any views on A6 avant?
Discussion
looking to get a new or 1 year A6 avant as a family load lugger towards the summer. Not worried about speed or power particualry. (would be good but out of budget) About £25K (got a porker for the speed)
Any one got one, views, hints, tips, Should i go for a new at £25k speck up ok form Audi site or 2year old for about the same. How do they drive, reliability etc.
Not driven one yet but will in abut 2 months.
Any one got one, views, hints, tips, Should i go for a new at £25k speck up ok form Audi site or 2year old for about the same. How do they drive, reliability etc.
Not driven one yet but will in abut 2 months.
I went through this exercise a couple of years ago with a budget of 22K
We ruled out Volvo estates because we had just had two and the last one a 960 wasn't up to par, so out choices and results were as follows:-
Our spec was Large Estate, Auto Box (my wife has weak left knee), Leather, Air Con/Climate Control and decent enough engine to tow a car trailer.
Audi A6 - Tried a 2.8 Quattro, went well, but felt like a jumped up A4 not a junior A8 (I also had an A8 at the time), load area wasn't as big as the others
Mercedes E Class E280 - Great but a big wide car (nearly as wide as the A8), but our budget and spec requirements would only allow us a 3yr old car. Interior was a bit plasticy as well (probably not helped by the light grey we had in the test car)
Saab 9-5 - Great Value, high spec and all the toys, Could get a 6 month old car within budget still with 2.5yrs Saab Warranty. Went for an ex-demo 2.3Turbo SE spec with a couple of extras. Having had car for 2 years (22k miles) would say really comfortable, does everything very competently, great seats, climate control and stereo, cheap to run (compared with Audi servicing on my A8!). Only downside is its a little bit soft for the sporty driver, but this could be rectified by the Aero model.
Hope that helps
davidy
We ruled out Volvo estates because we had just had two and the last one a 960 wasn't up to par, so out choices and results were as follows:-
Our spec was Large Estate, Auto Box (my wife has weak left knee), Leather, Air Con/Climate Control and decent enough engine to tow a car trailer.
Audi A6 - Tried a 2.8 Quattro, went well, but felt like a jumped up A4 not a junior A8 (I also had an A8 at the time), load area wasn't as big as the others
Mercedes E Class E280 - Great but a big wide car (nearly as wide as the A8), but our budget and spec requirements would only allow us a 3yr old car. Interior was a bit plasticy as well (probably not helped by the light grey we had in the test car)
Saab 9-5 - Great Value, high spec and all the toys, Could get a 6 month old car within budget still with 2.5yrs Saab Warranty. Went for an ex-demo 2.3Turbo SE spec with a couple of extras. Having had car for 2 years (22k miles) would say really comfortable, does everything very competently, great seats, climate control and stereo, cheap to run (compared with Audi servicing on my A8!). Only downside is its a little bit soft for the sporty driver, but this could be rectified by the Aero model.
Hope that helps
davidy
Thanks clubsport and davidy for the replys. 
As Davidy, we ( ahum well just me - wife not fussed about cars) are considering Volvo V70 or the smaller estate, A4 avant and A6 avant, Saab 9-5 estate and Leguna estate.
Not so keen on the Leguna as from its country of origin and residuals.
Did consider the A4 avant but then thought we wmay well need a bigger version. We had a Impeza Turbo estate which was fab but may not be big enough, so A6 avant and saab 95 estate and volvo.
Front runners are Audi and Saab. Saab comes in at excellent value for a 1 year old model and might even get a Hot areo
but the audi has a bit more cludos (sp)
As Davidy, we ( ahum well just me - wife not fussed about cars) are considering Volvo V70 or the smaller estate, A4 avant and A6 avant, Saab 9-5 estate and Leguna estate.
Not so keen on the Leguna as from its country of origin and residuals.
Did consider the A4 avant but then thought we wmay well need a bigger version. We had a Impeza Turbo estate which was fab but may not be big enough, so A6 avant and saab 95 estate and volvo.
Front runners are Audi and Saab. Saab comes in at excellent value for a 1 year old model and might even get a Hot areo
but the audi has a bit more cludos (sp)
Superlightr,
I've had both the A6 and currently a Saab Aero Estate, and would reconmend the Saab as well. Theres no doublt that the A6 was a better engineered car and slightly better screwed together. But the Saab is so comfortable and the option list as standard is very good. Go for the Aero you know it makes sense.
Phil
I've had both the A6 and currently a Saab Aero Estate, and would reconmend the Saab as well. Theres no doublt that the A6 was a better engineered car and slightly better screwed together. But the Saab is so comfortable and the option list as standard is very good. Go for the Aero you know it makes sense.
Phil
Superlightr,
I've had both the A6 and currently a Saab Aero Estate, and would reconmend the Saab as well. Theres no doublt that the A6 was a better engineered car and slightly better screwed together. But the Saab is so comfortable and the option list as standard is very good. Go for the Aero you know it makes sense.
Phil
I've had both the A6 and currently a Saab Aero Estate, and would reconmend the Saab as well. Theres no doublt that the A6 was a better engineered car and slightly better screwed together. But the Saab is so comfortable and the option list as standard is very good. Go for the Aero you know it makes sense.
Phil
Technically speaking, I've not had one of these. However, I have had a 100 Avant and an Allroad, and I thought they were both excellent cars. Recently toyed with the idea of buying another Allroad as these have depreciated considerably in the last couple of years and are a great used buy (very high spec as standard). On both cars, steering was lifeless and damping could be improved , but this was more than compensated by reliability, build quality, cabin environment , looks etc. Would definitely have another.
Kev
Kev
excellent replys, thank you.
The car is more for Mrs SuperlightR although I would drive it on camping hols and other occasions.
The Saab for the price and kit is looking very good, will have to drive a few to get a feel of them and the Audis.
ps
There is a RS4 avant on the clasified but (trying not to offend anyone) 38k for a 2 year old car is rather expensive is it not? Gulp!
The car is more for Mrs SuperlightR although I would drive it on camping hols and other occasions.
The Saab for the price and kit is looking very good, will have to drive a few to get a feel of them and the Audis.
ps
There is a RS4 avant on the clasified but (trying not to offend anyone) 38k for a 2 year old car is rather expensive is it not? Gulp!
Thought it was a little pricey.I tried a similar aged car a couple of weeks ago with slightly less mileage offered at £35k...Nice car but didn't do it for me.Class,well screwed together,didn't like steering,fun when fast,but didn't feel special enough when driving around...At least with an A6 you know you are buying an estate car for what it is.
Unless you want your child to have neck muscles like Mike Tyson, I suggest that overly sporty, stiffly sprung cars are not the way to go. I initially had an Impreza Turbo with my first child and even driving like a saint, the poor little girls head would roll around in her seat, they don't have much neck control until a couple of months old (at least).
When you have children you priorities change (and so they should) and you'll find that your're soon looking at safety, ease of getting child in and out, etc, etc.
davidy
PS the A8 was great for children and maybe shouldn't be dismissed as it has a boot the size of a small African country. It also has blinds in the rear doors and an electric rear blind (great for rear facing children as the sun comes round). 25K should get you a good one especially as the new model is around the corner, just watch those running costs!!
When you have children you priorities change (and so they should) and you'll find that your're soon looking at safety, ease of getting child in and out, etc, etc.
davidy
PS the A8 was great for children and maybe shouldn't be dismissed as it has a boot the size of a small African country. It also has blinds in the rear doors and an electric rear blind (great for rear facing children as the sun comes round). 25K should get you a good one especially as the new model is around the corner, just watch those running costs!!
We are on our second a6 avant, first one was a 2.8 Sport Quattro tiptronic (19mpg) and the second a 130bhp tdi sport (47mpg). Sounds mad but the 130tdi has so much torque its a better drive for an Estate car. Our first car had a set of 18" BBS alloys and looked superb, but still rode really well, although it is noticeably stiffer than the Volvo.
If you want the feel of an A8 then try a V6 quattro car with tiptronic and lthr sports seats, it does feel like a A8.
This time around we had a decent look about, but Volvo was a bit boring, a E class merc too big, the c-class too small, Saab 2.3T Vector was preferred choice until I drove it and found the engine a tad boomy and the gearbox of the Aero model was 'unusual'. For sure they seem to drop 6-7k in about 2 months, but unfortunately they seem to keep depreciating in a similar vein from the look of it.
BMW 528/530i's are around for £18-20K and drive the best of the bunch, but if you want a new car, and favour build quality the A6 is probably the best way to go.
Bennno
>> Edited by bennno on Thursday 27th February 23:00
If you want the feel of an A8 then try a V6 quattro car with tiptronic and lthr sports seats, it does feel like a A8.
This time around we had a decent look about, but Volvo was a bit boring, a E class merc too big, the c-class too small, Saab 2.3T Vector was preferred choice until I drove it and found the engine a tad boomy and the gearbox of the Aero model was 'unusual'. For sure they seem to drop 6-7k in about 2 months, but unfortunately they seem to keep depreciating in a similar vein from the look of it.
BMW 528/530i's are around for £18-20K and drive the best of the bunch, but if you want a new car, and favour build quality the A6 is probably the best way to go.
Bennno
>> Edited by bennno on Thursday 27th February 23:00
superlightr said: :ducksandcovershead: Is the passat just a cheaper Audi?
They look the same to me, same engines, but cheaper.
the a6 is significantly bigger and built to a much better standard in terms of quality of finish.
Besides with a discount we got our new A6 for about £2000 more than a passat and it will be worth at least that much more come resale time.
Bennno
Had an A4 2.8 Quattro Avant with leather/climate/bells/whistles from new a couple of years back. Beatifull car and sold it at 6 months for only £23k. If you can pick one like that they are a nice motor.....22mpg was not so good!! What about the A6 Allroad, personal taste but I really like them.
Have to disagree with Bennno on the A6 V6 feeling like an A8, no A6 I ever driven and I've driven at least 6 different ones including a V6 (all coutesy cars when my A8 was being serviced) has been anything like an A8. The A8 is near silent especially with double glazing 
and was supremely comfortable.
In terms of ride and comfort I would rank them in decreasing order A8, 9-5, A6.
I agree that the 9-5 initially depecriates like a stone (thats why 6 month old ones are such a good buy), but if you're going to keep it a long time further depreciation doesn't really matter. I bought my 9-5 originally for my wife, but since the A8s gone I've been using it as my car and I intend to keep it a long time. (I work on the opposite to Bennno and tend to keep cars for a long time, rather than change them every few months).
My Saab has an autobox, so I can't pass judgement on the manual box (I presume) in Bennno's test drive. even with the slush box I regularly average 32mpg on a tank and can see 34mpg on long runs.
The basic trim level of the Saab puts it well ahead of the A6 which is spartan at best, and it has another advantage, the rear shelf in the estate is solid (even though it folds) and is a great place (flat and level) for changing the young ones nappies on route (there speaks a man of experience!!).
Also I (and several other PHers) have had bad experience of Audi dealers (there are threads on this, just search for them I'm not naming and shaming). (I had visited 6 different dealers, with issues with my A8). I personally won't own an Audi again, because of the dealers, if someone offered me one as a company car then I would own one as generally they are nice cars.
The Saab dealers I've used have been great, but not as good as the Subaru dealers I used before and no-ones mentioned the Legacy Estate yet????
davidy
and was supremely comfortable. In terms of ride and comfort I would rank them in decreasing order A8, 9-5, A6.
I agree that the 9-5 initially depecriates like a stone (thats why 6 month old ones are such a good buy), but if you're going to keep it a long time further depreciation doesn't really matter. I bought my 9-5 originally for my wife, but since the A8s gone I've been using it as my car and I intend to keep it a long time. (I work on the opposite to Bennno and tend to keep cars for a long time, rather than change them every few months).
My Saab has an autobox, so I can't pass judgement on the manual box (I presume) in Bennno's test drive. even with the slush box I regularly average 32mpg on a tank and can see 34mpg on long runs.
The basic trim level of the Saab puts it well ahead of the A6 which is spartan at best, and it has another advantage, the rear shelf in the estate is solid (even though it folds) and is a great place (flat and level) for changing the young ones nappies on route (there speaks a man of experience!!).
Also I (and several other PHers) have had bad experience of Audi dealers (there are threads on this, just search for them I'm not naming and shaming). (I had visited 6 different dealers, with issues with my A8). I personally won't own an Audi again, because of the dealers, if someone offered me one as a company car then I would own one as generally they are nice cars.
The Saab dealers I've used have been great, but not as good as the Subaru dealers I used before and no-ones mentioned the Legacy Estate yet????
davidy
No i tried a 2.3T Vector and 2.3HOT with the autobox and was unimpressed
For sure the ride was better is better than an A6, but the build quality and trim materials are not as good, the 4spd saab auto gearbox hunted badly and the 4 pot engine droned. there was little feeling through the steering.
the nicest one to drive is the 5 series touring by a country mile, failing that it was a close call between an audi or the saab both are fairly equally matched depending on personal preferences.
Bennno
For sure the ride was better is better than an A6, but the build quality and trim materials are not as good, the 4spd saab auto gearbox hunted badly and the 4 pot engine droned. there was little feeling through the steering.
the nicest one to drive is the 5 series touring by a country mile, failing that it was a close call between an audi or the saab both are fairly equally matched depending on personal preferences.
Bennno
One thing that is important to concider is that the A6 is being changed next year as is the 5 series this year. So if you are keeping this car a while you'll be driving an old model. Thus depreciation will be sharp after the introduction of the newer models.
The 9-5 has just been revamped, and so a 6/12 month old car should be good value and won't be an 'old' model in 6 months time.
The 9-5 has just been revamped, and so a 6/12 month old car should be good value and won't be an 'old' model in 6 months time.
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