Audi A6 Wagons
Here's a link for a mini-review of the Audi A6
Avant at the New York Auto Show
Audi A6 Avant
Any Avant owners around? Tell us what you think.
KarenS/SW Conference Host
Avant at the New York Auto Show
Audi A6 Avant
Any Avant owners around? Tell us what you think.
KarenS/SW Conference Host
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the A4 Avant enough. Even after 6+ mo. in my 98 quattro
I am still smitten with it. The 6cyl/quattro combo
prvides very anti-wagon performance. When people ask
how it drives I say,' Like a sprorts coupe, lust have a really big trunk"
Even though I have had it only six months I am coming up
on 14k trouble free miles. i love the handling and the get upadn go
the 190hp provides, the only disadvantage over the a6 Avant is it is
smaller. However even hauling three dogs and various drumsets I have
never run out of space. Unless you have more than 2 kids the space would be
more than adiquit. Check it out
The 30V V6 will be offered in the A6 Avant, with the possible addition of the 3.2 V8 sometime in the future. At least, that's what I've heard.
Paul
comments about this car. Thank you
KarenS/SW host
As a result, when it came time to replace our A4, we narrowed our choices down to the MB M320, Lexus RX300, Volvo V70 AWD and the Audi A6 Avant.
MB M320 - we had read many reviews praising this SUV. However, we never drive off-road. My wife is of fairly short-stature and had a hard time getting into this vehicle (forget about it if wearing a skirt, or carrying our son). The MB running board was a bit tricky to use. The dashboard was rather flimsy and we were rather disappointed in the interior. The drive was reasonable although the steering (and its lack of 'locked-on-centre') was a bit irritating and it produced a fair amount of wind-noise at higher speeds. While, the price represents excellent value for such a vehicle, we decided to move on.
Lexus RX300 - I found this vehicle to drive very nicely, although wind-noise became a factor with the rather large outer mirrors. Acceleration was smooth and braking was exceptional. The lack of available heated seats was the limiting factor (one gets spoiled after having them in cold climates).
Volvo V70 AWD - This vehicle was a joy to ride. The seats are the most comfortable I've ever experienced. The low head room in the back meant that I had to make a special effort not to bump my head nor my son's when getting him into the safety seat. The price is pretty reasonable for such a vehicle and the limiting factor became the 5-cylinder engine and the advancing age of the current 850/70 series.
Audi A6 Avant - First of all, this was the most expensive of the 4 choices. My only other concern was with the power of the V-6. However, during the test drives, I found the latter to be not an issue and actually found this vehicle to have the smoothest transmission of all. The interior details are first-class with all of those features that you would expect in a more expensive MB or BMW sedan. Things such as the lowering outer mirrors while parking, seat memory control from the integrated key-fob, self-dimming mirrors, amazing Bose stereo (albeit $$$$), non-glare red LEDs for the cabin, rear seat warmers, heated steering wheel among many other features were really appealing. In terms of storage, the low rear-sill height and wide entrance was enhanced by a polished metal loading sill to save the bumper.
Final decision. In the end, the A6 edged out the Volvo mainly because of its attention to detail. While the price is steep, we felt that we would notice the differences in quality down the road. So far, we have not been disappointed.
(My only sorrow comes from the discontinuation of the Pearlescent White color and its replacement with Melange - Audi had the most beautiful pearl paint that I've seen and I was sad to say goodbye to our Pearl A4. By the way, we got the silver A6 Avant!)
-AA
Also the Synco system is not full time all wheel drive. It is similar to Volvo's V70 viscous coupled AWD system, which is actually FWD with power transmitted to the rear when front slippage occurs. Whereas the Quattro is full time all wheel drive. Quattro is the only all wheel drive system that employs 3 differentials to supply power to all 4 wheels, at the same time. Also the Quattro's center diffential is torque sensitive and is the only AWD system that can vary the amount of torque distributed to the wheels. The Quattro system actually helps reduce power needed by half, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Audi A6 quattro, Volvo V70R AWD , M-B E320 AWD. Cannot decide which to buy. Audi A6 seemed to have smaller viewing range than the others. But, it is a very great car to drive. Does anyone have more experience with these particular models? I always thought of buying a car as an adventure and somewhat of a "fun" time. However, it seems to be a market(wagons) which is about to undergo some major changes. MB is trying to go to one car pricing and dealers are nervous. Ordering either the MB 3204MATIC or the Audi A6 quattro takes 4-6 months! This is not "user friendly". The Volvo V70R AWD is somewhat sooner. Does one just wait until the century turn-over and see what happens to the market? What happens to the value of a 1999 when the century changes over? Will the depreciation be "normal" or will the consumer take more of a "hit"? Of the three listed above, which will hold the best value? I thought the MB, but with the one car pricing situation, it appears that the dealers are in an unstable situation. One car pricing will take 3% off of the dealers proceeds. Is Volvo or Audi going to do this?
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, Edmunds.com
Much greater refinement. But, $7000 more out the
door (at least !). I asked the salesman about A6 power and he did the usual claim that the engine is more than adequate. While I am on the edge between buying ANOTHER V70 for me (since we have
had good luck with Volvos)or an A6, the engine situation is bothersome. If a 2.7Turbo is coming, thats great as long as the costs are in line. If the Turbo pushes the differential between the XC and the Avant to say.... 7500-9000, or more... then Volvo's going to win. I can live without bells and whistles while having $8000 in my pocket. Ok, the Torsen AWD is "better" than Volvo. For 99% of the time, it doesn't mean squat.
The problem is I really like the A6. Since I drive often at elevation (5000-7000 feet) power becomes a critical question.
More questions than answers...
out the door for +$4074. My wife loves her XC.
However, the A6 for $4K more is worth it. Long
term comparison tests have begun. Note after 4 days: power question is overblown. The A6 engine
is more isolated and is smoother at low rpm, therefore, "feels" slower. It's not. Both vehicles will get you quickly from "a" to "b",
and both are fine vehicles. For $4K you get more
refinement, bells and whistles. Both will haul a load from Home Depot. Quickly.
Regards,
"The A6 2.7 T will arrive with a 2.7 liter V6 biturbo engine producing 250 horsepower, and a 6-speed manual transmission during the fall of 1999. It will be a 2000 model. An automatic transmission will be available later in the model year. Specifications and pricing information are not currently available."
I have found one dealer here in San Diego who confirms this and another who flatly denies it. I'll be waiting .....for a while.
I too am in San Diego and without ever mentioning your name -Would you be kind enough to tell me which dealer confirmed it and which denied it..
I soon expect to be shopping for an A6 Avant (99?)
Thanks
Sunny
Also I test drove an Avant last week at Miramar that supposedly had the new final drive ratio (also had the new stereo with in dash CD). According to the salesman, it picked up the 0-60 by 1/2 second. I haven't driven the older one so I can't say but I still was a little disappointed with the performance, although it did pull away from a stop pretty nicely.
is the same one I've been asking myself before buy. Have you received any responses or clues?
Thanks.
Sunnyside
I am really confused between the A6 Avant, SAAB 9-5 Wagon and the Volvo V70XC. Any further comments from recent decisions would be helpful. Also, what is a good deal on theses vehicles? Thanks in advance.
This will replace a Honda Odyssey LX. I have driven several cars.
The volvo xxawd left me with a terrible headache. The car was not properly
preped. The ride was very bumpy. The deal was super, but the car was not.
We did give volvo another try with the V70 GLT-the ride was much better but again the headache showed up.
For spending over $30,000 for a car, you better love it!
Moved on to the ML320-Liked this car very much, still rocky on some roads,but overall was moving up fast
as #1 choice..before making final selection Hubby says we must go see YBH dealership in PA (I still morn the day I sold my 92-90S
took out the A6 and fell in love all over again. Will take the car for a day to make sure it was not a one night stand, and to see how the
kids, stroller, dog, and hubby all fit.
Numbers are the bottom line, remember when your first home was cheaper than your 1999 car choice??
Thanks.
Considering the new design for A6 Avant 99 and VW's history, is this car worth purchasing over the more expensive MB wagon or BMW? Should I invest more to have "piece of mind?"
My advise: Sell the car while still in warranty. My car just came out of warranty (36 months) and developed an air conditioner problem (leak in evaporator) at 37,000 miles. Estimate to fix it was $ 1,200 from my audi dealership.
This is ridiculous.
In the past three years of ownership, the following items went wrong:
1: Rattle in rear door. Fixed in 3 visits.
2: Remotes not working.
3: Door locks not working.
4: Battery dies.
5: Radio needed replacement. TWICE!
Finally A/C dies.
Is this what you expect from a luxury car?
Not me. I had a Lexus LS 400 which required *NO* repairs in 4 years of ownership!!
Good luck to all Audin buyers.
S J
A4 all models $1750 LEASE
A6 from $3000 - $3750 LEASE
I received a response from all but 4 of the dealers, and on Thursday evening I took delivery of a Jaspis green A6 Avant at the net cap offered.
Of course, it was quite that simple. The dealer tried to get some back by sliding thru a few bogus title charges (I was from out of state), and a lease from some no-name outfit at a higher money factor. After I ripped up the 3rd lease, I told 'em I had other things to do, and we finally got it done.
td
Ha
Also, what do you really think about the Tip Trans? Can you override that annoying computer chip that "learns" your driving style? I hear you can in the BMW version.
Thanks!
Now that I've gotten over (kinda) sticker shock on Audi and BMW wagons .... seems like this version gives me best of both worlds. Audi styling, with 6-speed and bigger engine.
Should I wait? Anyone see or test drive a S4 in Europe? Thoughts ?
Triptronic vs BMW automatic: This is like apples and oranges. The trip is very smooth, the BMW isn't. The BMW theoretically allows a manual selection mode, but after using it once, you'll never bother again. The trip not only allows manual selection, but with it's sluggish engine/tranny combo in automatic operation, you will NEED the manual mode at times, especially in urban freeway driving. If find I use the trip quite allot, and it works very well.
I simply put the BMW in auto and go. However, this is a 328ICS and has plenty of power.