A6 replacement suggestions?

[Rikster23]

I will be selling A6 at the end of the month. Driving it to Southampton docks and sending it away to its new (previous) owner in Oz.

Offered the same money I paid for it over a year ago so nothing really lost.

I have been umming and ahhing and with not much luck haven't come up with an A6 (estate version) replacement of the current spec.

So have been pointed towards trying out a Skoda, VW Passat and a Mazda 6.

All within £11-12k budget and ideally low(ish) mileage. Athough I test driven any of them out yet, I wanted to get an idea of any owners who have upgraded from the named cars to the A6 and what is the comparison.

Spec wise Im hoping for 2.0 TDI with full leathers, sat nav, parkign sensors and most mod cons. Something around 08 range.

I came across a nice looking Mazda 6 estate within the price range and with 11k on the clock, but the problem is that the car mentioned is based in Scotland. I live in London :(

Anyways welcome all options. I need boot space as I have a 6 month old daughter and we hope to add another within 2 years time :)

[neil s]

I've had my A6 for 3 years now and I'm beginning to think about replacing it. When I'm out driving or walking through a car park I look at other cars to get ideas of what I'd like to replace it with and so far my shortlist is down to.......a new A6.

I briefly thought about a new Jaguar XF but I don't think I want an auto and they don't do manual gearboxes. BMWs are out, obviously, and I'm not that taken with the A4; it's a bit too similar to the A6 inside and I'd like to be sitting somewhere different for a change. I also don't think they're that good value when you compare them to an A6; I'd originally intended to get an A4 Avant rather than the A6 as this was just before our second came along and the Golf I had at the time could barely contain all the paraphernalia we needed for an overnight stay with just our daughter, let alone 2 of the little bleeders angels, but used A4 Avants seemed to be at least as expensive as an A6 saloon, and the boot in the A6 was plenty big enough for prams, travel cots and everything else.

Our youngest is 2½ now so trips away don't involve quite so much clobber so I might take a look at one of the new A3 sportbacks, but I suspect that might be a little bit too small; my wife doesn't believe in packing light even if we're only going away for a couple of nights.

Anyway, that probably doesn't help much, but don't discount a saloon as you can get an awful lot in the boot!

Neil.

[Rikster23]

Cheers for taking the time to respond. My thought is the same. A newer A6, but I simply dont want to go down that avenue given that I have a limited budget to contest with currently.

We went from an A3 to the A6 and my wife loves the feeling of security, power when needed and as you and I (and everyone else) know that the boot is really big.

My thoughts were to try something different, although my intention is to spend less than my budget on a higher mileage estate, the saloon has always been lingering in my mind. Reason why I havent chosen another saloon is that my experience with my current A6, is that the rear seats dont fold forward. I was at Ikea on a windy and rainy afternoon and trying to put the new furniture in the boot just didnt work. I wasnt able to pull the seats down and eventually found out that it was fixed.

Hence having the option for an estate means future proofing for driving holidays where I can take the pram, travel cot, road bike and the kitchen sink along.

The A4 is not a good example, as I feel it is just slightly bigger than the A4 and the illusion you get that it is as big as the A6. But after sitting in one in the rear. I decided I will stick with something that has more legroom.

[rafletcher]

The 2.2d Mazda6 Sport is good, I had the 2l version. Comfy, roomy, quick, great boot and fantastic one-touch seat lowering of the back row. Skoda Superb maybe. Passat overpriced for what it is IMO.

[c4a5er]

Reason why I havent chosen another saloon is that my experience with my current A6, is that the rear seats dont fold forward. I was at Ikea on a windy and rainy afternoon and trying to put the new furniture in the boot just didnt work. I wasnt able to pull the seats down and eventually found out that it was fixed.

Not all saloons have fixed rear seats.....mine fold down and the space is enormous. Just need to do a little searching for the right spec.

[neilos100]

I would be looking at a Skoda Superb.....it seems to be exactly that..Superb! Haven't read a bad review yet! Even better reliability than Audi apparantly.

Neil

[neilos100]

Like this one..... Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 140 S 5DR 2010 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301144913128/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/10000/price-to/12000/model/superb/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/6/quicksearch/true/radius/1500/postcode/ub108rt?logcode=p)

[Paul Barls]

The boot in the A6 Saloon or (Limosuine :D) as i am now informed they can be called is bigger than the A8. Also the seats in my 55 plate do fold down and i have had 5 x 6 feet doors stacked in the back. I know you say you want to change BUT maybe reconsider! :aargh4:

[Guest 2]

iirc all quattro saloons have folding rear seats

[gupsterg]

I would be looking at a Skoda Superb.....it seems to be exactly that..Superb! Haven't read a bad review yet! Even better reliability than Audi apparantly.

Neil

x2, I know an Audi convert to one... maybe soon I will join that club :) ... there was some discussion in this thread as well Link:- what A6 estate to buy? (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?140837-what-A6-estate-to-buy&highlight=gupsterg+skoda)

[Rikster23]

Thanks for the replies guys(and girls?)

Yes the spec I have doesnt have folding seats, but I am going to view an A6 estate on saturday. Sub 11k with S Line spec.
Linky - Audi A6 2.0 TDI DPF S LINE 5DR MULTITRONIC SATNAV 20 for sale in Hertford Hertfordshire | GP Cars (http://www.gpcars.co.uk/used_car_audi_a6_estate_3402.htm)

Thanks for the Skonda, but the interior does let it down and although it is a good price, I personally would fork out that extra ££ for an Audi :(

Anyways my wife wasnt sold on the Mazda 6, partially because the nearest estate with similar spec is based in Glasgow (lol)

Thoughts on the above link?

[Rikster23]

Like this one..... Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 140 S 5DR 2010 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301144913128/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/10000/price-to/12000/model/superb/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/6/quicksearch/true/radius/1500/postcode/ub108rt?logcode=p)


This one is quite nice, but mileage is a little high. However it is a 2011 model - Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170 ELEGANCE 5DR DSG +++ SPEC ///. 2011 (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302155361063/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/price-from/9000/price-to/12000/model/superb/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/n20lp?logcode=p)

[Rikster23]

So my search for an A6 replacement has ended.

My current car is booked in for tuesday to be shipped from Southampton docks to Oz. So I will give it a nice farewell drive tuesday morning.

Over the last few weeks I have viewed a fair few A6 estates and on a wet saturday to my surprise I came across a lovely Black BMW 520D M Sport. Full package, 60k on clock and asking for under 14k. We negotiated and eventually settled for 1k off the asking price.

Its in excellent condition, FSH and drives really well. I put a deposit down and will be looking to pick up next weekend. My concerns is the 18" alloys that come with the car as I would imagine to replace them will cost a bit more and also affecting the turning somewhat.

Its a solidly grounded car and I was very surprised with the drive. Granted it will need remapping to give it a bit more smoother gear change etc but I am very happy with it.

So sadly I will no longer be an A6 driver (for now)

[gupsterg]

:sadwavey:....

[Guest 2]

Hope you're happy with your new purchase, make sure you pop in now and again :)

[Dozy]

Be VERY careful as regards the timing chain on this N47 engine : Google "bmw N47" and all you will find are tales of woe regarding snapping timing chains, huge bills and a flat refusal from BMW to admit that there are any issues. If car outwith warranty period and <100k miles, BMW MIGHT make a modest (and I mean modest) good will gesture towards parts and labour bill from a BMW dealer. If mileage >100k, BMW regard that mileage to be in excess of the engine's design life (as the timing chain, by their own definition is designed to last for the life of the engine) and will not be interested in your plight. Not much of an advert if you only expect your engines to last that long! BMW have a huge problem and are taking a full on "ostrich approach" to it. It is common knowledge that there is a design / quality flaw with the timing chains in a three year run of these engines and there are a few "class action" legal cases about to be raised. Almost enough to make you thankful for an accessable timing belt that you can at least inspect if you want to!
Belts 1 : Cheapo chains nil.
Cheers
Dozy

[saj_a6]

Also look out for the swirl flaps on the bmw diesels, even bigger problem than the swirl flaps on the audis from what I've heard. As a precaution had the blanking plates put in on my wifes 320d with no loss of power from what i can tell driving it.
Depends on how old/recent your car is as thinks its more a problem with some of the older models.

[mabaudi]

I can confirm the chain issue. My friend had a 08 plate 520 estate and the chain went at 73k miles. Full BMW history but got nowhere with the dealers etc It cost near £3k to get fixed at an Indi. The indi had 2 similar cars that month. His old 530, w plate had 140k miles an never missed a beat..Makes sure you get a good warranty

[Rikster23]

Thanks for the advice and I went with my mechanic yesterday to pick up.

It is an 08 plate, so its E61. I have a 3 month warrenty with an option to extend for the year.
Have read up about the swirl flaps issue and as far as the opinion was, the car drove with no problems. No white smoke, no tell tale signs of leaking under engine and pulled well.
Will be doing a full on service in August at the MOT runs out then. Have checked the mileage on gov website and confirmed mileage etc.

Will put up some pics later.

[Rikster23]

Heres a pic of the car I recently picked up.

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7844/55299210151822597939622r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/55299210151822597939622r.jpg/)

The A6 is on a boat across the world now :(