A6 Avant with Air Suspension ? Yeh or Neh ??????
Discussion
Gents Im in the market for A 3.0 A6 Avant and Ive found a Well speced 3.0 SE 2005 With 27.000 miles at a seemingly very good price BUT it has air suspention ! Now I know nothing at all about this set up ? Is it good or bad ? Do these systems have problems ??
Tame Tech or DrG Your input would be hugely appreciated on this one As TT Im sure You must know the full SP on these set ups And Dr G You opinion on values please ?
Any other inputs and opinions would also be extremely welcome and appreciated!!
THANKS.....................................................
Tame Tech or DrG Your input would be hugely appreciated on this one As TT Im sure You must know the full SP on these set ups And Dr G You opinion on values please ?
Any other inputs and opinions would also be extremely welcome and appreciated!!
THANKS.....................................................
It's very good indeed - better ride than the S-Line coilsprings but with the same look - very versatile if you have a bit of towing in mind too.
When we get these they tend to sell quite quickly, I think I've got the names down of a couple of people waiting for them for the above reasons!
The later air suspension in my experience is reliable, seen a problem with a pump on a higher mileage A8 once (but only the once) that was covered under warranty.
When we get these they tend to sell quite quickly, I think I've got the names down of a couple of people waiting for them for the above reasons!
The later air suspension in my experience is reliable, seen a problem with a pump on a higher mileage A8 once (but only the once) that was covered under warranty.
First things first. 3.0TDI very good..But Front tyres only do about 8000 miles if its front wheel drive to so quattro is best.
But What gearbox does it have.?
Manual = (good)
Quattro with Tiptronic =(ok)
Multi tronic (No no no no no no no run away)
Dr G may disagree with me here, because for reasons I'll never understand, its virtually impossible to resell a large car with a manual box, and you simple must have an auto from a sales point of view.
Air suspention.
Havnt seen it go wrong on the current shape A6 yet, but then there arnt many about. Have seen it fail on older A6 and A6 allroads, usually pump failure and the odd split air spring. I wouldnt necessarily avoild it on basis of reliability.
You have to remember air springs aren't as good as coil springs, Thats a fact. Because it is usually higher value cars with air springs people assume they are better, They are not. What air springs do is allow you to have a variable rate of spring. Best example, you could spring a car perfectly for a comfortable ride, but then put 5 people and all there luggage in it and the spring is too soft and the back of the car is on the ground. So you have to fit one that is a compromise, a bit to firm for just the driver and still a little to soft for 5 people and luggauge. The air spring just get more air pumped into it when it is required.
I Think the ride is ok, defiantly far better than the S Line, but I much prefer the handling you get with the firmer S Line suspension.
Most people wont notice this, but there is a nasty characteristic of air suspension. Most noticeable on the X350 Jaguar XJR's. But all cars (not so much soft roaders, they will tip over before you get near this) with air suspension do this. When you are cornering right on or near the limit of grip, you have already compressed slightly the outside air springs then you hit a mid corner bump, the car patters over the bump the wheel actually leaves the road for a second and bounces as it comes back down and the car generally runs wide of the line you were taking or its balance is upset. I had An XJR bounce 3 or 4 feet wide and actually put me in the dirt at the edge of the road. Clarkson described it as the suspension not keeping up with the bumps. I have been driven by and instructor in an S8 who had the same problem, we had a big ESP event as a result.
Now given you you want an avant and don't want S Line suspension suggests you are unlikely to be driving on the limit very often, and under normal conditions the air suspension is very good indeed, But you cant beat coil springs and dampers if you want to go fast.
But What gearbox does it have.?
Manual = (good)
Quattro with Tiptronic =(ok)
Multi tronic (No no no no no no no run away)
Dr G may disagree with me here, because for reasons I'll never understand, its virtually impossible to resell a large car with a manual box, and you simple must have an auto from a sales point of view.
Air suspention.
Havnt seen it go wrong on the current shape A6 yet, but then there arnt many about. Have seen it fail on older A6 and A6 allroads, usually pump failure and the odd split air spring. I wouldnt necessarily avoild it on basis of reliability.
You have to remember air springs aren't as good as coil springs, Thats a fact. Because it is usually higher value cars with air springs people assume they are better, They are not. What air springs do is allow you to have a variable rate of spring. Best example, you could spring a car perfectly for a comfortable ride, but then put 5 people and all there luggage in it and the spring is too soft and the back of the car is on the ground. So you have to fit one that is a compromise, a bit to firm for just the driver and still a little to soft for 5 people and luggauge. The air spring just get more air pumped into it when it is required.
I Think the ride is ok, defiantly far better than the S Line, but I much prefer the handling you get with the firmer S Line suspension.
Most people wont notice this, but there is a nasty characteristic of air suspension. Most noticeable on the X350 Jaguar XJR's. But all cars (not so much soft roaders, they will tip over before you get near this) with air suspension do this. When you are cornering right on or near the limit of grip, you have already compressed slightly the outside air springs then you hit a mid corner bump, the car patters over the bump the wheel actually leaves the road for a second and bounces as it comes back down and the car generally runs wide of the line you were taking or its balance is upset. I had An XJR bounce 3 or 4 feet wide and actually put me in the dirt at the edge of the road. Clarkson described it as the suspension not keeping up with the bumps. I have been driven by and instructor in an S8 who had the same problem, we had a big ESP event as a result.
Now given you you want an avant and don't want S Line suspension suggests you are unlikely to be driving on the limit very often, and under normal conditions the air suspension is very good indeed, But you cant beat coil springs and dampers if you want to go fast.
Thanks for the replies Its a 3.0 Quattro with tip auto Having read about the Multi issues IS enough to put Me off despite owning a 3.0 Cabriolet with that box ! Realy dont want a manual box so the tiptronic is the best of the rest
I have driven an S line Well it was a Le Mans with 19 inch rims And found the ride not to bad. In fact it was lots better than My current A4 S Line Which frankly irritates Me now !!
Im assuming an S Line with its 18 inch rims will be ever so slightly better than the Le Mans on its 19 inchers ???
Thanks again it realy does help !
I have driven an S line Well it was a Le Mans with 19 inch rims And found the ride not to bad. In fact it was lots better than My current A4 S Line Which frankly irritates Me now !!
Im assuming an S Line with its 18 inch rims will be ever so slightly better than the Le Mans on its 19 inchers ???
Thanks again it realy does help !
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