Placing order for new A6 - Advice please

[SamF]

Hi All ;)

I have been floating on and off here for some time and thank you all for the knowledge and guidance that has been provided so far......
But, Im on the scrounge once more for advice!

Im going to be placing an order for a brand new car early next year - my first new one, and I want to make sure I have selected the right bits etc and is there anything I should avoid/add?


Currently I have priced up, test driven and drooled over the following:
























Engine
Black Edition 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic 313 PS

Exterior
Ibis White

Interior
Material: Valcona leather with S line embossing
stitching: Black
dashboard: Black-Black
carpet: Black
headlining: Black

Equipment
Advanced key with electric hands-free boot opening system and power-operated boot lid
All-LED headlights including adaptive light and high-beam assist
Ambient lighting
Audi Parking System Advanced with top view
Deletion of model and technology designation at rear
Deluxe 4-zone automatic air conditioning
Heated front and rear seats
Leather covered door armrests
75-litre fuel tank
Load-area fixing kit
Panoramic glass sunroof
Door mirrors – electrically adjustable, folding and heated with memory function
Electrically-adjustable front seats with memory function for driver's side
quattro with Sports differential
Reversible luggage compartment mat
S line Sports suspension
3-spoke leather-trimmed multi-function Sports steering wheel – heated, with gear-shift paddles
Technology package - Advanced
Now I know this is just a list copied of the site and to be fair, I probably don't 'need' all the goodies. But I know, as I have found with my currently car 2007 A6 2.7TDi LeMans, I am always thinking I wish I just had........

Already priced through DTD and extremely competitive, the 16wk lead time and 5% 2014 £increase killed it last mth as I might as well wait to place the order next year and get a 14 plate, or a discounted 13 plate.


I guess what Im asking is, am I an idiot and am I missing something?
PS. Id love the RS6 :aargh4: but need the economy as I do a 100mile commute every day.


Thanks!

[hopgop]

Hi All ;)

I have been floating on and off here for some time and thank you all for the knowledge and guidance that has been provided so far......
But, Im on the scrounge once more for advice!

Im going to be placing an order for a brand new car early next year - my first new one, and I want to make sure I have selected the right bits etc and is there anything I should avoid/add?


Currently I have priced up, test driven and drooled over the following:


Engine







Black Edition 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic 313 PS






Exterior







Ibis White


Interior







Material: Valcona leather with S line embossing



stitching: Black
dashboard: Black-Black
carpet: Black
headlining: Black





Equipment









Advanced key with electric hands-free boot opening system and power-operated boot lid





All-LED headlights including adaptive light and high-beam assist





Ambient lighting






Audi Parking System Advanced with top view






Deletion of model and technology designation at rear






Deluxe 4-zone automatic air conditioning






Heated front and rear seats






Leather covered door armrests






75-litre fuel tank






Load-area fixing kit






Panoramic glass sunroof






Door mirrors – electrically adjustable, folding and heated with memory function







Electrically-adjustable front seats with memory function for driver's side







quattro with Sports differential





Reversible luggage compartment mat






S line Sports suspension






3-spoke leather-trimmed multi-function Sports steering wheel – heated, with gear-shift paddles






Technology package - Advanced





Now I know this is just a list copied of the site and to be fair, I probably don't 'need' all the goodies. But I know, as I have found with my currently car 2007 A6 2.7TDi LeMans, I am always thinking I wish I just had........

Already priced through DTD and extremely competitive, the 16wk lead time and 5% 2014 £increase killed it last mth as I might as well wait to place the order next year and get a 14 plate, or a discounted 13 plate.


I guess what Im asking is, am I an idiot and am I missing something?
PS. Id love the RS6 :aargh4: but need the economy as I do a 100mile commute every day.


Thanks!

Wow! That will be some car!!! Mine is on order for 14 reg also so I haven't yet got direct ownership experience however. Two things I'd been advised make the car just that little bit classier are the lighting package definitely, and perhaps marginally, the storage package. Both cheap in the scheme of things. And I certainly wouldn't be deleting my model designation on that awesome car!!! If you've got it......Flaunt it!

[man le-mans]

Wow that will be a very nice car and a big step from the C6 2.7tdi but the RS6 is just a completely different car and much more of an animal. If money was no problem I'd have a RS6. Which I could buy with no problem but what I can't get passed is the amount of money I would lose in the 2-3 years.
I would be thinking that 30k I've lost in the 3 years would go very nicely towards another rental but that's just me being careful.
I also say if you want it and can afford it then buy it as you only live once

[SamF]

Thanks, the only reason for deleting the details of the rear is I dont really want everyone knowing what I am driving - it will also make it less likely for the traffic light idiots wanting to play (other than the upset Porsche driver I just left behind ;))

[EssexGonzo]

Thanks, the only reason for deleting the details of the rear is I dont really want everyone knowing what I am driving - it will also make it less likely for the traffic light idiots wanting to play (other than the upset Porsche driver I just left behind ;))

Don't they all just say "TDI" anyway? Didn't think the badging was any different from a 2.0.

(But I could be wrong).

Nice motor, enjoy. :cool:

[ukgroucho]

They just say "TDi" - there is nothing that tells you it's a bi-turbo except the exhaust growl. You can tell the 2.0 TDis from the 3.0 TDi by the exhaust layout. 2.0 TDI has two exhausts on the same side (left side if I recall) and 3.0 TDis have two exhausts but separated - one each side. You can't hide that.

As far as color goes... hmm I know it's a matter of taste but the Ibis white is just rather "flat". If you want white then look at the Glacier White. My allroad is glacier white - my wifes A1 is Ibis white.. the glacier white really lights up in comparison.

Lighting pack is a nice bit of bling and is only a couple of hundred £.

[Birgy]

Sounds pretty comprehensive.
Had mine 3 months now. Badged or not, makes no difference. The twin exhausts, 20" rotors, & noise, tells everyone around I'm in something substantially different !
Memory package essential, tech high a godsend & I live in Google Earth mode....love it !
Don' get too optimistic with MPG....your heart takes over.
By the way, I started to walk out when negotiating another 4k off quoted price.....took another 45mins....but got it + free chip / scratch repair for 3 years.

[SamF]

Thanks all, with regards to the colour I think I am set on white, just what blend of white I guess.... I assume the flat white would be easier on chips, repairs etc, am I wrong?

I currently have Daytona grey and while it is nice, it doesn't really pop, if you know what I mean?

Birgy, I know I should ask, but what is your mpg?


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[belly buster]

Don't they all just say "TDI" anyway? Didn't think the badging was any different from a 2.0.

(But I could be wrong).

Nice motor, enjoy. :cool:

As it is a quattro it would say TDI quattro.

[Birgy]

No problem,
getting 30 to 32 at best as opposed to quoted +40. Drive most of the time in individual setting in comfort engine & suspension....flick into sport with gear lever & use the paddles a lot, so would say 70% of the time I am sensible, the rest of the time "stretching my legs" !

[razor77]

And I certainly wouldn't be deleting my model designation on that awesome car!!! If you've got it......Flaunt it!

Each to their own, I'd rather be discrete about power, I prefer for joe blogs to assume I am in a 2.0 tdi, and the two tail pipies to those that know only share that I have a 3.0l tdi, but not which..

All options are a personal choice, but of that list I would say don't bother with the LED lights, that said I have never used them, I am just more than happy with xenons again, after having a car with then without.

My other choice was to take the s-line and spec with black windows and roof lining, because personally I fancied the silver trim, grill and roof rails. I also selected the s-line because the roads where I live are shocking, in the end I wanted the 18" over 20" alloys, overall they will only give me more comfort and cost less to replace. I do miss out on the Bose, although I for my typically short journeys with the family the stock on the s-line is just fine.

Finally consider the A7, for the bitdi there about an equal price with a matched DTD or OW price. To be honest although I have the Avant that bit of extra space high up, I never use it and on the A7 you get electric seats thrown in... and that brings me to my regret on the A6, I should have got electric seats as my wife and I are 12" apart and it drives me mad adjusting the seat almost each time I get in. Another thought on the A6 vs A7, while I like the A6 Avant I don't look back and think that car looks amazing.

Oh if you're thinking about the bitdi over an S6 for MPG, I generally get 27mpg, occasionally 32mpg and best 39mpg, the first on short runs and the latter on mostly motorway for about 60miles. I am wishing I had considered a year old S6, not new because you don't get the same DTD/OW deals despite the RRP being similar.

[Passatier3]

Each to their own, I'd rather be discrete about power, I prefer for joe blogs to assume I am in a 2.0 tdi, and the two tail pipies to those that know only share that I have a 3.0l tdi, but not which..

All options are a personal choice, but of that list I would say don't bother with the LED lights, that said I have never used them, I am just more than happy with xenons again, after having a car with then without.

My other choice was to take the s-line and spec with black windows and roof lining, because personally I fancied the silver trim, grill and roof rails. I also selected the s-line because the roads where I live are shocking, in the end I wanted the 18" over 20" alloys, overall they will only give me more comfort and cost less to replace.

Finally consider the A7, for the bitdi there about an equal price with a matched DTD or OW price. To be honest although I have the Avant that bit of extra space high up, I never use it and on the A7 you get electric seats thrown in... and that brings me to my regret on the A6, I should have got electric seats as my wife and I are 12" apart and it drives me mad adjusting the seat almost each time I get in. Another thought on the A6 vs A7, while I like the A6 Avant I don't look back and think that car looks amazing.

Oh if you're thinking about the bitdi over an S6 for MPG, I generally get 27mpg, occasionally 32mpg and best 39mpg, the first on short runs and the latter on mostly motorway for about 60miles. I am wishing I had considered a year old S6, not new because you don't get the same DTD/OW deals new despite the RRP being similar.

I absolutely love the look of the Avant and whilst it is longer than my previous Passat the useable part of the boot is quite a bit smaller due to the steeper slope of the rear. I find that you have to push things considerably further in to avoid fouling the rear door.

With the seats down though it is a big load space as I found when moving stuff to my son's flat. I think that looks came first for the Audi designers rather than full on practicality, but do I care! Therefore the A7 is definitely a viable option rather than the Avant.

[ukgroucho]

Oh if you're thinking about the bitdi over an S6 for MPG, I generally get 27mpg, occasionally 32mpg and best 39mpg, the first on short runs and the latter on mostly motorway for about 60miles. I am wishing I had considered a year old S6, not new because you don't get the same DTD/OW deals despite the RRP being similar.

WOW... My overall average since new in my allroad BiTdi is between 36 and 37 MPG - and the allroad is supposed to be a bit less economical than the saloon / avant.. Car has done about 5500 miles. When the weather was warmer I was regularly seeing high 30s on local trips and 41 / 42 cruising at 'normal' motorway speeds. I even had one run of about 100 miles where I needed to sit on conference calls so I stuck the cruise control at 72 and on that trip I saw 48 MPG....
It is noticeably less economical now that the weather is cooler but I'm still surprised at the figures that you are seeing.


Oh colour... if you think that the daytona grey does not "pop" and you are set on a white car then you REALLY need to look at an A6 in Ibis alongside one in Glacier. Unfortunately my wife's A1 is not visible in the attached photo for you to compare Ibis with glacier, but this shows how 'bright' the glacier white is when it is clean... it also has quite a range of 'looks' depending on the daylight, from bright white to an icy grey.

[SamF]

Thanks for the info and pic, that is bright!

I'm hoping to compare the two side by side on Saturday at the dealer, he did chuckle when I asked!

The Daytona is nice as a colour and when clean looks great, but I'd really like something that stands out from the sea of greys and silvers, that said, luminous green is not an option!


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[Whippy53]

Err, ummm, there is red as well you know.

[ukgroucho]

luminous green is not an option!

Well it IS available - but it gets very ££££. For £2155 you can pick any standard Audi colour (in their entire range) ... and for £2655 you can 'roll your own' custom colour.

[razor77]

WOW... My overall average since new in my allroad BiTdi is between 36 and 37 MPG - and the allroad is supposed to be a bit less economical than the saloon / avant.. Car has done about 5500 miles. When the weather was warmer I was regularly seeing high 30s on local trips and 41 / 42 cruising at 'normal' motorway speeds. I even had one run of about 100 miles where I needed to sit on conference calls so I stuck the cruise control at 72 and on that trip I saw 48 MPG....
It is noticeably less economical now that the weather is cooler but I'm still surprised at the figures that you are seeing

I've done approaching 2400 since September, I largely work from home and runs are to the local towns or neighboring villages. These journeys are typically 6 - 14 miles and encounter 8 to 12 junctions, to give an idea of the stop starts. On longer motorway runs when resetting the MPG and cruising in a warm car at 80mph I get about 37. Doing the same by foot and keeping the speed at 80 it was the same. Between Economy and Dynamic (in sport) there was no difference, that said when fixed at the same speed.

The only up side, I get 22MPG on a very spirited drive, when I would only get 12-14 in a 3.0l petrol roadster of similar statistical performance (drive wise nothing close).

[ukgroucho]

Razor,

Very odd. Although the car is probably still loosening up... my best figures were in the remnants of the warm weather and with over 4k miles on the clock. Oh and I do use BP Ultimate... it is SUPPOSED to make for better fuel efficiency etc.

I've done several runs of ~100 miles during the warmer weather where cruising at 80 gave better than 40 mpg average. In fact the trip 'down south' to visit head office from where I live is about 100 miles comprising 18 miles of mixed mainly A roads (ups, downs, half a dozen roundabouts) and then M40 until dropping onto the A404 dual carriageway / motorway for 8 miles(?) with a roundabout (and manic blast uphill) in the middle, followed by a bit more motorway. That run returned 41 - 43 mpg both ways on a couple of occasions that I did it in September...

EDIT 13/11/2013... and an 80 mile run today (including 5 mins on the drive defrosting) returned 41 and a bit going and just shy of 43 coming back...so the cold weather ain't hurting it too bad yet.

[Passatier3]

Err, ummm, there is red as well you know.

Yep and certainly less common. White being the new silver evidently is getting pretty common nowadays from many manufacturers.

[ali00]

The Glacier White is definitely the right white to go for. The Ibis looks really dull in comparison.


I too have Glacier White!
22906

[Hippogriff]

I guess what Im asking is, am I an idiot and am I missing something?

Unless I missed 'em, what about the HUD and / or Night Vision assistant? A good way to spend another couple of grand. ;) In my mind they're rarer options - you've got pretty much every standard option, and then some. I was always interested in Speed Limit Display, but some people have reported it's not all there, yet.

[SamF]

I haven't tried or seen a car with HUD, but I could see myself getting annoyed with it. I'm really picky about what is in my field of view.
Same with the speed limit display, but not really sure it does more that what mine does now, set limit and it bongs when you hit it, nothing more.

Night vision - major gimmick, and will probably end up with seeing how well it works and crashing! :D
I can have a look at these this weekend.

Ta


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[Hippogriff]

Same with the speed limit display, but not really sure it does more that what mine does now, set limit and it bongs when you hit it, nothing more.

This is not correct... it is a combination of a camera and magic... not a "bong".

[SamF]

Does that usually come with a flash and a gift from the postman in a weeks time?

[Hippogriff]

Maybe in a 313ps car, but not a 143ps or 150ps.

[belly buster]

The speed limit display (funnily enough) displays the road speed limit. Useful for avoiding the nasty letters in the post. If you go for the HUD the SLD is great as you see your current speed and the speed limit right next to each other. Either way it is shown on the DIS.

I have found it is 95% accurate; they have a bit further to go to get it bob on.

As for the HUD it is very unobtrusive. My pics here give sort of an idea of how it looks Hud (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?150050-Hud&p=841850#post841850)

[SamF]

Thanks for link, it does look fun (read practical) however I do agree, the last minute after thought ugly box arrangement doesn't look nice at all :(

I like nice smooth lines and a good finish and I think I might be too fussy!

Hopefully I can spend Sat morn looking closely at all the goodies and trying them.




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[Hippogriff]

I think you are already lucky if you are able to see all these options in the flesh, so to speak. When I test drove an A6 BE (thanks to Wakefield Audi) it had the black and white DIS and standard MMI even. I always thought that demo. cars should be truly "fully loaded" (it would help sell options, certainly) but they hardly ever seem to have the more exciting things available, going for all the stock / basic things... hopefully your experience may be different.

The HUD box looks poorly implemented / integrated, I agree. If this kind of stuff was available on the A4, then I'd probably have stretched to include it (some of it).

P.S. - in fact, thinking on it, if I was going for an A6 I would be adding some extra options that were more exclusive to that car, by virtue of the fact that they might not be even options on other vehicles, like the A4 or A5.

P.P.S. - that is not to say I didn't want the A4, I get B&O instead of BOSE, I get 19" wheels instead of 20", I don't get bilked so much on the auto-folding / dimming mirrors, better standard AC, AMI in the glovebox (where it should be)... miss out on MMI Touch, though.

[SamF]

I found the same thing and this was confirmed by the dealer I'm seeing on Sat.
He said that although it is unlikely I will be able to see all the goodies on one vehicle, it may be possible to see the HUD on an A7 and the adaptive cruise on an A5 etc etc.

I know it would be nice to see them all in operation in the car I want to buy, but hey :biglaugh:

[SamF]

Got a bit of a daft question, is there such a thing as pre heating the car before you get in it?
With winter looming I could see this being welcomed!


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[johnsimcox]

Got a bit of a daft question, is there such a thing as pre heating the car before you get in it?
With winter looming I could see this being welcomed!


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Not on UK spec cars. Think it is an option for Scandinavian spec cars


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[SamF]

those clever so and so's!

[belly buster]

Thanks for link, it does look fun (read practical) however I do agree, the last minute after thought ugly box arrangement doesn't look nice at all :(

I like nice smooth lines and a good finish and I think I might be too fussy!

Hopefully I can spend Sat morn looking closely at all the goodies and trying them.

The box thing on the dash is a little cumbersome granted, but in fact from the drivers position looking out of the window you don't really see it and your eye is not drawn to it. I notice the reflection of the box in the windscreen but only when the sun is at a particular angle.

There's probably 0.01% of cars on the road with this tech. It will improve over time but as a first adopter Audi have a very good starting point,

[SamF]

Thanks for your input, I'm not going to dismiss it entirely until I have seen it in person, agreed the web pictures don't do it any justice.

Just sat in my car now and trying to imaging what it looks like on the dash profile and agree it prob it won't make any difference visually from my position.


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[jk88]

I've had my car a little over a year now, bought used with some of the options you are considering. Based on my personal experience/preferences, would I go for them if I was buying new?

Advanced key and powered boot - yes, works very well and extremely convenient.
LED headlamps - probably not, they are excellent but not really worth the money over the Xenons.
Ambient lighting - probably, but could go either way.
Advanced parking system - yes, I don't have top view, but the rear camera is excellent so top view probably worth the extra.
4 zone climate - yes, especially as it allows things like heated rear seats and ventilated fronts etc.
Heated seats - yes, wouldn't buy a car without them.
Leather covered armrests - probably, they are very tactile, but could go either way.
Door mirrors - yes, I have the dimming version, work really well.
Memory seats - no, but mainly because I'm the only one driving it.
Heated steering wheel - yes, a bit of a guilty pleasure, brilliant on cold winter mornings.
Tech package - no (I have the standard not the advanced). I would have the MMI Nav Plus, but not fussed about the HUD, find myself looking at the speedo anyway, plus you do get reflections in the windscreen. AMI not really needed as you can use the HDD jukebox function for your music.

As someone has already mentioned, trying to find cars with all the options you want to evaluate is very difficult. I'm expect almost every single option is covered by the combined cars owned on this forum, so I'm sure people would be happy to show you stuff on their cars if you're stuck.

[SamF]

Thanks JK, very useful info.


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[Eddo1968]

P.P.S. - that is not to say I didn't want the A4, I get B&O instead of BOSE, I get 19" wheels instead of 20", I don't get bilked so much on the auto-folding / dimming mirrors, better standard AC, AMI in the glovebox (where it should be)... miss out on MMI Touch, though.

I came from 2 A4 Avants to an A6 so agree on some points like the B&O (which is amazing compared to Bose), however the AMI in the glovebox is completely annoying, if you're alone in the car. So much better in the centre arm rest and less likely to forget your phone in the car!

[Hippogriff]

I have never once used my phone to play music in the car. I use a dedicated HDD in the glovebox and it's in the perfect location, with its little netting. I never need to remove it, unless refreshing the tracks.