Recommendations/Advice/Thoughts/Experiences Please

[mattyn]

Hi All

Seems a great forum - joined yesterday and have a read through some what seems useful info.

Am moving over from a BMW 5 Series - just waiting for cash to be finalised. I have three kids, who with me all play golf. we need space so am thinking of the Avant, though how useful for golf clubs is the Saloon?

Also am thinking along the lines of a 3.0 or 2.7 TDI - and definitely want the S Line or Le Mans. And I want Ipod connectivity!!

I am looking to spend about 14K, and if I can avoid the Audi approved, to get a newer car.

Apart from the Car tax issue (some @ £400, some at £260 pa) is there anything to really watch out for around that sort of age (I am assuming 06 onwards for that money).

Will I really be disappointed if I get a 2.0l TDi?

Oh and I want the Quattro too so know that removes the 2.0 from the process.

I have noticed though the middle rear seat is pretty poor - especially compared to my 525 - any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance

Matt

[skidmarks]

Hi Matt, I have a 3.0 s-line quattro avant 57 plate with quite a few extras on it, feel free to pm me if you wish with any questions. Plenty of room in an avant. Can't comment on the 2.0 as i didn't even consider one. Tax comes with the territory and worth it in my opinion. Middle seat I've never sat there but could imagine it being firm.

[Atlas Grey]

Not actually that good for golf clubs, I put my folded trolley in first and lay my bag across it angled upwards as the boot is not really wide enough with a driver in the bag, mainly because the wheel arches are boxed in as it were due to the tool kit one side and electronics the other.. I couldn't imagine getting four sets in, plus your other gubbins in an Avant (without the seats down) let a lone a saloon. If you have trolley's forget it. Thats not to say the boot is small, I reckon other cars would struggle to get more that a couple of sets in along with trolley's and shoes etc.

[joshA6]

I have a 2.0TDi and it's OK. Personally next time, I would go for the V6 due to the smotheness. Only upside of the 4 pot is the fuel economy (mid 40s no problem, 50ish on a long run). Just get one with a colour centre screen or you will be dissapointed!

[imastu pidgit]

I'd agree with that - I had a BMW 540 (E39) touring and now have a 2.0 tdi avant - bit of a difference when you put your foot down... You will be a bit disappointed, it's not quick. OK for me though, as I do prefer the economy (certainly to a 4.4 litre V8!) The 6 cylinder 2.7 seems like the best compromise however.

Same thing with the golf clubs - filling in the sides with the toolkit area and the sat nav etc and boxing them off means it's not wide enough for the clubs laid straight across, but most cars are made similarly so will have the same issue. Never tried 4 sets and a trolley, but I would think you can fit them in an Avant. Never quite understood, actually, why people buy saloons - for the same footprint, you get more internal space and practicality, so why buy the one with less 'car'? It's not as if you're going to be attracting women (or men) based on an Audi A6 of whichever type is it?

Rear seat is fine, I think - often have three in the back and no real issues, as the boot space sides issue doesn't apply in the rear seats.

And definitely make sure you have the MMI 3G (colour screen, plus dashboard centre bit), and telephone connectivity key - 2008 onwards (which should be OK for your budget). Many threads on telepone connectivity, bit of an issue it seems.

Oh, and get a warranty, aftermarket, or whatever - comes from someone who spent over £5k on a new engine 2 months after buying an 88k miles 'bargain'...

[joshA6]

Never tried 4 sets and a trolley, but I would think you can fit them in an Avant. Never quite understood, actually, why people buy saloons - for the same footprint, you get more internal space and practicality, so why buy the one with less 'car'? It's not as if you're going to be attracting women (or men) based on an Audi A6 of whichever type is it?

I have tried this in an Avant, and they do fit with a trolley. Avant boot is huge

[mattyn]

Thanks for the replies guys - food for thought - am also seriously considering the A8 - especially considering we are all off to South Of France on holiday next month.