A4 or A6 Avant

[Roley130]

I'm soon to change my trusty 2004 A4 Avant TDI 130 and have a bit of a dilemma, should I go for a new A4 Avant TDI 140 or an A6 Avant Tdi ?
I see the pros amd cons as follows :-
the A4 is more popular, easier to sell and holds its value better I think.
However the A6 has a bit more interior and boot space, and bought nearly-new costs hardly any more than the comparable A4 Avant.
Has anyone got any views on this ?

[ukross]

Hi John,

I was in a similar position last year and went for the A6 avant as a work/family hack. Like you say, the A6 is not as popular and hence the prices not as strong - seeing as I'll keep mine as the family wagon for at least a few years I'm not too worried about resale values.

I bought the out going model as an ex-demo - plently of space and the Final Edition came loaded with DVD Sat Nav, leather, Bose etc. I personally found the A4 cabin a bit narrow and rear leg room for clients a bit tight. Also, the Avant boot was nothing special and the two nippers need space for bikes, scooters etc.

I got the 1.9 tdi, not very PH I know, but mway performance is fine and a regular 45mpg means a minimum of 650 miles on a tank - handy when treking to southern France. As a tourer its fine. Very comfy, solid and safe. Push it a bit and it wallows and feels well behind the class leaders. No doubt the A4 will feel more nimble. Depends what you wnat out of your car really.

I've borrowed a new shape A6 avant and it really does excel in every area - but thats a big car, not much shorter than A8 iirc.

Hope that helps!

[morebeanz]

I currently have a new shape A6, saloon rather than Avant. I reckon it's a fab car, and crucially bigger than the A4. However the wife finds it very big to manouver, park, etc, and it is huge when you leave it in any car park. Almost that it won't fit in many spaces. As a consequence, we have picked up a LOT of dings! The car is only just under 5 metres, and is longer than a Landcruiser and a Volvo estate!

I still wouldn't be without the space, but you need to be aware of the pitfalls!

Happy hunting...

[Roley130]

This is another one of the cons I forgot to mention, my wife said when she saw the A6 in the showroom that it was rather large, which is what you are saying, now I am even more undecided !!

[targarama]

The new model A6 is much bigger than its predecessor - its not much smaller than an A8.

I found the previous A6 (1997 to 2004) much better in terms of space, comfort and std equipment than the equivalent A4 and running costs are no different. Its not too big either.

[Sssline]

As a previous 2002 model A4 Avant owner with the 130 bhp 1.9 diesel and current A4 Avant 2.0 tdi 140 bhp version (which is now up for sale so this could be biased), I would say that the new model is much improved, there is more rear space, the engine is better, pulls stronger and just drives more smoothly, economy is good at around 45mpg.

My vote would be for an A4, the A6 feels its extra weight and really needs to 3.0tdi for it to work.

[url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/95696.htm[/url]

[leosayer]

The Passat is sort of mid-way between the two, size wise.

[Roley130]

I wouldn't go for a Passat as I don't realy like these. Speaking as having had 2 of the previous shape Passats, I think the new model is not as good as the old model, quality-wise. There is much evidence of cost-saving on this new model I think. In fact VW have moved further away from Audi in this respect.

[minghis]

Roley130 said:

I wouldn't go for a Passat as I don't realy like these. Speaking as having had 2 of the previous shape Passats, I think the new model is not as good as the old model, quality-wise. There is much evidence of cost-saving on this new model I think. In fact VW have moved further away from Audi in this respect.

Spot on. I wish I'd known before I got mine.....