Audi Avants...
Discussion
Hi all,
In a bit of a conundrum. I've realised this weekend that my Porsche 944 doesn't fulfill what I need, needs a little work every month, isn't particularly comfortable and therefore needs to make space for something a little more (whisper it!) practical. The 944 needs to go.
I have a couple of motorbikes for my speed fix and a 2 year old C class coupe which can cover ground quickly, so hopefully this won't affect me too much for now.
It makes sense therefore to get an estate. My lease car is now at its mileage limit with 12 months left, and my new puppy and log burner supplies are very rapidly running up the excess charges. It is also white (what was I thinking) and I get literally zero pleasure it driving it.
So I'm looking for a mileage muncher (15,000 miles a year) which I can also chuck a bike in and the dog. It has to be automatic, I would like to be able to spanner on it myself, it has to be reasonably efficient, I would like it to be dynamic in one way or another, I'd like to spend around £3, but this could rise to £6k if it has to. Does this car exist?
I've been looking at Audi A4 and A6 estates. I'm aware of the multi-tronic breakages and wallet emptying and being that my fiancee needs an automatic, this has scared me a little.
What engine / gearbox are the ones to go for reliability wise? I was leaning towards buying a very good B6 rather than a cheap B7 - is this sensible? Do you get more for your money with an A6?
What else do I need to know!?
In a bit of a conundrum. I've realised this weekend that my Porsche 944 doesn't fulfill what I need, needs a little work every month, isn't particularly comfortable and therefore needs to make space for something a little more (whisper it!) practical. The 944 needs to go.
I have a couple of motorbikes for my speed fix and a 2 year old C class coupe which can cover ground quickly, so hopefully this won't affect me too much for now.
It makes sense therefore to get an estate. My lease car is now at its mileage limit with 12 months left, and my new puppy and log burner supplies are very rapidly running up the excess charges. It is also white (what was I thinking) and I get literally zero pleasure it driving it.
So I'm looking for a mileage muncher (15,000 miles a year) which I can also chuck a bike in and the dog. It has to be automatic, I would like to be able to spanner on it myself, it has to be reasonably efficient, I would like it to be dynamic in one way or another, I'd like to spend around £3, but this could rise to £6k if it has to. Does this car exist?
I've been looking at Audi A4 and A6 estates. I'm aware of the multi-tronic breakages and wallet emptying and being that my fiancee needs an automatic, this has scared me a little.
What engine / gearbox are the ones to go for reliability wise? I was leaning towards buying a very good B6 rather than a cheap B7 - is this sensible? Do you get more for your money with an A6?
What else do I need to know!?
PVN said:
Consider a Seat Exeo ST. This is an Audi A4 Avant with a Seat badge. Also has the later engine and an uprated dash.
Thanks, I have looked at these but can't find one in an equivalent spec for less than £7k. Great bargain though in comparison for a 2010.I have seen an A4 avant Quattro 3.0tdi s line with 140k miles, full leather, heated seats etc for £4.5k. Comparing that to the fwd versions at £3.5-4k and the deficit in fuel economy would that be a sensible way around the multitronic weaknesses or a complete waste of money and fuel!? It's in red too, which makes it slightly different!
I'd definitely be going for the quattro if you want an auto (multi is rubbish). 3.0 Tdi is the pick imo if you want diesel; the A4s have the old tractor like PD lump if you were going for the 2.0 tdi which would feel quite old tech these days.
As you're after an auto I'd avoid the Exeo as it's multitronic only. If you wanted a manual I'd recommend the Exeo - I have a '13 Exeo ST 170 with all the toys and it was and still is great value. It also runs the later CR spec diesel engines and has had a few suspension tweaks making it more responsive to drive (but still not brilliant with the engine handing over the front axel).
The A4s are reliable cars - it's one of the most common older cars I see on the roads and a quick look at the classifieds of both A4 & Exeo's and I can see a few touching 200k and looking in fine fettle in the pictures!
As you're after an auto I'd avoid the Exeo as it's multitronic only. If you wanted a manual I'd recommend the Exeo - I have a '13 Exeo ST 170 with all the toys and it was and still is great value. It also runs the later CR spec diesel engines and has had a few suspension tweaks making it more responsive to drive (but still not brilliant with the engine handing over the front axel).
The A4s are reliable cars - it's one of the most common older cars I see on the roads and a quick look at the classifieds of both A4 & Exeo's and I can see a few touching 200k and looking in fine fettle in the pictures!
The later Multitronics are reliable and offer very good fuel economy with a 3 litre Diesel. They are very smooth with seamless ratio changing, although they do take a bit of getting used to. There is no sense of revving and not getting anywhere like in some small cars with CVT, its just that there is a delay when pulling away from a standstill.
Try one !
Try one !
I have just bought an S6 Avant Quattro running on LPG.
If you're interested in an Avant, when thinking about gearboxes, although not as worrisome as the multitronic, I advise that you also give any tiptronic boxed cars some careful consideration. They require an oil change every 40-50k and if that's not been done you need to thoroughly test the gearbox before parting with any money because they cost £3.5k + VAT + labour to replace and a good couple of grand to rebuild. You should then get it changed yourself for peace of mind.
To test the boxes as a minimum:
- Put it in D, allow the car to creep. Apply light throttle and try flicking up to 2nd as early as possible. Apply a bit more throttle when 2nd is accepted. The car should labour as it tries to speed up so watch the rev needle. If that races up and continues rising before speed is accumulated, the torque converter clutches are slipping. Repeat for every gear.
- From 15-20mph, accelerate hard without hitting the kickdown switch. If progression isn't continuous and smooth, there could be problems.
- Kickdown should be keen and relatively smooth (You know what autos are like)
- It should reach the redline in S
- It should not break your neck when using the tiptronic buttons or stick.
I'll likely be letting mine go very soon for around £2k (Because that's what I paid) despite having just bought it as it's just not the car for me.
I've no reason to suspect the gearbox of any wrongdoing, but I feel I've made a mistake with the car as it has a few faults; I will forever be paranoid about the box even though it seems good; I should have bought a seven seater (That's what I set out to do) and being tall I struggle to find a driving position in which my dodgy knee can remain relatively straight, so I'm quickly very uncomfortable. If I want to reach the steering wheel even on maximum adjust and satisfy my leg's need for straightness, I have to sit bolt upright, which isn't pleasant. I could go on...
My main point - check the gearbox and check yourself. You can get a lot of car for the money, but be careful. A6's are a nice size though.
If you're interested in an Avant, when thinking about gearboxes, although not as worrisome as the multitronic, I advise that you also give any tiptronic boxed cars some careful consideration. They require an oil change every 40-50k and if that's not been done you need to thoroughly test the gearbox before parting with any money because they cost £3.5k + VAT + labour to replace and a good couple of grand to rebuild. You should then get it changed yourself for peace of mind.
To test the boxes as a minimum:
- Put it in D, allow the car to creep. Apply light throttle and try flicking up to 2nd as early as possible. Apply a bit more throttle when 2nd is accepted. The car should labour as it tries to speed up so watch the rev needle. If that races up and continues rising before speed is accumulated, the torque converter clutches are slipping. Repeat for every gear.
- From 15-20mph, accelerate hard without hitting the kickdown switch. If progression isn't continuous and smooth, there could be problems.
- Kickdown should be keen and relatively smooth (You know what autos are like)
- It should reach the redline in S
- It should not break your neck when using the tiptronic buttons or stick.
I'll likely be letting mine go very soon for around £2k (Because that's what I paid) despite having just bought it as it's just not the car for me.
I've no reason to suspect the gearbox of any wrongdoing, but I feel I've made a mistake with the car as it has a few faults; I will forever be paranoid about the box even though it seems good; I should have bought a seven seater (That's what I set out to do) and being tall I struggle to find a driving position in which my dodgy knee can remain relatively straight, so I'm quickly very uncomfortable. If I want to reach the steering wheel even on maximum adjust and satisfy my leg's need for straightness, I have to sit bolt upright, which isn't pleasant. I could go on...
My main point - check the gearbox and check yourself. You can get a lot of car for the money, but be careful. A6's are a nice size though.
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