Buying advice, used A6

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Hello everyone, have been reading a few posts on here and would appreciate your feedback as I'm considering getting a used A6.

I drive a 2001 Saab 95 2.3 right now, love the seats, the comfortable motorway cruising, the amount of kit I got for the money etc. But it's finally time to change, and having briefly considered looking at a VW Phaeton I ruled it out because of running costs. I currently only do around 6k miles a year, but this will at least double in the next 12 months.

So now I'm thinking an A6. I have around £20k to spend, like the look of the saloon, but just not sure about the various options. I'm leaning towards the 3.0 TDi but then again I've never owned a diesel, not sure about S line (heard it's a hard ride?) so if any of you have any thoughts I'd really welcome some help!

(I also looked at the A8 but think it's a little large. I do like a nice big car, and they seem to come with loads of kit, but the A6 seems a more appropriate size.)

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Thanks for the suggestion - I'm looking at auto box (because that's what I've had for years) and the 3.0 because I like decent acceleration if needed. I notice you had an A8 3.0 previously, how did you get on with that one?

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Great thanks guys, interesting thoughts on the petrol option - there don't seem to be that many about though.

I think I'll see about getting a couple of test drives to check out the ride on the S line. I see from a lot of threads here that the more recent years have been much improved ride-wise.

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Really appreciate the suggestions, looks like I need to find a 3.0 tiptronic!
Will start researching price / mileage / age and see what I can find.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

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Thanks Blueg33. I do like to keep my cars a long time (had my Saab 95 for 8 years, bought it at 4 years old), so that's reassuring to hear you say that.

I'm thinking looking at main dealers only since for my budget I can get one two years old or newer, and I figure for servicing / warrant or whatever it'd be safer. Any thoughts on that?

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I'll let you know how I get on. I've just been distracted though by somebody suggesting I have a look at the Jaguar XF - looks really nice with a 3.0V6. I think I'll just have to get a drive in each - I'm pretty tall and I'm often disappointed by the lack of headroom in large cars.

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Hmm, I have been thinking about winter performance given that we are looking to move out of the city. That's one of the reasons I like the idea of the A6 Quattro, everybody who has one raves about performance in bad weather.

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OK thanks - that's good to know.

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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?

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Wow, thanks! I'm not near anybody though, unfortunately....

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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.

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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!

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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?

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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?

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Looks like I may be changing my mind then - thanks guys.

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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!

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Drove a 2009 3.0 tdi quattro SE today, loved it! It's got electric front seats, DAB radio, MMI navigation plus (?), done 45,000 miles and felt fantastically smooth. Effortless driving on the motorway.
I'm completely sold! Going to see it again tomorrow....

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OK, thanks for the advice. Should I be reconsidering since in the next 12 months most of my driving will be around town? I'll have a couple of decent long motorway runs maybe once a month but otherwise short journeys.

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Thanks Chris.
I'll just have to make sure that I do more of the long runs then - just agreed on the car I tested yesterday! Have lots of 200 odd mile trips to customers coming up over next few months, will just go and see them more often!

The car's great, way below my budget so I'm saving cash for other things, and has all the extras I wanted.

Thanks everyone who's given me tips on this thread, really appreciated.