Audi A6 Avant Replacement?
Discussion
Ok, so our current A6 Avant is nearly 9 years old, with a modest 80,000 miles on the clock and we’ve owned it since new. Great car and perfect for our needs (eg we can get 2 bikes inside easily with seats down). Typical use is motorway trips to visit family and for holidays, one long European trip a year and local journeys.
So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
Edited by targa_man on Sunday 28th April 15:12
Keep it and maintain it, nothing saying it won't be reliable.
Had same dilemma with my 2012 E91 3 series Touring 318d few years back, in the end we kept it/over serviced it and it's fine, also has a few European trips under its belt, just past 160k.
Better the devil you know and all that, 80k is absolutely nothing on these Audi TDI's, come back when it's on 200k then rethink it
Had same dilemma with my 2012 E91 3 series Touring 318d few years back, in the end we kept it/over serviced it and it's fine, also has a few European trips under its belt, just past 160k.
Better the devil you know and all that, 80k is absolutely nothing on these Audi TDI's, come back when it's on 200k then rethink it
7 5 7 said:
Keep it and maintain it, nothing saying it won't be reliable.
Had same dilemma with my 2012 E91 3 series Touring 318d few years back, in the end we kept it/over serviced it and it's fine, also has a few European trips under its belt, just past 160k.
Better the devil you know and all that, 80k is absolutely nothing on these Audi TDI's, come back when it's on 200k then rethink it
This.Had same dilemma with my 2012 E91 3 series Touring 318d few years back, in the end we kept it/over serviced it and it's fine, also has a few European trips under its belt, just past 160k.
Better the devil you know and all that, 80k is absolutely nothing on these Audi TDI's, come back when it's on 200k then rethink it
I currently have a 14 year old 2.0tdi A6 Avant with more than double your mileage and it is still super reliable and will happily drive the length of the country if need be (sailed through its MOT last month as well), so as long as you keep on top of normal service and maintenance stuff it should remain reliable for years to come.
Unless you hanker after a substantially different driving experience or really want better in-car tech then I'd advise you keep it for now. In my experience cars usually you give hints in advance that things are starting to get less reliable-a bit of rust, some electrical gremlins, the odd warning light. Nothing major but can be a sign that it is time to change in advance of a big bill arriving.
This can happen at different ages/mileages-my Cayenne hit 8 years and started having electrical issues and EML lighting up etc so knew it was time to move it on. In contrast my Maserati 4200 was18 years before odd things started to crop up with sufficient frequency that meant it needed selling.
This can happen at different ages/mileages-my Cayenne hit 8 years and started having electrical issues and EML lighting up etc so knew it was time to move it on. In contrast my Maserati 4200 was18 years before odd things started to crop up with sufficient frequency that meant it needed selling.
Unless you hanker after a substantially different driving experience or really want better in-car tech then I'd advise you keep it for now. In my experience cars usually you give hints in advance that things are starting to get less reliable-a bit of rust, some electrical gremlins, the odd warning light. Nothing major but can be a sign that it is time to change in advance of a big bill arriving.
This can happen at different ages/mileages-my Cayenne hit 8 years and started having electrical issues and EML lighting up etc so knew it was time to move it on. In contrast my Maserati 4200 was18 years before odd things started to crop up with sufficient frequency that meant it needed selling.
This can happen at different ages/mileages-my Cayenne hit 8 years and started having electrical issues and EML lighting up etc so knew it was time to move it on. In contrast my Maserati 4200 was18 years before odd things started to crop up with sufficient frequency that meant it needed selling.
At 80k a diesel like that is just getting into its stride, the best from the lump is yet to come. We have a diesel with 185k on it and it felt the best once it hit 100k plus - sadly consigned to dog walk and train station duties now but it can still do a 600 mile round trip if needed without bother.
Went from an a6 allroad to a cayenne.
Next car will be a petrol top engine allroad, s6 or rs6 depending on whats available. For me the a6 allroad was the best allrounder ever, I love the extra poke on the tuned cayenne, but the a6 estate is the perfect size of car.
Ulez f
ked it for our old allroad.
Next car will be a petrol top engine allroad, s6 or rs6 depending on whats available. For me the a6 allroad was the best allrounder ever, I love the extra poke on the tuned cayenne, but the a6 estate is the perfect size of car.
Ulez f
ked it for our old allroad.Is ulez going to be a factor?
That st is cropping up all over the place.
If yours is compliant I would remap and do a carplay/android auto MMI upgrade kit, and get it detailed, for a few hundred quid it will feel like a new car, and I bet it has years of reliable service left in it if its looked after.
That s
t is cropping up all over the place.If yours is compliant I would remap and do a carplay/android auto MMI upgrade kit, and get it detailed, for a few hundred quid it will feel like a new car, and I bet it has years of reliable service left in it if its looked after.
targa_man said:
Ok, so our current A6 Avant is nearly 9 years old, with a modest 80,000 miles on the clock and we’ve owned it since new. Great car and perfect for our needs (eg we can get 2 bikes inside easily with seats down). Typical use is motorway trips to visit family and for holidays, one long European trip a year and local journeys.
So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
I bought a Passat Estate in Jan 2020 for the purposes of transporting The Vikingettes to/from University and family holidays. 4 years later it's on 80k and the mileage will likely reduce as V1 is finishing her Masters this year, V2 has a third year placement in London/WFH, so there is only really one more year left. It's a little boring car, but utterly competent and comfortable. USP is the magic 700-800 mile range. The best bit about it is that it's anonymous - you can keep your bling bling cars.So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
Edited by targa_man on Sunday 28th April 15:12
So this year, I'm going to buy one of the last Passat B8.5 automatic diesels and keep it forever (the latest Passat is a 1.5 petrol only at the moment). ULEZ - who cares.
OldGermanHeaps said:
If yours is compliant I would remap and do a carplay/android auto MMI upgrade kit, and get it detailed, for a few hundred quid it will feel like a new car, and I bet it has years of reliable service left in it if its looked after.
This - upgrade it and get it properly valeted. Will feel like a new car if no mechanical issues.We just sold our 2011 A6 Avant 2.0TDi S Line (170), with 109k on it, it was a rare manual and I just paid for a new clutch and DMF to be fitted, apart from that its been great.
I would have kept it but we also have an XC60 and don't need 2 larger cars, so its being downsized.
Personally I'd keep it especially as its the car you know, also the depreciation curve tails off so won't be losing value much each year.
Put the money aside that you were going to spend on an upgrade and keep it there when you need to replace your current A6.
I would have kept it but we also have an XC60 and don't need 2 larger cars, so its being downsized.
Personally I'd keep it especially as its the car you know, also the depreciation curve tails off so won't be losing value much each year.
Put the money aside that you were going to spend on an upgrade and keep it there when you need to replace your current A6.
Keep it. Bank the calculated depreciation on a new one, and keep that for any service/repairs.
I always buy new (at a decent discount) and keep for 10+ years. My previous car was an E36 BMW on 19 years and 146k miles. Current car is an F30 335d, on 56k miles and a quickly-passed, and faultless 7 years.
Oh, and add a tankful of BP ultimate to give it a clean out.
I always buy new (at a decent discount) and keep for 10+ years. My previous car was an E36 BMW on 19 years and 146k miles. Current car is an F30 335d, on 56k miles and a quickly-passed, and faultless 7 years.
Oh, and add a tankful of BP ultimate to give it a clean out.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 29th April 14:15
Keep it. If you've had it for 9 years already then it would be a shame to change it just for the sake of a newer model.
Spend a couple of grand tarting it up. New dampers (unless already changed), replace any bushings that seem worn (or that are reported to be wear items on that chassis), diff and gearbox fluid change then have a PDR chap to sort out any dings.
Spend a couple of grand tarting it up. New dampers (unless already changed), replace any bushings that seem worn (or that are reported to be wear items on that chassis), diff and gearbox fluid change then have a PDR chap to sort out any dings.
The residual value of a well looked after Audi A6 at 9 years old and 80k will be good. I would change it now whilst it still has some desirability on the used market.
As for replacements, it’s obviously going to be the A6, 5 Series or E Class and preferably with a 6 cylinder engine even though the 4 cylinders are perfectly adequate.
As for replacements, it’s obviously going to be the A6, 5 Series or E Class and preferably with a 6 cylinder engine even though the 4 cylinders are perfectly adequate.
vikingaero said:
targa_man said:
Ok, so our current A6 Avant is nearly 9 years old, with a modest 80,000 miles on the clock and we’ve owned it since new. Great car and perfect for our needs (eg we can get 2 bikes inside easily with seats down). Typical use is motorway trips to visit family and for holidays, one long European trip a year and local journeys.
So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
I bought a Passat Estate in Jan 2020 for the purposes of transporting The Vikingettes to/from University and family holidays. 4 years later it's on 80k and the mileage will likely reduce as V1 is finishing her Masters this year, V2 has a third year placement in London/WFH, so there is only really one more year left. It's a little boring car, but utterly competent and comfortable. USP is the magic 700-800 mile range. The best bit about it is that it's anonymous - you can keep your bling bling cars.So, our dilemma is:
1. Do we replace it while it still has some residual value & get another A6 Avant (which we would be very happy with), or something similar like a nearly new Volvo V90, Merc E-class estate, Skoda Octavia estate etc. We would be buying petrol or diesel (not electric) and we would most likely keep it for another 8-10 years.
2. Do we run and maintain the existing A6 for another 5-10 years? (the 2.0L TDi engine will easily take the mileage). However reliability concerns us as the car gets older, particularly for European trips.
Option 2 is probably the most financially prudent but it’s not the deciding factor for us. There’s the emotional decision of having a new (or much newer) car and enjoying that for the next 8-10 years. There’s also the fact that estate cars of this type sadly seem to be a dying breed and if we wait another 5+ years, finding a suitable big new estate may be well nigh impossible, as the world gets taken over by SUV/Crossover vehicles.
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated, especially from anyone who’s been through a similar thought process.
Edited by targa_man on Sunday 28th April 15:12
So this year, I'm going to buy one of the last Passat B8.5 automatic diesels and keep it forever (the latest Passat is a 1.5 petrol only at the moment). ULEZ - who cares.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff