1996 Audi A6 V6 review from UK and Ireland

Nothing so far:

Cambelt, pulley and waterpump change by a mobile Audi specialist - very good job and the cheapest around in London!

Central locking is not working for the boot.

Gearbox selector bulb on dash is not lighting up anymore.

Lack of front armrest.

Rear armrest is wobbly.

This is not the SE version, but came with 4 electric windows, electric sunroof, height adjustable headlamps, front and rear fog lights, driver's airbag and air conditioning. In my opinion the velour is by far the better choice for this car - it wears very well and is very high quality.

Very nice car - was originally purchased as a stop-gap vehicle after my 450SLC was crashed into. I won't even attempt to compare this to the 450SLC; frankly the 450SLC is a far supreme vehicle.

I was going to buy a W124 Mercedes as I am rather fond of them, but the servicing on the Merc costs more, and the car itself also costs more.

Surprisingly comfortable, ride is not crashy - having owned several modern cars - P38a Range Rover, BMW E46 320 and a W210 Mercedes E280, I would say this car is better built than the Range Rover, and has similar power "feel" to the E280. However the Audi's dash is rather low-rent and utilitarian - which is fine - it is a good workhorse, the velour seats are very high quality though and the factory speakers are very high quality, all clicks (indicators) feels very well put together.

Excellent tourer and relaxing engine - the low down torque makes it feel more than 150ps. The engine is quiet and efficient - it has lots of torque at low rev and the gearbox is programmed to suit this characteristic (4th = 30mph), but is again very responsive, you can almost change gear by adjusting the amount of gas you are applying to the accelerator.

I have not experienced the oil burning problem common with these era of Audi - probably because I don't drive hard when its cold. Highway driving is relaxing and good - at 70mph, it stays at the most efficient rev band in 4th.

It can be thirty if driven hard, however the gas pedal is arranged in sections - first 2/5 another 2/5 and the last 1/5. In most driving the first 2/5 will give you more than enough power. The car will kickdown when 4/5 is depressed, the last 1/5 is for another kickdown - so driving along at 40mph in 4th, depress the second 2/5 will get you 3rd and the last 1/5 will get you into 2nd. When under hard acceleration (full acceleration) out of a motorway service station, the car can be very thirsty - the needle actually moved!

Brake is mushy to say the least, but does the job - it's not a sports car.

The interior is fine - rear door opening angle and space to get in and out is poorly designed - it feels like a small car. The rear leg room is fine - larger than E46 BMW, but less than W210.

Boot space is disappointing - not as big as the outside suggest - though with rear seats folded down - it is quite respectable.

I am now hoping to keep this car for another 5 years - although it is 13 years old, it doesn't feel anywhere as near as that age.

In fact I think my complaint is the servicing - the cambelt change was the same price as the car! However, the car only has 90,000 on the clock and has fully stamped Audi service history - and fully checked with Audi's central record.