Ok, so it seems like the time has arrived to get a new car for my mum. She has said she wants a 4 door vehicle this time around, so there is no point in waiting for the new CLK.

We're looking at replacing the CLK 240 with a new Mercedes C or Audi A4. Not really interested in the petrol V6's so its either a 4 cylinder petrol or diesel.

1.DIESELS
As far as I understand the Mercedes diesels and Audi diesels are both older units. Mercedes has already announced the new range of diesels.
* Are these available in Europe yet (C220CDI)?
* When does Audi plan to introduce new diesels, or are the current 2.0 and 2.7 up to date?

2. PETROL
* Mercedes has revised the 200k petrol for the introduction of the new C. Are there any new petrol 4 cylinders in the pipeline and if so when?
* Are the Audi 4 cylinder petrols new units or are updates in the pipeline 1.8TFSI?

Once the engine choice is out of the way, the fun part starts, choosing between the 2.

Cheers for all the help.

What other things does your mum look for in a car?

I read in a German forum that the new diesel-unit of the Merc may not come this year, or at least late 2008, because of last testings. May not be true, I don't know. It was supposed to come in summer I think.
I have great hopes for this motor!

For Audi, they have the 2.0l TDI that is now Common-rail instead of Pumpe-Düse, which makes it much more silent and refined. Seems to have some reliability issues though.

Mercedes plans to make its petrols direct-injected next year AFAIK. Don't know for Audi.

I would take the Mercedes, for sure. The Audi seems to be more involving to drive, bit less expensive. The Merc more comfortable. However, the Merc seems to be extremely reliable, and very well-finished. The Audi seems less bullet-proof in the reliability, and has a finition that seems not as solid, even if more appealing at first sight.

From what I have been hearing, Audi generally have a higher maintenance cost than MB, especially when it comes to spare parts.

Hmmm...what does she look for, or what do dad and I look for lol.

Well basically she wants:
* Style
* Comfort (moreso then sports)
* Safety
* Qaulity
* 4 Doors (travelling around with my aunts has become awkward with her CLK)

I would consider the new VW 4 door coupe, but I don't see my parents taking a liking to the VW.

Probably leaning towards the MB, but it's kind of annoying how all the engines are on the verge of replacement.

How current is the Audi 1.8TFSI?

Thanks Raoul. So by the sounds of it the new diesel would be around 12 months away from the Oz market. I guess the new petrols would be out later then that.

If you aren't going to keep this car for long, then I will just live with slightly used VW Passat for 2 years until MB or Audi launch new engines for their C-class and A4. If MB doesn't launch new engines with their new cars, then they will usually do it around 2 years later. The current Audi 1.8TFSI was introduced with the VW Golf GTi back in 2004? or 05, I am not too sure, I don't think they will replace it in a hurry, they might have minor improvements but give it another 2 years.

The next step for the MB 1.8 4cylinder SC is probably direct injection, but MB doesn't seem to keen to adopt this method, maybe in 2 years time.

I don't think she can go wrong with either car. I personally love both the new A4 and C-Class. I'd want both of them in my garage.

Regarding the diesel situation, don't you guys have a diesel tax in Singapore? It might actually not be so bad to go for a petrol version then like an A4 1.8 TFSI or a C180/200 Kompressor although here the Audi will have the fuel economy advantages since its engine is much newer and has direct-injection I believe. The C180 and C200 Kompressor are perhaps a little more agile thanks to the Kompressor in my [driving] experience.

I think you got confused between Mr.M and Mr.Mercedes...... Mr.M is in Singapore.

We have tax on both diesel and petrol here in Australia, we have 2 taxes, 1st one is a flat $0.38 per liter, then we pay another 10% of the total amount for GST.

We don't get the C180k here, only the C200k, then C220 CDI, then C280 and C320 CDI.

Silly me!