Audi S6 Avant or VW Passat W8 Estate?

[middleagecrisis]

They are the same size, both 4litre+ engines, similar performance, both depreciated massively etc etc.

Is there a winner or is it personal preference?

[Phil Dicky]

Not much in it I guess thought the Audid might fair better come re-sale time, the W8 is still a Passat after all. As for finding one that might be tricky, not usually many on Autotrader

[fourmotion]

I thought the Passat was more the size of the A/S4 Avant? Is the S6 not bigger? The Passat was also only ever available as an automatic.

[middleagecrisis]

The Passat (4.77m long) is between the A6 and A4 (4.9m and 4.5m long respectively). W8 being Auto-only is a useful datapoint, though. Shame.

[cerby4.5]

middleagecrisis said:

The Passat (4.77m long) is between the A6 and A4 (4.9m and 4.5m long respectively). W8 being Auto-only is a useful datapoint, though. Shame.

Hiya,
Hope that I can help clarify some of the details discussed:

We used to have a Passat 2.8V6 4-Motion estate automatic (see pic on profile). The Passat is actually more roomy than the A4 or A6 Avant (and it is higher from floor to rooflining), as we have two large dogs and needed a car that could carry both! We actually tried both by taking the dogs with us!!
Also the Passats are significantly cheaper! The Passat 2.8 was the same age/same mileage/same spec as a 3.0 A6 Quattro Avant we looked at but the VW was half the price!

Finally, both the 2.8 and W8 were NOT just available with auto transmission. The 2.8 engine was also offered with a 5-speed and the 4.0 litre W8 was offered with a 6-speed. (Although it is true that the vast majority of both were specified with auto gearboxes).

If you can get a manual W8 estate, it would be a great buy!! (Have only ever seen two manual estates)
Cerby4.5

Edited by cerby4.5 on Wednesday 25th October 16:21

Edited by cerby4.5 on Wednesday 25th October 16:22

[middleagecrisis]

Thanks Cerby - great feedback.

Time to track one down & see if we "get on"....

Any Manual W8 Estate owners out there?

[cerby4.5]

middleagecrisis said:

Thanks Cerby - great feedback.

Time to track one down & see if we "get on"....

Any Manual W8 Estate owners out there?

You are welcome, glad it was helpful and I hope you find the right car!
Cerby4.5

[fourmotion]

cerby4.5 said:

Finally, both the 2.8 and W8 were NOT just available with auto transmission. The 2.8 engine was also offered with a 5-speed and the 4.0 litre W8 was offered with a 6-speed. (Although it is true that the vast majority of both were specified with auto gearboxes).

i stand corrected.

was after one, but was told (wrongly, grrr) that manuals weren't available, so opted for the golf. may start looking again.....

[middleagecrisis]

There are loads of 2.8 4M manuals on AutoT. Mainly Saloons but a few Estates as well. Eg:

2001 X Reg VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8 V6 4MOTION. Saloon. Manual. Only 47000 Miles. Leather. £6.2k

2002 52 Reg Volkswagen Passat 2.8 V6 4MOTION Estate (trade - VW main dealer) 5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 45,000 miles, Inky Blue £11,900.

7.7 secs to 60mph (i.e. only 0.8secs slower than your golf) and gives 25mpg.

The Manual 4.0 W8's are rarer. Only 2 Auto's on AutoT at the moment. NB: You cant buy one of these until I have!

[fourmotion]

it was the W8 in manaul i was after.

i suppose i could buy the auto and drop the engine in the golf . i''ve just bought a flat, so i'm not in financial shape to look for another car, but i'll keep my eyes peeled for you.

[middleagecrisis]

If you're in "engine dropping mode" you might as well drop a second 2.8 into yours - one for the front and one for the rear. I recall seeing one somewhere. Nuts.

Or perhaps steal a 6.0 W12 from an Audi A8? You might have to sit on the back seats, though :-)

Please do keep your eyes peeled for a manual W8 Estate!