Audi A6 Avant 3.0tdi - what to look out for?

Audi A6 Avant 3.0tdi - what to look out for?

Author
Discussion

antspants

Original Poster:

2,401 posts

174 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
I've decided to give it a miss, even if I kept it for 3 years I'd still be the 8th owner in 8 years which just sounds a nightmare to sell. And that's ignoring the possible reasons for why its had so many owners.

There's another one down south with slightly more miles, but only 2 owners, 10k miles till next service, recalls have been done, good condition by the sound of it.

Just sounds a much safer option tbh, so I'm going down to have a look on Tuesday.


Marlow11

80 posts

172 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Make sure you have an Audi warranty!

I bought one last June, there was a dull thud from the rear after the first month. One new diff & gearbox later it was fixed; in the dealership for close to 3 months.

But all that time audi gave me the best service I have ever received, nice new cars, keeping in touch etc.

I did look at a few before I settled on this one, the others had no warranty; i dread to think what the cost would have been without the warranty.......huge?

But I do like it. The ride is good, not too hard IMO.

The rear wiper wash pipe was done under recall on ours.

Great car, but do get the Audi warranty..........unless you can afford not to of course?

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Only ever replaced one gearbox on a 3.0 TDI due to wear/mechanical failure, you were very unlucky.

The ZF tip in these is strong. If the car is a keeper an oil change at 100k is a good bit of preventative maintenance for your peace of mind and its long term health.

Marlow11

80 posts

172 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Dr G,

I read a lot on here before I bought, never seen a gearbox problem on the 3.0 Quattro, mine is a manual by the way, the dealership says it was the first they had seen. One owner, full service history, as you say, just unlucky!

I wish I had the other mmi, mine is the red type, but I can live with it because the looks drives so good

Cheers

Chris Hinds

478 posts

164 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
I use Vredstein Ultrac Sessantas, and have previously used Pirelli PZero Rosso (OEM) and Dunlop (I forget which ones).

The Vreds are the ones that last, they also give the best wet weather grip, the Pirellis were probably the best in the dry but lost it quickly when part worn.

I rotate the tyres after about 10-12k miles to give even wear.
Thanks Blueg33 I'll give them a try when I next need a change!

antspants

Original Poster:

2,401 posts

174 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
This is the one I'm planning to look at on Tuesday:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Apart from slightly higher mileage, and no led rear lights, it's the same spec as the other one. Only 2 owners though and normal Audi service history, including recalls for fuel gauge and manifolds I think he said.

How easy is a faulty rear washer pipe to spot, or more importantly any water damage to the MMI amp?

JollyGrnMonster

887 posts

196 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
That link reveals your postcode btw.

I believe the wash wipe issues are the jets block or the pipe comes off or both.
Easy to spot as rear wash wipe no work smile. Jets are cheap just them replaced on my a4.

Currently using michelin pilots - rotating is a good tip.

JollyGrnMonster

887 posts

196 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
Oh and manual box and no issues and no flap issues or repair done buy audi anyway at 144500miles, as checked on audi database before bought last year.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Friday 3rd May 2013
quotequote all
We've a fair few (mostly later) high mileage cars with no manifold problems.

MMI basic is 'functional' but if the car was the right price and you like it then does it really matter?

jamcam23

117 posts

206 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
quotequote all
Your second linked car looks to be be the nicer car. LED's are nice but again, not a deal breaker, keep us posted are a test drive

antspants

Original Poster:

2,401 posts

174 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
quotequote all
Dr G said:
MMI basic is 'functional' but if the car was the right price and you like it then does it really matter?
How can you tell it's basic rather than high, and what are the differences between them? ETA - I've just looked at the brochure you sent me and can now see the differences in functions, but can't tell the difference visually when looking at the ads. If they have dvd nav don't they automatically have MMI high? To be honest the basic interface will give me all the functionality I've had before, not sure how useful I'd find things like voice control anyway.

This is another one I might take a look at on Tuesday as well:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Quite like the black pack on this. however I noticed it has Kumho tyres on the alloy pictured which makes me think that if the owner skimped on tyres, did they cut costs anywhere else.


Edited by antspants on Saturday 4th May 07:36

Bitzer

4,229 posts

167 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
quotequote all
We've had our Le Mans nearly 9 months, I can't think of another car that offers so much for the price.

We bought ours from an Audi dealership, so will probably renew the warranty. The only issue we've had was a popped Xenon that I replaced myself.

One thing I have noticed is how sensitive they are to having the correct pressure in the tyres. I stupidly didn't check them for months as we weren't doing much mileage in it, but when I did they were 30-40% down. The economy is now up 20% on a good run.

We've just driven 265 miles upto Northumberland, and the OBC reading was 41.4. That's 4 up with a boot load of stuff. I'm very impressed smile.

Edited by Bitzer on Saturday 4th May 08:00

JollyGrnMonster

887 posts

196 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
quotequote all
Dr G said:
We've a fair few (mostly later) high mileage cars with no manifold problems.

MMI basic is 'functional' but if the car was the right price and you like it then does it really matter?
Mines an 06 plate. No idea if thats early or late?
I am expecting them to happen.
Doing high mileage most weeks will be about 40k for first year of ownership.

antspants

Original Poster:

2,401 posts

174 months

Tuesday 7th May 2013
quotequote all
Well I've put a deposit down on a metallic dark grey Le Mans 3.0 tdi with black pack. Decent spec incl. power tailgate, Bose, heated front and rears seats etc. Only thing lacking was electric seats but not overly fussed.

Appreciate all the advice given and I'll post a couple of pics once I have it. Wheels are currently being refurbished in a black chrome finish to go with the black pack. Had a look at some they'd already done and its less bling than the chrome description sounds, looks more like a shiny dark grey, so will be interesting to see the finished result - fingers crossed!

Kell

1,708 posts

207 months

Monday 13th May 2013
quotequote all
For those that mentioned Vredsteins, where are you buying them from?

Just put in all the details on Blackcircles (who sell them) but they've said they're not available in the correct size. 255/35/19.

Also, what was the original tyre fitted to the Le Mans? Mine came with three Continentals and one Pirelli or Dunlop, can't remember off-hand.



Edited by Kell on Monday 13th May 10:04

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Monday 13th May 2013
quotequote all
Kell said:
For those that mentioned Vredsteins, where are you buying them from?

Just put in all the details on Blackcircles (who sell them) but they've said they're not available in the correct size. 255/35/19.

Also, what was the original tyre fitted to the Le Mans? Mine came with three Continentals and one Pirelli or Dunlop, can't remember off-hand.



Edited by Kell on Monday 13th May 10:04
Tyredrive, camskill, event, malvern tyres

Kell

1,708 posts

207 months

Monday 13th May 2013
quotequote all
Cheers.

Found some on Tyremen at £161. That's pretty impressive.

antspants

Original Poster:

2,401 posts

174 months

Tuesday 14th May 2013
quotequote all
Well this is the one I went for in the end



Very pleased with it so far, goes well for such a big car, decent sounding engine, firm but not crashy ride, well specced, and my bike fits in the back which was one of the main criteria.

My son is particularly enamoured with the heated seats in the rear, and told me my new car was "epic" smile

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Wednesday 15th May 2013
quotequote all
Nice

Dont get many with heated seats specced in the rear! My kids still moan at me for not ordering those.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Wednesday 15th May 2013
quotequote all
Strange paint finish on the wheels but Daytona with optics looks good smile