A6 C7 v C6 driving dynamics
Discussion
I'm considering changing our C6 A6 3.0 TFSI for a C7 A6 3.0T or 3.0 biturbo.
The C6 Avant has been a frustrating car to own, on paper it seems a perfect fit for our lifestyle with the space/practicality, reliability and relative understated appearance.
However as a car for driving I really dislike it. The ride is neither sporty or comfortable, the body control is non existent, the throttle response is dire, the brakes have a huge dead spot and are very much on/off.
Past few days I've been considering going the Bilstein B12, anti roll bar and remap route which should provide some improvement in the dynamic department. However I'm now thinking whether I should just think about moving it on for a newer car.
What's the C7 like on a drivers front? I'm not expecting supercar levels of handling but even compared to a 5 series this is disappointing.
I would be buying a high spec C7 with adaptive air suspension and possibly quattro sports diff if that makes a discernible difference.
The car is used mostly for short journeys (2 x 5 mile journeys daily) by the lady so I'm thinking a petrol model would be a better choice over the bi turbo.
Advice appreciated.
The C6 Avant has been a frustrating car to own, on paper it seems a perfect fit for our lifestyle with the space/practicality, reliability and relative understated appearance.
However as a car for driving I really dislike it. The ride is neither sporty or comfortable, the body control is non existent, the throttle response is dire, the brakes have a huge dead spot and are very much on/off.
Past few days I've been considering going the Bilstein B12, anti roll bar and remap route which should provide some improvement in the dynamic department. However I'm now thinking whether I should just think about moving it on for a newer car.
What's the C7 like on a drivers front? I'm not expecting supercar levels of handling but even compared to a 5 series this is disappointing.
I would be buying a high spec C7 with adaptive air suspension and possibly quattro sports diff if that makes a discernible difference.
The car is used mostly for short journeys (2 x 5 mile journeys daily) by the lady so I'm thinking a petrol model would be a better choice over the bi turbo.
Advice appreciated.
Edited by Babw on Wednesday 21st October 10:59
My 3.0 BiTDI is an SE on 19" wheels (think all 3.0 TFSI and BiTDI have the "dynamic suspension") but no S Line or sport suspension.
It is a sublime ride, and body control is not bad either. Not a sports car, but very able nevertheless, with very strong brakes (S6 sized discs and calipers).
It is a sublime ride, and body control is not bad either. Not a sports car, but very able nevertheless, with very strong brakes (S6 sized discs and calipers).
rassi said:
My 3.0 BiTDI is an SE on 19" wheels (think all 3.0 TFSI and BiTDI have the "dynamic suspension") but no S Line or sport suspension.
It is a sublime ride, and body control is not bad either. Not a sports car, but very able nevertheless, with very strong brakes (S6 sized discs and calipers).
That's good to hear, to be honest I would prefer a more comforting ride than the S-line rock hard and wibbly wobblyness I have at the moment.It is a sublime ride, and body control is not bad either. Not a sports car, but very able nevertheless, with very strong brakes (S6 sized discs and calipers).
I think I'll go and test out a C7 on Saturday and go from there.
Babw said:
Is it worth £20K more than a 50K mile C6 A6 though?
Also the particle filter is a worry considering we may go for months only doing very short journeys in it.
Only you can decide that - if the only aspect of your C6 that you find deficient is the suspension, then maybe go ahead with the proposed modifications you listed in your first post. If it is generally itchy feet, then swap it. Also the particle filter is a worry considering we may go for months only doing very short journeys in it.
Babw said:
Is it worth £20K more than a 50K mile C6 A6 though?
Also the particle filter is a worry considering we may go for months only doing very short journeys in it.
I think yes to the first part of the question, but not when you factor in the second part. I virtually live in mine at the moment so it's worth every penny.Also the particle filter is a worry considering we may go for months only doing very short journeys in it.
I've just gone from a C6 2.7 TDi S Line to a BiTDi (320PS).
First the handling: The C6 was a harsher ride but the body control was poor. The C7 feel more compliant but feels like it is half the weight. Both have the S Line sports suspension (the BiTDi has dynamic suspension and I leave it in Dynamic mode on most journeys). The C6 was on 19s and the BiTDi is on 20s. The BiTDI is miles ahead on comfort and handling.
Power: Daft question. The BiTDI is staggeringly quick. It's at least as quick as my 996 was and over takes are a couple of seconds, rather than an exercise requiring military level planning. The 70mph to 100mph speed is plain bonkers.
Build: The C7 is COTY in the Exec class. The moment you shut the door, you feel why. It all feels very well made and very high quality materials. The C6 was good, but never quite a good as the XF. The C7 is some margin better than the XF.
Technology: This is where things have really changed. The Techno pack, Matrix headlights even HUD... these things didn't exist even a few years ago.
Economy: I've only done 600 miles, most of them brisk and almost no motorways. Already the BiTDi is showing high 30s mpg. The 2.7 only ever averaged low 30s in mixed use. I'm expecting a looser BiTDI to be at least 25% more efficient and even more if restraint is shown.
Is it worth the extra? Every single penny.
I am only doing short journeys at the moment, but the car is so good you won't need much excuse to take it on a longer drive once a week/fortnight.
Did I mention the sound?
First the handling: The C6 was a harsher ride but the body control was poor. The C7 feel more compliant but feels like it is half the weight. Both have the S Line sports suspension (the BiTDi has dynamic suspension and I leave it in Dynamic mode on most journeys). The C6 was on 19s and the BiTDi is on 20s. The BiTDI is miles ahead on comfort and handling.
Power: Daft question. The BiTDI is staggeringly quick. It's at least as quick as my 996 was and over takes are a couple of seconds, rather than an exercise requiring military level planning. The 70mph to 100mph speed is plain bonkers.
Build: The C7 is COTY in the Exec class. The moment you shut the door, you feel why. It all feels very well made and very high quality materials. The C6 was good, but never quite a good as the XF. The C7 is some margin better than the XF.
Technology: This is where things have really changed. The Techno pack, Matrix headlights even HUD... these things didn't exist even a few years ago.
Economy: I've only done 600 miles, most of them brisk and almost no motorways. Already the BiTDi is showing high 30s mpg. The 2.7 only ever averaged low 30s in mixed use. I'm expecting a looser BiTDI to be at least 25% more efficient and even more if restraint is shown.
Is it worth the extra? Every single penny.
I am only doing short journeys at the moment, but the car is so good you won't need much excuse to take it on a longer drive once a week/fortnight.
Did I mention the sound?
Thanks for the feedback Raven.
I'm sure the BiTdi is a fantastic car but the spec I want is nearing 40K. A little more and it brings newer Cayennes and L405/L494 RR/S into play.
I also don't need huge amounts of performance as I have a couple of fast fun cars. I had regular use of a RRS autobiography and it really showed how much things have moved on since the C6. Handling, comfort, toys and economy were all in another league, the C7 is probably getting towards these levels but spending 40K (again) on an Audi estate doesn't seem very sensible.
I'm sure the BiTdi is a fantastic car but the spec I want is nearing 40K. A little more and it brings newer Cayennes and L405/L494 RR/S into play.
I also don't need huge amounts of performance as I have a couple of fast fun cars. I had regular use of a RRS autobiography and it really showed how much things have moved on since the C6. Handling, comfort, toys and economy were all in another league, the C7 is probably getting towards these levels but spending 40K (again) on an Audi estate doesn't seem very sensible.
Edited by Babw on Friday 23 October 20:16
Edited by Babw on Friday 23 October 20:17
woollyjoe said:
I don't think you should get a diesel at all given how low miles you do, and the short journeys will not be healthy for the engine or DPF for that matter.
If you are buying new, you will have to get diesel as petrols lose so much value. If you are looking second hand, the 3.0 petrol A6 is likely to be found very cheap (if you find one, since they stopped making them when BiTDI came out).
Handling is very good - comfort is great in standard mode - no need for air suspension etc.
I've decided to stick with the C6 for now and had the B12, H&R anti roll bars etc delivered yesterday MRC remap when I get time to get down to them. We could really do with something with more ground clearance so I'm going to see if any decent SUV with a good hybrid or EV is released and going to jump on that. If you are buying new, you will have to get diesel as petrols lose so much value. If you are looking second hand, the 3.0 petrol A6 is likely to be found very cheap (if you find one, since they stopped making them when BiTDI came out).
Handling is very good - comfort is great in standard mode - no need for air suspension etc.
Look out - thread resurrection!
Babw said:
I've decided to stick with the C6 for now and had the B12, H&R anti roll bars etc delivered yesterday MRC remap when I get time to get down to them. We could really do with something with more ground clearance so I'm going to see if any decent SUV with a good hybrid or EV is released and going to jump on that.
I see you still have the A6. Did the modifications make a notable difference and how did the remap go? Vroom101 said:
I see you still have the A6. Did the modifications make a notable difference and how did the remap go?
The anti roll bars and Bilstein B12 kit has made the car much more pleasant to drive. As my girlfriends says "it's doesn't feel like a boat anymore". It's actually very stable and body control is transformed. Combined with a specialist alignment it does feel like a different car to drive and now I feel like it needs more power.I haven't had a chance to get the remap done yet, it's still on the cards but so is a new car. If I can get down to MRC without too much inconvenience soon I'll get the remap done, I'm intrigued as to what kind of improvement it can offer.
As mentioned before the right hybrid may have been released; XC90 T8 so need to get a test drive in one soon. If that doesn't appeal then it's either keep this one or jump into a C7 S6/RS6.
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