Audi A6 - need to buy a car

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 17:48
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - nik45

Hi guys, i need you advice, i am looking to downgrade from my Audi A6. I am looking at Passat 2.0tdi common rail. . Opinions please. I am also think of perhaps Merc Bclass,A4 mazda 6. opinions please guys, i am confused. I only do about 9k per annum.

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 18:11
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - unthrottled

i am looking to downgrade from my Audi A6. I am looking at Passat ...Opinions please.

In the same way that the Golf estate is barely any smaller than the Passat estate, The A4 Avant is not much smaller than A6 Avant.

Mercs and VWs are still 'premium' brands so not really any cheaper to run/service than your existing car.

2.0tdi common rail....I only do about 9k per annum.

It's a toss-up as to whether the diesel is worth it. VED will be cheaper, you'll save a couple of hundred/year in fuel, but you'll pay more for the car. You either like diesel engine characteristics or you don't. Don't panic about the DPF

tbh, your alternative vehicles are too similar to your existing one to warrant the change on financial grounds. If you don't like your A6, you won't like the Passat either.

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 18:17
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - nik45

i am trying to find a petrol version, but finding a petrol german car within a budget, is so damn difficult. My Audi has done 135k, and so far no real problems, but my fear is , it will soon start to have problem. I have had fingers burnt with diesels before.

Much appreciated for the input. more opinions pls

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 18:26
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - unthrottled

Ah I see. that wasn't in your OP. The reason for changing is critical to a question like this.

What do you think of electronic handbrakes? I think Passats have them now. Not sure about the A4. Budget?

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 18:30
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - nik45

love the electronic hand brake, like audi's generally. the ooze quality. The passat offers low insurance, a bit better mpg i suppose, the only drawback, they are taxi cars.

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Sun 28 Oct 2012 20:20
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - Happy Blue!

You'll want a quality small petrol car. How about a Lexus IS250 or a Mazda 3 saloon.

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 08:55
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - Avant

Either of those would be good, although if you like your Audi you could stay with VW/Audi and go for a Golf or A3 or A4. One of the Audis with the 1.8T engine might suit you. I'm not sure what your budget is, but these have been around for a long time.

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 09:17
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - BenG

Mazda 6 seems to have had plenty of problems with its diesel engines. Not sure when these were resolved, so maybe best to steer clear or stick to a petrol, given your annual mileage.

The whole issue of perceived image seems to have taken over from reality with some of the VAG cars, to the extent that Audis and VWs have become very commonplace. Have you considered a Skoda Octavia, as it's based on the Golf platform and mechanicals but cheaper and no less reliable (possibly more so)?

I understand there have been issues with the VW 2.0 TDI, with oil pump drive failures and piezo injector failures, as well as Teves ABS controller failures affecting VAG cars generally. Maybe best to check out the 'Technical Matters' forum for advice on the scope of these issues....

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 09:24
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - TeeCee

I had a fleet Octavia with the 1.8T engine (a 20v Turbo 4x4). Application of the loud pedal resulted in the rev counter going in one direction while the fuel gauge went in the other.

With the benefit of a company fuel card (i.e. not trying at all) I used to average between 12 and 14 l/100km......(!) Those figures are based on the feedback from the fuel card (fuel purchases and odometer readings). Went like stink, but astonishingly thirsty.

I'd like to think that the newer 1.8 turbo engines based on the FSI unit are rather better than that, but getting one of the old ones won't do your wallet any favours....

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 10:13
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - oldtoffee

£4k would just get you a high'ish mileage 2.0TFSI petrol Octavia vRS, 2006/7. I had one and rate them very highly, peach of an engine and 30mpg easy with high 30s on a brisk motorway run. Plenty of rear seat and boot space, ride and handle well enough and a half decent dealer network. That engine seems to be highly regarded and capable of big miles.

Edited by oldtoffee on 29/10/2012 at 10:14

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 10:55
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - Bobbin Threadbare

£4k would just get you a high'ish mileage 2.0TFSI petrol Octavia vRS, 2006/7. I had one and rate them very highly, peach of an engine and 30mpg easy with high 30s on a brisk motorway run. Plenty of rear seat and boot space, ride and handle well enough and a half decent dealer network. That engine seems to be highly regarded and capable of big miles.

I'd have one of those - it fits the criteria nicely (German, petrol, goes like bat out of Hades etc). Also the vRS trim makes the car decent looking. Can't say it'd be very much smaller than an A6 though.

If you want a smaller car and still want an Audi, go for the A3. You could get a bit more car for your money if you were looking at a Mazda/Ford instead though. Focus ST/Mazda 3 Sport?

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 20:40
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - oldtoffee

Octavia is slightly smaller than an A6 or a Passat but not hugely. Certaily bigger than an A3. OP wants to "downgrade" so maybe a Skoda could be perceived in that light but not IMO, much rather a Skoda than an Audi and all the "baggage" it brings.

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 20:50
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - nik45

thanks for all the advice. I'm moving towards a VW passat common rail. what are common rail engines like?.i may even go for a Jetta, I do lke the mazda6 petrol , but only from 2010 onwards, unfortunately mt budget dosent stretch that far.

please more views!!

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 21:04
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - nik45

what about volvo's

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Mon 29 Oct 2012 23:02
Audi A6 - need to buy a car - concrete

thanks for all the advice. I'm moving towards a VW passat common rail. what are common rail engines like?.i may even go for a Jetta, I do lke the mazda6 petrol , but only from 2010 onwards, unfortunately mt budget dosent stretch that far.

please more views!!

surely at 9k miles per annum diesel is not worth it. Look at petrol and if you feel flush go to Honda. Or if you want to spend less go to skoda. The Octavia is excellent. Good luck. Concrete
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