Audi A6 Avant 2003-2005 model

[cpjitservices]

Hi

 

Anyone got an Audi A6 Avant 2.5 Diesel in a Manual/Auto ?

 

Looking at picking one up but have been told they are a bit of a dog in terms of power delivery and general reliability.

 

The 1.9 is my next choice in a Manual - Looks to be a better unit - anyone got one ?

 

 

Thanks in advance

[NB9457]

I'd get the 1.9 as I imagine it'd be a PD engine and they're bulletproof, generally really strong and if you want more power, this is easily achieved by a remap. Great on fuel too, regardless of how heavy your right foot is.

[3s-gtech]

I would advise caution in getting what will be a fairly old but still complex and expensive to fix car now. They are well built and strong (generally), but repair bills can be pretty significant. Most will have very high mileage by this point, and suspension wear can be costly. Don't factor the running costs in with contemporaries like a Ford Mondeo - these need a good contingency fund unless you buy a real peach.

[cpjitservices]

I'd get the 1.9 as I imagine it'd be a PD engine and they're bulletproof, generally really strong and if you want more power, this is easily achieved by a remap. Great on fuel too, regardless of how heavy your right foot is.

 

I agree however I dont think they are the PD engine. Most of the 1.9's are rated at 130 BHP anyway. I just wanted to know what they are like to live with.

 

Looks like im staying clear of the 2.5

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

I would advise caution in getting what will be a fairly old but still complex and expensive to fix car now. They are well built and strong (generally), but repair bills can be pretty significant. Most will have very high mileage by this point, and suspension wear can be costly. Don't factor the running costs in with contemporaries like a Ford Mondeo - these need a good contingency fund unless you buy a real peach.

 

Thats fine, I understand that. I can undertake mos work anyway which lowers the costs. By a great deal.

[Oaktech]

I had the 98 2.5 and I only got shot when the dualmass flywheel started to play up (huge vibration after acceleration to anywhere near 4k rpm, juddery take off) It was a perfectly acceptable car up until then. Bit thirsty, but you don't buy a 2,5 v6 and then moan about the economy. My wife didn't like it because the suspension was stiff and the car was low - she drives a meriva.

[cpjitservices]

I had the 98 2.5 and I only got shot when the dualmass flywheel started to play up (huge vibration after acceleration to anywhere near 4k rpm, juddery take off) It was a perfectly acceptable car up until then. Bit thirsty, but you don't buy a 2,5 v6 and then moan about the economy. My wife didn't like it because the suspension was stiff and the car was low - she drives a meriva.

 

I Know, I wouldnt buy one for economy - I was looking at an allroad. I hear stories of very little power delivery on the 2.5 and unreliable.

[Oaktech]

I Know, I wouldnt buy one for economy - I was looking at an allroad. I hear stories of very little power delivery on the 2.5 and unreliable.

 

I would steer clear of the allroad simply because of the suspension. those bags are £400 a corner and well known to go around the 120k mark.

 

I didn't find it down on power particularly. Mine was over 200k miles and went through an MOT a week before the flywheel gave up with just £100 of suspension work.

[cpjitservices]

I do like the allroad though lol, to be honest I am gonna go with the standard Avant. Yours was on a 1998 you say.. perhaps the newer versions in the 2003-2005 are an under powered unit.

 

Either way I want to go for a manaul - better on economy.

[cpjitservices]

Or do I go for an E46 tourer ?

[NB9457]

What's your budget and do you need an estate?

 

You can get a MK6 Golf TDI for around £4k now or a Skoda Superb

[cpjitservices]

About 2k. Not really a fan of golfs.

 

Estate, Practical for me.

[3s-gtech]

E46 for me, and I am an Audi fan. Watch for rust.

[cpjitservices]

E46 for me, and I am an Audi fan. Watch for rust.

 

On which the E46 or the Audi ?

 

I've found nice 88k tourer on ebay (E46) a few things flag up on last MOT though.

[3s-gtech]

Both, but the front wings on BMWs of that age (and Mercs) are a rust prone spot.

[cpjitservices]

I'll keep my eyes open.

 

Thanks for the advice, I think the E46 tourer is swaying me. 2.0 Manual looks a good beast.

[strawberry]

Got a 52 plate A6 Sport 1.9 . Pulls like a beast and very little in the way of repairs over last 5 years. Estates are good but saloon has a big old boot on it, depends what you are shifting.

[cpjitservices]

Ive pondered the saloon, my Jag was a saloon. But you can bet If I get a saloon I'll need an estate for something lol.

 

whats it like to live with ? Fuel wise ?

[3s-gtech]

The 2.0 six is quite thirsty without the punch to go with it - often the case with the smaller capacity BMW sixes. The 318i (2 litre 16v I4 N42B20) is often a better bet - similar power, better economy. Edited October 20, 2016 by 3s-gtech

[cpjitservices]

The 2.0 six is quite thirsty without the punch to go with it - often the case with the smaller capacity BMW sixes. The 318i (2 litre 16v I4 N42B20) is often a better bet - similar power, better economy.

 

How can U tell which one its got ? by 6 I presume you mean straight 6 ?

[3s-gtech]

Yup. You can tell because the six cylinder cars are the 320, 323, 328 and 330 (plus M3). The 316 and 318 are four cylinder. Early E46 318s (to 2001) are the 1.9L 8v M43 engine which isn't very powerful, I'd avoid these. You can physically tell the M43 and N42 apart as the M43 is SOHC, the N42 is DOHC, so you should see the different pulley covers at the front of the engine.

[cpjitservices]

Excellent thanks for the info, sounds like your a car buff such as myself which is good - don't seem to meet many in this industry.

 

Definitely gonna look out for one hopefully sub £1k. Will let you know my findings.

[superatticman]

The 2.5 V6 diesel version of the A6 was a model I was interested in a few years ago. However, I was put off by a number of reviews stating that it was a noisy, expensive to run and not much faster than a remapped 1.9. The Audi/VW 1.9 was probably the best diesel engine ever created. To be honest unless my mileage was high, I'd never bother with a diesel, especially a 6 cylinder model anyway. They are potential huge money pits in spite of the savings in fuel.

 

Same goes for any large diesel engined German car to be honest. Simply wouldn't touch one unless it was low mileage and full service history. People think they are getting a 'savage' motor for a relatively low outlay, but the actual truth is they are buying a money pit on wheels. Plenty of disgruntled BMW 330D/530D/535D/735D owners on a BMW forum I'm on. Yes, we're talking into the thousands for repair bills. The fanboys reckon these types of German car are totally special thus the expensive repair costs. I say the quality of some of the components and engineering on the large diesels is actually pretty substandard.

 

The straight six 2.5/3.0i petrol models on the other hand are excellent and durable.

[strawberry]

Tank is about £70 and I get about 450 urban miles out of it. Motorways are far better. Nice thing is you can drive it as roughly as you want and the economy doesn't go down.

[cpjitservices]

Thanks all I think to be honest if I cant find a decent 1.9 A6 Avant, I'm going to go for a petrol E46. Probs the 318i.

[cpjitservices]

@strawberry - What does yours run like? My Main concern is I don't want a diesel that sounds like its going to fall out of the engine bay because it rattles that much. I dont think I've heard the 1.9 in an A6