Cheap Audi A6 Avant Quattro - would you?

[993kimbo]

My shortlist for a family estate up to £4000 has come down to:

1. Audi A6 Avant Quattro
2. Merc E- Class
3. Citroen C5

The Audi worries me after reading so much on here about broken gearboxes, huge yearly maintenance costs but it is my favourite in terms of design and I fancy the 4wd for if we ever went anywhere snowy.

The Merc worries me because I've had one before and got knobbled with a £1200 bill for an SBC unit and another grand for injectors. Reliable car apart from that.

The Citroen worries me because it's French and on the list simply because of the squidgy Hydro suspension which I thought might be nice for longer trips.

I realise four grand is not much and it's all a bit of Russian roulette, but if past owners scream 'Don't get the XXX, it will cripple you financially and they're crap etc' then then would help me whittle things down a bit.

Real world experiences greatly appreciated. Thanks as always.

[icekay]

I was for a while considering an E39 525/530i estate around that sort of budget, which some claimed to be decently reliable. Some are taken to huge mileages which is normally a good sign.

[Geekman]

My A6 was a disaster. I’ve owned Jags and a Range Rover so I’m no stranger to running those types of cars, but the A6 was a constant stream of ridiculously expensive issues. They were issues that completely disabled the car (immobiliser system, gearbox) which are always a lot more annoying than minor warning lights etc. It was the multitronic version though, which are supposed to be worse than the normal ones.

[nd00000000000000]

Having had a couple of A6 Quattro estates (C4 and C5) I would honestly recommend against running an older one on a budget, unless you're keen on doing spannering yourself. They are big heavy things with a lot of expensive electronics, bits of engine, and suspension to go wrong.

[dmsims]

V70

and you don't need 4WD for snow

[Jumpy Guy]

I've had A4 & A6 avant Quattro in the past.

Swore I would never own another.
I have a lease one now, and wouldn't buy it at 2 years old.

The last one I owned had a looonngggg list of stuff go wrong. In fact, it was so bad, I sold it to buy an Alfa Sportwagon , which was more reliable

I'd go C5

[UKADV]

We’ve run an Audi A6 for 7 years from new. Never again, in this life or the next.

[ZX10R NIN]

The A6 is the one I'd steer clear of out of your list, the Mercedes would be the pick SBC replacement isn't crippling if you happen to suffer it.

E320 Elegance No SBC issues as this is a facelift model

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

E270 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

My next pick would be the Laguna2 in Initiale spec as they represent great VFM as well as being reliable & nicely spec'd

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Dynamique

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Finally it's the Mondeo Titanium X it's the best steer & reliable but getting a nicely spec'd one with sensible mileage for your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Finally the Insignia Elite which is the safe option but make sure you have the oil flushed on the first (& every other service after that) service as the pick up pipe can get blocked.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[993kimbo]

Thank you for these links - I much appreciate the effort.

Audi replies - thanks all for your honesty and I'm glad I posted!

I guess it could be the Merc with the SBC replaced or a 2007 onwards.

Edited by 993kimbo on Thursday 28th May 20:57

[Trailhead]

UKADV said:

We’ve run an Audi A6 for 7 years from new. Never again, in this life or the next.

Why?

[UKADV]

Trailhead said:

UKADV said:

We’ve run an Audi A6 for 7 years from new. Never again, in this life or the next.

Why?

Electrics. Audi couldn't wire a plug.

[TeamBigfoot]

Last year I bought an Audi A6 Avant S-line (c6 model). It was the 2.0tdi auto with full service history, low miles and good options (Audi MMI etc).

Whilst it was a great looking car the ongoing problems made it un bearable. They started as electrical gremlins, finishing with strange noises from the multitronic gearbox. It was slow and not very economical, probably due to its weight and small engine. I wouldn't ever buy one again, and its put me off Audi cars altogether.

[Jag_NE]

I’d go for the Citroen. You would get newer and lower mileage for your money and I think that the non-exclusive trims have a conventional suspension setup. The powertrain is well proven and they are comfortable, spacious and economical with a derv engine.

[xcesx]

I bought an A6 Avant years ago and it was a pain.
As pointed out above the Mondeo Titanium X is a good shout.

[Harji]

On the flip side, I have a A6 2.7 TDI Quattro, currently at 120,000 miles. I've had it for 2 years and I've not had any issue.

[Jag_NE]

Deleted, double post in error. Sorry.

Edited by Jag_NE on Friday 29th May 10:09

[993kimbo]

Many thanks, yes the Citroen looks a great car on paper - I particularly like the Panoramic Roof on some models - similar to my old 993 Targa - but hopefully breaks down less frequently.

I would want the Exclusive version as it features to hydro suspension which I'm told doesn't give problems like Citroens of old and gives a magic carpet ride even over the roughest roads, like the M25.

A lot of car for the money and probably the comfiest seats...in the world. I think I'm sold.