Audi A6 Avant - 3.0 TFSI or 3.0 TDI?
Discussion
What's the general opinion of the previous generation Audi A6 Avant? Specifically the 2008 C6 Facelift, and ideally with the 2009 Quattro update.
Engines wise, the 3.0 TFSI (300PS, V6 Supercharged petrol - detuned version of B8 S4 I believe) looks great... but I can't find a single one on Audi Approved Used or Autotrader, and only one here on Pistonheads. Is there something wrong with them? Or did everyone just buy the diesel because BIK tax/carbons/MPGs? I don't do enough private miles to care much about fuel consumption
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So, as the petrol is in short supply, what about considering the the diesel? The 3.0 TDI (240PS V6) seems to be in plentiful supply at around £17k-£19k for a 2010 Le Mans, and a quick search reckons a remap will give another 40-50BHP. My last memory of a VAG diesel was over ten years ago with a 1.9TDI, but I'd hope with ten years of progress and two extra cylinders they would be more refined now?
Would love to be looking at the S6, but the thought of a repair bill on that Lambo V10 sadly rules it out.
And then as an over budget choice, what's the new 2011 C7 model like? Looks to have the same engines as the C6 facelift, and a quick look on Audi Approved Used shows 72 S-Line Avant's with the 3.0 TDI (240PS V6) and some people seem to have actually bought the petrol this time as there's 3 with the 3.0 TFSI (300PS, V6 Supercharged)... both starting at £29K.
But it's over the ideal budget, and is it really £10K+ better than a late C6 facelift one?
Engines wise, the 3.0 TFSI (300PS, V6 Supercharged petrol - detuned version of B8 S4 I believe) looks great... but I can't find a single one on Audi Approved Used or Autotrader, and only one here on Pistonheads. Is there something wrong with them? Or did everyone just buy the diesel because BIK tax/carbons/MPGs? I don't do enough private miles to care much about fuel consumption
.So, as the petrol is in short supply, what about considering the the diesel? The 3.0 TDI (240PS V6) seems to be in plentiful supply at around £17k-£19k for a 2010 Le Mans, and a quick search reckons a remap will give another 40-50BHP. My last memory of a VAG diesel was over ten years ago with a 1.9TDI, but I'd hope with ten years of progress and two extra cylinders they would be more refined now?
Would love to be looking at the S6, but the thought of a repair bill on that Lambo V10 sadly rules it out.
And then as an over budget choice, what's the new 2011 C7 model like? Looks to have the same engines as the C6 facelift, and a quick look on Audi Approved Used shows 72 S-Line Avant's with the 3.0 TDI (240PS V6) and some people seem to have actually bought the petrol this time as there's 3 with the 3.0 TFSI (300PS, V6 Supercharged)... both starting at £29K.
But it's over the ideal budget, and is it really £10K+ better than a late C6 facelift one?
Cupramax said:
There was a thread in this section a few weeks back on someone who'd run a C6 3.0 litre petrol so might be worth going back a few pages... If you don't do much mileage I'd always go petrol.
Thanks, will have a look for that thread. But much as I'd agree with you re petrol, I can't find a single one on Audi Approved Used or Autotrader, and only one here on Pistonheads... so where are they!?Here you go, admittedly a saloon... Theres a 3.0 petrol C6 Allroad on Audi's used car site.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I bought my 3.0tdi LeMans new in 2007. Averages 36mpg and gets to 41mpg on a run or 42 with aircon off. Its plenty quick enough and pretty refined, but will never be as silky smooth as a petrol.
If I was buying again though, I would get a diesel, we also run a 3.0l petrol Subaru Outback and road tax plus fuel cost (average 26mpg) feels painful in comparison.
If I was buying again though, I would get a diesel, we also run a 3.0l petrol Subaru Outback and road tax plus fuel cost (average 26mpg) feels painful in comparison.
Because people are sheep and the diesel is always cheaper mentality hence they havent sold many. I picked up an absolute bargain A5 last year just because it was a 3.2 petrol. At the time it was the only one of its type on the Audi used car website... But was £5k less than same age equivalent spec'd 2 litre models.
I've just recently got hold of a 2012 facelift A5 3.0 TDI and the engine is, for a diesel, a real gem. The 3.2 in our TT sounds nicer though!
A quick nose on the various forums show a lot of relatively cheap tuning flexibility too for the diesel engine turning it into a 300PS/600NM beastie. Not something mine will be seeing while it's in warranty though!
A quick nose on the various forums show a lot of relatively cheap tuning flexibility too for the diesel engine turning it into a 300PS/600NM beastie. Not something mine will be seeing while it's in warranty though!
If you want something different, go for the 3.0TFSI. If you can find one that is. Audi had a whole stock of these cars in that unusual blue colour (forget the name)doing great deals, which I purchased. I suspect that quite a few of them will be coming up to 3/4 years old on the used market.
Have you asked a dealer on a deal for the new 3.0TFSI? I bet they have some amazing deals if you PCP with massive contribution deposits, as no doubt the default is always the 3.0TDI engine, therefore incentives for the petrol are usually very good.
Have you asked a dealer on a deal for the new 3.0TFSI? I bet they have some amazing deals if you PCP with massive contribution deposits, as no doubt the default is always the 3.0TDI engine, therefore incentives for the petrol are usually very good.
Unfortunately, I never got the chance to drive a 3.0TFSI, but about six years ago, when we were first looking at an A6, we drove the 3.2 V6 petrol back to back with the diesel.
TBH, the diesel won hands down in my test. The petrol felt like the handbrake was on in comparison. In the end we just couldn't afford either and got a BMW 530d MSport. Which was the worst decision we ever made, but that's by the by.
So my mindset was always that the diesel was the better all-rounder. But when we bought our A6 in October last year, I did ask the same question. The Official Audi figures aren't that far apart between the 3.0TDi and the 3.0TFSi, but in reality the diesel figure is a little optimistic, whereas the petrol one seems to be pure fiction.
Having said all that, I wonder whether we made the right decision. In my experience, big diesels don't get good mpg around town. Certainly, if I'm in a hurry to get to the station, then 17mpg is not unheard of - and that's indicated, so who knows what the actual is?
Our justification for diesel has always been the fact that my parents are 300 miles away, and my in-laws are 200 miles away, but in reality, we only make those journeys four of five times a year, so the extra fuel would probably be covered by the cheaper purchase price.
Either way, you'll get a good car, it's just that the 3.0TFSis seem to be as rare as rocking horse poo.
TBH, the diesel won hands down in my test. The petrol felt like the handbrake was on in comparison. In the end we just couldn't afford either and got a BMW 530d MSport. Which was the worst decision we ever made, but that's by the by.
So my mindset was always that the diesel was the better all-rounder. But when we bought our A6 in October last year, I did ask the same question. The Official Audi figures aren't that far apart between the 3.0TDi and the 3.0TFSi, but in reality the diesel figure is a little optimistic, whereas the petrol one seems to be pure fiction.
Having said all that, I wonder whether we made the right decision. In my experience, big diesels don't get good mpg around town. Certainly, if I'm in a hurry to get to the station, then 17mpg is not unheard of - and that's indicated, so who knows what the actual is?
Our justification for diesel has always been the fact that my parents are 300 miles away, and my in-laws are 200 miles away, but in reality, we only make those journeys four of five times a year, so the extra fuel would probably be covered by the cheaper purchase price.
Either way, you'll get a good car, it's just that the 3.0TFSis seem to be as rare as rocking horse poo.
blueg33 said:
When cold and doing short trips like school run (12 miles of country roads), my 3.0tdi gets down to 22mpg average!
Wow, that's impressive hoofing!My commute (12.7 miles drive to parking space) is a mix of NSL A roads and town-centre congestion and I'm getting ~45mpg on that. I don't have an overly light right-foot.
IainT said:
Wow, that's impressive hoofing!
My commute (12.7 miles drive to parking space) is a mix of NSL A roads and town-centre congestion and I'm getting ~45mpg on that. I don't have an overly light right-foot.
Best I ever get is late spring run to the station 14 miles and if I am really gentle average 38mpg on the journey. Its when its really cold in the winter with lights, heated seats, heated screen, heated mirrors, cold oil etc thats when it gets down to low 20'mpg. If I drive a couple of miles further the average shoots back up to about 34. It just seems that the 12 miles is too short for it to warm up properlyMy commute (12.7 miles drive to parking space) is a mix of NSL A roads and town-centre congestion and I'm getting ~45mpg on that. I don't have an overly light right-foot.
blueg33 said:
If I drive a couple of miles further the average shoots back up to about 34. It just seems that the 12 miles is too short for it to warm up properly
I guess that makes a lot of sense really - a lot of extra load on the system. A bit like the nice readout showing just how much juice the aircon is sucking (so far I saw it peak out at 2mpg usage), mostly it runs at ~1/8th mpg...My run to work is just under 30 mins with the first 15 being slower 30/40 plus town centre. Should be warmed up by the time I get onto open roads which is probably why I see better numbers. We'll see what winter brings.
I must admit i'm also going through this dilema petrol v Derv avant currently.
I already own an older C5 pterol V6 avant due to be changed this year & last week we toured the South West for a week & averaged 33mpg with some heavy right footing on the motorway & inclines, fully loaded with aircon full etc etc - not bad
My new 07 company Passat Derv used to struggle to exceed high 30's on a 4 cylinder unit, when equally our A4 Petrol 2.0T 220hp driven in anger returns low 40's high 30's on most tanks.
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
I already own an older C5 pterol V6 avant due to be changed this year & last week we toured the South West for a week & averaged 33mpg with some heavy right footing on the motorway & inclines, fully loaded with aircon full etc etc - not bad
My new 07 company Passat Derv used to struggle to exceed high 30's on a 4 cylinder unit, when equally our A4 Petrol 2.0T 220hp driven in anger returns low 40's high 30's on most tanks.
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
I must admit i'm also going through this dilema petrol v Derv avant currently.
I already own an older C5 pterol V6 avant due to be changed this year & last week we toured the South West for a week & averaged 33mpg with some heavy right footing on the motorway & inclines, fully loaded with aircon full etc etc - not bad
My new 07 company Passat Derv used to struggle to exceed high 30's on a 4 cylinder unit, when equally our A4 Petrol 2.0T 220hp driven in anger returns low 40's high 30's on most tanks.
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
I already own an older C5 pterol V6 avant due to be changed this year & last week we toured the South West for a week & averaged 33mpg with some heavy right footing on the motorway & inclines, fully loaded with aircon full etc etc - not bad
My new 07 company Passat Derv used to struggle to exceed high 30's on a 4 cylinder unit, when equally our A4 Petrol 2.0T 220hp driven in anger returns low 40's high 30's on most tanks.
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
Andy JB said:
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
25 min commute to work this morning town and A-road... 49.8mpg. The 3.0TDi is capable of being very efficient plus has a lot of grunt. The lower power 3.0TDi (200PS IIRC) is even more efficient but you might end up driving it with a heavier right foot...Andy JB said:
So are Derv's actually that efficient when balanced against higher purchase price & rougher running & minimal fuel benefits - i am tempted with a 3.0 TDi but i'm not convinced of the benefits for a petrol head.
I think the only thing you miss is the noise. I'm continually surprised by how swift our A6 is - so much so that I think the brakes aren't really up to the job.I think it's mostly going to come down to the types of journey you make rather than the total number of miles.
Lots of short journeys - probably not.
As mentioned above, and echoed by other people, I regularly see sub 20mpg on my 2 mile commute to the station, but then equally I see 38 to around 42 on motorways.
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