AUDI A6 AVANT (2014-2017)

MODELS COVERED:

5dr Estate (2.0 TDI diesel, 3.0 TDI diesel / 4.0 TFSI petrol) [SE, SE Executive, S6, RS6])

By Jonathan Crouch

The improved post-2015 version of Audi’s fourth generation A6 Avant is a large, luxurious estate that combines practicality with panache. In this form, it’s high-tech, beautifully finished and sophisticated, aiming to offer buyers a little more charisma and driving reward than the original MK4 design could provide. Does it make a good used buy?

* The History

Audi may not be too far ahead of its arch-rival BMW in terms of overall sales but in one segment at least, the Ingolstadt maker comprehensively beats its closest rival: that of large, luxurious Executive-class estates. In its lifetime, the fourth generation version of the company’s A6 Avant out-sold the rival BMW 5 Series Touring nearly two-to-one and was even further ahead of estate versions of other key segment competitors like Mercedes’ E-Class and the Jaguar XF.

Which was impressive, considering that this was never the biggest model in its segment. Still, for many buyers, it offered the most complete all-round proposition in terms of model choice, practicality and technology. It sold until the fifth generation A6 Avant was announced in the Spring of 2018.

* What To Look For

This A6 Avant generally has a good reputation for build quality and reliability, but there are a few things you’ll need to look out for. We’ve heard reports that the electronic handbrake can sometimes get stuck. The infotainment screen that should power smoothly out of the dash top on start-up can sometimes get stuck too, so check that. Apparently the lock on the fuel filler cap has a history of sometimes breaking, so check that and make sure it opens properly. On a few 3.0 TDI models, you might notice an engine rattle; faulty chain sensors are the cause, an issue solved when Audi introduced new chain sensors for this engine in 2016. If you’re looking at a 2014 or 2015-era A6 3.0 TDI and it has the rattle, then this can apparently be solved by the fitment of these revised chain sensors, something your dealer can arrange: ask if it’s been done.

We came across a few reports of the electronic steering needing software updated. And on the few cars you’ll come across fitted with air suspension, the wishbones can apparently occasionally creak, especially over speed humps and potholes. This can, it seems, be fixed by installing wishbones borrowed from an Audi RS5; yes, really. Audi’s quattro 4x4 system should prove reliable and the engines have all been used extensively in other Audi models so there should be little cause for concern there. Look out for interior scuffs and alloy wheel scrapes. Otherwise, you shouldn’t have much to fear, even from a high mileage example.

* On The Road

At the wheel of one of these, you’ll find yourself wondering just how much more luxurious something larger could really be. Brush your brogues against the throttle pedal and there’s a subdued rumble from somewhere up ahead that vanishes almost completely as you power underway.

That power is being directed through the front wheels, which might sound an obvious thing to say - until you stop and reflect on the fact that the A6 Avant is the only significant player in the full-sized Executive Estate segment that isn’t rear-driven. Enthusiasts will tell you of the disadvantage that gives the car in comparison to driver-orientated rivals like BMW’s 5 Series Touring and Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake. But then cars of this sort aren’t aimed at enthusiasts but motorway-bound business folk. In any case, Audi counters with two key dynamic attributes its competitors can’t match. First, lighter weight – which always helps sharper handling: this car is around 70kgs less bulky than its rivals. And second, the option further up the range of quattro 4WD.

Time to talk engines, which in the mainstream line-up are exclusively diesel-powered for this revised MK4 model. Though Audi did also offer a potent 4.0 TFSI petrol turbo unit, its use was restricted to the top sporting 450PS S6 model and the 560PS RS6. Otherwise, the choice lies between various versions of the familiar 3.0-litre V6 TDI powerplant with or without quattro 4WD. Or the version that you’ll most frequently come across, the front-driven 190PS 2.0 TDI, a car capable of a very reasonable turn of speed, 62mph from rest achievable in 8.4s en route to 144mph.

* Overall

This, even BMW and Mercedes would reluctantly have to admit, is a beautiful piece of engineering. It always has been. The A6 Avant was, after all, the first cars in its class to offer things like bonded-in flush glazing, a galvanised bodyshell, V6 TDI power, four wheel drive and advanced twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. And in this post-2015 improved smart-suited fourth generation guise, the cleverness continued, an extra dose of visual charisma blended with high technology and premium quality unsurpassed in this sector.

This car’s drawbacks, such as they are, shouldn’t bother many potential buyers. No it’s still not the most spacious large executive estate in its class – but it’s large enough for that not to matter. Yes, it’s true that the handling isn’t especially aimed at driving enthusiasts, though you can go a long way towards sharpening it by tweaking the ‘drive select’ dynamic handling system or even by choosing a car whose original owner specified the clever Sport differential. This then, is a very complete product. A thorough case, if ever there was one, of vorsprung durch technic.