Buying a leggy Audi A6 3.0 TDi - false economy?
Discussion
We've just got rid of our leggy A6 3.0TDi Le Mans late 2008...
For the record, I really liked the car.
My only issues with it were that the suspension was rock hard and that, because it was so very long and low, it would often ground out when going over any less than perfectly flat.
I've only just read this thread, but I would have advised against getting one if it's mainly for town. Especially if you're in very stop start traffic (and it doesn'tt have a stop/start engine).
I noticed that the instantaneous readout when sat at lights or in traffic goes down to the low teens - 13mpg or so. It actually improved when the car was rolling (and you weren't pressing on). But if you did put your foot down, it could go into single digits quite easily.
Overall ours averaged about 32mpg over the 90,000 miles we had it and would still do over 40mpg at legal speeds on the motorway.
As I say, we sold it recently and got a 3.0TDi Q5, but I'm beginning to think I preferred the A6.
For the record, I really liked the car.
My only issues with it were that the suspension was rock hard and that, because it was so very long and low, it would often ground out when going over any less than perfectly flat.
I've only just read this thread, but I would have advised against getting one if it's mainly for town. Especially if you're in very stop start traffic (and it doesn'tt have a stop/start engine).
I noticed that the instantaneous readout when sat at lights or in traffic goes down to the low teens - 13mpg or so. It actually improved when the car was rolling (and you weren't pressing on). But if you did put your foot down, it could go into single digits quite easily.
Overall ours averaged about 32mpg over the 90,000 miles we had it and would still do over 40mpg at legal speeds on the motorway.
As I say, we sold it recently and got a 3.0TDi Q5, but I'm beginning to think I preferred the A6.
I've just bought one of these as a daily/load lugger, April 2007, reasonably high miles but very well looked after. It's had everything done and been maintained regardless of cost (I know it's a cliche but the accompanying bills folder is thicker than the MMI manual
). I was very impressed by it's utterly effortless motorway and urban performance on the way home. Fuel economy on the other hand... well it's better than my classic.
How can I find out if it's got a DPF?
). I was very impressed by it's utterly effortless motorway and urban performance on the way home. Fuel economy on the other hand... well it's better than my classic.How can I find out if it's got a DPF?
joshcowin said:
youngsyr said:
Thanks for your input, the MPG is much lower and the suspension much firmer on the outgoing car, so should be plain sailing!
How you getting on with the car? Looking at getting one for my wife?
One I would like is an 07 saloon with 140,000
Really well, wife really likes driving it and refers to it as "her car"! Not a bad recommendation considering it's a very long car.
We've put about 20k miles on it and the only faults have been extremely minor -
Both front door locking solenoids started sticking - changing the driver's side one was less than £200 inc labour
The central part of the display doesn't work if the car has been left out in temps below 5*C, but soon comes back on once the car interior heats up
MPG is pretty decent, getting over 400 miles to a tank with mixed driving.
Suspension is sporty, but fine.
Power delivery is more than adequate for a family car.
Not much else to say really, it's been a really good buy so far.
Edited by youngsyr on Tuesday 7th January 22:34
can't remember said:
I've just bought one of these as a daily/load lugger, April 2007, reasonably high miles but very well looked after. It's had everything done and been maintained regardless of cost (I know it's a cliche but the accompanying bills folder is thicker than the MMI manual ). I was very impressed by it's utterly effortless motorway and urban performance on the way home. Fuel economy on the other hand... well it's better than my classic.
How can I find out if it's got a DPF?
Check the options listed in the front of the service record. 7NG means it's been prepared for a DPF, but doesn't have one fitted. ). I was very impressed by it's utterly effortless motorway and urban performance on the way home. Fuel economy on the other hand... well it's better than my classic.How can I find out if it's got a DPF?
Otherwise, you could always put it on a ramp and look underneath at the exhaust, although I think some of these cars have a combined cat/DPF just behind the turbo?
youngsyr said:
Check the options listed in the front of the service record. 7NG means it's been prepared for a DPF, but doesn't have one fitted.
Otherwise, you could always put it on a ramp and look underneath at the exhaust, although I think some of these cars have a combined cat/DPF just behind the turbo?
I had a March 2007 3.0 Le Mans from new. It didnt have a dpfOtherwise, you could always put it on a ramp and look underneath at the exhaust, although I think some of these cars have a combined cat/DPF just behind the turbo?
youngsyr said:
Check the options listed in the front of the service record. 7NG means it's been prepared for a DPF, but doesn't have one fitted.
Otherwise, you could always put it on a ramp and look underneath at the exhaust, although I think some of these cars have a combined cat/DPF just behind the turbo?
Thanks for that. I found the build sticker in the spare wheel well. 7NG Otherwise, you could always put it on a ramp and look underneath at the exhaust, although I think some of these cars have a combined cat/DPF just behind the turbo?
. This is beginning to look like the best bargain basement car I've bought in years.
blueg33 said:
I agree. Terrible mpg round town and when cold, up to 40mpg on motorway. Mine averaged 36mpg.
Look out for knocking drop links, corroded contacts in rear lights, check all functions if the mmi.
I put 118k miles on my car from new with virtually no issues. Traded it in for £6500
I've had 40mpg out of my C7 S6 on the motorway.Look out for knocking drop links, corroded contacts in rear lights, check all functions if the mmi.
I put 118k miles on my car from new with virtually no issues. Traded it in for £6500
Obviously around town is 20, a roads 25-30.
Depending on usage the Bitdi makes little sense apart from being cheaper to buy.
tenmantaylor said:
blueg33 said:
I agree. Terrible mpg round town and when cold, up to 40mpg on motorway. Mine averaged 36mpg.
Look out for knocking drop links, corroded contacts in rear lights, check all functions if the mmi.
I put 118k miles on my car from new with virtually no issues. Traded it in for £6500
I've had 40mpg out of my C7 S6 on the motorway.Look out for knocking drop links, corroded contacts in rear lights, check all functions if the mmi.
I put 118k miles on my car from new with virtually no issues. Traded it in for £6500
Obviously around town is 20, a roads 25-30.
Depending on usage the Bitdi makes little sense apart from being cheaper to buy.
I ask because I moved from a C6 S6 to a C6 3.0 Tdi S-Line and the Tdi is objectively the better car. The only thing I miss from the S6 is the noise and possibly the appearance of the seats (no difference in comfort). Everything else is either the same in the Tdi or better (brakes aren't so binary and suspension is more supple).
I just picked up a 2007 le mans avant 3.0tdi on 165k miles. Heard a few horror stories about chains, gearbox etc. Seems to drive really well and good to see someone else has got some decent trouble free mileage out of theirs. I picked up mine for a snip at £2,400 and drives faultless with really good poke. I'll be doing a gearbox service to help prevent any nastys there and the chain doesn't rattle in the slightest. I've heard of people recommending to change the crank pulley and fuel pump belt so I will be doing those too to avoid any breakdowns. May be blanking off swirl flaps and egr also but I'm going to take it one step at a time!
The jag man said:
I just picked up a 2007 le mans avant 3.0tdi on 165k miles. Heard a few horror stories about chains, gearbox etc. Seems to drive really well and good to see someone else has got some decent trouble free mileage out of theirs. I picked up mine for a snip at £2,400 and drives faultless with really good poke. I'll be doing a gearbox service to help prevent any nastys there and the chain doesn't rattle in the slightest. I've heard of people recommending to change the crank pulley and fuel pump belt so I will be doing those too to avoid any breakdowns. May be blanking off swirl flaps and egr also but I'm going to take it one step at a time!
Very nice, but if it drives well as it is, why bother fixing non existant problems?It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?
youngsyr said:
Very nice, but if it drives well as it is, why bother fixing non existant problems?
It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?
I always do it. I just go overkill on preventative maintenance so I feel more secure that the car won't breakdown on me. I appreciate a lot of people don't go to the lengths I do and still get very good miles out of them but that just makes me think I can get even more by doing it! I know realistically it probably is genuine false economy but I don't know, got to have a hobby right? I like to do the work myself and with shopping around and being smart with the purchases I can hopefully get some of the bits done on the cheap.It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?
The jag man said:
I always do it. I just go overkill on preventative maintenance so I feel more secure that the car won't breakdown on me. I appreciate a lot of people don't go to the lengths I do and still get very good miles out of them but that just makes me think I can get even more by doing it! I know realistically it probably is genuine false economy but I don't know, got to have a hobby right? I like to do the work myself and with shopping around and being smart with the purchases I can hopefully get some of the bits done on the cheap.
I'm pretty much like you, if it's a known inherent failure or weak point, or a guaranteed failure. I'll address it before it fails or leaves me stranded. I also like to deal with problems quickly before the develop into something more serious that will have a knock-on effect to other components. I also tend to service beyond recommended schedules, especially engine oil. Current car I change the oil every 6 months/5000 miles due to all the local driving I do. Hopefully it will extend the life of the timing chains as well. I've also done the gearbox/transfer case/front diff and rear diff fluids despite not being scheduled - presumably sealed for life (I hate that). The way I see it, fluids and filters are far cheaper than having to repair/replace major components.
youngsyr said:
Very nice, but if it drives well as it is, why bother fixing non existant problems?
It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?
There are two ways of looking at this, one I understand but disagree with, and another that from a position of experience makes a lot more sense.It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?
If you're happy flitting between cars, and buying another if anything goes wrong or is looming, then fine. If we're talking cheap cars most are poorly maintained or being sold for a reason, and problems will be common.
If you buy a fundamentally sound cheap car it is absolutely worth keeping it that way, both because it will be hard to replace and very considerably cheaper than a better/newer car.
It's the same as not spending 500 quid on maintenance for a car that's only worth 2 grand because it's "not worth it" - it is, because buying another 2 grand car will likely buy you the need to spend more on repairs, and a "better" car will be many times more again.
Better the devil you know.
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