Which car has all these bits of equipment?
What car has auto park assist, electric opening sunroof, automatic gearbox, diesel engine and auto tailgate?
Tom Berry (Menstrie)Jan 2019 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It kind of depends on what price range you’re looking at. The more expensive you go, the more available such options are. The likes of a BMW 5 Series or an Audi A6 would be the easiest to find with all of these options on the one car, but it becomes much more problematic if you’re shopping lower down the price lists. Come back to us and let us know your budget for more useful assistance.
Which family car for €25-30k? An A6 Avant?
My budget is €25-30k for a family car (we have three kids). Considering a 2014-15 Audi A6 Avant. I keep cars for a long time, planning at least 5-8 years. Current mileage is very low (10,000km a year). What other cars would you consider - based on my desire for an A6? Is paying over the odds for a diesel sheer lunacy based on my mileage, and considering that diesels MAY be worthless by the time I go to trade in?
Andy FitzPat (Menstrie)Jul 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
While I don’t think a diesel car is going to be worthless by the time you trade it in, it might well be worth less, if you see the distinction. That said, with your mileage, I’d say you should be looking at petrol or hybrid all the way. A 2.0 TFSI A6 Avant sounds ideal if you can find one and assuming that you’re already happy that all three kids can fit safely and comfortably in the back. A BMW 520i Touring would be the most obvious alternative (and a darned fine one at that) and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate even better again (assuming you can find one with a petrol engine) and you can find them with seven seats. Volvo’s old-shape V70 is also worth a look, not least from the safety point of view. That said, make absolutely sure you check out a current-shape Skoda Superb Combi estate too — they’re actually roomier inside than any of the premium-badge stuff, and very comfortable too.
How to sort insurance with US experience?
How do I insure my wife who has been driving on a USA licence for the last year, but is now transitioning to a learner permit as is required by the law in Ireland? Insurance underwriters don't seem to be able to flex to someone who has 17 years driving experience, has been driving an Audi A6 legally for a year, but now is mandated to hold a learner's permit until the mandatory 12 lessons and test is passed.
Paul Schneider (Dublin)Apr 2018 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
A very tricky one, and as ever with Irish insurers, you’re quickly going to run up against a brick wall of intransigence. My best advice would be to get in touch with a good local insurance broker, as they can often find ways around issues such as this, and can sometimes track down policies that mere mortals cannot find.
Diesel Audi A6 or hybrid Mercedes E-Class?
2014 Audi A6 Avant diesel vs 2014 Mercedes E-Class 2.1 hybrid: which would you go for?
Tania Browne (Monaghan)Apr 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tania,
We really like the E-Class diesel hybrid — it’s a surprisingly good mix of technologies, very frugal, hugely comfortable and should be reliable too. The Audi is similarly lovely, hardly any less economical, albeit not quite as nice to drive. Head says the Mercedes, especially with that hybrid system, but heart says the more stylish Audi, especially as it’s the Avant estate, and we do love a good estate around here.
Looking for a large family car...
I'm looking for a family car and have two children under three.
I've had coupes (currently in an Audi A5) all my life so ideally I'd like to switch it up and get an SUV. I'm at a loss of what to get - I'd love the Volvo XC90 and can afford it, but the pragmatic side of me is telling me not waste a huge amount of money on a depreciating asset like that, no matter how great it is.
On the other end of the scale I think the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great looking car, but I can't stand the plasticky feeling of the interior and the ugly interior layout. Do you have any recommendations that would allow me to keep the luxury feel of my Audi, but not cost the earth like the Volvo?
Or... do I just compromise and get a 3-4-year-old Audi A6 Avant estate?
Rich K (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rich,
OK, there’s a lot to unpick here. First of all, any car you buy (other than perhaps a classic Mercedes SL or an old Ferrari) will be a depreciating asset, so there’s not much point in thinking that buying one car over another will save you from that. Obviously some cars depreciate a bit less than others, but they do all depreciate in the end.
The XC90 is a cracking car, a really good one, but as you rightly point out it’s big and expensive, and if you’ve only got the two kids, you probably don’t really need the seven seats. The Santa Fe is an excellent car, reliable and hard-wearing, but you’re quite right that the cabin can be a bit low-rent at times. It might be worth having a look at the Kia Sorento — mechanically identical to the Santa Fe, but a touch roomier and we prefer the Kia’s interior. Also well worth having a look at slightly smaller seven-seat SUV rivals such as the Peugeot 5008, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, all of which have genuinely excellent interiors and are good to drive too.
Mind you, once again, you’re right — you don’t need an SUV (no-one really does, but that’s a debate for another day) so actually the idea of an Audi A6 Avant estate is a really good one. You already like Audis, they’re great for quality and reliability and look awesome into the bargain, and have plenty of space for two growing kids. Worth looking at a BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate too (the BMW’s a little better to drive, the Mercedes is bigger inside) and well worth checking out the gorgeous new Volvo V90 if the XC90 has taken your fancy. Here are all our reviews of the above cars to help you decide:
New Mondeo or something else for 2018?
Need help. Trying to decide between 2018 Ford Mondeo or Audi A4... or wait for the next Audi A6... or rob a bank for a BMW 520d. What do you think?
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
The Mondeo is a fine car, but it has fallen back a bit compared to previous versions and I don’t think it’s really comparable to the current crop of premium-badge saloons, which is a shame. The A4 is very, very good, but if you’re going to have to ‘rob a bank’ to get a BMW 520d then you’re going to have to do the same for the new A6.
That said, there are some very good mid-size saloons around at the moment that are better than a Mondeo, and which can give an A4 a serious run for its money. A Skoda Superb, perhaps? Volkswagen Passat? Mazda6? All well worth a look, and better value all-round than the A4.
Here are a few of our reviews to help you decide:
Will my UK import have a warranty?
Seriously thinking of buying a 2016 Audi A6 in U.K. For lots of reasons, money saving been the main factor. If I buy from a main dealer on a relatively new car will I have a warranty? Also, should I haggle on displayed priced cars? Any help appreciated.
David O'Connor (Wexford )Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, if you’re buying from a main dealer and the car is still covered by its original factory warranty, then that warranty also covers Ireland — we are all, for the moment anyway, still Europeans. Always, always haggle, but remember that dealers generally work on a margin of about 8-10 per cent, so don’t be unrealistic and go in offering half what they’re asking.
Does my Audi A6 have ISOFIX?
Hi,
I wonder can you help please? I have bought a 2008 Audi A6 SE (not an import, an Irish car); I am hoping to attach an ISOFIX car seat to the car. The car was advertised as coming with ISOFIX. Trouble is, I think I need a 'latch bracket' as part of any ISOFIX installment. I am not sure. Can you advise? I have two holes in the chassis.
Help, baby due soon!
Darren Donaldson (Dublin 3)Jan 2017 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Darren,
It depends on the seat you’re using. Some seats need a separate ISOFIX base to attach to the latching points, especially the very first seats that newborns can go into.
That said, it could be the car — there seems to be some difficulty with that generation of A6 having been advertised across Europe with ISOFIX, but not having it fitted as standard in all markets. If the car was advertised with ISOFIX and you bought it on that basis, bring it back to the dealer and demand a retro-fit. If not, make a note of the car’s VIN number (it should be visible through the base of the windscreen) and call your nearest Audi dealer and ask them if they can help.
Is it worth upgrading to a premium brand?
I would like some advice on changing from my Ford Mondeo to a higher price level car, say BMW 5 Series or Audi A6 or Mercedes. Is it worth all the extra cash? What will I feel that will be so much better?
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
In a purely objective sense? No, there’s nothing. Will you get an interior that looks and feels a bit classier? Yes. Will you get a badge that has a bit more appeal? Yes. Do these things really matter? Not to everyone. If you’ve got a Mondeo then you already have a well-made, comfortable car that’s good to drive. So upgrading to an Audi or BMW will get you… a shinier badge. If you want something that feels as good as the premium stuff but costs less, have a look at a Volkswagen Passat or Mazda6 as a potential replacement. The only area in which the German cars are quantifiably better is in resale value.
Which 3.0 diesel to replace my Audi A6 with?
I'm replacing my Audi A6 in Jan. Hoping to upgrade to new 3.0 diesel from my 2.0 TDI S line model. Any other cars you'd recommend checking out instead?
Anthony Quinn (Ratoath)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
It depends on the year of your current A6, but while there's not a huge jump in emissions by going for the V6 TDI, there is a big jump in price so it's certainly not going to be cheap. Others well worth considering are the incoming new BMW 5 Series with the 530d engine (or consider arguing yourself a good deal on a runout current shape model), the excellent new-shape Mercedes-Benz E 350 d or the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 D. Test drives below to tease you further...