Mid 30s MPG for a TDI isn't so great, but the performance is fab in return. I love my Audi A6 3.0 TDi Quattro SE, it gets me where I need to be and doesn't mess about. It's big but the parking sensors take care of that, and the size inside is just great. I use it to take merchandise around, which often includes big rugs, drawer sets, dining chairs, that sort of thing. Flap the rear seats down and it's easy to slip longer items inside.
It's a joy to drive, lovely and quiet, very easy on the gears, and the steering is fantastic and light.
The interior of the Audi A6 is excellent, good quality and tough going materials. It can be a little tricky that there are a number of controls located next to the gear stick, so it can be a bit difficult to rest things down in that area, for fear of knocking one of the buttons. But the arm rest and storage box take care of that mostly, just got to remember where to put things. That also contributes to security, very easy to stash things out of the way.
The power side of things isn't lacking at all either. I often tug a trailer with larger items of merchandise, and it never ever runs out of pulling strength, even up tricky inclines. I've had a few times where I wondered if it would make it but it just grips the road and keeps on going.
Cruise control on the Audi A6 Quattro is another big plus in its favour. It works just fine, makes motorway driving so simple, almost too simple. The satnav is great too. The display might be a bit low down for some people, but it's ok as far as I'm concerned. The trip computer is really handy, lets you know everything, even how far until your next service.
Not sure if I've got anything negative to say. Apart from the fuel economy being perhaps not all that competitive these days, it's brilliant.
I got the Audi A6 2.0 TDi brand new, which was probably a mistake. The reason to get it new is the warranty and supposed level of cover available, but this was pretty poor at the best of times, with the dealer trying to sort of sweep aside our complaints about high oil usage and clutch shakiness. I've asked other owners online and it seems there might be problems more widely, both with the A6 and with the TDI (tedious) engine models.
Anyway we did get these things done under warranty in the end (to cut a long story short) and nowadays it's a very reliable car. It's hard to shake the feeling that something else will go wrong, but the longer it lasts the more hopeful I am.
The reason I put up with so much hassle is that the A6 2.0 TDi SE is such a good vehicle to be using day to day. Huge space for five large adult passengers, loads of space left still in the boot. We got roof bars for our one and we regularly have three adult friends with their gear in a roof box for walking holidays, and it does those trips fine. It can sometimes struggle a wee bit on the hills, and for that reason next time I might go for the 2.7 litre model as it's more or less the same fuel economy but a lot more power.
Originally we didn't have parking sensors, which caused a lot of confusion really. I held out getting them fitted whilst we sorted out the clutch problem, as I wasn't sure for a time if we'd just throw in the towel and sell up. But after that was sorted we got them and it's definitely a worthwhile investment. It might be worth getting them second hand and fitted by an independent garage, because the way we did it worked out quite expensive.
Nice ride, lots of space inside and really comfy. Good for the dogs, nice big boot and the cage fits in easily. Reasonably low bumper as well so the dogs can easily jump in the back, when they want to that is.
The Audi A6 1.9 TDi is really smooth on the motorway, which is where I mostly use it so it's been good to me all round. Takes bumps well and keeps the noise well down inside. Got plenty of poke in it for a diesel and it's good and frugal, but could maybe do with a bit more bite.
Obviously it's a big beast so don't expect to be turning it on a sixpence or parking in a supermarket without a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing. The visibility is decent enough. My Audi A6 1.9 TDi did have parking sensors when I got it second hand, but they packed in a while back and I never bothered getting them fixed. I don't actually think the dealer would have bothered with it, they seemed to try and shirk every other claim I tried to make under the warranty they gave.
There have been a fair few other problems as well with our Audi A6. The multitronic gearbox is notorious. It's a clever bit of kit when it's working but it seems like it was released a bit prematurely. I've had my fair share of hassle with it, and it's needed replacing once for me. I wouldn't be surprised if the original owner had it done before me.
The radio is a bit rubbish, struggles to keep Radio 2 for some reason. I'm not too bothered about that, and I suppose you can always upgrade that sort of thing yourself.
Other problems include some odd leaking that I haven't really been able to track down beyond just somewhere in the rear door. Also the paint job is a bit flaky, bits come off too easily. I buff it out myself usually, but it's something to look out for, especially potential little rust spots round the wheel arches. Still it's done over 200k now, so I suppose a few repairs are ok. Generally my Audi A6 is marching on, still returning good fuel economy etc.