Hard to park?

**bmoster** · 13-12-2012,01:35 AM

Have ordered an A6, currently have a Merc C Class. The dimensions of the A6 make it seem massive, larger than E Class and 5 series.

How do owners on here find parking it say in town centre car parks and supermarkets etc. Am mainly concerned about the width. Not worried about my own ability to park the thing, just being able to open the doors and get out or worse other parkers bashing their door into mine if space is tight.

**johnsimcox** · 13-12-2012,08:39 AM

Originally Posted by bmoster

Have ordered an A6, currently have a Merc C Class. The dimensions of the A6 make it seem massive, larger than E Class and 5 series.

How do owners on here find parking it say in town centre car parks and supermarkets etc. Am mainly concerned about the width. Not worried about my own ability to park the thing, just being able to open the doors and get out or worse other parkers bashing their door into mine if space is tight.

No worse than other cars of its class, especially if you reverse into the space. Major issue for all modern cars is that most car parks were designed and built in 70s and 80s when cars were much narrower and the car park construction makes it uneconomic (pillars in the way and would lose too many spaces) to widen the spaces.

**KAM** · 13-12-2012,11:39 AM

I find the A6 easy enough to park and manoeuvre. The power steering is light and, for its size, the car is quite agile.

I've also got the park assist option, which is a great fun, but I've never used it in anger. Letting the car do parallel and bay parking for you at a large works open air car park to show off to colleagues is brilliant. But I've yet to try it in a narrow cramped underground council car-park with a queue of Christmas shoppers behind me!

The biggest issue I have is once I'm parked. The A6 doors are long. And I'm very tall. Opening the door wide enough for me to get out while retaining the composure expected of a gentleman of my age isn't always the easiest. Still, I suppose it's better for keeping my joints flexible than going to yoga or Pilates classes (whatever they are!)

**Timothy Nathan** · 13-12-2012,04:05 PM

I actually find the length more of a challenge than the width. My car is often longer than a parking meter bay, which, if a warden were hard hearted enough, could technically result in a ticket.

I work quite hard, using front and rear cameras, to occupy exactly the bay plus the width of both white lines, at either end.

Mine is an Avant, so maybe a bit longer than the saloon?

**johnsimcox** · 13-12-2012,04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Timothy Nathan

I actually find the length more of a challenge than the width. My car is often longer than a parking meter bay, which, if a warden were hard hearted enough, could technically result in a ticket.

I work quite hard, using front and rear cameras, to occupy exactly the bay plus the width of both white lines, at either end.

Mine is an Avant, so maybe a bit longer than the saloon?

Avant is 11mm longer than Saloon (4915 vs 4926)

**thehorse** · 13-12-2012,08:07 PM

The auto gearbox (if you have gone for that) is rubbish at low speed which can make parking a bit more difficult than it should be

**bwoody** · 13-12-2012,08:19 PM

I find the length of the car (C6 variant) more of an issue than the width. It is a big old lump of metal though

**robbyg** · 13-01-2013,05:55 PM

i find the A6 quite easy to park given its size even the wife doesn't mind parking it. plenty of visibility and i personally have no issues with the autobox, though it needs some serious revving in reverse up hill.

Yes its a fat wide and long machine. Its longer than an avergae space in local tesco. When i have to go to supermarket or shopping centre i try to:
1. park as far away from the main entrances as possible and take a 2 minute walk, even if its raining.
2. Never ever park next to rubbish tatty old bangers or dented/scratched cars, if they dont look after their own why would they look after yours?
3. Try to never park next to other big cars - simple space issues
4. try to avoid family buses - 4x4s or MPVs
5. Try to park on the end of a row next to the flower beds etc
6. Try to park with my car next to the passenger door of another car instead of driver door, 50% ish chance no one will use that door.
7. Never park next to the walk throughs / cuts / footpaths - asking for straches

Have used this approach with my past 3 cars and had only one little dink from someone elses door. If the place is quiet and free parking it straddle 2 spaces, but still stay away from the entrance.

Maybe i am abit obsessive, i just cant stand un necessary damage, there fore i have not had to pay for any repairs for over 8 years.

**bmoster** · 14-01-2013,03:44 AM

Thanks Robby, I am the same, hate it when my car gets a knock. The newer it is the more <removed> off you are. It is not that often I have to park in public or supermarket car parks so I should be ok. Also, I am quite big so maybe need to open the car door a little more than most.

I shouldn't let the parking issue worry me, there are plenty of people with similar size cars or bigger (A8, Q7 etc) and they seem to manage.

I imagine the worst car to park must be a large coupe like a 6 series or Merc CL- have you seen the size of the doors on those things??

**Steve Hut** · 14-01-2013,02:49 PM

Generally still find it hard to park in car park spaces with autobox and the length makes it stick out. If I have the kids normally have to park accross two spaces as to open both rear doors fully to get kids in and out of their child seats. Normally try and park at far end of car park and walk to avoid folk parking next to me.