Second-Hand Sense: They have more than their share of faults and they are generally over-priced but I'm still a big fan of large Audis. Ever since driving an Audi 100 turbo diesel that showed a clean pair of heels to the competition, the bigger Audi has always come into the equation when considering the ideal long-distance car.
The current A6 certainly fits the bill for space, strength and comfort and the new A6, which is due on the market here before the end of the year, is said to fit it even better.
Typically German, the A6 has a dull profile on the outside and the inside. There is nothing of the Jaguar or BMW appeal. The interior is almost austere, although the same can be said of almost all German cars. You don't get much extra without paying extra! The overall styling may be conservative but the shape of the rear end, with its rounded down boot lid, is quite hideous.
There are several versions of the A6 around, from the entry level 1.8 to estate and Quattro 2.8 versions. The basic 1.8 model is a well-built car of reassuring solidity. Big, spacious and affording armchair comfort to the driver and front passenger, the car has quite a soft ride but handles well and has good grip. The engine is responsive and smooth.
The versions which most impressed me is the 1.9 turbo diesel, which has very good pulling power and can achieve excellent fuel economy.
For a car so solidly built, it's disappointing that the current A6 has only three of a possible five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests. Earlier models had late-firing airbags but this was later rectified. Pedals were found to be loose after tests and protection for the driver's chest in an impact was not as good as some competitors.
Second-hand values are quite respectable. One garage has a 2002 1.8 saloon with 30,000 on the clock for 34,500, while another has a 2000 model with 51,000 on the clock at 18,000. It's always advisable to try to get one with an Audi service record but high mileages should not be a big deterrent. After all, A6s are well built.
There have been a lot of problems with the A6 and the German equivalent of the AA is reported to have dealt with quite a few common ones. These include problems with fuel pump, fuel tank, air-mass meter, wheel bearings, front suspension, air filter, instruments, heated door mirrors and timing belts.
This demonstrates the need to have an A6 checked thoroughly before buying and the desirability of having a proper service record. With these kind of faults, the A6 needs to be priced well, but a good one should last a long time indeed. ... - DONAL BYRNE