Audi A7 (2018 on) - any good?
Discussion
As per title - I would be interested to hear of any experiences with these. I was going to post this in the VAG forum, but it's a bit quiet in there. Mods - please feel free to move.
This would be the 2018 onwards version.
I am thinking about a 3.0 TDI. I would be looking to spend about £30k - £35k and would buy from a friendly and trustworthy Audi main dealer, if that isn't an oxymoron
Depending on the age of the car I might then look for a good specialist to maintain it.
Are there any known weak points? How big is the bork factor? I don't mind paying for a good example, and I don't mind paying for regular maintenance, but I don't want to suddenly get hit with a massive bill just to keep it going.
My thinking was that this model has been out for some time, the underpinnings are (I think) mostly shared with the A6, and the 3.0 TDI is quite well established, so hopefully any teething issues would have been ironed out by now. But I have heard horror stories, especially about alternators and MHEV stuff. And I have heard many stories about the dealer network. I know that these days one can read horror stories about almost anything. It would be good to have some context.
I do have a concern about the frameless doors in winter weather. Is it a problem? I have heard stories of the side glass shattering when you try to open the doors in icy weather (the glass tries to move down but can't) but again it's all just anecdotes which may or may not be real, or may relate to conditions that don't occur in the UK.
Am I better off with a petrol version? There don't seem to be many about. Am I better off with something else entirely?
Any thoughts from the group would be greatly appreciated.
This would be the 2018 onwards version.
I am thinking about a 3.0 TDI. I would be looking to spend about £30k - £35k and would buy from a friendly and trustworthy Audi main dealer, if that isn't an oxymoron
Depending on the age of the car I might then look for a good specialist to maintain it.Are there any known weak points? How big is the bork factor? I don't mind paying for a good example, and I don't mind paying for regular maintenance, but I don't want to suddenly get hit with a massive bill just to keep it going.
My thinking was that this model has been out for some time, the underpinnings are (I think) mostly shared with the A6, and the 3.0 TDI is quite well established, so hopefully any teething issues would have been ironed out by now. But I have heard horror stories, especially about alternators and MHEV stuff. And I have heard many stories about the dealer network. I know that these days one can read horror stories about almost anything. It would be good to have some context.
I do have a concern about the frameless doors in winter weather. Is it a problem? I have heard stories of the side glass shattering when you try to open the doors in icy weather (the glass tries to move down but can't) but again it's all just anecdotes which may or may not be real, or may relate to conditions that don't occur in the UK.
Am I better off with a petrol version? There don't seem to be many about. Am I better off with something else entirely?
Any thoughts from the group would be greatly appreciated.
AmitG said:
I do have a concern about the frameless doors in winter weather. Is it a problem? I have heard stories of the side glass shattering when you try to open the doors in icy weather (the glass tries to move down but can't) but again it's all just anecdotes which may or may not be real, or may relate to conditions that don't occur in the UK.
I've had 2 A7's in the past and, admittedly neither were the current model, but both had frameless doors. I've also had 2 840 BMW Grand Coups and 2 Boxsters, all had frameless doors. My wife has a Z4 with frameless doors too. We've never had any issues with glass shattering, but if it's very icy the windows don't fall sufficiently to open the door. Nothing a bit of de-icer won't solve though. It's just not an issue.I loved the A7's. I wouldn't get the lowest powered versions, cos I think they'd be a little underpowered. Both mine were quatro versions too - excellent in winter, even without winter tyres.
chip* said:
Frozen door seal/window? Get some Gummi Pflege.
I treat all the car seals every Autumn with this stuff.
100% this, wife has a 2010 E93 with frameless windows, use Gummi twice a year on the roof and door seals, never had a problem, like another poster had said in the deep freezes they do stick up but my wife being a non car type has slammed the door shut with it not dropped and nothing happened to the window.I treat all the car seals every Autumn with this stuff.
I had a 69 A7 50 TDI black edition, really lovely looking car, 3.0 tdi with 286 BHP.
The only thing I always struggled with were the driving aids which I had to manually turn off each time after starting the car as the lane keep and autonomous braking was very keen sometimes jumping on the brakes on me going through a gap with loads of room nearly causing the car behind to go into the back of me!
Only other thing is real world daily MPG was about 35, on a long 3 hour run I saw 50 MPG but that was mostly at 60 MPH. The petrol 55 tfsi will do about 27 MPG daily so the difference isnt massive however that has a MUCH better gearbox. The diesel gearbox we found very slow to react from a standing start or on kickdown and along with the driving aids was one of the main reasons I got rid of the car.
the ride is decent overall but not on par with competitors, I went into an E class coupe and found that handled a bit better and was quite a bit smoother over the bumps.
One other thing just for info, Audi will say the diesel gearbox never needs its oil changing and is sealed for life but thats not true, it does need changing cant remember if every 60 or 80k but I cant remember the exact intervals.
Any questions let me know!
Cheers,
Dan
The only thing I always struggled with were the driving aids which I had to manually turn off each time after starting the car as the lane keep and autonomous braking was very keen sometimes jumping on the brakes on me going through a gap with loads of room nearly causing the car behind to go into the back of me!
Only other thing is real world daily MPG was about 35, on a long 3 hour run I saw 50 MPG but that was mostly at 60 MPH. The petrol 55 tfsi will do about 27 MPG daily so the difference isnt massive however that has a MUCH better gearbox. The diesel gearbox we found very slow to react from a standing start or on kickdown and along with the driving aids was one of the main reasons I got rid of the car.
the ride is decent overall but not on par with competitors, I went into an E class coupe and found that handled a bit better and was quite a bit smoother over the bumps.
One other thing just for info, Audi will say the diesel gearbox never needs its oil changing and is sealed for life but thats not true, it does need changing cant remember if every 60 or 80k but I cant remember the exact intervals.
Any questions let me know!
Cheers,
Dan
If you don't need a hatch what about the 8 series?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403257...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403257...
Thanks a lot everyone for the comments!
I have considered the 8-series as well. I don't need a hatchback necessarily. However, to my mind the 8-series lacks the elegance of the A7. The 8-series design is less cohesive.
I found out that the very cheapest A7 TDI are not the 3.0 V6 but rather the 2.0 I4. That is a bullet dodged I would definitely want the 3.0 V6. I think that we are entering the final days of the V6 diesel engine, and indeed of diesel cars generally.
One other question - does the satnav give you speed camera and traffic warnings? And is it updatable, either OTA or via USB stick or similar? I have not been able to find a reliable answer online.
I have considered the 8-series as well. I don't need a hatchback necessarily. However, to my mind the 8-series lacks the elegance of the A7. The 8-series design is less cohesive.
I found out that the very cheapest A7 TDI are not the 3.0 V6 but rather the 2.0 I4. That is a bullet dodged
I would definitely want the 3.0 V6. I think that we are entering the final days of the V6 diesel engine, and indeed of diesel cars generally.One other question - does the satnav give you speed camera and traffic warnings? And is it updatable, either OTA or via USB stick or similar? I have not been able to find a reliable answer online.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Have you considered the 18 Year plus Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro. It still looks modern and a great drive (I test drove a few when they first came out).
It is a possibility. I prefer the fastback shape of the A7. It really looks nice. But you are right, maybe I should look at the A6.Does the 2018-on A6 have folding rear seats? I know that the A7 does.
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