Introduction -
I’ve been an avid team-bhp reader for the last 4-5 years. It is now a natural habit to read daily updates from the homepage every morning soon after markets open. Took the plunge recently to create an account. This is my first ownership review here. I recently purchased an Audi A6 3.0 TDI and can’t wait to share all about it with the community. I hope you enjoy this post.
What it is
It is a pre-owned 2011 A6 3.0 TDI Quattro in white colour and beige interiors.
What is so special about it
Audi A6 C7 was launched globally in 2011 (2012 in the US). Audi brought two diesel drivetrains to India
a) 2.0 TDI - 4 Cylinder, 2.0 litre engine with CVT (multi-tronic) and front wheel drive
b) 3.0 TDI – V6, 3.0 litre engine with 7 speed DSG (s-tronic) and Quattro 4 wheel drive
The 3.0 TDI produced 245 hp and 400Nm of torque. This was the more expensive, rare version that had limited discounts. You can read more about Rishi’s buying experience
here (My Audi A6 3.0 TDI V6 Quattro – Mystique Black Beauty).
The A6 C7 has aged very gracefully. A minor
facelift (Driven: 2015 Audi A6 Matrix) was launched in 2015 with mostly bumper tweaks. Most importantly – this model continued till 2018 (launched in 2011) with very few changes. It doesn’t seem like a 10 year old car at all.
Likes
a) German build quality (my first European car)
b) Timeliness VAG design. Car has aged very gracefully – or not aged much at all.
c) Powerful diesel engine with 7 speed DSG and 4 wheel drive
d) Interiors are significantly better compared to BMW, Mercs, and A4 from the same time
e) Benefits of buying it pre-owned
Dislikes
a) Maintenance could be expensive – esp with DSG, air suspension.
b) Non-SUV ground clearance could be a deal breaker for many
c) The Audi brand is an attention catcher. Not associated with humility.
d) Beige interiors don’t age as well as black ones.
e) Underbody protection doesn’t last long (made of flimsy plastics)
With the introduction set, let’s dig in.
Why a new car?
Mom was driving a manual 2016 Tiago XE petrol. About three years ago I bought a pre-owned 2008 Corolla Altis petrol automatic for myself. I’ll compile up the ownership thread on this in a few weeks. Since then – she’s got very fond of automatic cars. It was time we bought her a beater automatic for the city.
Constraints –
1. Pre-owned (at least 5 years old)
2. Automatic/ CVT gearboxes.
Options considered – Honda City, Brio, Civic, Jazz.
The Altis had really spoilt us out of options. After driving each of these cars – the RoI seemed lower than the one on Altis. The interiors and the car build didn’t match the Altis. We were really just in love with the Altis. I then decided to give my Altis to mom and buy myself a new car.
Constraints –
1. European pre-owned automatic sedan (we’re still a sedan family)
2. Budget – Up to 10 Lakhs
Options considered (1st tranche) – Jetta, Octavia
I liked both Jetta and Octavia. Pre-owned Jettas were in the range of 8-10 Lakhs and Octavias in the range of 9-11 Lakhs. But it really didn’t feel like a big enough upgrade on Altis. I then started looking for the big three Germans.
Options considered (2nd tranche) – 3 series, A4, A6, C Class
Why Audi A6 3.0 TDI?
The BMW is no doubt, optimised for the driving experience. The interiors of BMW, C Class and A4 seemed outdated. The A6 seemed to have the best interiors among the bunch and the price did not seem too far out. Plus after many months - I was able to spot a 3.0 TDI Quattro and that sealed the deal. It seemed the best bang for the buck – coming in between 15-20 Lakhs. Bought it directly from the first owner. He seemed to have really loved the car and taken excellent care of it. There was no more waiting.
The car had done 88K kms – but I couldn’t feel much of it. The owner seemed to have really pampered her. I’ve driven about 2K kms now and am enjoying every bit of it.
More about the styling, equipment, features, build quality – is best read on the official
facelift thread (Driven: 2015 Audi A6 Matrix). 2011 version is 98% of the 2015 facelift. The only additions/ changes I’ve noticed are gear knob, bumpers, head/ tail lights, boss mode button.
Few quick observations below -
1. Gearbox is quick and smooth even after 90K kms
2. Feels amazing to drive this car on highways.
3. Fuel economy of 12kmpl in city and 17 kmpl on highways.
4. NVH levels are low - favoured by acoustic glasses
5. Air suspension is a boon.
6. Haven’t yet scrapped the car on any speed breaker. Ground clearance is practical.
Here are a few pictures for your eyes -
Front view. Blends in with the latest models. Doesn't seem like a 10 year old car to me. Notice that the Indian variants do not get fog lamps. Comes with DRLs. DRLs also double up as indicators. The face lifted model has an updated bumper, headlight cluster and the grill was dipped in chrome. Also notice the rain sensor on the windshield for automatic wipers.
Side view. The car is long. Straight creases from the front to the back - VAG's timeless design. Wheels are 245/55 17 inch alloys. Both front and rear wheels have cladding within the arches.
Notice the dual exhaust for the V6. They are real exhausts. Rear camera hiding above the number plate. Comes standard with 4 rear parking sensors.
Doors are heavy. They open in 3 stages. Storage space for 1l bottles is felt lined.
2 memory seat settings. Door open/ close lever is delightful to hold and operate.
This is the view when you're entering the cabin. Notice the silver touches. Both front seats get electronic adjustment. Glovebox gets a lamp, 6 DVD changer, and air con vent. Glove box door opens slowly - doesn't fall down.
I really love the instrument cluster. Two analog dials that are amazing to look at. There's a big color screen stuck between them. Please pardon the wiper fluid warning light.
I'm a big fan of volume and air con knobs. They rotate with high quality metallic satisfying clicks. I prefer them over the modern touch screen ones. Quattro badging on the dashboard. First button to the right of the air con vents is to lower the automatic rear sun shade.
Notice the electronic parking brake, engine start stop button. Two cup holders behind this instrument cluster.
Rear seats get their own air con controls and charging dock. Comes equipped with 4 zone climate control.
Additional rear air con vents on the B pillar. Seat belts are height adjustable.
Rear windows get sun shades
Rear seats with armrest. Armrest gets cup holders and storage.
Sunroof console. Notice the motion sensors.
Boot opens electronically. Doesn't close electronically though.
Boot is massive. Gets lamps and 12V charging socket.
Engine sits tightly in the bay. Compare this to the 2.0 TDI - with lots of empty space. Battery sits in the boot - under the spare tyre.
Driving Experience
Start the engine and you'll hear the diesel clutter outside the cabin. Inside the cabin though, it is pretty silent. Press the pedal and you'll realise that it is a diesel engine. Obviously, not as rev-happy as a petrol one. At city speeds, the car is good but not fun. It does the job. Gearbox will upshift when you want it to and the engine has enough grunt to put a smile on my face. Electronic steering is very light and easy to operate at low speeds. It does get heavy at highway speeds. Suspension absorbs the potholes and overall NVH is quite contained. Ground clearance is decent - thanks to the height adjustable air suspension. I default to the highest setting and haven't faced any issues.
Take the car out on an open road and that is when you can feel the 245 horses with DSG under the hood. You won't realise you've touched triple digits. Car is doing 120 on ORR and I feel like its probably 60. DSG does its job - as you expect it to. It is the choice/ recommendation of many - for the right reasons. Drive enthusiastically and the engine delivers with the turbo spooling in, to propel you forwards. You can also move to sport mode for that extra bit where the DSG will hold the gear longer. The car sticks to the road at high speeds while straight and cornering. I'm guessing the Quattro system is to thank here. I couldn't get the launch control working. Shall spend more time on this. 4 disc brakes do their job to stop when you want them to - with a munchy bite.
I've been getting fuel economy of 12kmpl in city and 17 kmpl on highways. All in all - I'm more than happy for what I paid. It is able to consistently put a smile on my face - whether I want to hypermil to the airport or drive spiritedly or take the family out for dinner. Interiors, performance, build quality, safety, in-my-budget - it's got'em all. What more would I ask for?
Smaller yet significant things -
1. Long press the unlock button on the remote and all windows, sunroof open up to let the hot air out. Long press the lock button on the remote and all windows, sunroof close while locking the car.
2. When you go in reverse – the car automatically brings down the rear shade.
3. 4 front, 4 rear parking sensors and rear camera make it easy to drive.