Audi A6 Quattro 3.0 TDI - Gearbox Choice
Discussion
Hi,
I'm considering upgrading from my 2004 A6 2.0 TDI to a 2006+ A6 3.0 TDI Quattro but I am stuck pondering one question.
Which gearbox should I go for? I rarely see any of the manual gearboxes, but that is always my preference as my brain tells me there is less to go wrong with it. Is there a reason most of the Quattro gearboxes are Tiptronic?
Secondly, I have seen one 2006 3.0 TDI Quattro that has 43k miles, been regularly serviced by a main dealer each year, but has had 3 owners. Something doesn't smell right when a low mileage car in what appears to be excellent condition has had so many owners in a short period of time. What do you think?
Any feedback or thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim.
I'm considering upgrading from my 2004 A6 2.0 TDI to a 2006+ A6 3.0 TDI Quattro but I am stuck pondering one question.
Which gearbox should I go for? I rarely see any of the manual gearboxes, but that is always my preference as my brain tells me there is less to go wrong with it. Is there a reason most of the Quattro gearboxes are Tiptronic?
Secondly, I have seen one 2006 3.0 TDI Quattro that has 43k miles, been regularly serviced by a main dealer each year, but has had 3 owners. Something doesn't smell right when a low mileage car in what appears to be excellent condition has had so many owners in a short period of time. What do you think?
Any feedback or thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim.
Generally as you push up through any manufacturers range, the typical buyer is older than the next range down. Older people prefer autos. While most A4's will be manual, I expect Audi doesn't bother making a manual gearbox for the A8 for example. There's plenty of manual A6 2.0tdi's around but that makes for a much slower car.
If it were me, I'd find the one with the spec/age/mileage/condition/price I was happy with and ignore which gearbox it has. I've always considered myself a manual gearbox person and my wife hates autos as she thinks they "are for people too lazy to change gears". We ended up with a 2006 3.0tdi quattro le mans avant with tiptronic as it had all the bells and whistles "we" wanted and have been very happy with it. You can just stick it into "D" and let the car get on with it if you want to. If you slide it down to "S" it will hang onto gears longer and this works very well if you want to move along a bit faster with it managing the changes. You can slide the lever across to the left and it turns into a +/- sequential shift. The best way to go manual though, is just to click one of the paddles. It's not the fastest change in the world (you quickly learn to anticipate, especially going down the box for engine braking) but it does work well. If you leave it alone for a while it goes back to auto mode, or I sometimes slip the shifter across to sequential and back to do this immediately. Alternatively, if you go into sequential and then use the paddles it won't then go back to auto until you move the shift lever back from sequential. If this is confusing, suffice to say there's enough manual override options to please just about everyone.
Downsides to it? It falls into the top road tax bracket by 1g/km of co2 :-/ The manual is better on mpg and is in a lower bracket. I haven't driven a manual 3.0 so can't say what they are like to drive.
As to manual vs auto reliability, there's others on here far better qualified to answer that (DrG/Tame Tech). I'd say it's probably about even myself as a manual quattro has a higher chance to have had clutch abuse (4WD cars are generally very sensitive to clutch handling compared to 2WD). Our car was about 2.5 years old with 27k miles when we got it and it had 2 previous owners. I'll admit to being mildly concerned about it at the time but in reality we've had no problems with the car at all (it was through an Audi dealer so came with a years approved warranty). Ultimately if the car seems right to you, go ahead and do it.
If it were me, I'd find the one with the spec/age/mileage/condition/price I was happy with and ignore which gearbox it has. I've always considered myself a manual gearbox person and my wife hates autos as she thinks they "are for people too lazy to change gears". We ended up with a 2006 3.0tdi quattro le mans avant with tiptronic as it had all the bells and whistles "we" wanted and have been very happy with it. You can just stick it into "D" and let the car get on with it if you want to. If you slide it down to "S" it will hang onto gears longer and this works very well if you want to move along a bit faster with it managing the changes. You can slide the lever across to the left and it turns into a +/- sequential shift. The best way to go manual though, is just to click one of the paddles. It's not the fastest change in the world (you quickly learn to anticipate, especially going down the box for engine braking) but it does work well. If you leave it alone for a while it goes back to auto mode, or I sometimes slip the shifter across to sequential and back to do this immediately. Alternatively, if you go into sequential and then use the paddles it won't then go back to auto until you move the shift lever back from sequential. If this is confusing, suffice to say there's enough manual override options to please just about everyone.
Downsides to it? It falls into the top road tax bracket by 1g/km of co2 :-/ The manual is better on mpg and is in a lower bracket. I haven't driven a manual 3.0 so can't say what they are like to drive.
As to manual vs auto reliability, there's others on here far better qualified to answer that (DrG/Tame Tech). I'd say it's probably about even myself as a manual quattro has a higher chance to have had clutch abuse (4WD cars are generally very sensitive to clutch handling compared to 2WD). Our car was about 2.5 years old with 27k miles when we got it and it had 2 previous owners. I'll admit to being mildly concerned about it at the time but in reality we've had no problems with the car at all (it was through an Audi dealer so came with a years approved warranty). Ultimately if the car seems right to you, go ahead and do it.
I paid extra to have tiptronic on my 3.0 TDi Allroad and it's not because I'm old (although that is true), it's because a manual gearbox on a diesel is a PITA. With a narrow rev range, you're always stirring the damn thing plus there's little joy in winding it out to the redline. The A6 is a fast cruiser and an auto box suits the car.
Mine is a Tiptonic auto. I drove a manual but like others have said the auto seemed to suit the car better. In sport mode the changes are pretty agressive. IMO the paddles are pointless as changes are too slow, again sport mode is best for this. For daily wafting standard auto mode is fine
billy5 said:
think you are wronge there,
the paddles are vrey usful,
pull wen you want to overtake [down]
you can select the rev range, goody
in my opinon,
helps in control of fuel econ
gets in to top gear at round 40 ish,
if you leave to the cu, its longer to comply,
We will have to disagree thenthe paddles are vrey usful,
pull wen you want to overtake [down]
you can select the rev range, goody
in my opinon,
helps in control of fuel econ
gets in to top gear at round 40 ish,
if you leave to the cu, its longer to comply,
paddles are way slower to change than sport mode especially a downshift
i can select gear through use of the throttle pedal again especially in sport mode
paddles are too slow for fast driving on twisty roads
you can only slect rev range within the range the gearbox would use anyway, and in paddle mode it uses the range for ordinary driving rather than the range for sport mode. If you exceed the range it changes for you anyway
sport mode keeps the engine within its relatively narrow powerband, with paddles you can get out of the powerband especially as they are slow to react
Fuel economy is better for me in auto
The paddle reaction is nothing like that you get in say a tiptronic 911, or even mrsblues subaru outback
dunmow70 said:
Thanks again for all your input folks. Out of interest, how does the Tiptronic gearbox cope in low speed icey conditions (just in case we get a repeat of last winter)?
Its fine in Auto mode, just be careful with the throttle. Quattro helps, but note stopping is an issue without winter tyres as the car is heavy and the tyres wide!I just drove the fosse way from Leamington to Stow using paddles only, and I still feel they are slower than auto mode.
Edited by blueg33 on Saturday 18th September 19:54
UVB said:
Generally as you push up through any manufacturers range, the typical buyer is older than the next range down. Older people prefer autos. While most A4's will be manual, I expect Audi doesn't bother making a manual gearbox for the A8 for example. There's plenty of manual A6 2.0tdi's around but that makes for a much slower car.
If it were me, I'd find the one with the spec/age/mileage/condition/price I was happy with and ignore which gearbox it has. I've always considered myself a manual gearbox person and my wife hates autos as she thinks they "are for people too lazy to change gears". We ended up with a 2006 3.0tdi quattro le mans avant with tiptronic as it had all the bells and whistles "we" wanted and have been very happy with it. You can just stick it into "D" and let the car get on with it if you want to. If you slide it down to "S" it will hang onto gears longer and this works very well if you want to move along a bit faster with it managing the changes. You can slide the lever across to the left and it turns into a +/- sequential shift. The best way to go manual though, is just to click one of the paddles. It's not the fastest change in the world (you quickly learn to anticipate, especially going down the box for engine braking) but it does work well. If you leave it alone for a while it goes back to auto mode, or I sometimes slip the shifter across to sequential and back to do this immediately. Alternatively, if you go into sequential and then use the paddles it won't then go back to auto until you move the shift lever back from sequential. If this is confusing, suffice to say there's enough manual override options to please just about everyone.
Downsides to it? It falls into the top road tax bracket by 1g/km of co2 :-/ The manual is better on mpg and is in a lower bracket. I haven't driven a manual 3.0 so can't say what they are like to drive.
As to manual vs auto reliability, there's others on here far better qualified to answer that (DrG/Tame Tech). I'd say it's probably about even myself as a manual quattro has a higher chance to have had clutch abuse (4WD cars are generally very sensitive to clutch handling compared to 2WD). Our car was about 2.5 years old with 27k miles when we got it and it had 2 previous owners. I'll admit to being mildly concerned about it at the time but in reality we've had no problems with the car at all (it was through an Audi dealer so came with a years approved warranty). Ultimately if the car seems right to you, go ahead and do it.
Nice car I have one myself, a 70,000mile 2007 (56) A6 S-line Quattro Le mans 3.0 TDI, the 2007 version comes in at £245 Road tax / year (group K).If it were me, I'd find the one with the spec/age/mileage/condition/price I was happy with and ignore which gearbox it has. I've always considered myself a manual gearbox person and my wife hates autos as she thinks they "are for people too lazy to change gears". We ended up with a 2006 3.0tdi quattro le mans avant with tiptronic as it had all the bells and whistles "we" wanted and have been very happy with it. You can just stick it into "D" and let the car get on with it if you want to. If you slide it down to "S" it will hang onto gears longer and this works very well if you want to move along a bit faster with it managing the changes. You can slide the lever across to the left and it turns into a +/- sequential shift. The best way to go manual though, is just to click one of the paddles. It's not the fastest change in the world (you quickly learn to anticipate, especially going down the box for engine braking) but it does work well. If you leave it alone for a while it goes back to auto mode, or I sometimes slip the shifter across to sequential and back to do this immediately. Alternatively, if you go into sequential and then use the paddles it won't then go back to auto until you move the shift lever back from sequential. If this is confusing, suffice to say there's enough manual override options to please just about everyone.
Downsides to it? It falls into the top road tax bracket by 1g/km of co2 :-/ The manual is better on mpg and is in a lower bracket. I haven't driven a manual 3.0 so can't say what they are like to drive.
As to manual vs auto reliability, there's others on here far better qualified to answer that (DrG/Tame Tech). I'd say it's probably about even myself as a manual quattro has a higher chance to have had clutch abuse (4WD cars are generally very sensitive to clutch handling compared to 2WD). Our car was about 2.5 years old with 27k miles when we got it and it had 2 previous owners. I'll admit to being mildly concerned about it at the time but in reality we've had no problems with the car at all (it was through an Audi dealer so came with a years approved warranty). Ultimately if the car seems right to you, go ahead and do it.
While others talk about manual v auto, let me say to the OP, I have always driven manual till I bought this A6 with tiptronic, shifts are slower than manual (a little) but like others said, you'll adapt to it and before you know it, you'll actually prefer 'D' / 'S' & manual paddles. The engine only brakes in sport mode, in drive it tends to coast as most do.
The best thing with the Quattro system on this big heavy car is winter, get a full set of winter tyres and you'll be going places others struggle. October 2010 I bought a full set of http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Wintr... Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme and I had loads of fun going places my friends BMW, Ford focus & Land cruiser could not, it was most impressive in the 2010 winter.
One thing to remember all Audi Quattros, they love petrol/diesel, you'll get (from a 3.0 TDI V6) 20-25uk MPG in town, 36-40MPG on motorways & dual carriage & 25-35 combined, that's the biggest weekly reminder of the V6 3.0 TDI. Get some sort of warranty, garage bills can be high and enjoy the car.
3.0 TDI V6 + Tiptronic is dam nice to drive, throw in quattro 4WD, Full Alloy bodywork, a set of winter tyres (with rims), german engineering and you'll be set for everything the road can throw at you.
So did you ever get your Auto Audi ?
noscream said:
So did you ever get your Auto Audi ?
Yes and no. I followed some of the advice above and found one that had a spec I liked at a price I thought was reasonable. I ended up with an 06 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Avant with a manual box. All the auto boxes I tried to arrange viewings for would get snapped up before I could see them but in the end, the manual box isn't any trouble at all and the more I use it, the more I like it.I purchased it back in September '10 and with the snow we had down our way, I sure am glad I did get it. Without winter tyres fitted, I was still able to make those essential journeys, even taking the back roads which were untreated to avoid the inevitable traffic jams.
Overall, its a lovely car to drive both casually and when you want to push on. Admittedly, I don't have any performance car experience so I can't compare it against those, but I love it and intend to hang on to it for a good number of years.
As for the MPG, it mirrors pretty much what you stated. I've been using Fuelly to record it and you can see it here:
http://www.fuelly.com/driver/dunmow70/a6-quattro
dunmow70 said:
Yes and no. I followed some of the advice above and found one that had a spec I liked at a price I thought was reasonable. I ended up with an 06 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Avant with a manual box. All the auto boxes I tried to arrange viewings for would get snapped up before I could see them but in the end, the manual box isn't any trouble at all and the more I use it, the more I like it.
I purchased it back in September '10 and with the snow we had down our way, I sure am glad I did get it. Without winter tyres fitted, I was still able to make those essential journeys, even taking the back roads which were untreated to avoid the inevitable traffic jams.
Overall, its a lovely car to drive both casually and when you want to push on. Admittedly, I don't have any performance car experience so I can't compare it against those, but I love it and intend to hang on to it for a good number of years.
As for the MPG, it mirrors pretty much what you stated. I've been using Fuelly to record it and you can see it here:
http://www.fuelly.com/driver/dunmow70/a6-quattro
My A6 Quattro Le Mans 3.0TDi Tiptronic gets better MPG than that, current average is over 36. But it is very bad around town when cold.I purchased it back in September '10 and with the snow we had down our way, I sure am glad I did get it. Without winter tyres fitted, I was still able to make those essential journeys, even taking the back roads which were untreated to avoid the inevitable traffic jams.
Overall, its a lovely car to drive both casually and when you want to push on. Admittedly, I don't have any performance car experience so I can't compare it against those, but I love it and intend to hang on to it for a good number of years.
As for the MPG, it mirrors pretty much what you stated. I've been using Fuelly to record it and you can see it here:
http://www.fuelly.com/driver/dunmow70/a6-quattro
My Dad's A4 3.0 TDI has a manual gearbox, and I would highly recommend it.
I have driven the car plenty times, and it is an excellent gearbox. Yes, you have to change gear more often because the engine runs out of puff at the redline, but that doesn't bother me at all.
Only thing I can fault it for is the long travel on the clutch pedal, but that isn't really a big issue.
I have driven the car plenty times, and it is an excellent gearbox. Yes, you have to change gear more often because the engine runs out of puff at the redline, but that doesn't bother me at all.
Only thing I can fault it for is the long travel on the clutch pedal, but that isn't really a big issue.
I feel the reason for tiptronic in the 3.0 TDI Quattro is the gearbox (auto) suites the engine (as others have said). If you want more manual styled performance, stick it into SPORTS (S) mode.
Secondly, when in sports (or Drive) double click the (-) minus paddle shift at stand still or on the move & the gear will lock and shift just before redline. For example at traffic lights, while at the RED light, apply the electronic handbrake & double click the (-) paddle, the car will hold the gear for longer.
I love driving my early 2007, Audi A6 3.0 TDi quattro Le Mans, it's so comfortable once your use to the sports suspension. The only down side is the low MPG in town (25mpg average), on the motorway it's around 40 mpg, but the big A6 is well planted on the road with 255x35x19 rubber & 4WD 60/40 split perm.
I would of bought a BMW 5 series but the lack of 4WD was a main factor, winters are getting unpredictable & last winter my A6 Quattro with Vredestein wintrac 4 went everywhere & felt 100% solid.
If you do get a Quattro, I would personally recommend you buy a spare set of rims & get winter rubber too, added benefit besides winter, is if you scuff your summer rim(s) you can swap them out & get the summer rims recoated without the hassle of leaving your car with no wheels.
What I love about my A6 3.0TDI quattro Le mans:
Aluminium body (no rust)
Four wheel drive (60 rear/ 40 front).
Engine, V6 low reving, plenty of power & good for 150K plus.
Stainless exhaust, good for over 10 years.
Road tax band K £260/year 2011-2012 (223g CO2) just before the big jump to £400+
Sound system, Audi MMI with SD & ipod interface (AMI)
Boot, massive.
Toys, too many to mention.
Problems, see TSB (tech. service bulletins)for A6.
Service interval around 14,000 - 18,000 miles
Great summer & winter car.
Secondly, when in sports (or Drive) double click the (-) minus paddle shift at stand still or on the move & the gear will lock and shift just before redline. For example at traffic lights, while at the RED light, apply the electronic handbrake & double click the (-) paddle, the car will hold the gear for longer.
I love driving my early 2007, Audi A6 3.0 TDi quattro Le Mans, it's so comfortable once your use to the sports suspension. The only down side is the low MPG in town (25mpg average), on the motorway it's around 40 mpg, but the big A6 is well planted on the road with 255x35x19 rubber & 4WD 60/40 split perm.
I would of bought a BMW 5 series but the lack of 4WD was a main factor, winters are getting unpredictable & last winter my A6 Quattro with Vredestein wintrac 4 went everywhere & felt 100% solid.
If you do get a Quattro, I would personally recommend you buy a spare set of rims & get winter rubber too, added benefit besides winter, is if you scuff your summer rim(s) you can swap them out & get the summer rims recoated without the hassle of leaving your car with no wheels.
What I love about my A6 3.0TDI quattro Le mans:
Aluminium body (no rust)
Four wheel drive (60 rear/ 40 front).
Engine, V6 low reving, plenty of power & good for 150K plus.
Stainless exhaust, good for over 10 years.
Road tax band K £260/year 2011-2012 (223g CO2) just before the big jump to £400+
Sound system, Audi MMI with SD & ipod interface (AMI)
Boot, massive.
Toys, too many to mention.
Problems, see TSB (tech. service bulletins)for A6.
Service interval around 14,000 - 18,000 miles
Great summer & winter car.
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