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?
haha very well built too. I do really like the age of A6 you were talking about s line or Le Mans spec with the 3.0tdi is a nice car The 3.0 TDI is an awesome engine, Dad has one in his B7 A4. Plenty of performance for every day use, and if you take it easy he regularly sees upwards of 45 mpg. It has just rolled over 70k, had it since brand new, and all it has needed done is a suspension bush. Servicing is cheap at local specialists too.
It is fitted with Vredstien Quadtracks (sp?) and will go anywhere in the snow - he regularly drives up to Thurso and Golspie for work throughout the year and has never run into problems.
The manual gearbox works very well with the engine too, and I hear they can be remapped to release more performance. Great cars!
It replaced a Saab 95, and even the A4 is in a different league in terms of quality, performance, economy, driving dynamics, and comfort. The A6 is a different kettle of fish all together.
It is fitted with Vredstien Quadtracks (sp?) and will go anywhere in the snow - he regularly drives up to Thurso and Golspie for work throughout the year and has never run into problems.
The manual gearbox works very well with the engine too, and I hear they can be remapped to release more performance. Great cars!
It replaced a Saab 95, and even the A4 is in a different league in terms of quality, performance, economy, driving dynamics, and comfort. The A6 is a different kettle of fish all together.
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?
antspants said:
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?
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.
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.
That is kind if why I suggested the R36 as sometimes it's not a huge amount more to run petrol vs diesel etc when you look at the big picture. You are right though a remapped a6 3.0tdi on the road would probably be just as quick.... Just not the cool v6 howl ! Ha. S4 would also be a good car. Some people say the R36 is a poor mans s4 or RS4 but I think that's a bit mean ha.
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!
antspants said:
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!
I’m on my second 9-5 Estate…..Comfiest. Seats. Ever! The rear isn’t quite as spacious as an A6 Avant but it isn’t too far off (my large framed 29er goes in fine with the front wheel off), and the overall build quality is pretty decent. My current 9-5 is a fairly lowly 2.0t Vector Sport which has been remapped from 150bhp to over 200bhp; it’s quick enough for my mostly B road 60 mile commute but I do miss the low down oomph of my previous 3.0tid and I’m now wishing I’d held out for an Aero. I’m averaging 32-33mpg without trying to drive economically.
I’m a big fan of 9-5’s. They are definitely worthy of consideration as you do get a lot of car for the money.
I’m a big fan of 9-5’s. They are definitely worthy of consideration as you do get a lot of car for the money.
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.
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