Starting to think about my next car

[fat controller]

Evening all :)

Its coming to that time when I begin planning (usually 12-18 months out from actually signing on the dotted) for my next car. My A4 and I have been together two and a half years now, and aside from occasional clutch quirks, it is altogether a nice beast to live with. Now, usually, I start off by looking at a handful of makes/models and then slowly whittle it down from there - - however this time, I am struggling.... a lot. The A4 is fine, but a tad snug; I need an estate (dog, family and avid gardener), and due to health problems I think the next one is going to have to be an auto (although this is not a total deal-breaker)

I have looked at BMW 5-Series; non-starter. Look OK on the outside and it all goes wrong when you open the door.
I have looked at Merc C and S Class; still can't work out where the pipe and slippers are supposed to go :biglaugh:
Even the slightly off the wall choice - Volvo V70 - great seats, but that is about it as far as I can see

Part of the problem is the C7 A6 - in short, it has grabbed me whole-heartedly; I love the look of the car from any angle; the interior looks absolutely first class, and it looks big enough to tick all the boxes for me.

Now, I don't buy mine new sadly, so I am generally in the three year old area - at the moment, the three year old C7's are a bit rich for my pocket, so I will definitely have to wait. The older model, which I presume to be run out and seem to be fairly well loaded are OK in terms of price (saw one at £16k with 46k on the clock the other day which was a handsome beast) -- they don't have the looks or the interior that the newer cars have, but having said that they are not offensive either.

So, are the C7's much better than the C6's?

Any nasties to be aware of?

And when did the Avant appear in the C7 range, as there seems to be a lot more saloons than estates at the moment?

Thanks in advance :)

[Whippy53]

Hi, yes of course the c7 is better, it's an evolution. However, I can't help every time I drive up to a Le Mans C6 but think "thats a nice car" classic looks, won't date, lotsa toys,it's just, right! know what I mean? If you get a C6 I don't think you'll be too disapointed. Avant seems to sell better than the saloon, more practical for familiys I suppose.

[L3nnox]

My wife has a 2014 C7 A6 S-line Ultra and two of my mates have Le Mans C6s (a 2.0 and a 3.0 Quattro) and they in my opinion are better made/finished. Yes the C7 is more modern and has more toys but the C6 as Whippy says is classy.

Another alternative if you want to be s bit different is a colour Keyed C6 A6 All road?? In the right colour/wheel choose (silver & RS4) They look lovely.


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[L3nnox]

Or a complete left field option.... My dad bought this a few months ago and LOVES it..

It's 4x4, estate, auto, convertible with massive road presence...... I give you...






The Wrangler......

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/18/e5d8ce946bd93b3c6ec280d5057fecf0.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/18/47e0ff946d0a6098180d45f96a5cc83c.jpg


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[fat controller]

Aaarggh! Sorry, but I cannot stand them.

I don't really need four wheel drive, living within the M25 there isn't much call for it. I had a passing glance at the Q5 which was OK, but I couldn't really see what the benefits were.

I drove a mates Porsche Cayenne, which was OK too - didn't really scream 'buy one like me' though....

Now you see why it usually takes me a year to decide :biglaugh:

[Sam]

Skoda Octavia vRS.

You've had the VW, you've got the Audi, time to see what all the fuss is about.

Edit: See (http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/approved-used-cars/skoda/octavia/skoda-octavia-2-0-tdi-cr-vrs-blackline-dsg/612095), £14k, smidge over 50k miles, loaded...

[L3nnox]

The VRS was an option when I got the GTD but coming from a procession of BMWs my badge snobbery alarm went off.

I had an X5 previously a twin turbo, stunning piece of kit!! Far nicer to drive than the Q5 or Q7.


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[belly buster]

The C7s are very well built, possibly an improvement on the A4 B8. The C6s are very solid too. I don't think build quality should be a concern on any of these models.

The saloon will always be more popular - unless you need an estate there's not much reason to pay the premium - so most people don't.

[Whippy53]

Aaargh! Now I'll have to go and gouge my own eyes out.

[Passatier3]

My wife has a 2014 C7 A6 S-line Ultra and two of my mates have Le Mans C6s (a 2.0 and a 3.0 Quattro) and they in my opinion are better made/finished. Yes the C7 is more modern and has more toys but the C6 as Whippy says is classy.

Another alternative if you want to be s bit different is a colour Keyed C6 A6 All road?? In the right colour/wheel choose (silver & RS4) They look lovely.


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I've been considering various VW Group cars as I need to replace my practical run-about/commuter soon and am looking at one of those as an option as I fancy a 3.0 litre. The more I think about it the more I fancy one. :)

[johnsimcox]

The C7s are very well built, possibly an improvement on the A4 B8. The C6s are very solid too. I don't think build quality should be a concern on any of these models.

The saloon will always be more popular - unless you need an estate there's not much reason to pay the premium - so most people don't.
My understanding is that Audi actually sells more A6 Avants than Saloons in the UK

[belly buster]

My understanding is that Audi actually sells more A6 Avants than Saloons in the UK

While this isn't very scientific, if you go on Autotrader there are roughly 2 A6 saloons for sale of every A6 Avant.

[Phutters]

While this isn't very scientific, if you go on Autotrader there are roughly 2 A6 saloons for sale of every A6 Avant.That's probably because people with avants like them so much that they don't sell them.

People with saloons, on the other hand, rue their decision so much that they try and offload them as soon as they can...

[L3nnox]

Speed and fluidity of ownership will definitely be a factor! Saloons imo are lovely to look at but waiting in the practicality point. Estates also appear to hold their value better.


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[rickerby]

Evening all :)

Its coming to that time when I begin planning (usually 12-18 months out from actually signing on the dotted) for my next car. My A4 and I have been together two and a half years now, and aside from occasional clutch quirks, it is altogether a nice beast to live with. Now, usually, I start off by looking at a handful of makes/models and then slowly whittle it down from there - - however this time, I am struggling.... a lot. The A4 is fine, but a tad snug; I need an estate (dog, family and avid gardener), and due to health problems I think the next one is going to have to be an auto (although this is not a total deal-breaker)

I have looked at BMW 5-Series; non-starter. Look OK on the outside and it all goes wrong when you open the door.
I have looked at Merc C and S Class; still can't work out where the pipe and slippers are supposed to go :biglaugh:
Even the slightly off the wall choice - Volvo V70 - great seats, but that is about it as far as I can see

Part of the problem is the C7 A6 - in short, it has grabbed me whole-heartedly; I love the look of the car from any angle; the interior looks absolutely first class, and it looks big enough to tick all the boxes for me.

Now, I don't buy mine new sadly, so I am generally in the three year old area - at the moment, the three year old C7's are a bit rich for my pocket, so I will definitely have to wait. The older model, which I presume to be run out and seem to be fairly well loaded are OK in terms of price (saw one at £16k with 46k on the clock the other day which was a handsome beast) -- they don't have the looks or the interior that the newer cars have, but having said that they are not offensive either.

So, are the C7's much better than the C6's?

Any nasties to be aware of?

And when did the Avant appear in the C7 range, as there seems to be a lot more saloons than estates at the moment?

Thanks in advance :)




Something to bear in mind given your timescales is that in 12 - 18 months time the C7 will be looking rather old and will only be a year or so away from replacement (given the usual 7 year model cycles). Residuals will have started to soften as the inevitable drip feed of "scoop" details of the C8 start to appear in the press. By then of course the new A4 will have found its feet. According to my dealer that arrives in showrooms in December following an Autumn launch. I also start to think about replacement around 18 months before and don't really want another A6 if its almost obsolete before it leaves the showroom.

[fat controller]

I generally buy cars when they are 3 years old, and upgrade 3-4 years later. I am at the two and a half year mark now and whilst I still love the A4 I can feel the clutch/DMF issue starting to rear its ugly head once more and to be honest I am not up for a chunky repair bill if I am getting shot of the blighter 6 months later.

Speaking of transmission issues. what are the clutches/DMF's like for reliability on the C7?

I have been looking at a C6 TDI 170 in dark silver with just over 40k on the clock and it is a really nice bit of kit, but as soon as I look at a C7 in comparison it makes it look really dated; I am acutely aware of the grief that DMF's seem to give generally (and not just for Audi), but I don't see a way of avoiding having one nowadays?

I have looked at the dark side (BMW 5-Series - - externally, looks OK, but I just can't seem to gel with their interiors. I suppose I just need to admit that my first Golf injected me with VAG blood, and its here to stay now (particularly if its got four rings on its nose :biglaugh:)

[Whippy53]

Any updates chap?

[fat controller]

Any updates chap?

Still pondering at the moment. Saw a C7 the other day and would have had it in a heartbeat if I could have afforded it. I am now wondering about adding six months or so to my timescale (currently looking to have new wheels by October time) which would see us having a loan paid off giving up to 400 a month extra to play with..... Around 100 a month added to current budget plans would get me the C7 that stole my heart.

It was an S-line with everything - including heated seats, Bose audio, electric folding mirrors, privacy glass and so on..... Black..... and bloody gorgeous!

[Whippy53]

Always, but always, go for what you really want. Lifes to bloody short to allow for compromise.

[fat controller]

Too true! I work 6 or 7 days every week, rarely less than 9 hours a day and more often than not 12 to 16 hours, so my car is my reward if you know what I mean?

I suppose that is why I am such a fussy sod and take months to choose a car