Audi A6 estate - 3-4k to spend

[zebedee]

Is this a wise choice? Am tempted by the tdi - does anyone know what different specs there were for this engine, it will probably be a mid to late 90s car, but I have heard of different rated engines, twin-turbos etc

Is there anything in particular to check carefully on these cars, any significant servicing points that need to be done at a certain mileage etc?

Would I get a 255cm long windsurfing board in the back (it just fits in the mondeo estate, but they are a lot longer inside than most estates)

Any info at all would be useful!

[agent006]

zebedee said:

Is this a wise choice?

Yes

zebedee said:

does anyone know what different specs there were for this engine

The 1.9 is pathetic and not worth bothering with. the 2.5 is a 115bhp or the red I versions are 140bhp. Red I TDI quattros are extrememly rare, i've seen more Jensen S-V8s on the road.

zebedee said:

Is there anything in particular to check carefully on these cars, any significant servicing points that need to be done at a certain mileage etc?

Yes there are particular things, but i cant remember exact details. Clutch and belts are the major stuff.

zebedee said:

Would I get a 255cm long windsurfing board in the back

I'll go and measure mine and check....one moment please caller.

[agent006]

Where the did my post go? Oh for christ's sake, i'm not writing that all again.

Anyway it may be largely irrelevant as you'd not fit a 225 surfboard in the boot. With the seats down it just tips 180.

[zebedee]

it only goes in diagonally in the mondeo, with the tip jutting round the passenger seat.

Bit disappointed with the output though, unless it makes up for it in torque? Maybe I should have a look at a Passat tdi130 instead?

[pete]

zebedee said:

Bit disappointed with the output though, unless it makes up for it in torque? Maybe I should have a look at a Passat tdi130 instead?

You really want a '98-onwards 2.5TDi - that had 180bhp in Quattro form or 150bhp for early FWD versions. The problem is that they tend to start at around £6k with moon rocket mileage, but they're a *lot* of car for the money. I'm thinking of buying one myself!

Pete

[zebedee]

think I might wait 3 years and get a mondeo tdci 155

[agent006]

zebedee said:

Bit disappointed with the output though, unless it makes up for it in torque?

214 imperial torques at 1900rpm. 46mpg.

[zebedee]

mondeo 155bhp, 295lb/ft on o'boost, 8.7 0-60, 138 mph, 46 mpg and looks very nice indeed, probably drives better than an A6 as well

just need to wait a couple of years for residuals - hope the current one lasts that long!

[agent006]

Current mondeo feels cheap and flimsy in comparison with my 1993 audi. Does handle marginally better than a standard A6, but mine's on Koni sport shocks so about even.

[pentoman]

pete said:

zebedee said: Bit disappointed with the output though, unless it makes up for it in torque? Maybe I should have a look at a Passat tdi130 instead? You really want a '98-onwards 2.5TDi - that had 180bhp in Quattro form or 150bhp for early FWD versions. The problem is that they tend to start at around £6k with moon rocket mileage, but they're a *lot* of car for the money. I'm thinking of buying one myself! Pete

The 2.5 TDi 115bhp is a very strong and highly regarded unit and feels far more powerful than 115bhp - but it doesn't produce the power at high revs like a new TDi does, therefore the bhp figure suffers. It still feels about as decently quick as, say, a Passat 115bhp/130bhp TDi, much more laggy though. However it sounds much much better (5-cyl).

The 140bhp Quattro version doesn't really feel any quicker and the ride is pretty average, so no need to go bonkers for one of these IMO. The 4WD, nice steering wheel and 6-speed box is nice though. Likewise the V6 TDi (new shape '98- A6) is extremely underwhelming (obviously in my opinion), a bit industrial - and totally characterless compared to the older 5-cylinder. I was sooo disappointed when I first drove one of these.

However the newer A6 feels newer, handles better, looks and is more luxurious, so on those grounds worth having.


Get a mondeo if you like, cheaper and probably better handling - it depends what you like. My family ran a '93 100 2.5 TDi, replaced with a '93 A6 2.5 TDi now with 29x,000 miles. Try finding a Mondeo like that.. You get the point.

We average 38MPG with it, but it's not often on the motorway, and regularly used to tow cars so...

Problems:

Our '93 had a hairline crack in the head at ~270,000 miles, and more recently a stalling problem which I think was a relay (usual VW/Audi culprits..?) whilst the old '93 we sold subsequently had a problem along the lines of getting air in the fuel line and not running properly.

Otherwise the Audi build quality means the inside is like a 70,000 mile car, everything works (computer, elec windows/roof/airbags etc etc) and I can't really imagine anything breaking it.


Only real reason I can recommend for not getting one is quite simply that you might like something newer.

good luck

Russell

[jambon]

Be irresponsible and get yourself an RS6!
1. Space? .. Nice big 'boot'
2. Power? .. far too much!
3. Juice? .. Juicy
4. Lost? .. Sat Nav
5. Late? .. 450 BHP 0-60 4.7 seconds!
6. Friends? .. 4 more can share the experience!
7. Shy? .. Very discrete styling!

Why not!

CARPE DIEM!

[P700DEE]

If you can find one for £3-4K in good condition everyone would want one