Audi A6 2016 - Positives and Negatives

Erper

Hey guys

After many moons, its time to part my ways with almost 2 decades old Mazda 6 petrol (only 150k km). The question falls onto what next since not many petrol Mazdas are around.

Now, what my eye caught was Audi A4 Avant and Audi A6 saloon/Avant with the mixed feelings of Golf 2015 Estate 1.4 petrol.

Sure, two different types of cars listed but would like to hear your opinion of good and bad about both models.

Note:

My commute distance is that big and diesels would suffer in that instance where petrol would be more beneficial. I usually change car every few years. There are few things Im not stepping away:

1. Price limit is 15k
2. Cannot be older than 2015(ideally 2016 would suffice as a starting point
3. The lower the better (milleage)

Yes I get the fact that post Covid times arent helping anyone, but just curious of what other options I could be looking at (without spending extravagant amount of money and time at the mechanics).

Have no interest in Ford or french cars

Thanks

goochy

Audis over rated. Get a high spec skoda superb

Erper

Octavia and Superb were an option. The problem is that their engines are 1.6 tdi with huge milleage

road_high

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933102#Comment_122933102

had one for a day- was very unimpressed. 2.0 litre diesel auto- felt underpowered noisy and unrefined

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933429#Comment_122933429

Ive tried A4 Avant, 2014 2.0 Diesel… It was from dealership. Tbh, car had power but the condition of it was to say the least, average. Few marks, chipped pain, rust to name a few. And on top of it, there was some issue with the clutch/flywheel or whatnot because every time it went for the first gear and start moving, the car would stall and id have an issue turning it back on. So not as bad experience but defo something to keep an eye on.

bazz26

OP, 1st thing you say is you have had a petrol car for nearly 20 years and only put 150k km on it. That says to me you don't need a diesel car. Diesel cars are more complex which means more to go wrong and can be costly to repair especially ones in your budget. Best avoid if you don't actually have use for one

Secondly with a budget of 15k your not going to get a decent 2015/2016 A6. The only ones that will be anywhere near your budget will be tired high mileage less cared for ones. You then have to think about what money will you have to spend on maintenance and repairs on these cars.

My advice would be to look towards a used Japanese import. There are a couple of big Japanese petrol hybrid cars coming in from Japan that are a way safer bet regarding reliability than a tired diesel premium badged German car.

For example:
Toyota Camry: https://www.carsireland.ie/3915671?journey=Search
Honda Accord: https://www.carsireland.ie/3901867?journey=Search

extra-ordinary_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058383614/audi-a6-2016-positives-and-negatives

My commute distance is that big and diesels would suffer in that instance where petrol would be more beneficial.

This is a bit confusing (to me anyway). So, it's a petrol car you're after?

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933695#Comment_122933695

Thanks for the input.

What I meant that Im driving Mazda for a while I meant that I had different age group (two were 2004 and current one is from 2008). So have bit of a knowledge about them :D

On the other hand, fair point too about getting diesels. There were few A4 Avants in Dublin dealerships, 2.0 Petrol but they were gone quickly so missed my window there.

The average yearly mileage is around 10-12k, which depends on the amount of travels around (work, airports, general usage) so again, petrol would suit me better. I agree that the cost of diesel maintenance could be costly and Im trying to avoid them as much as I could (was looking for Mazda 6 2016 onwards petrol, but that car seems to be impossible to find in Ireland)

I did get few recommendations about getting cars from the Japanise market, saw few nice ones too, the issue was their import here.

For example
Top spec Mazda 6 2.5 Petrol and Estate would cost me around 21K + additional cost with imports, nct, tax etc

And Im not really familiar with the guys or places that actually could bring a car for a decent price with all fees included

As for Hybrids cars, no thanks (no offense there) just not my cup of tea

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933743#Comment_122933743

Correct

Should be "My commute distance isn't that big"

User1998

100% agree with Bazz. You should be looking at some automatic petrol or hybrid Japanese imports. There are a few nice Lexus models to choose from too or you could look at some Jap import petrol VW/Audis

kermitpwee

Why is a hybrid not for you? Have yiu actually driven one? It's a petrol with an electric motor, they drive well

trindade

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122934031#Comment_122934031

I wouldn't trust my hard earned money in a 9 years old Audis. They are lovely cars but their repair bills can be expensive. It's a 9 years old luxury branded cars… You mentioned you do not want high bills, so they are not for you.

If you do not like hybrids, I would go ahead with Golf Estate (you might find a lot 1.2)…

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122937977#Comment_122937977

Ive seen a lot of those 1.2 TSI around. Any major issues with them?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122941700#Comment_122941700

No nothing in particular. Gearbox can become a bit ropey after 10 years old but a gearbox service should help

sligopaul

back to Audis, seems a reasonable deal if it checks out, 162 A6 190 Auto with 2 years NCT, yes its not an S line but the smaller wheels etc work well in the countryside

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-2016-tdi-se-exec-ultra/37924876

Erper

Went through few cars in recent times and saw few ads, sent few messages etc. I think I could potentially say that narrowing the next car is coming to an end.
With a plethora of them on the market, there are few that id be interested in (few surprises):

Petrol

2018 Mazda 3 2.0L petrol

2019 Opel Insignia 1.5 petrol

Diesel

2018 Kia Optima 1.7L Estate diesel

Skoda Octavia 1.6TDI Estate diesel

Toyota Avensis (Im in between 2016-2017 model) 1.6 Estate/Saloon diesel

Potential interests

2017 Nissan Xtrail 1.6 petrol (might be heavy on the fuel consumption)

2020 Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet

2018 Mazda CX3 2L petrol

2015 Audi A6 2L diesel

Sure, there are plenty of varieties with good pricing and low mileage on them.

Mazda - I know their good and bad sides

Opel - As some may say, unfinished product but their latest line up is priced very good. Sure, their pricing goes down faster than the rain in Ireland :D

Kia - Hyndai cooperated engines. Optima and I40, if not mistaken share the same 1.7 diesel engine. There are some issues (as far as you find) with Optima gearbox, clutch and some electrical things but most newer cars are like that. As long as the repair cost is low, im happy. However, one of the mechanics I know locally advised me in the past to stay away from i40 and diesel engines.

Toyota - well known, not much to say beside sit and drive. The models from 2016 (if not mistaken) are fitted with BWM engines. Not familiar with issues of 1.6 diesel engine. The petrol Avensis is almost non existing in Ireland. There are 2, priced ok.

Never had Nissan nor Suzuki. However this 1.4 petrol in Vitara is recommended by many (again, not my words)

And the last (for now) Audi. Nice to have, expensive to repair. Still tempted by its looks and power, but like some of you have said, Octavia and Superb could be an option.

And Skoda - yeah, the unsung hero of the VW group. There are many of them around, with mileage ranging from under 100k to +260k (mostly VRS models). On the other hand, Superb 1.6 diesel is present. Nice looking car, decent engine. Thats about all I could know from their side.

If there is anything Ive missed, please do write it down (I might have forgotten :D)

User1998

Why are you still considering diesels after being recommended to avoid them? Your doing about 12k a year.

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122945914#Comment_122945914

Like I said, its just an idea due to lack of the petrol (at least of those I'm interested) cars. There are few on the list that are petrol cars and I've tried few of them.

kirving

Whether warranted or not, Diesel is not in favor at the moment, and it's not going to get any better. Expect more taxes in future. You'd be very well advised to avoid diesel, unless you're doing major milage. For me, the extra €20 a week pissed me off every time - but it's easy for me to forget the €1700 bill I had due (in part) to a car being a diesel.

But diesel vs petrol is more than just a simple milage figure, what is your daily and weekly milage profile like?

What I mean by that is, if your commute is say 2.5km each way (150km/month), and one 200km trip across the country (400km/month) you won't really do enough milage in between the long runs, for the likes of a DPF to get full between regens.

But, if you did 25km each way (1500km/month), and no other long runs, you can expect problems to be more common. Despite the higher milage, you'll be doing the vast majority of it with a colder engine, meaning more soot, and no single run will be long enough for the DPF to get through a regen cycle.

Erper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122946488#Comment_122946488

Whole my life I was petrol guy, never considered diesel due to so many issues you could have driving within short distances.

Ive one more to check tomorrow (diesel) and will see what fits the bill.

trindade

For me your list is a bit confusing, you are definately not comparing apples with apples.

From your list, my top 3:

TOP 1: Suzuki Vitara - the most reliable car in your list id the Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet, but it is very simple and full of plastic. Great vehicle and super reliable.

TOP 2: Skoda Octavia 1.6TDI Estate diesel - No diesel please, get a petrol octavia! :)
If you really want diesel, I would get the 2.0. Much more fun and reliable… I had one Leon 2.0 TDI and never had any issue. But I never kept the engine on for less than 15 minutes. This is the major think for diesel.

TOP 3: 2018 Mazda 3 2.0L petrol

Worst vehicles (my opinion, of course):

TOP 1: I hate this diesel 1.7 crdi engine from Kia optima, definately it's one to avoid as I've heard enough horror stories about it.

TOP 2: Audi and diesel cars are not cheap to maintain. Add 10 years to the equation and you'll have a money pit: 2015 Audi A6 2L diesel.

TOP 3: 1.6 Diesel avensis are terrible slow and unreliable. They use the BMW engine. AVOID.

trindade

Good options - 15k:

Toyota Sienta Hybrid 1.5 - Reliable, spacious and cheap to maintain.

https://www.carsireland.ie/3835485?journey=Search

Corolla 1.5 Hybrid (jap import) - 2 years warranty!
https://www.carsireland.ie/3876212?journey=Search

Honda Jazz (Petrol) or Honda Civic (Petrol)

Economic and very spacious/convenient car. Extremely reliable.
https://www.carsireland.ie/3859885?journey=Search

Civic:
https://www.carsireland.ie/3526894?journey=Search