Audi A6 Avant or???
Discussion
I'm looking for an estate that I can get my mountain bike in the back of, preferably without dismantling it. I'm using a Galaxy at the moment and its lovely just chucking my bike in the back when it's cold, wet and muddy, without having to take it to pieces.
This is going to be a car for commuting around 60 miles a day on motorway and dual carriageway, so +30mpg would be preferred with a decent turn of speed.
I'd been looking at 530d/535d but for my budget of up to £12k it seems there are lots of comments about the naff and problematic idrive in the earlier e60s and poor interior plastics. Then had a look at the 330d and decided the earlier models have aged badly IMO, and seem to have the same idrive criticisms.
So that brought me to the Audi A6 Avant 3.0tdi, either S-Line or Le Mans spec from 2006'ish, for around £10-12k. Seem to have decent reviews as a motorway cruiser with good performance and well kitted out, and IMO although its the older model now it still looks modern and is nice inside.
However, I'm struggling to ignore the excellent value for money that Saab estates seem to offer, with 9-3 and 9-5 aero models in either 2.0t/2.3t spec for around £5-6k for the same age.
I know I should just go and try a few, but any first hand experience would be appreciated to rule out the obviously unsuitable early on.
Having owned quite a few BMWs previously I really want that solid stable feeling at motorway speeds again, something that Fords for instance just don't seem to have. I think the Audi would give me that, but I'm not so sure about the Saab??
Oh and is there anything else I should be considering?
This is going to be a car for commuting around 60 miles a day on motorway and dual carriageway, so +30mpg would be preferred with a decent turn of speed.
I'd been looking at 530d/535d but for my budget of up to £12k it seems there are lots of comments about the naff and problematic idrive in the earlier e60s and poor interior plastics. Then had a look at the 330d and decided the earlier models have aged badly IMO, and seem to have the same idrive criticisms.
So that brought me to the Audi A6 Avant 3.0tdi, either S-Line or Le Mans spec from 2006'ish, for around £10-12k. Seem to have decent reviews as a motorway cruiser with good performance and well kitted out, and IMO although its the older model now it still looks modern and is nice inside.
However, I'm struggling to ignore the excellent value for money that Saab estates seem to offer, with 9-3 and 9-5 aero models in either 2.0t/2.3t spec for around £5-6k for the same age.
I know I should just go and try a few, but any first hand experience would be appreciated to rule out the obviously unsuitable early on.
Having owned quite a few BMWs previously I really want that solid stable feeling at motorway speeds again, something that Fords for instance just don't seem to have. I think the Audi would give me that, but I'm not so sure about the Saab??
Oh and is there anything else I should be considering?
Sounds like the A6 is a good choice then and a step up from the Saab, which is what I suspected.
The R36 shout is a very good one and not something I'd considered. However I'd imagine the 3.0tdi in the A6 could be remapped to a similar power figure whilst delivering much better economy. If its going to cost me more to fuel I want a performance improvement.
Having just realised from another thread that a car returning 25mpg will only cost me about £7 a week more than my current journey and car, I wonder if an S4 is an option?
The R36 shout is a very good one and not something I'd considered. However I'd imagine the 3.0tdi in the A6 could be remapped to a similar power figure whilst delivering much better economy. If its going to cost me more to fuel I want a performance improvement.
Having just realised from another thread that a car returning 25mpg will only cost me about £7 a week more than my current journey and car, I wonder if an S4 is an option?
Krikkit said:
Do it. Short journeys in a diesel won't really yield great economy as they tend to take quite a while to warm up (that's before you get onto the lottery of DPF/EGR clogging).
That said the 3.0TDi is a great engine.
Not a short journey as such. My commute is reducing from 80 to 60 miles so still perfectly suitable for a diesel.That said the 3.0TDi is a great engine.
My current commute is a cross country route so I was intending to get a hatch or coupe with a bike rack. However as I'm changing jobs and will be spending my time on the motorway, plus I'm not sure how secure the new work car park will be, I've decided something bigger, comfortable and with space inside for the bike is the better option.
dave_s13 said:
You can't fit a mtb in the back of any estate without taking a wheel off and folding the seats down.
This is one thing an mpv is brilliant for, open boot, throw it in, off you go.
Really...balls!! This is one thing an mpv is brilliant for, open boot, throw it in, off you go.
I'm assuming you've tried and know this first hand? I mean with seats down by the way, is there not enough length or is it the width that's the issue?
I've spent 6 months in this Galaxy, and whilst being incredibly practical, it's just rubbish to drive!
Just checked and the boot length of the A6 with seats folded is 180cm, my bike is 181cm with wheels on. I'd imagine if I lay it at an angle then it should fit.
Obviously this is something I will need to test properly, however if it isn't long enough then the need to dismantle the bike will open up the car options. I used to use a Civic and my bike without the front wheel on fitted in the back of that easily.
Obviously this is something I will need to test properly, however if it isn't long enough then the need to dismantle the bike will open up the car options. I used to use a Civic and my bike without the front wheel on fitted in the back of that easily.
dave_s13 said:
Taking a front wheel off is hardly a chore.
You're absolutely right, however I do really like not having to. Slightly lazy, but I've got used to the practicality of the Galaxy (it was great at Xmas when I bought a 7ft tree) but would just like something decent to drive. The change of job and therefore the type of driving I'll be doing just lends itself to a big comfortable car, so I'd like an estate to keep a similar level of practicality. dave_s13 said:
I was always precious with my previous e61 though and it quite refreshing to not give a s
t about this car and how mucky it can get with throwing bikes in it.
This is my only concern tbh. I don't like the Galaxy so it currently looks like a herd of wet wildebeest have stampeded through it - twice! As well as transporting my bike, I also coach my sons football team so I have muddy children climbing in and out every weekend. t about this car and how mucky it can get with throwing bikes in it. As long as I go for a black leather interior, buy some kind of boot floor cover, and clean it regularly it should be fine though.
Silverbullet767 said:
If you do go for an A6 3.0 TDi, make sure it doesn't have the BMK engine code.
I have already had to replace all 6 injectors, and now the inlet manifold is playing up.
Anything 2007+ should be fine.
Mmmm, more likely to be 2006 based on my budget and what I've seen for sale so far. Are these common issues or have you been unlucky, and are they costly fixes? I have already had to replace all 6 injectors, and now the inlet manifold is playing up.
Anything 2007+ should be fine.
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