2015 Kia to 2005 Audi A6, silly idea?

[V6Nelo]

A friend has a 2005 Audi A6 2.4 v6 that is surplus and asked if I want to buy it.

I’ve had a Kia Optima for a year now, it’s really nice but a diesel 1.7 so don’t get much pleasure from using the engine but the comfort and toys are 11/10. More than I use.

For some reason I’m tempted to buy the A6, sell the Kia and bank the £6k ish until the next car buying itch comes.

I’m I just being silly going for something that is 10 years older, less efficient and still a bit of a barge.

Edited by V6Nelo on Friday 1st July 07:00

[ninjag]

2005 is pretty old, especially for a non niche car and I reckon you'll feel it. If it were an S6 then maybe, just for the theatre of a V10 but the potential bills...

Also gonna have the threat of rust at that age.

[V6Nelo]

Appreciate your sensible answer, think I got a bit excited about the "new" car fun that comes with research and something different.

Don't usually like buying used cars as also wonder why it's for sale and what will go wrong but with the Audi he has been sharing the issue list.

[Pablo16v]

What gearbox does it have? If it has a Multitronic auto ‘box then I would be very wary as they suffer from a common ECU failure.

https://www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/audi/audi...

The fix itself isn’t that expensive but you have to drop the ‘box to get to the ECU so there’s additional servicing costs to take into account. Had mine done by the company I linked.

Apart from that I think an A6 of this age is generally reliable. I ran a 2005 3.2 V6 from 2015-19 and had very few issues with it barring the gearbox. Fuel economy was as you’d expect from a V6 in a big heavy car and I doubt the 2.4 will be that much better.

[RoVoFob]

ninjag said:

2005 is pretty old, especially for a non niche car and I reckon you'll feel it. If it were an S6 then maybe, just for the theatre of a V10 but the potential bills...

Also gonna have the threat of rust at that age.

I had a 2006 A6 until a few months back. It had no rust above or below (and I say that after seeing the whole underside, when it was up on the ramps when being serviced), unlike my current 2009 Passat.

It was incredibly solid, in decent mechanical condition overall and were it not a particularly thirsty 4.2 V8, I may have kept it longer. Think the 2.4 V6 engine is quite reliable and Audi’s Tiptronic gearbox of that era similarly sturdy. Multitronics are a different matter, though, as mentioned above.

If you don’t do too many miles, like the spec, how it drives and it’s been looked after well, I would go for it…

[ilikejam]

Assuming the Audi is well looked after and as long as you don't spaff the £6k away then what have you got to lose?

If you don't like the Audi just sell it on and buy another 2015 Optima

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say the 2.4 is a bit gutless in the A6 & drinks fuel at a rate that would make you think you had the V8.

Driving dynamics wise it won't be better than your Optima BUT if you want to bank the money towards something more interesting then I'd say go for it.

[V6Nelo]

Thanks for the input everyone.
Most people I know always think newer is better so nice to hear the view from pistonheads

Had a long drive in the Optima today (most drives are) and did enjoy it and the thumping stereo but if the petrol A6 drives well then as said not much to lose.

It’s a manual with 70k on the clock.

If all goes well I’ll post up a photo, probably in the Shed section

Showed a photo to the little lady at first “Audi, ooooh” then “it’s old” 🤣

[georgeyboy12345]

Sounds like a terrible idea tbh. The Audi will be old, thirsty, not be as nice a place to be as the Optima, probably not much quicker in the real world and more than likely much less reliable. I'm sure you'll regret it.

[Stevemr]

And when it does go wrong , it will cost!

[ninjag]

And the £6k you bank could lose value over the short to mid term thanks to "inflation", unless you invest it well.

[Back2theFuji]

Interested to see what you end up doing! Personally I'd play it safe and keep the Optima.

[georgeyboy12345]

Optimas are great cars and recommend them regularly on here. I have never recommended a 2005 Audi A6 2.4!

[V6Nelo]

Thinking about the replies above and having a chat with my friend has resulted in me knocking this idea on the head.

One of the reasons I got the Kia was my second car is a thirsty v6 Alfa that at 24 years old is starting to want for attention.

Like jumping in the Optima where everything works and great for the long trips (only kind of trips it does really).

Currently the Alfa has a problem with the climate control so get no heat or ventilation. Turns out the faulty MMI unit in the A6 isn’t just affecting the ability to listen to music but also operate the heating/air, which I didn’t realise.

I’m struggling to find time to fix bits on the Alfa so don’t think an Audi with similar problems is smart. The Alfa is a Gtv so feels a bit special which I don’t feel the A6 will.

I also like the running costs of the Optima and as said in replies the fuel costs and possible fixes on a 17 year old car are candidates for regret.

I had an Alfa Giulietta which I sold and since noticed their value doubled now so yes £6k in the bank might not leave the door open and I’d end up with something worse.

Whilst this means no new purchase I really appreciate the advice even if a trivial topic.

Candidate Audi and Optima I’m keeping below

[finlo]

It's also more than one shade of silver.

[vaud]

The A6 of that era was very well made in my view - I ran an A6 3.0tdi quattro for >80k miles.

That engine though is a bit weak for the car; the 3.0tdi is the one to get if you want one from that era (or the 4.2 petrol but they are rare and thirsty). Avoid 2.7tdi as it's multitronic.

3.0tdi comes in quattro and (later models) FWD.

[Superflow]

Silly idea.

It’s a 17 year old audi keep the Kia.