Which A6 engine/model to go for

[seaside31]

Hi all

My first post so please understand if I have been naïve and not found information regarding my question elsewhere on the site.

I am looking to buy my first audi next month. I am unsure whether to go for a slightly older model with arguably a better spec and engine over a newer more basic model.

The 4 possibilities I seem to have got myself stuck over are below. I am stuck between a 2013 Black Edition 3.0 Quattro or going for the 2015 S line 2.0. Would people recommend the newer face lift model over the arguably older but better spec?

Thanks a lot.
Audi A6 SALOON 2.0 TDI Black Edition Multitronic 4dr 175BHP



Audi A6 SALOON 2.0 TDI Black Edition Multitronic 4dr

Audi A6 Saloon 3.0 TDI Black Edition Multitronic 4dr 215BHP

Audi A6 SALOON 3.0 TDI Black Edition Multitronic 4dr

Audi A6 Saloon 3.0 TDI Black Edition S-tronic QUATTRO 242BHP
Audi A6 SALOON 3.0 TDI Black Edition S Tronic Quattro 4dr

Audi A6 SALOON 2.0 TDI ultra S Line S Tronic 4dr (start/stop) 187BHP


Audi A6 SALOON 2.0 TDI ultra S Line S Tronic 4dr (start/stop)

[B5NUT]

Ask yourself this question, have you got the money to repair the 3.0TDi when things go wrong? If you have then the 3.0 is a no-brainer. If you don't then get the 2.0 FL which will still have warranty. I would also avoid the Multitronic gearboxes and just go for the s-tronic option cars.

[Gazwould]

3.0 tdi don't have any common weaknesses but a S tronic gearbox is 10k to replace .

[B5NUT]

It's an engine, anything can go wrong. I've already heard of problems with the 3.0 chain & tensioners needing replacement etc which is engine out. You just have to be unlucky!

[robes401]

Test drive a multitronic - I expect you will either love it or hate it, so it could well narrow down your choices...

[A6S]

I would personally go with the one with a warranty. These things are EXPENSIVE to repair and there's so much electronic and mechanical gubbins that could fail any time. I've had a broken one before and luckily it was fixed under warranty.
As most said its a matter of chance. My next door neighbour had a 2.0 multi and that did 120k in 3 years without missing a beat but my 2.0 stronic broke down in less than 1k.
Lemon cars or Friday afternoon cars still exists

[ukgroucho]

The 3.0 quattro is more of a "drivers car". Although you'll hear road test reviews about the electric steering lacking feedback (always when comparing with a 5 series BMW) the quattro does still behave very differently to a front wheel drive car as power delivery is weighted to the rear wheels by default (it can be moved forwards if the quattro system needs to but is 40:60 front : rear by default). Plus you get massive grip in wet conditions or even when doing something as mundane as pulling out of a side road quickly.

3.0 engines are V6 - so smoother - and power delivery is more "accessible" because of broader torque delivery etc. BUT you will pay for it with tyre wear and potentially fuel economy - depends how you drive.

So I guess I'm saying that you need to think about the balance between "driving experience" and toys. If you want lots of toys then you may get a better package for the money available with a 2.0.

One thing to consider is buying a car that is less than 3 years old and approach your local Audi dealer to buy a 3 year extended warranty - not the Audi one but whatever they offer - but do read the list of inclusions / exclusions carefully. I bought one for my allroad and I think it was £1400 or thereabouts and covers most things but there are a few notable exceptions, like the Diesel Particulate Filter, which I elected to 'deal with' - but it covers the main mechanicals like gearbox etc. You may even be able to buy that kind of warranty up to 5 years old so long as mileage is sane - under 80k I think was the limit.

If you're worried about buying a 242BHP and the s-tronic box then buy a BiTdi It's the ZF 8 speed "traditional" torque converter auto - although it does not really feel THAT different apart from slightly less direct power delivery. I've driven s-tronic in 204 BHP allroad, 272 BHP allroad and S4 (ohh and a 'pretty' A5 cab 2.0t I had as a relief car this week - felt gutless compared to the BiTdi). My brother had the S4 and now has a 3.0 petrol supercharged A6 (in US) and he moved from s-tronic (where he had a bunch of issues) to the ZF box and is not complaining.

[Jackblack]

It's an engine, anything can go wrong. I've already heard of problems with the 3.0 chain & tensioners needing replacement etc which is engine out. You just have to be unlucky!

[diecastsink]

Vote for 3.0 tdi and quattro. I run regularly 45-50 mpg on longer journeys, 35 during daily city/rural/office trips so mileage is no a problem. If I just could get old tiptronic with new 3ltr engine... New 2.0 is very good, they accelerate well in city area but when you go to highway 80+ mph you feel the difference. Remember that the car weights 2 tons (mine is 2100kg with half tank and full driver). Tyre wear is not problem with 4X4, even here in northern periferia. Also other country specific issues are weighting my selection towards 3.0 tdi and quattro. As well as that the 2.0 is so $£#% cold in winter! I have now 60k 4 yrs without any problems related to engine or gearbox, small general issues which of course may develop quickly like air suspension. Had also C6 3.0 quattro for 5 yrs without any problems, before that A4 B7 2.0 TFSI quattro Tiptronic 3yrs - all Avant, with no problems.

If you under 40 and need to have Audi, take the smaller model like A3 or A4, they are brilliant, if you want A Premium Car, take A6 with The Engine. S-line or FL does not sound a bell at all for me. Insurance, finance, warranty are different in UK so might turn my mind completely.

[ukgroucho]

Vote for 3.0 tdi and quattro. I run regularly 45-50 mpg on longer journeys, 35 during daily city/rural/office trips so mileage is no a problem. If I just could get old tiptronic with new 3ltr engine...

You mean the 6 speed tiptronic torque converter box from the C6 3.0 Tdi quattro? That was a ZF unit also and I can assure you the 8 speed ZF in the BiTdi is a much better evolution of that gearbox (for the most part...).
I used to hate using the paddles to shift in my C6 3.0 Tdi quattro because it just shifted too slowly. Unless you had time to use the paddles to set up for an overtake then mostly I just left it in auto. The box in the BiTdi is much more responsive. Not quite as fast to change as the s-Tronic but definitely very useable in manual mode. My only complaint is the occasional duff change at low revs - turn into a side road in third and apply a bit too much throttle and it decides to drop into second and does a bad job of it. It is VERY infrequent and, apparently, is something that can develop as the engine / gearbox learns your driving behaviour and then you do something 'unusual' and it catches it out. Reseting the 'learning' fixes it.

s-Tronic boxes are not without their challenges also.