Newbie buying an A6 with a few questions

[tlewisuk]

Hi there,

So I've almost finally chosen to buy a 2014 or 2015 A6 saloon over the 5 series. Most probably the SE model as I found it more comfortable over the S-line, but I haven't ruled out the S-line.

So as a newbie, I have question for you:

I will be doing 20000 per year, all motorway driving. I think the intervals are 20000 per year.

Roughly how much should I budget for a yearly service via independant specialist?

Roughly, how much shall I budget for brake pads assuming this is a yearly thing too.

I have been looking for a A6 with reversing cameras, was it a optional extra, or did it come as part of a pack?

Am I able to update the Maps?

Also, I can't get to grips with MMI, is there a MMI plus as well?

As you can see basic questions.

Thanks for your help!

Tony

[johnsimcox]

Hi there,

So I've almost finally chosen to buy a 2014 or 2015 A6 saloon over the 5 series. Most probably the SE model as I found it more comfortable over the S-line, but I haven't ruled out the S-line.

So as a newbie, I have question for you:

I will be doing 20000 per year, all motorway driving. I think the intervals are 20000 per year.

Roughly how much should I budget for a yearly service via independant specialist?

Roughly, how much shall I budget for brake pads assuming this is a yearly thing too.

I have been looking for a A6 with reversing cameras, was it a optional extra, or did it come as part of a pack?

Am I able to update the Maps?

Also, I can't get to grips with MMI, is there a MMI plus as well?

As you can see basic questions.

Thanks for your help!

Tony

Welcome! You don't say in your post whether you are looking at a 2.0 or 3.0 car and if the 2.0 manual or auto (i think by 2014 the 30 manual had been dropped).

The variable service schedule is upto 19000 miles, but will vary depending on the use the car gets. That said, a lot of motorway driving will tend to see you at the upper end of the range, so as you suggest 1 service per annum. Audi charge about £400 for an inspection & oil service so an independent will probably be somewhere around the £300 mark. On top of that you need to factor in £160 or so for a gearbox oil change every 2 years and this is something that requires specialist knowledge so may be best left to a dealer.

Regarding your proposed choice of car. Towards the end of 2014 Audi introduced the facelift version of the car, easily spotted externally by the use of trapezoidal exhaust trim rather than round pipes. It is much better to go for the facelift version if you can due to the higher standard spec. Likewise if you are going for a 2.0 car then one with the ultra engine (late 2014 pre and post facelift and all 2015) as these use the DSG auto box rather than the CVT box. The 2WD 3.0 car did not switch from CVT to DSG until spring 2015.

In 2014 the reversing camera came with the Parking System Advanced. In 2015 it was part of the Parking Pack

Updating maps is another age dependant issue. There are two MMI systems MMI RMC and MMI Navigation Plus. The RMC system is the standard one on all UK cars and uses maps stored on an SD Card which uses one of the slots below the CD slot on the Dash. These maps can only (legally) be updated by going to the dealer and buying a new SD card and getting them to unlock it (costs £150-200). On the MMI Navigation Plus System the maps are stored on a hard drive in the glove box. Pre facelift these maps can only be updated at the dealer. MMI Nav Plus cars have a larger "pop-up" screen and the touch panel on the transmission tunnel for entering information (RMC cars have 6 preset buttons here instead) Pre-face lift the MMI Nav Plus system usually came with Audi Connect (there was a period when Audi Connect was an option but I think it was standard again by the time you are looking at), there is a SIM card slot between the two SD Card slots behind the flap in the dash. This system uses a 3G connection. As part of the facelift the Audi Connect system was upgraded to 4G and with this you get 5 map updates (1 every 6 months for the first 3 years of the car) either via download to a PC or Over the Air using the 4G connection for free. We are only just into the period where that offer is expiring so have no idea what Audi will charge for these Over the Air updates going forward. Facelift cars with the MMI Nav Plus system also get the enhanced colour instrument panel with the ability to display the map between the speedo and rev counter. Audi Connect was also only initially licensed for 3 years so you may need to request reactivation if it has expired not he car you are buying, but Audi seem to do it for free - look for posts on this forum about getting it activated.

Hope this helps and you find the right car

[tlewisuk]

Welcome! You don't say in your post whether you are looking at a 2.0 or 3.0 car and if the 2.0 manual or auto (i think by 2014 the 30 manual had been dropped).

The variable service schedule is upto 19000 miles, but will vary depending on the use the car gets. That said, a lot of motorway driving will tend to see you at the upper end of the range, so as you suggest 1 service per annum. Audi charge about £400 for an inspection & oil service so an independent will probably be somewhere around the £300 mark. On top of that you need to factor in £160 or so for a gearbox oil change every 2 years and this is something that requires specialist knowledge so may be best left to a dealer.

Regarding your proposed choice of car. Towards the end of 2014 Audi introduced the facelift version of the car, easily spotted externally by the use of trapezoidal exhaust trim rather than round pipes. It is much better to go for the facelift version if you can due to the higher standard spec. Likewise if you are going for a 2.0 car then one with the ultra engine (late 2014 pre and post facelift and all 2015) as these use the DSG auto box rather than the CVT box. The 2WD 3.0 car did not switch from CVT to DSG until spring 2015.

In 2014 the reversing camera came with the Parking System Advanced. In 2015 it was part of the Parking Pack

Updating maps is another age dependant issue. There are two MMI systems MMI RMC and MMI Navigation Plus. The RMC system is the standard one on all UK cars and uses maps stored on an SD Card which uses one of the slots below the CD slot on the Dash. These maps can only (legally) be updated by going to the dealer and buying a new SD card and getting them to unlock it (costs £150-200). On the MMI Navigation Plus System the maps are stored on a hard drive in the glove box. Pre facelift these maps can only be updated at the dealer. MMI Nav Plus cars have a larger "pop-up" screen and the touch panel on the transmission tunnel for entering information (RMC cars have 6 preset buttons here instead) Pre-face lift the MMI Nav Plus system usually came with Audi Connect (there was a period when Audi Connect was an option but I think it was standard again by the time you are looking at), there is a SIM card slot between the two SD Card slots behind the flap in the dash. This system uses a 3G connection. As part of the facelift the Audi Connect system was upgraded to 4G and with this you get 5 map updates (1 every 6 months for the first 3 years of the car) either via download to a PC or Over the Air using the 4G connection for free. We are only just into the period where that offer is expiring so have no idea what Audi will charge for these Over the Air updates going forward. Facelift cars with the MMI Nav Plus system also get the enhanced colour instrument panel with the ability to display the map between the speedo and rev counter. Audi Connect was also only initially licensed for 3 years so you may need to request reactivation if it has expired not he car you are buying, but Audi seem to do it for free - look for posts on this forum about getting it activated.

Hope this helps and you find the right car

Thanks so much for your help

LOL! I might have to come back on the MMI stuff. I think I understand though!

I'm sorry I should said the engine, I am indeed looking for a ultra (euro 6) 2.0 version, auto only.

I will have a scout for the rear camera in the packs you mentioned, although if I find one with the MMI plus or Bose upgrade, might go with that.

Thanks!

Tlewisuk


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[Whippy53]

As the car will be three years old you can benefit from fixed price servicing. Major service £338.

[champakpopat]

grand choice although i may be partial having bought the a6 but i genuinely enjoyed a6's class and comfort over 5 series and e class....

- pay close attention to euro 6 compliance as i believe some euro5 a6s were still on sale into 2015 whilst some early 2014 a6s were euro6 compliant
- i am doing 3k a month, mainly motorway and love the adaptive cruise - almost more important than parking sensor as i need them only when i go to town on weekends whereas adaptive sruise i need every weekday on motorways
-for a late 2014 a6 se following are audi's fixed rates:
Servicing

• Interim Service£170
  
  
• Major Service£338
  

Maintenance

• MOT£49.99
  
  
• Front wiper blades£42
  
  
• Air conditioning service£79
  
  
• Cam belt£495
  
  
• Cam belt with water pump£649
  
  
• Clutch (non quattro)£899
  
  
• Clutch (quattro)£1059
  
  
• S-Tronic Transmission Oil & Filter change£225
  
  
• Multitronic Transmission Oil change£199
  
  
• Brake fluid change£65
  

Brakes (excludes ceramic brakes)

• Brake pads (rear)£185
  
  
• Brake pads (front)£195
  
  
• Brake pads & discs (rear)£375
  
  
• Brake pads & discs (front)£475
  

Unscheduled Maintenance

• Investigate an issue with my car£60
  

good luck with the search...

[champakpopat]

actually get the interim and major service done in £360 if you pay upfront or do £20 installments for 18months...

https://www.sytner.co.uk/audi/car-ma...-service-plan/

[tlewisuk]

grand choice although i may be partial having bought the a6 but i genuinely enjoyed a6's class and comfort over 5 series and e class....

- pay close attention to euro 6 compliance as i believe some euro5 a6s were still on sale into 2015 whilst some early 2014 a6s were euro6 compliant
- i am doing 3k a month, mainly motorway and love the adaptive cruise - almost more important than parking sensor as i need them only when i go to town on weekends whereas adaptive sruise i need every weekday on motorways
-for a late 2014 a6 se following are audi's fixed rates:
Servicing

• Interim Service£170
  
  
• Major Service£338
  

Maintenance

• MOT£49.99
  
  
• Front wiper blades£42
  
  
• Air conditioning service£79
  
  
• Cam belt£495
  
  
• Cam belt with water pump£649
  
  
• Clutch (non quattro)£899
  
  
• Clutch (quattro)£1059
  
  
• S-Tronic Transmission Oil & Filter change£225
  
  
• Multitronic Transmission Oil change£199
  
  
• Brake fluid change£65
  

Brakes (excludes ceramic brakes)

• Brake pads (rear)£185
  
  
• Brake pads (front)£195
  
  
• Brake pads & discs (rear)£375
  
  
• Brake pads & discs (front)£475
  

Unscheduled Maintenance

• Investigate an issue with my car£60
  

good luck with the search...

Thanks for this, sounds like your drive profile is similar to mine, out of interest what mpg are you getting?



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[ukgroucho]

Good luck with your search.

Reversing camera.. hmm When they are done well they are great, when not (as in "when they are often covered in road crap") they are not. I've seen comments that the A6 camera is prone to getting mucky. So you need to decide if it really is a deal breaker.
The good news is that most (all?) A6s come with very good all round parking sensors.. bit of practice and you can dock the deceptively large lump in most places where it will fit. There is a bit of learning regarding what the sensors really mean when they go from excited tweeting to solid squeaking but you figure that out pretty quick, and so long as you take your time (and if needed stop and jump out for a quick look during the early "learning days") you'll figure it out.

[Elansear]

Hi. I would go for a Facelift then it will be an ultra euro6. Try for one with the Tech pack as it gives you the HDD Nav with a better/larger main screen, the ability to have Nav between the speedo & rev counter. The standard parking sensors are very good as said when it thinks you should stop you generally have another foot or so to go. SE or S- line the choice is yours the S-line has a slightly better spec as standard. Road tax, my S-line is £20 PA. Adblue is another running cost around 6500-7000 miles before it will tell you it needs replenishing the tank is I think 17L. A 10 L can around £15 but appears to be dropping in price, easy DIY job. MPG. Only do around 7k of mixed returns around early 40s on a long run 70-80 it's around 50mpg. Serviceing costs by a main dealer are fair as pointed out earlier. Looking at the mileage you would be doing, I would go for an oil change twice a year to help protect your investment. Good hunting.

[champakpopat]

i average about 48-50mpg - thats with driving in economy mode mostly and outside the stop/start peak time traffic.... essentially the longer i am forced to drive around 50-60mph due to roadworks/traffic the better the mpg. achieved 60mpg once on a day when there were roadworks everywhere
if you are either a bit heavyfooted and/or are going to be driving peak times in stop start traffic i'd say expect around 44-46mpg.
Hope that helps.