A6 Diesels - how reliable?

[clonmult]

I've seen a few A6 Avant Diesels around, and they're looking incredibly tempting.

However one has got me in a quandry. Its an '02 model 1.9 TDi 130, but its got 189k of (allegedly) motorway miles on the clock. If its been serviced, is this an issue?

Also, would there be much of a performance difference between a standard 2.5TDi and a mildly tuned 1.9TDi? Both would give roughly similar power.

[Iainwil]

Can't speak for the versions you've got, but my A6 2.0Tdi is excellent, did over 1000mile trip to germany and never missed a beat!

[clonmult]

Thats the sort of journey we've got in mind - an 1100+ mile round trip to visit family in Scotland, and a relatively economical diesel barge with all the kit perfectly fits the bill.

Doubt I'll find a 2.0 in my price bracket - probably up to around £4k at the moment.

[nicktowe]

I have a 2 year old 3.0 tdi. Its very reliable engine wise and so far has hardly used any oil between services, electronics in the dashboard particularly the phone have been a problem, now fixed with software upgarde

[Iainwil]

clonmult said:

Doubt I'll find a 2.0 in my price bracket - probably up to around £4k at the moment.

I got my 05 plate 2.0Tdi, with all the extras (satnav/phone/leather/etc etc) on here about a year ago, paid 13k, but its the best, most comfy car i've been in for a while! I've seen some good ones on here for 7 to 8k for the new shape, like this - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/907352.htm

[Silverbullet767]

nicktowe said:

I have a 2 year old 3.0 tdi. Its very reliable engine wise and so far has hardly used any oil between services, electronics in the dashboard particularly the phone have been a problem, now fixed with software upgarde

I also have the 3.0tdi, its a fantastic car, and the best Ive ever owned. never had problems with the software though.

How can you tell what version you are running? Does it update itself through the sat-nav disks?

[nicktowe]

Silverbullet767 said:

nicktowe said:

I have a 2 year old 3.0 tdi. Its very reliable engine wise and so far has hardly used any oil between services, electronics in the dashboard particularly the phone have been a problem, now fixed with software upgarde

I also have the 3.0tdi, its a fantastic car, and the best Ive ever owned. never had problems with the software though.

How can you tell what version you are running? Does it update itself through the sat-nav disks?

Mine was updated by the dealer, there is a recall on phone software, but I havent a clue what version I am running although I believe version nymber may be accessible through MMI somewhere.

I agree with your comments about the car, beats my last BMW 5 series in terms of performance, comfort and build quality, handling is not quite as good, the 5 series manages to make itself feel as small as a 3 series when pushing hard on bendy roads. The A6 always feels big!

[matt uk]

clonmult said:

I've seen a few A6 Avant Diesels around, and they're looking incredibly tempting.

However one has got me in a quandry. Its an '02 model 1.9 TDi 130, but its got 189k of (allegedly) motorway miles on the clock. If its been serviced, is this an issue?

Also, would there be much of a performance difference between a standard 2.5TDi and a mildly tuned 1.9TDi? Both would give roughly similar power.

I ran a 130 tdi for 70,000 miles - not problem. If the price reflected the milage and the receipts show it has been well serviced and had it's cambelt changes on time, I'd take a punt on a high miler. It's a very common engine. There's a Passat mini cab round here running that engine with over 270k on it and it still felt like a nice engine.

I found the 2.5 to be a bit smoother but also heavier, not much faster and a lot more thirsty. I couldn't reccommend it really.

[clonmult]

matt uk said:

clonmult said:

I've seen a few A6 Avant Diesels around, and they're looking incredibly tempting.

However one has got me in a quandry. Its an '02 model 1.9 TDi 130, but its got 189k of (allegedly) motorway miles on the clock. If its been serviced, is this an issue?

Also, would there be much of a performance difference between a standard 2.5TDi and a mildly tuned 1.9TDi? Both would give roughly similar power.

I ran a 130 tdi for 70,000 miles - not problem. If the price reflected the milage and the receipts show it has been well serviced and had it's cambelt changes on time, I'd take a punt on a high miler. It's a very common engine. There's a Passat mini cab round here running that engine with over 270k on it and it still felt like a nice engine.

I found the 2.5 to be a bit smoother but also heavier, not much faster and a lot more thirsty. I couldn't reccommend it really.

That echoes what I've read on some other VAG forums - mentions of the engines having seen 3/400k without any issues.

The price is £3.5k - will have to call the seller to check on service history.

[clonmult]

Seller claims its got a service history at main dealers up to 160k, with indies after that. No details as to cambelt changes though.

But after another browse, I've found a slightly better option.

Would you go for :
52 plate, 189k on the clock at £3,500 or ...
51 plate 88k on the clock at £4,300 with a small dink behind one of the wheels ...

I think one with 100 thousand less miles on it will be a better bet.

[jas xjr]

clonmult said:

Seller claims its got a service history at main dealers up to 160k, with indies after that. No details as to cambelt changes though.

But after another browse, I've found a slightly better option.

Would you go for :
52 plate, 189k on the clock at £3,500 or ...
51 plate 88k on the clock at £4,300 with a small dink behind one of the wheels ...

I think one with 100 thousand less miles on it will be a better bet.

if it has history to back up the mileage.sounds like a car that can hide its mileage well

[clonmult]

jas xjr said:

clonmult said:

Seller claims its got a service history at main dealers up to 160k, with indies after that. No details as to cambelt changes though.

But after another browse, I've found a slightly better option.

Would you go for :
52 plate, 189k on the clock at £3,500 or ...
51 plate 88k on the clock at £4,300 with a small dink behind one of the wheels ...

I think one with 100 thousand less miles on it will be a better bet.

if it has history to back up the mileage.sounds like a car that can hide its mileage well

From the pics it looks absolutely perfect - nothing to obviously indicate the mileage.

Will just have to check them over.