question about availability of manual/petrol in used C6 saloons

[phy6girl]

Hi all,

My first post! :o I've been driving BMW for years, and started considering Audi due to new need to fit a large musical instrument in the boot, and the A6 fits that need perfectly. In the course of looking at the A6s I started to really like them and am looking forward to getting one.

The problem is that I need a petrol version, and I don't personally care for automatic transmissions. I'm currently driving a BMW e39, that I hate, and I have decided I spend too much time in the car to not like what I drive. So I want a manual.

I've been looking for such a car everywhere I can find, but in relatively recent years (2011-2010) the only manual/petrols I find are 2.0L, which frankly, is not enough displacement for me.

Then, on this forum, I saw someone posted the Nov 2009 Audi A6 brochure (http://www.audi.co.uk/content/dam/audi/production/PDF/UsedCars/Refresh/A6/A6%20-%20November%2009.pdf) and I see manual/petrol was only available in the 2 litre.

The next earliest brochure I have seen is from 2006, which shows the manual in the 2.4 and 2.8. So my question is: is 2008 the last Audi made an A6 petrol model with manual transmission in engines larger than 2.0?

[MarkTM]

I thought that the estate version (which I assume you are after) was available in a 3.2 petrol but can't find any excepting in saloon guise

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402252066633/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/postcode/ta81qd/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/make/audi/model/a6/advert-type/Classified/transmission/manual/onesearchad/used/quantity-of-doors/4/fuel-type/petrol/radius/1501?logcode=p

or

audi a6 3.2 fsi quattro s-line manual | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/audi-a6-3-2-fsi-quattro-s-line-manual-/191267994211?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c8875fa63)

But am assuming you're after sommat a little newer and the latest version does not spec a manual/petrol, which am guessing have been phased out.

Am sure someone will be along with some good advice soon.

Can I ask why it has to be a petrol? This is my first diesel car and I'm very satisfied with it. :D

[inspectorman63]

Is displacement important, or power? 170 bhp in standard form, or 240 ish remapped, should be more than enough in the 2.0 litre manual. It will get you from traffic jam to traffic jam quite effectively on the M11 / A14. Turbos have altered what we all thought was necessary for cars of certain sizes. But petrol manuals are hard to find. Although I share your preference for petrol manuals, the 3.0 diesel / auto is an effective combination in the A8 I have driven; probably just as good in the A6.

[phy6girl]

Hi,

I'm after a saloon, actually, and in a perfect world, something around 2011, so quite a bit newer than that 3.2 on ebay. There's a few available around 2005-2006 (as in the autotrader one you linked), but I like to buy a few years old, and look after well and keep until death (I recently got rid of a 98 bmw that was going strong, and would have def kept running it had someone not hit me, to give you an idea), so I'd prefer not to go that old.

I have this idea (feel free to disabuse if you disagree), that in order to make diesels quieter and to deal with soot, that they are getting less reliable than the diesels of yore and more like petrol engines, but more expensive to buy and repair. They have more fuelling and exhaust mechanical parts that wear out (injectors, turbos, DPF) and need replacement, again at higher costs. I think if you buy new or newish and replace cars frequently, diesels do better, but that keeping a petrol long term tends to be cheaper.




I thought that the estate version (which I assume you are after) was available in a 3.2 petrol but can't find any excepting in saloon guise

Audi A6 3.2 FSI SE 4dr (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402252066633/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/postcode/ta81qd/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/make/audi/model/a6/advert-type/Classified/transmission/manual/onesearchad/used/quantity-of-doors/4/fuel-type/petrol/radius/1501?logcode=p)

or

audi a6 3.2 fsi quattro s-line manual | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/audi-a6-3-2-fsi-quattro-s-line-manual-/191267994211?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c8875fa63)

But am assuming you're after sommat a little newer and the latest version does not spec a manual/petrol, which am guessing have been phased out.

Am sure someone will be along with some good advice soon.

Can I ask why it has to be a petrol? This is my first diesel car and I'm very satisfied with it. :D

[robes401]

I think if you want manual, saloon, and about 3 years old you're limited to an S4 3.0T or and A4 3.2. But from your post I assume that they will not fit your 'large musical instrument'? I'd imagine that it would fit in the S4 avant, which you can get in manual.

I've always owned estate cars and never understood why anyone would buy the saloon version. But I've always needed to transport large amounts of kit for work during the week, and dog and musical instruments at the weekends!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[phy6girl]

You are correct, I do mean displacement as it affects power. :Blush2: 170 bhp is not enough. Can I ask about remapping the ECU, because I understand it in theory, but wonder about practical implications.

It must mean higher insurance cost than unmapped car. Is the cost higher for an un-re-mapped car, than it is for am equally powerful car that is remapped?

What about affects of extra torque and extra wear on affected components (crank shaft, big end bearings, gearbox, etc.)?

Is there any effect on the drivetrain warranty (if there is one)? Or a general voiding of warranty even?




Is displacement important, or power? 170 bhp in standard form, or 240 ish remapped, should be more than enough in the 2.0 litre manual. It will get you from traffic jam to traffic jam quite effectively on the M11 / A14. Turbos have altered what we all thought was necessary for cars of certain sizes. But petrol manuals are hard to find. Although I share your preference for petrol manuals, the 3.0 diesel / auto is an effective combination in the A8 I have driven; probably just as good in the A6.

[phy6girl]

I have a 5 series estate now (the first estate I have owned) and I prefer the saloon, so it's probably just down to personal preference. But yeah, that's my fear about none of the more recent A6s meeting my needs. The LMI (large musical instrument - cello) fits easily into the A6 boot, but actually does not fit into many estates unless part of the rear seat is folded down. And I want to be able to close it away and not have anyone see it through the windows of the car. Even in the 5 series it doesn't fit in the back unless I pull off one of the side panels to let it rest over the battery!


I think if you want manual, saloon, and about 3 years old you're limited to an S4 3.0T or and A4 3.2. But from your post I assume that they will not fit your 'large musical instrument'? I'd imagine that it would fit in the S4 avant, which you can get in manual.

I've always owned estate cars and never understood why anyone would buy the saloon version. But I've always needed to transport large amounts of kit for work during the week, and dog and musical instruments at the weekends!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MarkTM]

Yep all diesel A6's 08/09+ had DPF's fitted which is why I went for a 07 without.

Agree that diesel injectors and glow plugs are considerably more expensive that spark plugs and petrol injectors to the magnitude of 20:1 £'s

What type of mileage do you do, ask as have had as high as 900 miles from a tank, typically 720 per tank though

As my remap was estimated at 10-12% (primarily for economy) there was no increase for me when declared, as there was no increase for having a towbar fitted, admittedly I do have age on my side! :(

[phy6girl]

Yep all diesel A6's 08/09+ had DPF's fitted which is why I went for a 07 without.

That makes sense; but for me then I could just get an 07 manual/petrol. I am considering one now that I know post-08 will not have what I want. But I want leather heated, and it has cloth, and MMI basic, so lots of upgrading to do, and trying to decide if I want to do that (I have done enough DIY on BMW and don't particularly enjoy it, and really wanted to just buy the spec I wanted, but I may have to get over that idea!).

I used to drive more, but now I am probably at 8-10k. Still that MGP is pretty impressive!

Sadly, I am also in an attractive age group, insurance-wise. :crying:

[MarkTM]

Is best to hold out on your requirements as upgrading is not cost effective, manual 3.0tdi are still rare and probably less than 1 in 20 of those available.

My 07 has black heated leather/MMI High with Nav and bluetooth (albeit by a Parrot kit), rear DVD screens and when purchased in 2012 I paid a mere £8.5k with less than 80k on the clock. The only two things I'd like are DAB and folding mirrors, but not showstoppers and the former can be retrofitted for less than £500.

Appreciate that quattro models will have a larger fuel tank (80l) and also split rear folding seats.

Courtesy of living in my part of the world my fully comp PNCB is £209 pa, pretty impressive for the engine, but then my Jaguar was a mere £109 with PNCB and 6k miles per annum...the ONLY advantage to getting older :)

[phy6girl]

Do the non-quattros NOT have split folding seats? I didn't know that. Too bad.

I'm considering two manual/petrols, one specced enough for my taste that is an 06, and one that needs heated leather and AMI that is an 07. Miles and FSH are almost the same. There is a £1k difference in price (with the higher spec 06 being more expensive). I guess I thought for £1k I could probably upgrade - what do you think?

[EssexGonzo]

Do the non-quattros NOT have split folding seats? I didn't know that. Too bad.

I'm considering two manual/petrols, one specced enough for my taste that is an 06, and one that needs heated leather and AMI that is an 07. Miles and FSH are almost the same. There is a £1k difference in price (with the higher spec 06 being more expensive). I guess I thought for £1k I could probably upgrade - what do you think?
Some non Quattros will have folding rear seats if specified as an option. Mine does and it makes it an incredibly practical car.

[phy6girl]

Ah good. I'll have to watch for that specifically. Even though I can fit the cello in the boot, sometimes it's nice to pop one seat down and still be able to carry three passengers. Thanks for letting me know. :D


Some non Quattros will have folding rear seats if specified as an option. Mine does and it makes it an incredibly practical car.

[rafletcher]

D I guess I thought for £1k I could probably upgrade - what do you think?

No chance of a full leather interior AND an MMI upgrade for that price IMO, even if you do all the work yourself!

[phy6girl]

Thanks very much for that info! :D



No chance of a full leather interior AND an MMI upgrade for that price IMO, even if you do all the work yourself!

[MarkTM]

Defo go for an 07 or later as major (known failure) components were upgraded...such as injectors.

If it comes with MMI High (colour screen with satnav) you can add AMI or the VNS music interface for greater media playback opportunities, also 07 onwards have MP3 playback capability in the CD autochanger (mine does) along with triple screen wash jets either side. :biglaugh:

Always worthwhile checking car tax too, my 07 is £285pa, whereas some 06's are £480 :1zhelp:

[phy6girl]

Well then, as there are no 07 or 08 petrol/manuals on the horizon, I think I am stuck waiting, which is a shame, as I really need the car. But it sounds like that is the right thing to do based on all this helpful discussion.

[MarkTM]

Typically now's the best time to buy (esp a quattro) before the colder weather sets in, for the same reason that convertibles sell best/command the highest prices in Spring.

Interior here:

AUDI A6 C6 FULL LEATHER HEATED SEATS INTERIOR SALOON MODEL CAR DOOR CARDS | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A6-C6-FULL-LEATHER-HEATED-SEATS-INTERIOR-SALOON-MODEL-CAR-DOOR-CARDS-/121398872418?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c43efc962)

Appreciate you'll get maybe £200 for your old cloth ones if you're lucky

Don't be afraid of buying privately but I would ask a forum member with VCDS (Audi diagnostics) to scan any purchase first. Also be prepared to travel nationwide to get the right one :)