[Maky]

Originally Posted by autobahnjpr

Not sure what you mean by stop working. most of the issues in air suspension is due to air balloon leakage or puncture. that is easily replacable.

I think he means to stay when it finally gives out... as all, atleast traditional, suspensions eventually need replacing because of wear.

[autobahnjpr]

Hi,
Completed one year of ownership of A6 and in the last one year have driven for about 20k kilometers across all sorts of roads. Here are my observations:

Introduction

It has been one year since I got pre-owned 2018 AUDI A6 35 TDI as a replacement for my soon to expire Dzire Zdi due to completion of 15 years. This was my first experience with a luxury German brand and I had little idea about the pros and cons. It sort of fell into my lap when someone I knew suggested this car being available and within few days everything was done and finalized.

My theory is that few important things in your life like your wife/partner, house, car are predestined. If they are meant for you, you will get it. If not, you can circle the earth 10 times, still nothing will happen. T-bhp forum majorly asked me to avoid the deal, the seller backed out the next day and I started developing anxiety for large and avoidable financial outgo. But, things fell into place and I got it.

In my initial ownership thread, I had tried to detail out the aspects of the car and it might have been colored by the euphoria of owning but here I attempt to offer a more neutral version being a little wiser and experienced. I hope you all profit from it.

Exterior

Design and Styling
A6 C7 design and styling is timeless. It is one of the best looking sedans among the entire lot and this being the matrix S-line version, the lights enhance the looks further. It is pleasing to the eye from all angles and all directions, whether moving or stationary. I still find it quite pleasing to look at.

Build quality, fit and finish
Typical german solid build quality. No hard plastics anywhere. No squeaks, rattles, nothing. Top notch.

Wheels and Tyres
The car rides on 245/55 R18 tyres with nice looking alloy wheels. When I went for first time alignment balancing, one of rims had a slight bend which I got straightened. I feel 55 profile is low for Indian roads and should at least be 65 to handle the potholes and other obstacles. During one of the trips, the car hit a nasty pothole and although the rims were ok, the tyre got a small cut. The other front tyre also had a boil due to such similar incident due to which I had to prepone the replacement of the tyres originally planned after about 5K kms. Normally I go for continental but as they are not available these days in this configuration, opted for michelin.

Ground Clearance
The official ground clearance is 165 mm but due to long overhang have to be careful which negotiating large bumps. After replacement of the tyres, have not scrapped anywhere so far. The car also comes with ride height adjust where manually you can lift the car about 10-15mm to increase the ride height in case of very large bumps. I did it once when greater noida expressway was jammed due to auto expo and I took service road which are under repair and there was a large sand bump covering a crater which needed to be navigated. Later had to take a kaccha road for about 500 meters.

Safety
8 airbags and 5 star NCAP

Interior

Cabin design and quality
Cabin design is minimalistic. The dashboard is clean and a line runs flows between the front doors as a theme. Everything is faux wood, soft plastics or padded. Luxurious, understated yet not opulent or over the top. Knobs and sticks have a hefty feel. Turn indicators and wiper sticks are of german orientation and need time to get used to. The dash is slightly tilted towards the driver and everything is in easy reach. The pop up screen in the middle is easy to use and very readable. It can be retracked back if needed.

Space and comfort
The car is about 3 meters long and 1.9 meters wide resulting in a very spacious cabin. My relative who is 6'2" could easily sit in front with his 6'1" son at the back. Seats are v-e-r-y comfortable with electronic adjust and lumbar support for front two seats with memory function. People of all sizes, shapes and weights and easily sit without any issue.

Driving position and ergonomics
Very Very comfortable. People of all sizes and shapes will have no problem finding a suitable driving position. Electronic seat adjust for height and length, steering wheel adjust for reach and rake ensure you have a very comfortable and relaxed driving position. My 6'2" relative who cannot adjust in most of the sedans was very comfortable while driving. The seats aid in the sense of comfort aided by horizontally and vertically adjustable headrest. You can drive whole day without any fatigue. I have done 700+ kms in single stretch without any discomfort or fatigue.

Cabin storage
There is ample storage space in the cabin. The central console has two cupholders along with an ashtray. Both have cover. The central arm rest has two level of storage - one flat and other deep. There are magazine holders at the back of front seats and openable ashtray compartment in the rear doors. All the four doors have ample space for storing large water bottles and lot of other stuff. The rear central armrest comes with cupholders and a large storage space. Currently I have the MMI remote stored there. In nutshell, no dearth or shortage of space. The cooled glovebox is very large. There are two levels and you can store lots of stuff there. I have stored the VCDI cable, extra phone charging cables, a box of audio CDs, perfume bottle, car papers and a large box of tissues.

Air conditioning
The car comes with 4 zone climate control - 2 in the front and 2 in the back. There are A/C vents in the B pillars as well for the back seat passengers. Except when the cabin is hot due to prolonged outdoor parking, fan noise is not audible. The cabin gets cooled quickly aided but the shaded and reflective window glasses. I noticed they are little dark only after using for a couple of months. 4 adults and 2 children drove from Jaipur to Amritsar in peak June summer without any discomfort. I normally keep the temperature in 22-24 degree range. The lowest it can go is 16 degrees when it just chills. If you keep pressing the unlock key for about 3-4 seconds, all the four windows roll down to help in escape of hot/stale air inside. You can configure this feature in MMI to open the sunroof along with the windows for faster effect.

Features

Unique and noteworthy

• Matrix Lighting - This is fantastic. Lights up the road without causing discomfort to other driver as it auto dims if it senses vehicle or people ahead.
• S-Line - Lot of trims and features are specific to s-line.
• 4 zone climate control - Each one can set their own cooling levels.
• Air suspension with ride height
• Request sensors on all doors integrated into the door handle - This is a daily and practical feature. I hardly take out keys from my pocket. For unlock, I just insert my hand in door handle and the car unlocks. For locking, I just press the invisible sort of request sensor.
• There is a long list of features like auto headlamp, auto wipers, electric auto dimming IRVM, foldable, heated and dimming ORVM, setting mapping with different keys, cooled glovebox, ambient lighting, cruise control etc etc.
• MISSING - The most missed feature is ventilated seats.

Audio system and sound quality
The car comes with 8 speaker with a combined output of 600 watts and the audio quality in fantastic. Through MMI one can fine tune the output through equalizer and control other settings. There are multiple options to play music - apple carplay, CD, USB drive, aux cable, bluetooth or sd card. The MMI can play video too but the playback stops as soon as the car starts moving. I have searched in vain to change this setting but no success so far. Music is always on as long as the car is running.

Rear seat comfort and space
Very spacious with rear room and comfort. There is an optional entertainment package which can be opted were screens can be fitted at the back of front seats for entertainment of rear passengers but it eats into the ingress and egress. The door windows are large and there are manual sun blinds on both the windows and the rear glass to block sun during the day.

Boot Space
The boot is HUGE with 530 liters of boot space and fully flat boot floor. The boot has a light, the trunk is openable through foot gesture and there are pockets on both sides with a mesh covering. There is a 12v socket in the boot also to connect devices like air pump. There is a net with hooks to hold loose items. In last one year, there has never been a situation where I had to wish there was more boot space. The back seats can be folded to open up even more space.

Driving

NVH
Coming from lower rung cars, I find NVH to be E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T. You are cocooned from outside world. In fact, it was one of the reasons which contributed to my buying decision. Except loud honks, you barely hear much. There is no engine noise or vibration and road/tyre noise is very minimal at legal speeds. Only at autobahn speeds, you can hear some tyre noise.

Mileage and fuel economy

A6 35TDI shines in this department with overall fuel average of 15-16 kmpl. If you drive sedately on highway with speed of 90-100 kmph and are not aggressive on the throttle, you are easily extract 18-19 kmpl. But believe me, it is very difficult. The silent cabin, plush ride make it so boring at those constant speeds that you sometimes feel you will doze off. I maintained a log of fuel expense for 6 months and I got a mileage of 15kmpl with mix of highway and city drive. I never think twice before taking it out, it is that simple.

Suspension and Ride comfort

Air suspension, soft and plush ride. Built for comfort. Once while going from dearbassi to Yamuna Nagar, there was a 5 km patch of rough road and it just rode so well that inside nothing was felt. I had driven my other cars on that stretch in similar conditions earlier and then I realized the beauty of the suspension. The car has four modes - comfort, dynamic, auto and individual which tune throttle input, braking, suspension etc. Make sure you do not set dynamic mode when the car is loaded. The dynamic mode reduces the movement of air balloons to made the ride stiffer for better handling and if driven with weight on Indian roads, there are very high chances of balloon leakage or rupture. Twice I covered Delhi Mumbai expressway at autobahn speeds - once alone and another time with family and load. The second time, I had a small puncture in the balloon due to which the suspension would sag when the car was parked but rise up when started. I was advised to change the balloon immediately before further damage. Since then I am mostly driving in Auto mode.

Handling and dynamics
If you perceive it as a family luxury sedan then you will be satisfied but enthusiasts would not be happy with the handling and dynamics. So no debate in that regard. The DSG gearbox is very quick and fast and you will not even notice the gear shifts. But it not something for an enthusiast. You can have some fun by putting it in manual mode and shifting manually through paddle shifters or gear lever itself but do not expect a sporty performance. Breaking is adequate.

Always looks Good




The sagging of suspension due to balloon leakage


Kitna deti hai ?

Conclusion

Are you Happy with the purchase?
Yes. Absolutely.

Too Much to maintain?
Apart from the regular service (which i got done from FNG), the only expense has been the balloon replacement. It was due to me driving fully loaded car at autobahn speeds in dynamic mode and was avoidable.

What worries me?
Taking it to rough terrain, driving in rains specially in water logged areas.

Anything Else
It was a gamble I took and it is going good so far. Lets see how it holds in future. Will keep posted.

[cdrajeevkumar]

Nice, cool review ! Now my eyes are set on getting this German beauty !

[Cresterk]

Beautiful car, happy to see that it has all around keyless entry because that is a feature that is silently deleted these days on many Mercedes and BMW models. Air suspension with adjustable ride height too is a boon on Indian roads.

Also, Audis are reasonably okay with water logged roads compared to other luxury brands. You can drive through like you do with normal cars without risk of water entry into engine. BMWs on the other hand are notorious for getting hydrolocked even with surprisingly low water levels.

[autobahnjpr]

It might be ok from engine perspective but the underbody protection which is made of some cardboard like material gets wet, soggy and then comes off. I had this experience when I drove it in waterlogged area.

The engine protection is made of metal and that remains intact but other underbody like gearbox and all under wiring and pipes become exposed when the cover comes off.

Originally Posted by Cresterk

Beautiful car, happy to see that it has all around keyless entry because that is a feature that is silently deleted these days on many Mercedes and BMW models. Air suspension with adjustable ride height too is a boon on Indian roads.

Also, Audis are reasonably okay with water logged roads compared to other luxury brands. You can drive through like you do with normal cars without risk of water entry into engine. BMWs on the other hand are notorious for getting hydrolocked even with surprisingly low water levels.

[84.monsoon]

Originally Posted by autobahnjpr

.

Handling and dynamics
If you perceive it as a family luxury sedan then you will be satisfied but enthusiasts would not be happy with the handling and dynamics. So no debate in that regard. The DSG gearbox is very quick and fast and you will not even notice the gear shifts. But it not something for an enthusiast. You can have some fun by putting it in manual mode and shifting manually through paddle shifters or gear lever itself but do not expect a sporty performance. Breaking is adequate.
.

Great review, thanks for sharing.

As far as I remember, the gearbox on the last gen A6 is Multitronic (Audi's CVT technology) and not DSG.

Among the sedans, the A4 and A6 got the Mutitronic CVT gearboxes and the A3 got the S-tronic (Audi nomenclature for DSG). All Quattro SUV models also got S-tronic.

[revsperminute]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

Great review, thanks for sharing.

As far as I remember, the gearbox on the last gen A6 is Multitronic (Audi's CVT technology) and not DSG.

Among the sedans, the A4 and A6 got the Mutitronic CVT gearboxes and the A3 got the S-tronic (Audi nomenclature for DSG). All Quattro SUV models also got S-tronic.

The S-Tronic 7-speed DSG was introduced in both A4 and A6 in ~2015.

[autobahnjpr]

Thanks. Yes, my car has Trip-tronic which is I think is a nomenclature for DSG with the ability to go fully manual mode with gear lever instead of just pedal shifters.

Originally Posted by revsperminute

The S-Tronic 7-speed DSG was introduced in both A4 and A6 in ~2015.

[shahadav]

Originally Posted by revsperminute

The S-Tronic 7-speed DSG was introduced in both A4 and A6 in ~2015.

The 7 Speed Stronic (DL501) was introduced with the C7 generation, since 2011 for Quattro models.

[Hkworkrock]

Originally Posted by autobahnjpr

Hi,
Completed one year of ownership of A6 and in the last one year have driven for about 20k kilometers across all sorts of roads. Here are my observations:

Great review,Let me also share my recent experience with my newly acquired Audi A6. While my joy knows no bounds, I must admit that I've encountered a few challenges with the Airmatic suspension and AC compressor.

Here to discuss my happiness behind the wheel, the hurdles I faced, and seek your valuable insights on embarking on a journey to explore India in the coming years.

A New Chapter Begins When my cousin handed over the keys to the Audi A6, my excitement soared. The sleek design, luxurious interiors, and powerful performance were everything I had hoped for. It was a dream come true, and I eagerly set out to discover the wonders that lay ahead.

(Please suggest )
Is it wise to embark on a long journey across India in this car specially to the north east states
Are there any preventive measures or suggestions you can offer to ensure a smooth and hassle-free drive? Your wisdom and advice will be invaluable.
To safeguard the longevity of my Audi A6, I plan to follow a comprehensive maintenance schedule, focusing on regular servicing and prompt attention to any issues that may arise.

Despite the challenges faced with the Airmatic suspension and AC compressor, I firmly believe that my Audi A6 can conquer the vast and diverse landscapes of India. With careful maintenance, proactive care, and your invaluable advice, I am confident in embarking on incredible journeys that will create memories for a lifetime.

Conclusion:
In the end, my happiness behind the wheel of my Audi A6 prevails, even though I faced some minor setbacks with the suspension and Ac. I remain determined to overcome these challenges and embark on thrilling adventures across India. With the collective wisdom of BHPians, I am confident that my Audi A6 will not only endure but excel on the roads that lie ahead.
Cheers!!

[autobahnjpr]

I will share my experience. The airmatic suspension is delicate specially on our roads and thus it is advisable to drive in comfort or auto mode to increase the longevity of balloons. I invested in a VCDI cable and I would scan the car, understand the faults and do lot of research. I have a folder on my laptop which has Audi Manuals, VCDI manuals, appx. 40 Audi feature videos etc. I went through entire VCDI manual to understand the error code, type of error code, severity of error code etc.

Initially I used to get a "C10480 Level control error" randomly and it would persist till the ignition is switched off. It was a passive error and would clear off after ignition off. Through VCDI, i could see that all other components are working fine and this is some random stuff. It took me 3 months to find a good FNG who could correctly diagnose the issue which was due to wrong calibration of ride height adjust. Once he did that, the error vanished and as I got it done as part of regular service so, no additional cost. Later when one of the balloons leaked, I got it replaced there at a nominal price. The best part is that they have the parts and unlike authorized workshops, they do not make you wait for days and weeks for part to arrive. In Nehru market (opposite hyatt hotel) in delhi, there are lots of shops which sell these auto parts of luxury cars. A6 C7 parts are quite easily available as the model is quite popular.

Q - Is it wise to embark on a long journey across India in this car specially to the north east states? -
A - YES. Without any problem. It is advised that you do not get rough with the car on bad roads and take it gently. I drove 5000 Km in the first month driving to katra, udaipur, dehradun, agra.

Q - Are there any preventive measures or suggestions you can offer to ensure a smooth and hassle-free drive? Your wisdom and advice will be invaluable. To safeguard the longevity of my Audi A6, I plan to follow a comprehensive maintenance schedule, focusing on regular servicing and prompt attention to any issues that may arise.
A - You are already doing it. Ensure you keep the car in top form - well this is true for any car. When the left side guard of underbody protection came off, I changes the whole set. When the front tyres had some problem, I replaced all 4. Get regular service done, make sure tyres are in good condition. Be on the watchout for any niggles or anything you feel from the car. If something crops up, be proactive and get it resolved. Invest time and effort in finding a good FNG.

Wishing you many happy miles in your car.

Originally Posted by Hkworkrock

Great review,Let me also share my recent experience with my newly acquired Audi A6. While my joy knows no bounds, I must admit that I've encountered a few challenges with the Airmatic suspension and AC compressor.

(Please suggest )
Is it wise to embark on a long journey across India in this car specially to the north east states
Are there any preventive measures or suggestions you can offer to ensure a smooth and hassle-free drive? Your wisdom and advice will be invaluable.
To safeguard the longevity of my Audi A6, I plan to follow a comprehensive maintenance schedule, focusing on regular servicing and prompt attention to any issues that may arise.

Cheers!!

[Hkworkrock]

Originally Posted by autobahnjpr

I will share my experience. The airmatic suspension is delicate specially on our roads and thus it is advisable to drive in comfort or auto mode to increase the longevity of balloons. I invested in a VCDI cable and I would scan the car, understand the faults and do lot of research. I have a folder on my laptop which has Audi Manuals, VCDI manuals, appx. 40 Audi feature videos etc. I went through entire VCDI manual to understand the error code, type of error code, severity of error code etc.

Initially I used to get a "C10480 Level control error" randomly and it would persist till the ignition is switched off. It was a passive error and would clear off after ignition off. Through VCDI, i could see that all other components are working fine and this is some random stuff. It took me 3 months to find a good FNG who could correctly diagnose the issue which was due to wrong calibration of ride height adjust. Once he did that, the error vanished and as I got it done as part of regular service so, no additional cost. Later when one of the balloons leaked, I got it replaced there at a nominal price. The best part is that they have the parts and unlike authorized workshops, they do not make you wait for days and weeks for part to arrive. In Nehru market (opposite hyatt hotel) in delhi, there are lots of shops which sell these auto parts of luxury cars. A6 C7 parts are quite easily available as the model is quite popular.

Q - Is it wise to embark on a long journey across India in this car specially to the north east states? -
A - YES. Without any problem. It is advised that you do not get rough with the car on bad roads and take it gently. I drove 5000 Km in the first month driving to katra, udaipur, dehradun, agra.

Q - Are there any preventive measures or suggestions you can offer to ensure a smooth and hassle-free drive? Your wisdom and advice will be invaluable. To safeguard the longevity of my Audi A6, I plan to follow a comprehensive maintenance schedule, focusing on regular servicing and prompt attention to any issues that may arise.
A - You are already doing it. Ensure you keep the car in top form - well this is true for any car. When the left side guard of underbody protection came off, I changes the whole set. When the front tyres had some problem, I replaced all 4. Get regular service done, make sure tyres are in good condition. Be on the watchout for any niggles or anything you feel from the car. If something crops up, be proactive and get it resolved. Invest time and effort in finding a good FNG.

Wishing you many happy miles in your car.

Thank you so much for the valuable feedback you provided regarding Maintainenace of A6.
Your insights have been instrumental in ensuring that my vehicle is prepared for long trips. Your expertise has given me the confidence and reassurance .I need to embark on these journeys without any concerns. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge . Thank you once again for your valuable feedback and support

[autobahnjpr]

It is time for next service. I am in a dilemma as to go to authorized Audi service center or continue with the FNG who is also very good. FNG garage is always full of all luxury brands across generations, visiting for service or repair reflecting the trust owners have in him. The cost is double at the authorized center but I will get the peace of mind of getting it done there. Any suggestions forum members?

[iliketurtles]

Originally Posted by autobahnjpr

It is time for next service. I am in a dilemma as to go to authorized Audi service center or continue with the FNG who is also very good. FNG garage is always full of all luxury brands across generations, visiting for service or repair reflecting the trust owners have in him. The cost is double at the authorized center but I will get the peace of mind of getting it done there. Any suggestions forum members?

Go with the FNG, as long as it's a trusted fellow (by you or other car owners). Talk and understand what products are being used (which brand's engine oil, the grade, which brand's air filters, or brake pads, etc.). Use only OEM grade stuff that doesn't compromise quality, and you'll be fine with the FNG.