Buying advice, used A6

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Discussion

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
The seats in the Saab are brilliant (although my wife does not like them as much) and I wouldn't be keen on anything too much firmer.

Would I be better looking at the SE then instead of S-line?

blueg33

35,577 posts

223 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I've drven the whole family to Switzerland in a day, no one complained abput the seats (sports seats) and I often do long drives with no problems in comfort. Its way more comfortable than my previous E60 BMW, but not as comfy as my Volvo V70 which had the best seats in a car ever.

Seats are very personal.

If you are anywhere near me, you are welcome to try mine

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Wow, thanks! I'm not near anybody though, unfortunately....

Seeker UK

1,442 posts

157 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
big biscuits said:
The seats in the Saab are brilliant (although my wife does not like them as much) and I wouldn't be keen on anything too much firmer.

Would I be better looking at the SE then instead of S-line?
I'd say the sports seats are better with more support and are a little less firm (although I can only compare a 2007 sports seat to a 2000 SE cloth seat).

UVB

557 posts

192 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Worth trying both S Line and SE seats I'd say - better still, try to find a car with electric seats as you get more adjustment on the seat base (independently raise/lower front/rear).

Also consider a spare set of 17" winter wheels/tyres for when it drops below 10 deg. and you'll be set for winter.

UVB

557 posts

192 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Oh and I'm with Blueg33 on the XF too - had one as a loan car for a few days. It did have great steering and suspension (a lot of which was probably down to tall tyres) but the Audi beat it on everything else.

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
quotequote all
Great, thanks for all the tips. I'm going to arrange a couple of test drives in the next two weeks, then start looking at main dealer stock.

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Tuesday 9th October 2012
quotequote all
Just to throw another thing into the mix - what do you guys think about the petrol option? Given my low milegae for the next year or so, might I get better value out of a petrol?

The only thing is there do not seem to be many about... I was briefly tempted by the idea of a four year old S4 but I really don't actually need something that fast!

UVB

557 posts

192 months

Friday 12th October 2012
quotequote all
All financials being equal, the petrol would probably be a nicer drive. I'd say the main financial thing to consider isn't the cost of filling at the pumps but the potential hit on depreciation.

Or you could just say to hell with it and get something like an S10 :-)

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
quotequote all
Quick question about the multitronic or CVT autos - this might seem a silly question but are all non-quattro 3.0 A6s to be avoided?

And if I see a used A6 that does not specify quattro and just says 'automatic' should I assume it's a multitronic?

Bitzer

4,229 posts

167 months

Thursday 25th October 2012
quotequote all
All C6 A6 3.0 TDI will be Quattro.

The new model have a 3.0 non Quattro, as well as a Quattro.

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
OK, since I seem to be finding it hard to see precisely the mix of features I want on the Audi Approved Used lists, I had a quick look at the A8s.

I could get a 3 year old A8 with all the kit I want (electric memory seats, BOSE sound system, etc etc) for my budget.

So, what's the drawback? I know it's a bigger car all round, and I don't expect the drive to be as engaging as an A6, but it is looking tempting I have to say.

Any thoughts from A8 owners - or you A6 owners?

UVB

557 posts

192 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
I don't have that much experience of an A8 but I'd say the biggest drawback is it's a saloon and hence only a drawback if you wanted an Avant. It is a larger car which means harder to park/manoeuvre/more fuel consumption but relatively speaking it's not that much larger/harder/more thirsty.

I've heard it's a better drive too. If it ticks all the boxes for you, why not!

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
A8s are awesome and spectacular value. Unless you absolutely positively need an estate get the A8 (which has a collosal boot anyway).

blueg33

35,577 posts

223 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
Dr G said:
A8s are awesome and spectacular value. Unless you absolutely positively need an estate get the A8 (which has a collosal boot anyway).
trivia - the A8 boot is smaller than the A6 saloon boot

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
Looks like I may be changing my mind then - thanks guys.

big biscuits

Original Poster:

32 posts

137 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
I'm having a look at an A6 Avant this week from a main dealer, but I've just seen these two:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/dealer/47176/stock/use...

Now, my head says buy from a main dealer. And my head says the S8 would be insane.
But......I am tempted!

blueg33

35,577 posts

223 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
big biscuits said:
I'm having a look at an A6 Avant this week from a main dealer, but I've just seen these two:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/dealer/47176/stock/use...

Now, my head says buy from a main dealer. And my head says the S8 would be insane.
But......I am tempted!
A few threads on S6's they cost a fortune to run, I suspect S8 is the same.

Scarily tempting smile

Poshfpg

44 posts

137 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
quotequote all
That S8 looks amazing, very hard to buy a 3.0 diesel for the same money when that's on offer. Don't expect more than 23-25mpg in motorway driving and high teens around town though. If you can wear the fuel bills you will never regret it.

I'd buy the S8 and run it for a year. You won't lose much on depreciation at this stage if you really need to change it for the diesel after that but you probably won't want to. You'll never tire of the power.




chris1972

3,597 posts

136 months

Thursday 8th November 2012
quotequote all
Its worth trying a remap for the A6. The 3.0TDI Quattro is definitely the way to go, lots of reliability problems with the old 2.7 multitronics. The more gadgets the better. The 3.0TDi is a great engine and many say that it is only run-in around the 70-80k mark, providing it has been properly maintained. Oettinger remap one of the best. A couple of nice ones for sale in the classifieds ;-)