feedback on A6 3.0tdi please
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Looking to buy one of these or a 535d sport in the next few weeks, and would appreciate your feedback (good and bad) on the above (2004 onwards model).
Are there any major issues with this car?
To be honest Im leaning towards the bmw, but I have to say the A6 is the cleaner design (looks especially good on the 19" wheels) and looks to be more solidly constructed. Why should I choose one of these over a 535d?
Many thanks in advance
B
Looking to buy one of these or a 535d sport in the next few weeks, and would appreciate your feedback (good and bad) on the above (2004 onwards model).
Are there any major issues with this car?
To be honest Im leaning towards the bmw, but I have to say the A6 is the cleaner design (looks especially good on the 19" wheels) and looks to be more solidly constructed. Why should I choose one of these over a 535d?
Many thanks in advance
B
I've had one for a couple of years, and have loved it to pieces. Spacious, fast, quiet - everything you would want in a luxury barge without the Rolls Royce effect.
It's not perfect though:
1) servicing is shockingly expensive for what it is.
2) the adaptive headlights need regular maintenance, and need a mechanic to change for continental travel.
3) if you have the auto box, I find that normal (as opposed to Sport) setting can have awful turbo lag at just the wrong moment.
4) fuel consumption around town is what you might expect for a big, heavy car, even in diesel form.
5) the big diesel engine up front has exactly the kind of effect you would expect in terms of handling! It's not shocking, but understeer is very much the order of the day.
HTH
It's not perfect though:
1) servicing is shockingly expensive for what it is.
2) the adaptive headlights need regular maintenance, and need a mechanic to change for continental travel.
3) if you have the auto box, I find that normal (as opposed to Sport) setting can have awful turbo lag at just the wrong moment.
4) fuel consumption around town is what you might expect for a big, heavy car, even in diesel form.
5) the big diesel engine up front has exactly the kind of effect you would expect in terms of handling! It's not shocking, but understeer is very much the order of the day.
HTH
1) servicing - Use an approved Independent. AVS 1 and 2 should be about £290 and £420 respectively. Up to 2 years or 19,000 miles depending on usage.
2) adaptive headlights - quite right, they can be a bit of a pain
3) auto box - I've only spent a couple of days driving A6s but agree with this, it can catch you out pulling out of junctions, however it is very, very smooth in normal driving.
4) fuel consumption - Bimbling around over the weekend I actually averaged higher than the book figures, although traffic was light. Not sure what it would be like stoppy starty.
5) understeer - Don't know, not my car so wasn't pushing it!
2) adaptive headlights - quite right, they can be a bit of a pain
3) auto box - I've only spent a couple of days driving A6s but agree with this, it can catch you out pulling out of junctions, however it is very, very smooth in normal driving.
4) fuel consumption - Bimbling around over the weekend I actually averaged higher than the book figures, although traffic was light. Not sure what it would be like stoppy starty.
5) understeer - Don't know, not my car so wasn't pushing it!
I agree about the servicing costs but I have had mine for 2 years now and still enjoy it every day. I came back up the M5 last night with torrential rain and heavy spray from the trucks and quite frankly I would not like to have been in another car, except an A8 maybe!
It depends what you need from your car. The A6 has good rear legroom, cavernous boot, comfortable, quiet and quick when it needs to be. I regularly get 44mpg out of it. Autobox can be a bit sluggish in standard mode but in the real world it stays in that most of the time. I had mine superchipped after a couple of months and the difference is amazing, economy has improved, much smoother with less changes from the box and obviously a lot nippier.
To be fair I am an avid fan as it suits my requirements perfectly. (I run an executive car business)
It depends what you need from your car. The A6 has good rear legroom, cavernous boot, comfortable, quiet and quick when it needs to be. I regularly get 44mpg out of it. Autobox can be a bit sluggish in standard mode but in the real world it stays in that most of the time. I had mine superchipped after a couple of months and the difference is amazing, economy has improved, much smoother with less changes from the box and obviously a lot nippier.
To be fair I am an avid fan as it suits my requirements perfectly. (I run an executive car business)
I have had mine since march (previous car was a BMW 530d sport). Mine is the Le Mans with 19" rims, sports suspension etc.
There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
nicktowe said:
I have had mine since march (previous car was a BMW 530d sport). Mine is the Le Mans with 19" rims, sports suspension etc.
There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
Which engine perkier of the BMW and the Audi?There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
Pentoman said:
nicktowe said:
I have had mine since march (previous car was a BMW 530d sport). Mine is the Le Mans with 19" rims, sports suspension etc.
There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
Which engine perkier of the BMW and the Audi?There is no doubt that the BMW handles better on twistingroads but the A6 is not at all bad, and although you get some initial understeer it switches to over steer as you get nearer to the limit (that seems to be a feature of quattro).
In terms of space and comfort i think it is street ahead of the BMW, and economy is much the same.
radio is better than the beemer, and i think the MMi system is better than bmw's idrive with more functionality.
Mycar is a tiptronic and I agree with some of the comments about turbolag, but I found the BMW to have similar issues. £600 with superchips helps resolve these issues.
I have had a few issues regarding build quality, but I had similar with the BMW and overall the Audi feels better put together.
I toured Europe in the car this summer with the family and couldn't fault it.
Also i get comments in car parks about how good it looks etc, that never happenned with the BMW. Also i think the A6 is less common than the beemer and less "in your face", people now let me out of junctions.
Overall the car is quick and comfortable, and i wouldn't swap it for the beemer.
Another point, when it snows the 530d was almost undriveable, wide tyres and rear wheel drive, the Quattro in the Audi meant I could still take the kids sledging, and didn't miss my flight to Glasgow.
silver16v said:
are the benefits of 4wd noticeable day to day? I recently wrote off my car on a wet road so surefootedness does appeal
Noticeable when its very wet or snowey, and also useful when pulling away fast, BMW used to slither about a fair bit. But it was fun to get the back on in the BMW, hard to do that in the Audisilver16v said:
are the benefits of 4wd noticeable day to day? I recently wrote off my car on a wet road so surefootedness does appeal
I had a previous shape A6 2.8 Quattro and at the time thought it very good handling. In retrospect it was more the case of feeling surefooted - dynamically it wasn't amazing actually. It certainly gives you the confidence to go quickly in the wet, and you feel like it won't take you by surprise and do something sudden of its own accord then exit the road. Whether this translates to making you less likely to crash or more likely to crash (because it feels more surefooted but the limits are not necessarily higher) might depend on how you drive. I can't imagine it would be necessarily much better off than in a rear-driver with good traction control/ESP.silver16v said:
Hi Guys,
Looking to buy one of these or a 535d sport in the next few weeks, and would appreciate your feedback (good and bad) on the above (2004 onwards model).
Are there any major issues with this car?
To be honest Im leaning towards the bmw, but I have to say the A6 is the cleaner design (looks especially good on the 19" wheels) and looks to be more solidly constructed. Why should I choose one of these over a 535d?
Many thanks in advance
B
It wil be interesting to know what your final decision is.Looking to buy one of these or a 535d sport in the next few weeks, and would appreciate your feedback (good and bad) on the above (2004 onwards model).
Are there any major issues with this car?
To be honest Im leaning towards the bmw, but I have to say the A6 is the cleaner design (looks especially good on the 19" wheels) and looks to be more solidly constructed. Why should I choose one of these over a 535d?
Many thanks in advance
B
I can't comment on the engine as I don't have one in mine... ok 2.0Tdi but it's close to a pedal car. I bought it on looks + already had the previous shape with CVT which I loved.
But... the handbrake is a switch (park on a hill between two cars, turn off ignition, then retstart and try to drive off. Wheels are locked, time for heel & toe)... All the storage compartments have gone. You can't defrost the mirrors yourself (it decides when... like NOT this morning when I needed some heat in them)
Cupholders where your elbow has to hit them, back one is under the armrest!
Radio decides what you want to listen to every time you get back in the car. Radio presets take 4 button presses to get to. Mine's got a single CD inside(!) the glovebox.
The MMI is useless (3 things you can turn including the knobs on the steering wheel, 14 you can press, but menus designed by a monkey?), and most of the functions are annoying or useless anyway.
And they filed X thousand patents??? Can you patent a dumb idea???
PS: Yes, you can, tried it once, £1K wasted.
But... the handbrake is a switch (park on a hill between two cars, turn off ignition, then retstart and try to drive off. Wheels are locked, time for heel & toe)... All the storage compartments have gone. You can't defrost the mirrors yourself (it decides when... like NOT this morning when I needed some heat in them)
Cupholders where your elbow has to hit them, back one is under the armrest!
Radio decides what you want to listen to every time you get back in the car. Radio presets take 4 button presses to get to. Mine's got a single CD inside(!) the glovebox.
The MMI is useless (3 things you can turn including the knobs on the steering wheel, 14 you can press, but menus designed by a monkey?), and most of the functions are annoying or useless anyway.
And they filed X thousand patents??? Can you patent a dumb idea???
PS: Yes, you can, tried it once, £1K wasted.
Ordinary Bloke said:
I can't comment on the engine as I don't have one in mine... ok 2.0Tdi but it's close to a pedal car. I bought it on looks + already had the previous shape with CVT which I loved.
But... the handbrake is a switch (park on a hill between two cars, turn off ignition, then retstart and try to drive off. Wheels are locked, time for heel & toe)... All the storage compartments have gone. You can't defrost the mirrors yourself (it decides when... like NOT this morning when I needed some heat in them)
Cupholders where your elbow has to hit them, back one is under the armrest!
Radio decides what you want to listen to every time you get back in the car. Radio presets take 4 button presses to get to. Mine's got a single CD inside(!) the glovebox.
The MMI is useless (3 things you can turn including the knobs on the steering wheel, 14 you can press, but menus designed by a monkey?), and most of the functions are annoying or useless anyway.
And they filed X thousand patents??? Can you patent a dumb idea???
PS: Yes, you can, tried it once, £1K wasted.
I have to say I disagree with most of these comments.But... the handbrake is a switch (park on a hill between two cars, turn off ignition, then retstart and try to drive off. Wheels are locked, time for heel & toe)... All the storage compartments have gone. You can't defrost the mirrors yourself (it decides when... like NOT this morning when I needed some heat in them)
Cupholders where your elbow has to hit them, back one is under the armrest!
Radio decides what you want to listen to every time you get back in the car. Radio presets take 4 button presses to get to. Mine's got a single CD inside(!) the glovebox.
The MMI is useless (3 things you can turn including the knobs on the steering wheel, 14 you can press, but menus designed by a monkey?), and most of the functions are annoying or useless anyway.
And they filed X thousand patents??? Can you patent a dumb idea???
PS: Yes, you can, tried it once, £1K wasted.
I have no problems with the handbrake, but my car is an auto.
You can defrost the mirrors yourself, all u do is push the mirror adjustment knob forward to turn on mirror heating.
Storage is better than the BMW, mind you, I have the storage pack which gives things like cubbies under the seats. The BMW cupholder in my 530 used to stick in so were pretty useless. The cupholder under the armrest is an irritation.
Radio tunes to the station you were last listing to when that key was used, the BMW is the same. Presets are quick to find whether through the knob on the MMI or through the steering wheel controls. You can also set the order in which stations are displayed via the MMI. Mine has a 6cd autochanger in the glovebox and still has storage space. Audi radio is much better than BMW's standard radio and has twin tuners so reception is better, the same spec BMW radio is an extra.
The MMI menu's are ok if you apply some logic, but it is a pain to use on the move. To my mind BMW's idrive is better to use when moving, although if you have satnav on the BMW the idrive knob is not so easy to use (strange).
Generally you need plenty of time with the handbpook to set the car and the MMI the way you like it, and in this respect the BMW is much the same.
Audi's bluetooth coms and voice dialing is miles better than the BMW one and much quicker to program.
BMW seats are less comfortable, and my wife never found a suitable driving position in the BMW as refused to drive it!
As you can probably tell, given the choice of the two cars again, I would go for the Audi.
Its a tough call though. I also liked the Merc E Class Sport, but thats more of a Limo.
Edited by nicktowe on Saturday 20th October 11:34
nicktowe said:
I have to say I disagree with most of these comments.
Ok...nicktowe said:
I have no problems with the handbrake, but my car is an auto.
That would help. You can "drive off" the handbrake but not the first time after you start the car, so parking on hills is dodgy if someone parks close behind you. Especially as 2.0Tdi has no torque below 2K RPM and is therefore easy to stall. If someone's close to you in fron as well...nicktowe said:
You can defrost the mirrors yourself, all u do is push the mirror adjustment knob forward to turn on mirror heating.
I'll try that again, that's what I thought but it doesn't seem to do anything. The manual says (p98-99) "...heated depending on outside temperature..." and I suspect condensation at +3 degrees isn't low enough.nicktowe said:
Storage is better than the BMW, mind you, I have the storage pack which gives things like cubbies under the seats. The BMW cupholder in my 530 used to stick in so were pretty useless. The cupholder under the armrest is an irritation.
Sh1t, I didn't order the storage pack, my last A6 SE had cubbies under the seats, should've checked the brochure more carefully.nicktowe said:
Radio tunes to the station you were last listing to when that key was used, the BMW is the same. Presets are quick to find whether through the knob on the MMI or through the steering wheel controls.
Mine tunes to the last thing I listened to unless it thinks the signal is too weak, when it defaults to Radio Berkshire. This happens almost every day as the reception is weaker at home.I can't access presets on the steering wheel, only the last stations tuned. That means I can't go back to Virgin or whatever without scrolling through the list. Just a bit annoying when it thinks it knows better than me...
nicktowe said:
You can also set the order in which stations are displayed via the MMI. Mine has a 6cd autochanger in the glovebox and still has storage space. Audi radio is much better than BMW's standard radio and has twin tuners so reception is better, the same spec BMW radio is an extra.
OK, storage space, but for a single CD why did they move it into the glovebox, seems like a step backwards?I loved my 02 reg A6 Estate 1.8T CVT, everything was in the right place, beautiful to drive given it only had the 1.8, but everything for me is wrong in the 05 A6 2.0 Tdi saloon. Not disagreeing with Nick, but some things to look for before you buy.
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