. I know the 3.0 is a good engine as they have used in Europe for a while now. I also know MB builds a good diesel too. However, like you said, I like the Audi especially if I can buy in the mid to upper 30's new vs a used MB a few years old.
I'll see if I can confirm Jeep uses MB diesel too.
Do you drive a lot of miles? I live here in FL and quattro is great when we get those tropical rain storms. Many cars on the side of the road for hydroplaning, (it's our own kind of snow)!
I wonder if there will be a waiting list for the TDI? Dealer has an R8 and there is a 2 1/2 year wait for this car!

Thanks,

John

even the people at AoA. I've spoken with a few of the people I know there and even they said nobody can confirm a date. Things are that dynamic.

Well, there might be a wait at the introduction, but that should go away pretty fast, unless gas goes to $3 or $4 per gallon. Then all bets are off.

Currently, we're on the list for the first Q5 TDI whenever it gets here as a replacement for out A4.

As far as driving goes, yes I'll be driving from Minneapolis, where we live now, to Fargo twice a month and to Benson, MN twice as month as well. The first is about four hours one way and the second location is two hours. I'll probably put 15K/year just with those trips. No need to explain to you why I want Quattro, right?

On nice weeknights and weekends my V8 will get its' exercise, otherwise we'll drive the wife's A4 for personal use.

I think if you want an A4 TDI, you should get on the list now, as you can always cancel should you change your mind. This way you'll be one of the first to get the TDI.

My wife also likes the new A4, (we both drove the S5) and it was really sweet. I sure know why you need quattro! I lived in the NE for a lot of years before moving to FL, (about 11 years ago).
Fuel prices seem to be heading to the magical $4 with oil at $86 a barrel...
There was a long period without a V8. My wife has an X5 with the 4.4L V8. Nice to have some torque off the line. What is your 1990 V8?

Actually, I grew up near the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania and lived there most of my life before moving to Colorado for five years. Then, back to PA for two years before spending twelve years in Boston, and now MN. So, the reason we have two Quattros and the third on the way is pretty evident. ;)

I had friends that lived in the Poconos, (Cove ski village) and my brother went to Susquehanna. I wrecked my shoulder skiing at Camel Back too. Family lives in West Chester, (brother in Hershey).
I lived in Boston area for a year too. We probably crossed paths along the way!