A6 All road Buying Advice please

[Bartx]

Hi, I'm looking to buy an A6 allroad. around 2012/13 plate
ideally 245 bhp
Any tips on what to look for or avoid ?
Many thanks.

[lynalldiscovery]

Wife has had hers (2013 245bhp) for nearly a year, this is her fourth audi all the 3.0tdi versions, all been damned good cars.
Oddly this one the newest she has had has been the most hassle, that sounds bad but it isnt really! let me explain.
Owned for 6mths air susp packed up, I ages spent thinking it was something amazingly complicated only to find a duff compressor power plug under the car that had been poorly repaired, easy and free fix by me.
Now its got a duff front wheel bearing, not a biggee I know
And er thats it

Plus points the ride is sublime unlike all her previous stupid S line back breaking jobbies before.
It goes well, does somewhere between 35/40mpg overall
Easy to service

It was Audi approved used so you get a years warranty and we are waiting to have the wheel bearing sorted, but its down to the wife to ring and chase them up, only been two weeks so far, not Audis fault, totally my wifes!
As an upside being approved it had new pads all around, 4 new pirelli tyres, 3 refurbed wheels and very tidy paint, on the downside that meant the previous owner liked their kerbs.

There seems to be a few bhp versions, low 218bhp version, most common is the 245 which comes with the S tronic (dsg box) I dont like it myself, but she does and as its her car!
The big 310bhp version has a proper slush auto box and if I was buying for myself I would be after this one, downside is the bitdi owners always seem to be posting on here with engine coolant/turbo issues etc (that will upset them), 245 just works and keeps working.

The biggest issue is finding one as theres not many around, dont get to wrapped up in the spec, if it looks nice/drives nice and you like it, buy it, if it has big wheels run away.

[Bartx]

Hi lynalldiscovery,
Much appreciated for your input. I will bear all that in mind.
245 model is 1 I'm after. The hunt continues.
What's the difference between the gear box on the 245 and 204/218 model ?
i agree, finding the right 1 is going to take some time.

[lynalldiscovery]

I have no idea what if any difference there are on the gearboxs, I would hazard a guess they are the same, after all it is under 30bhp difference?
When she was looking there were quite a few 218bhp models around, so maybe ex fleet cars for tax reasons?
Her previous 2 A6s were the 245 versions, so I said stick with what you know.

[Marmoset]

I think gearboxes are the same s-tronic(dsg) for the lower powered cars and a traditional auto, badged as multi-tronic, for the bitdi.

On that subject, look that it’s had a gearbox fluid change on the s-tronic at intervals of 40k. Just booked mine in at the dealer at a cost of £225 so look to knock that off the price if it’s only just missed one. I’d avoid one that hasn’t had that oil change when required.

As lynalldiscovery says, ride is great (almost as good as my disco 3 was) even on 19” wheels IMHO, it can float down a B road in a very composed manner with the suspension set in comfort mode. Easily over 40mpg on the motorway and mine is showing a 37mpg average over mixed driving and 5,000 miles.

I think I have a failing wheel bearing judging from the noise but that’s the only real issue. I’ve only had mine for 4 months and bought it privately at significantly less than any dealer had them on for. I looked for about 7 weeks for mine though as there were certain options I wanted (stereo, DIS, towbar)