Leaning towards Audi A6 supercharged...thoughts?

[OUGrad05]

I have enjoyed my 335i for two years now. However, I'm wanting to pick something up that's just a bit bigger. I've begun to look and am targeting this fall or winter for pulling the trigger on a CPO vehicle.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Audi A6 3.0T prestige. I've got several friends with F10s and they're nice vehicles, they're better as luxury cars than the A6. My buddies with their 535i and 550i are super quiet inside. But driving them and they're both M Sports, is kind of blah. Steering feedback is ok, not great, the steering is somewhat slow and the car feels really big.

The A6 and GS350 F Sport both feel quite a bit more nimble. The Audi A6 is interesting because the steering isn't much if any better. It seems to have slightly less feel compared with some F10s and more feel compared with others which I can't figure out, but it definitely feels more precise. The A6 also seems to have a touch more rear seat room and a better interior layout. Material quality is also better IMO.

I like the way the Lexus drives the best but its smaller inside, interior quality isn't quite as good but it's pretty damn good, but most importantly the drivetrain just feels ancient. Absolutely ancient.

At the absolute limit the BMW probably feels a bit better, but both cars that I have extensive time in get kinda pushy feeling up close to the limit, and it was more pronounced in my buddies 550i. I did push the Audi pretty hard this week in a few corners, probably 8/10ths and while some understeer was present, it wasn't much if any worse than the F10 chassis cars I've driven and it pulled better out of the corner. Can't really drive at 9/10 or 10/10 on public roads anyway...

I'll give the CTS V Sport a drive but from what I'm reading its not any bigger in the backseat than my 335i.

It doesn't help that my local BMW dealer just tried to screw a friend of mine and they bent one of my mirrors backwards at the last service and tried to tell me the mirror motor just "Failed to stop".

Has anyone else made the jump from BMW to Audi? Any thoughts?

[oolas3]

I would skip the F10. Had one as a loaner and the steering and handling were terrible. BMW ruined the 5 series. I haven't driven this generation A6 but I couldn't imagine it as being worse than the F10.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by oolas3

I would skip the F10. Had one as a loaner and the steering and handling were terrible. BMW ruined the 5 series. I haven't driven this generation A6 but I couldn't imagine it as being worse than the F10.

I agree with you on the early F10s but by 2014 it was at least competent again

[danniexi]

After two E60s, my father tried a 2011 Audi A6. I've driven it in all situations and my god what a shit chassis. I didn't enjoy one bit of it. It looked good, and the interior was well built, but then again, the MMI system was crap as well. Fantastic engine though. A bit hungry on oil, but that was the only redeeming factor in that car. It pulled hard and was pretty responsive. The rest of the car, however, was not enjoyable at all.

I've driven an F10 a few times, but not enough seat time to have a full opinion on it. It was ok at the time (a full loaded 528 when it first came out with all the toys). I was so enamored with the new idrive and the extra toys that i never had a chance to really drive it.

all said and done, go for a few more test drives and see which appeals to you the most. tbh, nothing in this segment will be "exciting". we're talking about very large luxury sedans.

[barbecuejoe]

Originally Posted by danniexi

After two E60s, my father tried a 2011 Audi A6. I've driven it in all situations and my god what a shit chassis. I didn't enjoy one bit of it. It looked good, and the interior was well built, but then again, the MMI system was crap as well. Fantastic engine though. A bit hungry on oil, but that was the only redeeming factor in that car. It pulled hard and was pretty responsive. The rest of the car, however, was not enjoyable at all.

I've driven an F10 a few times, but not enough seat time to have a full opinion on it. It was ok at the time (a full loaded 528 when it first came out with all the toys). I was so enamored with the new idrive and the extra toys that i never had a chance to really drive it.

all said and done, go for a few more test drives and see which appeals to you the most. tbh, nothing in this segment will be "exciting". we're talking about very large luxury sedans.

Have to agree for the most part. I had a 2011 A6. Great engine, performed well, very responsive. Comfortable car with some space if you need a family hauler. Design of the car ok, nothing too exciting.

[8k4]

F10 was utter shit, got a 15 as a loaner, very disappointing. Audi was nice

[Dackelone]

I think a drive in the new G-series 5er is in order. It will change your mind. I was really impressed with it - recently.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by danniexi

After two E60s, my father tried a 2011 Audi A6. I've driven it in all situations and my god what a shit chassis. I didn't enjoy one bit of it. It looked good, and the interior was well built, but then again, the MMI system was crap as well. Fantastic engine though. A bit hungry on oil, but that was the only redeeming factor in that car. It pulled hard and was pretty responsive. The rest of the car, however, was not enjoyable at all.

I've driven an F10 a few times, but not enough seat time to have a full opinion on it. It was ok at the time (a full loaded 528 when it first came out with all the toys). I was so enamored with the new idrive and the extra toys that i never had a chance to really drive it.

all said and done, go for a few more test drives and see which appeals to you the most. tbh, nothing in this segment will be "exciting". we're talking about very large luxury sedans.

Interesting you call the Chassis shit. I'm not sure there's a car in the class with a shit chassis in my opinion. Oddly the mag reviews indicate the audi chassis is superb, their steering is just numb.

[Alfisti]

Boss has one, very nice car but crazy expensive. Also, as with the 5er, cannot believe how small it is inside given how big it is outside.

[KingOfJericho]

I hope the MMI got A LOT better because it was horrendous on my 2010 S4. I do love that engine but, as someone mentioned earlier, it is oil-thirsty. I would have to add two quarts between changes which they called "normal" after trying to tell me it was because of my exhaust.

[RickFLM4]

I had a 2010 A6 and a 2013 S4. I think the 2012-current A6 is nice but much more luxury oriented than sports oriented. Somewhat Lexus-like. The 3.0 SC engine is great and so is the interior, particularly small details likes knobs and buttons. Audi MMI with Google Earth is better than iDrive IMO. Overall, very nice car and gets you the extra room you seek but don't expect it to be a performance-oriented sports sedan.

I drove Lexus for 14 years before Audi (including a GS for 10 years). Their styling is polarizing and I am one that hates it so not a car I would ever consider. I also wouldn't personally consider a CTS-V. So between the three I'd go with the A6.

Have you looked at used Jag XF / XF-R?

[Alfisti]

CPO XF-R's are a steal. Other boss had one, after three years i could have had it for a little over 40K which insane for 500+ HP!!

[fr240]

Friend went from an E90 LCI 328xi 6MT (non-sport) to A6 Supercharged. He loves it. The response is great, NVH & build quality is excellent. The instant torque is special too.

He claims it doesn't handle as well as his E90 did, but loves every other aspect of it.

[Efthreeoh]

A friend of mine has an S5 with that supercharged 6 in it. She loves it. I think its a very nice car.

[Dshady]

I had a 2014 A6 tdi before my F80, best car I ever owned. It just wasn't exciting for me. If I was in the market for that size vehicle, I would buy one again. Good luck.

[Bluewater328iT]

Audis have very complex engine and tranny layouts that make maintenance expensive, plus they put a lot of weight on the front end, like 55%, making the handling sub-optimal. It is a very heavy car, over 4,000 pounds, as is the 5 series and the CTS-V, which cuts out the nimble feeling of driving and drags down MPG. Otherwise, they are nice cars.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Bluewater328iT

Audis have very complex engine and tranny layouts that make maintenance expensive, plus they put a lot of weight on the front end, like 55%, making the handling sub-optimal. It is a very heavy car, over 4,000 pounds, as is the 5 series and the CTS-V, which cuts out the nimble feeling of driving and drags down MPG. Otherwise, they are nice cars.

I remember reading in 'CAR' magazine many years back that front heavy car's - front wheel drive - are like a throw dart in that they are more stable in a straight line at speed and in rain and snow also. As far a turning quickly in rapid succession they lack.

Two years ago I drive the Audi A5 at a comparison event at my BMW dealer. I had read reviews where the journalist described a cars steering as 'wooden' and never quite knew what that meant. Then I drive the A5 and the steering feel was awkward, I couldn't believe Audi was selling it. Then a year later drive the A3 and the steering was way better. My point is you got to test drive.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I remember reading in 'CAR' magazine many years back that front heavy car's - front wheel drive - are like a throw dart in that they are more stable in a straight line at speed and in rain and snow also. As far a turning quickly in rapid succession they lack.

Two years ago I drive the Audi A5 at a comparison event at my BMW dealer. I had read reviews where the journalist described a cars steering as 'wooden' and never quite knew what that meant. Then I drive the A5 and the steering feel was awkward, I couldn't believe Audi was selling it. Then a year later drive the A3 and the steering was way better. My point is you got to test drive.

There is a reason why people say Audi's Audisteer(meaning understeer). The engines are still mounted way out, infront of the car.'s front axle.. no mater how trick your center and rear diffs are... the car is gonna understeer. Sure newer models have seen the engine move further back... but it still hangs way out there.

But what gets me about Audi's are the cheap parts VAG uses. They know certian things will break. They continue to use the same old shitty parts - even though they know they could spend half a dollor more on that part and it would be fine for the life of the car. I really don't see BMW doing this so much. I understand why most car companies do that... but my point is your buying more than a car with a BMW(or Porsche)... its more of an entire package. That's why I continue to drive BMW's.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

There is a reason why people say Audi's Audisteer(meaning understeer). The engines are still mounted way out, infront of the car.'s front axle.. no mater how trick your center and rear diffs are... the car is gonna understeer. Sure newer models have seen the engine move further back... but it still hangs way out there.

But what gets me about Audi's are the cheap parts VAG uses. They know certian things will break. They continue to use the same old shitty parts - even though they know they could spend half a dollor more on that part and it would be fine for the life of the car. I really don't see BMW doing this so much. I understand why most car companies do that... but my point is your buying more than a car with a BMW(or Porsche)... its more of an entire package. That's why I continue to drive BMW's.

My friends that are in the racing business still say it's the Audi handling that excludes them from considering one.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by fr240

Friend went from an E90 LCI 328xi 6MT (non-sport) to A6 Supercharged. He loves it. The response is great, NVH & build quality is excellent. The instant torque is special too.

He claims it doesn't handle as well as his E90 did, but loves every other aspect of it.

E90 is a special car in the handling and driver engagement dept. Not surprised the A6 doesn't handle quite that well.

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

E90 is a special car in the handling and driver engagement dept. Not surprised the A6 doesn't handle quite that well.

Audi A6 doesn't have to out-handle E90 - different classes. It does out-handle F10, I have F10 535i xdrive with DHP and summer non-run-flat tires and after driving A6 I felt like Audi was a bit more comfortable, handled better and drove much smaller than my 535. But the F10's are known to drive more like a 7-series (E65 platform after all).
Here is my experience with A6:

I liked:
1. Audi's 3.0L SC TFSI V6 is a gem - feels WAY faster than my N55, probably due to zero lag.
2. You can get a dip stick with this engine ($25 from ECS Tuning) - means no more messy DIY oil changes with oil pump extractor.
3. A spare tire still present with this generation -
4. Rear leg room about 2" more than my F10
5. Drives way smaller than it actually is - very easy to drive fast
6. 40/60 rear seats split is standard - unlike my F10
7. Ventilated seats in A6 do better job at cooling your a$$ vs. F10
8. Full LED headlights and LED interior available from 2012.

I didn't like:
1. Looks pretty plain vs M-sport F10
2. No comfort seats available
3. 3.0L TFSI can be more thirsty than N55
4. I still prefer iDrive over Audi's MMI, but Google Earth maps are pretty neat (I actually rarely use iDrive for anything).

After owning F10 and test driving A6 few times, I would probably go with A7 Prestige to resolve plain look of A6 and get some extra cargo room everything else is the same as on A6... Good luck.

[Germanauto]

Well it's a great car.

But being an Audi it'll blend right in on the road. Nobody will look at it even once. They are dull looking cars. If buying something with flash isn't of importance to you then it's the right choice, considering the F10 was a numb harpoon whale.