Which Avant - S4 or A6 Le Mans
Discussion
Hi
A few weeks ago I was looking for a new contract hire car to replace my BMW X5 3.0D, and I was looking at A3 Sportbacks, however the budget has now increased somewhat. My business partner is looking at an S5 which is all well and good for him but I need rear seats hence the original idea of the 5 dr A3. Now I can get an S4 Avant for similar money or a A6 3.0Tdi Le Mans for what seems a very good rate.
So the question is will the added space / comfort in the A6 make up for the difference in power. The 3.0Tdi is supposed to be torquey and fun to drive and I am not sure I would ever use the full potention of the S4's 4.2. Neverthe less the idea of the burbling V8 is very inticing. I don't do a huge amount of mileage - 24,000 in the X5 in two and a half years. Most of the driving I do is fairly short distance. I have kids at uni so being able to haul stuff occassionaly is good. On paper the A6 doesn't seems to be vastly bigger than the S4, but I have been getting nagging doubts that the A6 may turn out to be a too big to be fun to drive.
I know a lot of you will think that there is no contest and the S4 would be the obvious choice but I am not so sure. Maybe I want my cake and eat it but as I cannot afford an S6 I have to make a decision.
I am pretty sure that both are very good cars hence my dilema.
Also any suggestions as to colour - inside will definitely be some kind of black leather.
So any thoughts on which way I should jump?
Jim
A few weeks ago I was looking for a new contract hire car to replace my BMW X5 3.0D, and I was looking at A3 Sportbacks, however the budget has now increased somewhat. My business partner is looking at an S5 which is all well and good for him but I need rear seats hence the original idea of the 5 dr A3. Now I can get an S4 Avant for similar money or a A6 3.0Tdi Le Mans for what seems a very good rate.
So the question is will the added space / comfort in the A6 make up for the difference in power. The 3.0Tdi is supposed to be torquey and fun to drive and I am not sure I would ever use the full potention of the S4's 4.2. Neverthe less the idea of the burbling V8 is very inticing. I don't do a huge amount of mileage - 24,000 in the X5 in two and a half years. Most of the driving I do is fairly short distance. I have kids at uni so being able to haul stuff occassionaly is good. On paper the A6 doesn't seems to be vastly bigger than the S4, but I have been getting nagging doubts that the A6 may turn out to be a too big to be fun to drive.
I know a lot of you will think that there is no contest and the S4 would be the obvious choice but I am not so sure. Maybe I want my cake and eat it but as I cannot afford an S6 I have to make a decision.
I am pretty sure that both are very good cars hence my dilema.
Also any suggestions as to colour - inside will definitely be some kind of black leather.
So any thoughts on which way I should jump?
Jim
devdog said:
Hi
A few weeks ago I was looking for a new contract hire car to replace my BMW X5 3.0D, and I was looking at A3 Sportbacks, however the budget has now increased somewhat. My business partner is looking at an S5 which is all well and good for him but I need rear seats hence the original idea of the 5 dr A3. Now I can get an S4 Avant for similar money or a A6 3.0Tdi Le Mans for what seems a very good rate.
So the question is will the added space / comfort in the A6 make up for the difference in power. The 3.0Tdi is supposed to be torquey and fun to drive and I am not sure I would ever use the full potention of the S4's 4.2. Neverthe less the idea of the burbling V8 is very inticing. I don't do a huge amount of mileage - 24,000 in the X5 in two and a half years. Most of the driving I do is fairly short distance. I have kids at uni so being able to haul stuff occassionaly is good. On paper the A6 doesn't seems to be vastly bigger than the S4, but I have been getting nagging doubts that the A6 may turn out to be a too big to be fun to drive.
I know a lot of you will think that there is no contest and the S4 would be the obvious choice but I am not so sure. Maybe I want my cake and eat it but as I cannot afford an S6 I have to make a decision.
I am pretty sure that both are very good cars hence my dilema.
Also any suggestions as to colour - inside will definitely be some kind of black leather.
So any thoughts on which way I should jump?
Jim
I would suggest that they are very different cars...A few weeks ago I was looking for a new contract hire car to replace my BMW X5 3.0D, and I was looking at A3 Sportbacks, however the budget has now increased somewhat. My business partner is looking at an S5 which is all well and good for him but I need rear seats hence the original idea of the 5 dr A3. Now I can get an S4 Avant for similar money or a A6 3.0Tdi Le Mans for what seems a very good rate.
So the question is will the added space / comfort in the A6 make up for the difference in power. The 3.0Tdi is supposed to be torquey and fun to drive and I am not sure I would ever use the full potention of the S4's 4.2. Neverthe less the idea of the burbling V8 is very inticing. I don't do a huge amount of mileage - 24,000 in the X5 in two and a half years. Most of the driving I do is fairly short distance. I have kids at uni so being able to haul stuff occassionaly is good. On paper the A6 doesn't seems to be vastly bigger than the S4, but I have been getting nagging doubts that the A6 may turn out to be a too big to be fun to drive.
I know a lot of you will think that there is no contest and the S4 would be the obvious choice but I am not so sure. Maybe I want my cake and eat it but as I cannot afford an S6 I have to make a decision.
I am pretty sure that both are very good cars hence my dilema.
Also any suggestions as to colour - inside will definitely be some kind of black leather.
So any thoughts on which way I should jump?
Jim
- 3.0 TDi A6 Le Mans is the sensible choice
- S4 is the fun/emotional choice
Would well be worth taking an extended test drive in each over familiar roads to see which one grabs you.
The 4.2 V8 sounds lovely and will undoubtedly put a smile on your face, but the 3.0 TDi engine is also generally very highly regarded.
One note of caution though - Don't expect the A4/S4 to be a versatile load-lugger: the estate boot is for show only. I've got more in the boot of a golf than in the boot of an A4 quattro!
Regarding colours: like all Audis, generally S4's look good in black, silver, lava grey etc. However, I've got a soft spot for Misano Red as its bright and a bit different.
A6 Le Mans look good in dark colours which offset the vast wheels and chrome roof-rails. Oyster Grey (which is very very dark - almost with a hint of purple) is a very popular choice.
Nice problem to have though - having to choose between these two!
I've got an S4 Avant and strangly enough my business partner has an A6 Avant Le Mans 3.0 Tdi! In all honesty if I had to make the choice again I'd say he made the right choice 90% of the time but having just asked him the response was "I think you made the right choice most of the time" but then we spoke about our fuel & tax bills and if they are of any concern at all to you choose the oil burner, his A6 Avant is still quick and pulls like a train, it handles pretty well and regardless of the spec dimensions always seems to have much more room than my S4 BUT my S4 sounds the nuts, goes like a Eurostar and is plenty big enough for my needs. Tough call and you'll always think you've made the wrong one 
Thanks for the replies.
I understand that the new A4 avant won't be around till the end of the year.
running costs are not really an issue.
mel you have hit the nail on the proverbial head - I know that the A6 is the sensible decision, we had the A4 and A6 side by side at the dealership this afternoon and if I want room the A6 is the one to go for, but in the end i am sure it is going to be one of those decisions that you can't completely win either way.....
maybe I should just wait for the S3 Sportback to come out!
They had a Night Blue Le Mans with the black styling pack and I must say it looked very good.
I guess I should be happy that either one won't be a hardship to live with.
I understand that the new A4 avant won't be around till the end of the year.
running costs are not really an issue.
mel you have hit the nail on the proverbial head - I know that the A6 is the sensible decision, we had the A4 and A6 side by side at the dealership this afternoon and if I want room the A6 is the one to go for, but in the end i am sure it is going to be one of those decisions that you can't completely win either way.....
maybe I should just wait for the S3 Sportback to come out!
They had a Night Blue Le Mans with the black styling pack and I must say it looked very good.
I guess I should be happy that either one won't be a hardship to live with.
LeoSayer said:
If the driver of an A4 is over 6 foot then rear-seat passengers will struggle with knee room. A6 is so much better.
Rubbish! Im 5'7" and my 5 yr old can only just sit behind me. It aint just you lanky types you know Main reason Im looking to change from the A4 is now rear leg room for the Fubelings. (will see how the new A4 fares before deciding)
Back on topic, are Audi doing deals on the A6 LM tdi? As my cousin, who is a serial Merc/BMW buyer, is seriously considering one to replace his 7 Series at he has been offered such a good deal. Or are they just outing the stock for a new A6 model? When's that coming?
if you get a 3.0Tdi S Line then the Le Mans upgrade is £115
• 19” 7-arm double-spoke alloy wheels
• 255/35 R19 tyres
• Milano leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Interior light pack
• Rear acoustic parking sensors
• Unique ‘Le Mans’ badging
• Choice of metallic or pearl effect paint colours (including all unique S line colours)
also they have offers on visibility and communications packages.
here are some of the Contract hire quotes (15000 mpa 36months 3+35 ex vat)
Audi S4 4.2 Quattro Avant Tip Auto £707.54
Pearl Paint ~ Silk Nappa Leather ~ Acoustic Front & Rear Park assist ~ DVD Satellite Navigation Plus ~ BOSE ~ iPod Console ~ Adaptive Lights ~ Auto Dim+Rain+Daytime ~ Folding Mirrors+Washer Jets ~ Leather Multifunction Steering Wheel ~Tyre Pressure ~Privacy Glass
Audi A6 3.2FSI S Line Quattro Avant Tip Auto £728.97
Pearl Paint ~ Valcona Leather ~Privacy Glass ~ Visibility Pack ~ DVD Satellite Navigation ~Audi Music Interface ~ BOSE DAB Radio ~Acoustic Front & Rear Parking
Audi A6 3.0TDI Quattro S Line Avant Tip Auto £662.32
Pearl Paint ~ Valcona Leather ~ Black Roof Rails ~ Privacy Glass ~ Visibility Pack ~ DVD Satellite Navigation ~ Audi Music Interface ~ BOSE ~ DAB Radio ~ Front/Rear Acoustic Park
Audi A6 3.0TDI Quattro Le Mans Avant Tip Auto £610.98
Same optional extras as the S Line plus Front Park Upgrade apart from what comes standard.
• 19” 7-arm double-spoke alloy wheels
• 255/35 R19 tyres
• Milano leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Interior light pack
• Rear acoustic parking sensors
• Unique ‘Le Mans’ badging
• Choice of metallic or pearl effect paint colours (including all unique S line colours)
also they have offers on visibility and communications packages.
here are some of the Contract hire quotes (15000 mpa 36months 3+35 ex vat)
Audi S4 4.2 Quattro Avant Tip Auto £707.54
Pearl Paint ~ Silk Nappa Leather ~ Acoustic Front & Rear Park assist ~ DVD Satellite Navigation Plus ~ BOSE ~ iPod Console ~ Adaptive Lights ~ Auto Dim+Rain+Daytime ~ Folding Mirrors+Washer Jets ~ Leather Multifunction Steering Wheel ~Tyre Pressure ~Privacy Glass
Audi A6 3.2FSI S Line Quattro Avant Tip Auto £728.97
Pearl Paint ~ Valcona Leather ~Privacy Glass ~ Visibility Pack ~ DVD Satellite Navigation ~Audi Music Interface ~ BOSE DAB Radio ~Acoustic Front & Rear Parking
Audi A6 3.0TDI Quattro S Line Avant Tip Auto £662.32
Pearl Paint ~ Valcona Leather ~ Black Roof Rails ~ Privacy Glass ~ Visibility Pack ~ DVD Satellite Navigation ~ Audi Music Interface ~ BOSE ~ DAB Radio ~ Front/Rear Acoustic Park
Audi A6 3.0TDI Quattro Le Mans Avant Tip Auto £610.98
Same optional extras as the S Line plus Front Park Upgrade apart from what comes standard.
Dilligaf10 said:
Why not get the 3.0Tdi A6 Avant and then get it chipped. Closer performance to the S$ plus practicality of more room. Just p/xed my chipped A6 for an A8L with the same engine so that will soon be going to the chip shop!
I pick up a le-mans next month.I want to get it chipped, but where/what. I have read a lot of conflicting views on doing this on here. Any recommendations?
My Dad currently drives an A6 Saloon, when we were selling our previous '99 A6 Saloon we had a look at A4 Avant S-Line 3.0TDI Quattro's & 3.2FSI's, we found that although the A4's were very nice, with my Dad who is dead-on 6ft in the drivers seat, my 5ft 5.5 13yr old sister couldn't get in behind him at all and with my 5ft 4 Mum up front, I, at 6ft 4 still couldn't get in the back, so we chose the A6, in about 2yrs we'll replace the saloon with a Q7, Disco3 or an A6 Avant. I'd personally suggest taking the A6 because it just uses its space so much better than the A4. And of course, the 3.0TDI is certainly no slouch, but my Dad's business partner has a 2nd hand A6 Avant 3.0TDIQuattro at 55,000mi, since he got it with 25,000mi on the clock, he's replaced all 4 tyres 6 times. You could always take the A6 this time, then get the S4 next time round? Also, if you go for the A6, the Bluetooth Mobile connection is absolutely fantastic, just make sure you're not on T-Mobile, as their coverage seems to suck, or so my Dad finds...
Ps. seeing as you're in Surrey, if you're buying through a dealer, I'd suggest Guildford Audi or the Colbornes Group (Camberley & Basingstoke Audi), any dealer owned by the Harwoods Group is definately a no-go!
Ps. seeing as you're in Surrey, if you're buying through a dealer, I'd suggest Guildford Audi or the Colbornes Group (Camberley & Basingstoke Audi), any dealer owned by the Harwoods Group is definately a no-go!
Edited by Waugh-terfall on Friday 8th February 22:29
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff