A6 Quattro?

[Audi convert]

Hi, first post and seriously considering my first Audi

Ive got a Audi A6 S line Quattro 3.0 TDI 245PS on test next week for a few days and really looking forward to it

Subject to a positive (expected) experience I plan to factory order as follows

A6 S line Quattro 3.0 TDI 204PS S tronic
Moonlight Blue metallic
Valcona black Leather

options


Fine grain ash natural wood inlay
Privacy glass
Heated front seats + lumbar
Bose surround sound speakers
Mobile telephone prep - low (i)
Music interface (ii)


Also considering the Technology package, that includes (i) and (ii) above for extra £1k

I'm sure the test drive in the loaded loaner will encourage a tweak of the above but would be interested in opinions on my choices from your own experience (£45k top budget)

I have been a regular contributor on BMW and Jaguar forums in the past and hope to be around here for a while.

[Eddo1968]

Wood in a new Audi? Definitely not for me but each to their own..

Privacy glass is good to keep the heat out in summer, especially if you have kids in the back.

Heated front seats are a god send here, although I've always found Audi lumbar adjustment has a very poor range and not much effect.

Many will possibly disagree with me but I've always found the Bose in several of my previous Audis to be totally underwhelming. I tried it in a loan A6 last year and although a bit better, not worth the extra cash IMHO, and I'm happy that my A6 was specced with the standard speakers. I really can't understand why they can't put a much lower priced B&O system in the A6 like they do in the A4 because it's in a completely different league..

i think my MMI is the one below the google set up and I have to say that apart from some minor irritations it works really well, especially pairing with my iPhone 5.

[Audi convert]

Wood in a new Audi? Definitely not for me but each to their own.

Ha ha

All my cars have had wood so far! (Rover x2, Jaguar, BMW x3) my mates, wife and work colleagues mock me for it

The wood choices for the A6 are superb compared to other marques

might drop the bose speakers and go for tech package? Mmmmm

[Eddo1968]

How much are they charging you for the fake dead tree? :-)

if I were you I'd try and hear the Bose against the standard set up, and see if it's worth the extra cash. I find that the standard speakers are pretty good, especially with tracks that have been downloaded into the jukebox and DAB.

[Audi convert]

How much are they charging you for the fake dead tree? :-)

if I were you I'd try and hear the Bose against the standard set up, and see if it's worth the extra cash. I find that the standard speakers are pretty good, especially with tracks that have been downloaded into the jukebox and DAB.

Wood inlay is £365 and an absolute bargain! ;-)



Hopefully the loaner will have Bose system for trial

[belly buster]

Make sure you test drive the 204PS before buying, as it is a lot less potent than the 245PS

[Audi convert]

Make sure you test drive the 204PS before buying, as it is a lot less potent than the 245PS

That was my plan but no 204PS with Quattro in UK for test (local dealer even argued 3.0 204PS Quattro didn't exist until he checked further)

Plan to test 245PS with Quattro and 204PS without (its the Quattro that motivates me rather than raw performance)

Changing from a 2012 BMW 20d X3 SUV the 204PS will not disappoint I'm sure (fingers crossed)

[ukgroucho]

You might find a 204 PS allroad to test drive... I tested one of those (only allroad test vehicle my dealer had) - and, of course, they are all quattro. Suspension will feel very different to an S-line but you'd get a feeling for the 'grunt'. When I drove the allroad 204 it felt 'similar' (acceleration) to my 2005 C6 3.0 TDi quattro that was somewhere around 225bhp I think - but rather heavier. I think the C6 still had a bit more mid-range torque. I'd definitely suggest trying a 204 and a 245 (and a BiTDi if you really want to stretch the budget :).

In terms of toys.. tech pack gives you uprated nav, HDD jukebox, bigger MMI display and colour DIS (in addition to the other bits you mention) - the bigger MMI display and colour DIS lift the cabin of the A6 compared with the smaller MMI and mono DIS... they really are what the A6 cabin deserves and you'll see much discussion in other threads on here.

Not sure what the discount situation is right now but there have been some killer deals on A6 during the last year.. always worth going to drivethedeal and orangewheels to get a quote and use that to negotiate with your dealer.In terms of your £45k max..

I have an A6 allroad BiTdi, glacier white metallic, tech pack, lighting pack, 75l fuel tank, sports front seats, heated seats all round, 4 zone climate, adaptive xenons... the allroad is more expensive that an A6 avant to start with as it has air suspension and some extra goodies includes (storage packs etc.) - I paid just over £45k for that in July (>£55k list). £45k should get you a lot of car especially if you hold back to the 245ps.

[Audi convert]

You might find a 204 PS allroad to test drive... I tested one of those (only allroad test vehicle my dealer had) - and, of course, they are all quattro. Suspension will feel very different to an S-line but you'd get a feeling for the 'grunt'. When I drove the allroad 204 it felt 'similar' (acceleration) to my 2005 C6 3.0 TDi quattro that was somewhere around 225bhp I think - but rather heavier. I think the C6 still had a bit more mid-range torque. I'd definitely suggest trying a 204 and a 245 (and a BiTDi if you really want to stretch the budget :).

In terms of toys.. tech pack gives you uprated nav, HDD jukebox, bigger MMI display and colour DIS (in addition to the other bits you mention) - the bigger MMI display and colour DIS lift the cabin of the A6 compared with the smaller MMI and mono DIS... they really are what the A6 cabin deserves and you'll see much discussion in other threads on here.

Not sure what the discount situation is right now but there have been some killer deals on A6 during the last year.. always worth going to drivethedeal and orangewheels to get a quote and use that to negotiate with your dealer.In terms of your £45k max..

I have an A6 allroad BiTdi, glacier white metallic, tech pack, lighting pack, 75l fuel tank, sports front seats, heated seats all round, 4 zone climate, adaptive xenons... the allroad is more expensive that an A6 avant to start with as it has air suspension and some extra goodies includes (storage packs etc.) - I paid just over £45k for that in July (>£55k list). £45k should get you a lot of car especially if you hold back to the 245ps.

Thanks for the advice, I will certainly take it on board, especially re tech pack and test of 204PS engine

The car will be a company vehicle on contract hire for a couple of years so list price/budget and Co2 emissions will be riding factors (the tax man has more than his fair share of my hard earned £'s)

[C172s]

Welcome!

it sounds like a lovely spec and it ticks all the boxes! The car comes with so much as standard so your options are sensible. The quattro is a different experience and it feels very planted on our wet twisty roads too as it whizzes you around. You have to experience it.
I have BOSE and actually enjoy it. It comes down to the quality of the tracks that you input that makes all the difference. The BOSE isn't perfect but I think it's a good addition over the standard setup and I'm not disappointed, personally speaking.

Good luck and I hope you stay an Audi convert after your test drive.

[Eddo1968]

The loan car that I mentioned earlier (with the Bose) was a 204ps 3.0tdi, as opposed to my 245. Maybe it was to do with the suspension set up (no adaptive suspension) and sports seats, however it felt lighter and sportier than mine, although with less grunt. I find that the engines and suspension totally change the car. Before I went from a 3.0tdi A4 Allroad to a company car 2.0 TDI A4 Avant (without Quattro) - completely different car.

Cars nowadays are effectively tailor made with so many permutations that unless you work for Audi it will be impossible to find out the configuration that suits you best!

Next time I will definitely try and go for the sports seats as they seem a lot more comfortable and supportive.

re the wood, I hate to say it but if I was forced to choose wood, it wouldn't be the example you posted!

[pumpsmynads]

The black edition version includes the Bose and privacy glass so if the bigger wheels and body kit, etc.. float your boat, something to consider. I think the differential is about £2k though so £600-700 in real terms for your spec.

[Audi convert]

The black edition version includes the Bose and privacy glass so if the bigger wheels and body kit, etc.. float your boat, something to consider. I think the differential is about £2k though so £600-700 in real terms for your spec.

I considered the black but going from an BMW SE spec to a Audi S line sports suspension I think the ride will be too hard with bigger wheels (black looks better to me)

[Audi convert]

re the wood, I hate to say it but if I was forced to choose wood, it wouldn't be the example you posted!

Eddo

Have you been speaking to my wife?

Please indulge me and tell me which wood (no cheating with black or Alu) you would have with black leather

I like this one as it is natural with no plastic lacquer

[Eddo1968]

The wood thing is funny. When I was a kid my Dad worked for Leyland trucks so every nine months we had new Rovers, Princesses etc etc, many of them with wood facias which seemed to fit the period and was one of the few ways available at the time to make these cars a bit more "luxurious". I just find that in a 21st century Audi it looks out of place and really shouts out to me 1981 Princess Vandenplas! If I was forced to have wood it would be the example that is depicted in many brochure shots, which seems to be a sort of boat decking type and generally with the brown leather. Unfortunately I can't find a picture and being colour confused I have no idea if this goes with the black leather or not!

[Eddo1968]

That opinion of mine would differ for a Jag or Roller though. Seems to fit these cars better maybe?

[Audi convert]

The wood thing is funny. When I was a kid my Dad worked for Leyland trucks so every nine months we had new Rovers, Princesses etc etc, many of them with wood facias which seemed to fit the period and was one of the few ways available at the time to make these cars a bit more "luxurious". I just find that in a 21st century Audi it looks out of place and really shouts out to me 1981 Princess Vandenplas! If I was forced to have wood it would be the example that is depicted in many brochure shots, which seems to be a sort of boat decking type and generally with the brown leather. Unfortunately I can't find a picture and being colour confused I have no idea if this goes with the black leather or not!

Ha ha, my first two cars were Rovers with wood trim! (Must have been brainwashed)

The 'Oakwood Beaufort' wood inlay in the brochure was my first choice, hoping the loaded and luxurious loaner next week will have one of these (my money is on Alu)

[ukgroucho]

Have you thought about an allroad? If you don't like the wheel arch highlights etc. you can get them colour matched.
- They only come with 3.0 TDi engines - which is the 'issue' for anyone who wants a 2.0 TDi - but you're set on a 3.0.
- They are all quattro (checks another of your boxes)
- They come with air suspension... coming from a BMW X3 you would probably find the air suspension a really nice 'in-between'. In sports mode in hunkers down and I think is a bit firmer than an SE but it's never going to be as firm (or as sporty) as an S-line or BE. Of course you can opt for air suspension on the A6 but it bulks the price to very close to the allroad.
- You get a few extra toys - storage pack, additional alu trim detailing etc.
- There are less of them around.

[Audi convert]

Have you thought about an allroad? If you don't like the wheel arch highlights etc. you can get them colour matched.
- They only come with 3.0 TDi engines - which is the 'issue' for anyone who wants a 2.0 TDi - but you're set on a 3.0.
- They are all quattro (checks another of your boxes)
- They come with air suspension... coming from a BMW X3 you would probably find the air suspension a really nice 'in-between'. In sports mode in hunkers down and I think is a bit firmer than an SE but it's never going to be as firm (or as sporty) as an S-line or BE. Of course you can opt for air suspension on the A6 but it bulks the price to very close to the allroad.
- You get a few extra toys - storage pack, additional alu trim detailing etc.
- There are less of them around.


Thanks

Allroad looks very impressive and ticks so many boxes but struggling to spec to my budget

[ukgroucho]

Allroad looks very impressive and ticks so many boxes but struggling to spec to my budget

See my earlier post on "what I paid"...I've no idea how your company scheme works but I doubt they want to buy cars at list when there are strong discounts available. Apart from anything else, second hand resale prices are likely to be driven (to some degree) by invoice prices of new vehicles rather than list.
My BiTDi 313 with a bunch of toys came in around £45.5k (£55k list)... and the BiTDi engine is nearly £5k more than the 245ps.. over £6k more than the 204ps

[Audi convert]

See my earlier post on "what I paid"...I've no idea how your company scheme works but I doubt they want to buy cars at list when there are strong discounts available. Apart from anything else, second hand resale prices are likely to be driven (to some degree) by invoice prices of new vehicles rather than list.
My BiTDi 313 with a bunch of toys came in around £45.5k (£55k list)... and the BiTDi engine is nearly £5k more than the 245ps.. over £6k more than the 204ps

We use contract hire and will get a comparison Allroad quote from them

[istate75]

I went for the ash wood inserts on my S Line, which has the black seats and I think it looks great. Here's a pic. 23266

[Audi convert]

I went for the ash wood inserts on my S Line, which has the black seats and I think it looks great. Here's a pic. 23266

iState, thanks for picture and I agree it looks great

[daycartes]

I've had wooden inlays on my previous A4 and C6A6 and thought that they looked fab. In fact I think that they really enhance the car. I think that the pseudo aluminium inlays look too clinical / German! We couldn't afford princesses and had to do with a Basil Fawlty Austin 1100 back in the bad ol' days, I'm not even sure if it had a dashboard let alone inlays.

[Eddo1968]

think that the pseudo aluminium inlays look too clinical / German!

This is why I love the aluminum look, as it suits the Audi perfectly! If I wanted a car that was not "clinical / German" I wouldn't buy an Audi! I'd buy a Jag or one of the new "baby" Maseratis!

[Whippy53]

This is why I love the aluminum look, as it suits the Audi perfectly! If I wanted a car that was not "clinical / German" I wouldn't buy an Audi! I'd buy a Jag or one of the new "baby" Maseratis!

I think the brushhed effect in the s-line looks terrific.

[Audi convert]

The wood thing is funny. When I was a kid my Dad worked for Leyland trucks so every nine months we had new Rovers, Princesses etc etc, many of them with wood facias which seemed to fit the period and was one of the few ways available at the time to make these cars a bit more "luxurious". I just find that in a 21st century Audi it looks out of place and really shouts out to me 1981 Princess Vandenplas! If I was forced to have wood it would be the example that is depicted in many brochure shots, which seems to be a sort of boat decking type and generally with the brown leather. Unfortunately I can't find a picture and being colour confused I have no idea if this goes with the black leather or not!

For you Eddo1968

Im glad you converted me to the better of the bad woods! ;-)

[Passatier3]

This is why I love the aluminum look, as it suits the Audi perfectly! If I wanted a car that was not "clinical / German" I wouldn't buy an Audi! I'd buy a Jag or one of the new "baby" Maseratis!

The car I test drove had aluminium and I didn't like it on the doors though as the area is too great.

I have the gloss black and love it, looks real classy.

[belly buster]

For you Eddo1968

Im glad you converted me to the better of the bad woods! ;-)

Personally it's not for me but Audi provide these options to make the car just as you want it.

[NewAudi]

The debate on wood inlays or not has been going on since forever and is a very personal choice. IMO, it depends on the car.

My Volvo S80 I had back in 2000 had black leather and dark walnut wood. Looked fab. My E55 had dark wood but looked pretty awful. Another MB, a C-Class estate, I specced the black wood. Looked nice but made the cabin way to dark with acres of black material. Had alu in another Volvo that looked good and have had it since in a few cars.

Also my new A6 that I'll take delivery of in less than 2 weeks will have aluminium.

By the way, the standard issue "Micrometallic Platin" (pic 3) is standard inlay here in Germany and is cheap, plasticky and tacky! I'have upgraded to the "Aliminium Trigon" (pic 1 & 2).

241852418624187

But the real wood sits in my 1987 Volvo 780....

24188

[Eddo1968]

I've never actually managed to spec any of my cars, walking into a showroom has generally done it for me. I've had 5 Audis and all bar the first have had aluminium trim with black leather (and phantom black paint), which to me suits the marque perfectly. My first was an A4 Cabrio 10 years ago which had the wood trim and black leather which just didn't seem right to me. However I agree that gone are days of 4 trim levels for cars, so now everyone is able to have the trim and spec that they want.

[Eddo1968]

For you Eddo1968

Im glad you converted me to the better of the bad woods! ;-)

That's the one - although to be honest it doesn't really look like wood :)

[DD-A]

Hello

This is my first post in forum. I have a lot of forum to read :)
Because I own a simmilar car Audi A6 3,0 tdi 313 hp quattro I read first yours. Its astonishing car.
Just for a feeling what car can do in bad situatin link bellow (This year F1 track Red Bull ring in rain)
Red Bull ring april - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJq_KLyLZY)

[fest0r]

Welcome and thanks for the great video. lol at the nutter in the X-Bow and the Micra with the Skyline engine :D I guess that R8 was a rental?

Anyway, gotta love that Quattro ;)

[ukgroucho]

Absolutely BRILLIANT video thanks for posting.

You were definitely pretty 'committed' in some of those bends but I guess the quattro must help a lot ... maybe in the dry it would have been a different story with the Ferraris and some of the Porches but really interesting to see how you could out-accelerate the BMW M3s !

[ukgroucho]

Welcome and thanks for the great video. lol at the nutter in the X-Bow and the Micra with the Skyline engine :D I guess that R8 was a rental?

Anyway, gotta love that Quattro ;)

The X-Bow driver just wanted to get back to the pits so he could get out of the rain 'cos it was pooling in the seat.

[soslower]

say no to wood... go carbon! =)

[Allroad_2013]

Those Ferraris looked liked they'd got lost and turned onto the track by mistake!

Impressed with the R8, but then it's quattro as well, but some of the 911's looked a bit buttock clenching on the way out of corners!

Great video and impressive driving.

[DD-A]

Thanx for such nice reception and comments on driving :)
Yes quattro with combination of enormous torque helps a lot. This video just represent what right car on right circumstances can do. And the other drivers just coul not believe what just happend. When the track get dry the situation changed so I take 430 Scuderia :)
The R8 wasn't rental its from my friend who called him self - the stig ;)
I just wanted to show the benefits of quattro drive when the situation get bad. And when somebody wondering od additional costs when ordering new car.

[rubberduck182]

Hi All - another first timer.

DDA - Loved the BiTdi video. I test drove the BiTdi Allroad and it has incredible acceleration. I'm close to ordering one and have been reading through the various views elsewhere on this site of orangewheels / DTD etc vs direct (DTD is 20% off list!).

UKGroucho - are you still pleased with your Allroad BiTdi? I am changing from a 4 year old 3.0 Allroad and haven't been able to find anything else which comes close to ticking all the boxes.

[ukgroucho]

rubberduck, yup I still love the car. Performance is great , it will absolutely MASH you C6 allroad on fuel economy - I had a C6 A6 Avant SE 3.0 Tdi quattro before.. something like 225 BHP - and was averaging maybe 32 mpg overall and high 30's on a long run. With the BiTdi allroad I see overall averages in the 35 to 37 mpg range and longer trips are 41 to 44 mpg. And I am by no means frugal on the go pedal.

My only minor grump is the gearbox behaviour in low gears (specifically around 2nd gear).. and it is well documented here. It's just a bit lumpy sometimes.. does not suit the car. Apparently there may be a fix in progress but not really 'visible'.
(Oh and I still don't like the fact that the 12v outlets are tied to the ignition .. but I can provide workarounds for that).

But there is so much about this car that I love... how it looks (it's a bit different), how it GOES, the fuel economy, the ride comfort, the technology.

I can honestly say it is the best car I have owned and is the one that I really look forwards to getting into and driving.

[rubberduck182]

Thanks ukgroucho - great to hear you're still pleased. I agree with both of those C6 / C7 MPG numbers. Had a test drive last week and couldn't believe the acceleration and the fact that it STILL achieves mid 40s. I liked the Efficiency mode too. It seemed much more than just changing gears sooner - I'm sure the aircon dipped and acceleration was limited (like Snow mode in a Discovery). If I had been driving at night I wouldn't have been surprised if the ambient lights dimmed - all very Apollo 13.

I've not seen any comments yet about the gearbox but imagine it's something to do with what seemed to be a pretty jerky change down/up to second sometimes.

[ukgroucho]

err, I've never actually use Efficiency (or economy?) mode in the driver select.. used all the others apart from the "lift" function. But yes, as I understand it it optimises a bunch of onboard systems to minimise power consumption, would not be surprised if your heated seats dropped to minimum (or off) once you go into that mode. To be honest, the only time I could envisage using that mode is where I really needed to stretch a tank cos I was in the sticks and no fuel nearby, wanted to get home without refueling or wanted to stretch until I could find a premium fuel brand (I tend to use BP Ultimate or Shell Optima or whatever they call it).

Yup occasionally lumpy change around second...

[Bash D Bishop]

Efficiency mode retards throttle response and puts the aircon on to a low setting. You can override it by kicking down the box.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[wja96]

Efficiency mode retards throttle response and puts the aircon on to a low setting. You can override it by kicking down the box.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

or tipping the shifter into S mode momentarily.

i only use Efficiency mode unless I'm in an especially rough car park where I use allroad!

One of the best things it does is make the car hunker down more at speed.

A friend has just bought a black edition BiTDi and he was gobsmacked how much more useful my allroad is than his Avant. The trick suspension makes a huge difference.

[ukgroucho]

or tipping the shifter into S mode momentarily.

i only use Efficiency mode unless I'm in an especially rough car park where I use allroad!

One of the best things it does is make the car hunker down more at speed.

A friend has just bought a black edition BiTDi and he was gobsmacked how much more useful my allroad is than his Avant. The trick suspension makes a huge difference.

... Or leave it in Individual with everything set to Auto except the exhaust (dynamic)... then you get all of the 'good' behaviour and the cool exhaust rumble. Hunkers down to 1 on motorways, floats about in 2 on A roads etc. Cannot really comment on throttle response but I guess it is adjusting to 'eco' when cruising on motorway for a long time.... although i tend to switch to comfort mode on motorways, it rides a bit higher (2) but is a softer ride.