A6 or A4 Avant - opinions...

[PomBstard]

I'm in the position of looking for a large estate car as I'll soon have three children under 20 months. My budget buys a 1999 A6 Avant 2.4 V6, and as this is Australia, it comes only with the 5-sp auto. There's a gap in the models here, which means the next lot of A6 Avants is around 2005.

I can, however, get a A4 Avant, but I'm not sure the boot is big enough for the paraphernalia I'll be lugging. But this could be a 2001-03'ish 1.8T Quattro or a V6 version of some sort.

I'll get some test driving done, but I'm after opinions as to running one of these, what to look for and whether they're up to the job.

Before anyone suggests, yes I am also looking at Volvos...

Ta

[phumy]

And tying a knot in it

[plg101]

3 kids under 20 mnths - will you need to put 3 car seats in the back?

If so, you might want to try a couple first as it's a bit of a squeeze even in the A6!

[Granto]

I've got a 1999 A6 Avant I use as my daily commuter and it never fails to impress for the money I paid. It's very comfortable and you can get huge amounts of stuff in it. Parts (in the UK) are really cheap and high mileages in my opinion are easier to acheive than similar Volvos.
I have been thinking about getting something a bit newer and looked at the A4 avant but it seems tiny now I'm used to the A6. I'll probably not change now for a while until the new shape 2005 A6 avants get a lot cheaper.
I bought mine at a good price due to knocking coming from the front suspension. I replaced the 5 links either side for a few hundred pounds and it drives like a new car.
Go for it.

[phlap]

Theres a lot more legroom in the A6 than the A4. It depends whether you like being kicked in the back continually by a sprog in a child seat. That extra legroom makes a difference. The boot is huge too.

[mas99]

I agree about the rear legroom.

We replaced an A4 Avant with a V70 for this reason. The space for the kids legs in the A4 was non-existent.

I would say Audi quality is better than Volvo, we've had lots of silly issues with the V70 that I would not expect on a quality car. Volvo parts seem very expensive (in the UK) as well.

You might also think about a Passat or E Class?

[PomBstard]

Yep, Passat is a good call. Over here, if I want a Passat estate, I can get a 2.8 V6 or a, er, 2.8 V6 with 4WD. I can also get an Allroad 2.5TDI, so that's on the cards too. Time for some test driving.

Cheers

[LeoSayer]

With three sprogs, you may need something bigger than an estate car. Child seats take up a lot of room.

[Jack Blag]

I've had both and even with only 2 kids I'd say the A4 is too small. The legroom and load area in the A6 is great. With the back seats folded, you can carry 3 single mattreses in the back without any problem (although rear visibility may be restricted!!!)

[istoo]

i have both, the A6 is bigger and as summed up a better family car purely down to rear leg room ,plus the other missed point its wider. which means it will get three seats in the back, we house a 6month, 6 and 9 year old at present and it carries us all well. The A4 is notably smaller, esp if your tall/ long legged as a driver the position is more encases. the drive tunnel obstructed my leg. then border line for the oldest boy to get leg room.

mine are both older, an 02 A6 avant 1/8T and a 03 A4 2.5 tdi quattro sport.

if its a family wagon an A6 tdi avant will be hard to beat. reliable, roomy, comfortable, economic. ticks all the boxes. only note get parking sensors as the missus finds the A6 hard to park in tight car parks as it is a big girl.

any other specific questions i can answer?

[brisel]

Quite apart from rear seat legroom, the boot of an A4 Avant isn't much bigger than an A3/Golf/Ibiza hatchback.

Go with the A6, Allroad or Passat V6 IMHO

Having quattro/4Motion costs a fair bit of rear boot depth too.