Audi A6 2.5 Tdi - what do we think?
Discussion
I'm looking for a new diesel barge to replace my doggy old passat tdi. Needs to be diesel as I'm currently doing about 30k/year. But needs to look smartish or at least discrete. Also needs to be reliable and capable of lugging baby/dog/family paraphernalia, and if possible a little bit of fun when I need it to be. Budget is maybe £3k.
The Audi seems to fit the bill. Alternatives would be a BMW tourer of some sort, an MG ZT-T or perhaps a Mondeo or Saab 9-5, or an alfa 156 estate. However I will never own another BMW (which discounts the ZT as well - as it runs the BMW M47 engine), I'm not fond of Mondeos - we have one at work and I just don't really get on with it. The Saab and Alfa share an engine which allegedly has woes.
Thoughts on the Audi? And anything else I should be considering?
The Audi seems to fit the bill. Alternatives would be a BMW tourer of some sort, an MG ZT-T or perhaps a Mondeo or Saab 9-5, or an alfa 156 estate. However I will never own another BMW (which discounts the ZT as well - as it runs the BMW M47 engine), I'm not fond of Mondeos - we have one at work and I just don't really get on with it. The Saab and Alfa share an engine which allegedly has woes.
Thoughts on the Audi? And anything else I should be considering?
Ran one a 2.5 tdi quaatro A6 for about a year. Cambelt is a mare of a job and big bill. Poor fuel economy for a diesel would get 350-380 miles off a 60 litre tank with mostly m-way work, probably due to lack of 6 speed gearbox. Tractorish engine with loads of turbo lag, with a long body made it difficult to pull out of junctions\rounabouts quickly during busy times. Ride quality not great for an executive car, would crash over mway expansion joints and potholes, but grip levels very high. Would much rather buy a high output 4pot diesel. It had 180bhp in big body. The mrs currently has a mk5 golf with 170bhp in a hatchback, much more effortless drive.
Interesting, I fancied a change from the 'dag dag dag' 4 pots. If it's not worth the effort, I might reconsider. Although the idea of a V6 diesel appeals.
Another question, how reliable is the quattro drive system in these? Presumably it's haldex?
Good point about a Volvo estate. I've found them a bit understeery - then again the passat/Audi are hardly B road weapons. And the Volvo suits the 'old money' look I'm aiming for!
Another question, how reliable is the quattro drive system in these? Presumably it's haldex?
Good point about a Volvo estate. I've found them a bit understeery - then again the passat/Audi are hardly B road weapons. And the Volvo suits the 'old money' look I'm aiming for!
Unfortunately you've already ruled out the manufacturer that has the best 6 pot diesel engine and fun factor available (BMW) so it's all compromise from there IMHO.
I found the A6 Avant I drove very practical and nicely built but quite an inert driving experience and with poor ride quality.
I would suggest avoiding Quattro on your budget as all it is adding is complexity and weight AFAIAC.
For comfort/practicality/image I would suggest a Volvo/Saab estate as a decent compromise as suggested above.
I found the A6 Avant I drove very practical and nicely built but quite an inert driving experience and with poor ride quality.
I would suggest avoiding Quattro on your budget as all it is adding is complexity and weight AFAIAC.
For comfort/practicality/image I would suggest a Volvo/Saab estate as a decent compromise as suggested above.
I quite simply won't have a BMW or anything designed, engineered, consulted on or in any way associated with the marque. More overpriced, under engineered, brand led tosh does not exist. I hate the vehicles, I hate the dealers and I hate the company. I have given them too much of my money in the past when buying new or nearly new. I won't do so ever again.
On that I will not compromise.
Point taken about the quattro - I do quite like the idea of the sure-footedness in poor weather though.
Any Merc estates in budget or are they all old rot boxes? I had a lovely C class co car years ago - I passed it on to my parents at 100k miles, they added another 100k, so it was at 200k in 6 years. 7 years on it's stil taxed - that's a pretty good sign of good build quality if I ever saw it.
On that I will not compromise.
Point taken about the quattro - I do quite like the idea of the sure-footedness in poor weather though.
Any Merc estates in budget or are they all old rot boxes? I had a lovely C class co car years ago - I passed it on to my parents at 100k miles, they added another 100k, so it was at 200k in 6 years. 7 years on it's stil taxed - that's a pretty good sign of good build quality if I ever saw it.
They did a 180PS version, often found in the allroad but you could get it in the regular car too. These are quite rare I think though.
I'd agree with the consensus though - the V6s are much less reliable and economical than the four cylinder diesels. We have one of the early 110hp ones, and tbh it is fast enough, and very economical.
I'd agree with the consensus though - the V6s are much less reliable and economical than the four cylinder diesels. We have one of the early 110hp ones, and tbh it is fast enough, and very economical.
6fire said:
I quite simply won't have a BMW or anything designed, engineered, consulted on or in any way associated with the marque. More overpriced, under engineered, brand led tosh does not exist. I hate the vehicles, I hate the dealers and I hate the company. I have given them too much of my money in the past when buying new or nearly new. I won't do so ever again.
On that I will not compromise.
On that I will not compromise.
Whatever.
6fire said:
I quite simply won't have a BMW or anything designed, engineered, consulted on or in any way associated with the marque. More overpriced, under engineered, brand led tosh does not exist. I hate the vehicles, I hate the dealers and I hate the company. I have given them too much of my money in the past when buying new or nearly new. I won't do so ever again.
On that I will not compromise.
Point taken about the quattro - I do quite like the idea of the sure-footedness in poor weather though.
Any Merc estates in budget or are they all old rot boxes? I had a lovely C class co car years ago - I passed it on to my parents at 100k miles, they added another 100k, so it was at 200k in 6 years. 7 years on it's stil taxed - that's a pretty good sign of good build quality if I ever saw it.
Very harsh words sir! - BMW are extremely fine cars if you are selective in your choice..On that I will not compromise.
Point taken about the quattro - I do quite like the idea of the sure-footedness in poor weather though.
Any Merc estates in budget or are they all old rot boxes? I had a lovely C class co car years ago - I passed it on to my parents at 100k miles, they added another 100k, so it was at 200k in 6 years. 7 years on it's stil taxed - that's a pretty good sign of good build quality if I ever saw it.
Pistols or rapiers at dawn
6fire said:
I quite simply won't have a BMW or anything designed, engineered, consulted on or in any way associated with the marque. More overpriced, under engineered, brand led tosh does not exist. I hate the vehicles, I hate the dealers and I hate the company. I have given them too much of my money in the past when buying new or nearly new. I won't do so ever again.
I am absolutely amazed you think Audi is anything other than more of the same. This sounds like a reason to buy a Honda, not an old Audi. If anything Audi is even more brand led, what with most of the range using fundamentally the same components as other vehicles with lesser badges on the front?I had one for a few years and loved it. Bought it to replace my 530D which was too cumbersome on tighter roads. The audi just felt a lot more nimble. Couldn't tell you what I got to the gallon as I never bothered checking. Bought it with 180000 on the clock and sold it with 280000ish on it. Only thing that went wrong in that time was a broken alternator belt, which was quite surprising as I certainly never serviced it bar fitting a set of brake pads.
6fire said:
I quite simply won't have a BMW or anything designed, engineered, consulted on or in any way associated with the marque. More overpriced, under engineered, brand led tosh does not exist. I hate the vehicles, I hate the dealers and I hate the company. I have given them too much of my money in the past when buying new or nearly new. I won't do so ever again.
On that I will not compromise.
You say that, then consider a VW with a posh badge on it? The brain doctor is that way ---------->On that I will not compromise.
I spent 3.5K on a 330d and have put 10K miles on it with no worries except tyres. It as close to every car that I will ever need that anything that runs on paraffin will ever be. This was to replace a £1500 328i I put 32K on in 2 years without complaint. That was bought after around 15 BM's in our family over 20 years without serious complaint.
I suspect, as the French would say, tu parle du merde.
Get a 330d. For the price they are unbeatable.
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