So, my car is in for a few niggles and in to the bodyshop for my minor scuffle with a badly placed driveway rock (don't ask). This means that I've been driving (and will be doing for this week too) a 2012 A6 2.0TDI (177PS) SE with 3000 miles on the clock, and I've been comparing it to my old 2008 A6 and my current 2012 (2013MY) A4.
Now, I know that the 2.0TDI SE is the lowest model in the range (no petrols in the current A6 line up at all!), so I'm going to gloss over the fact that I find the SE looks a bit dull, and the wheels look ridiculously small, but my 2008 A6 was the lowest engine in the range too (well, lowest petrol), and whilst mine was an S-Line, that only really changes the bodykit, wheels and suspension for harder-riding items (more on that later). First impressions are that it looks huge, and rather imposing at the front, but was disappointed to see that xenon headlights are still not standard fit (why? It's a £32,000 car!), and that the halogen headlights don't even have DRLs of any form (even the A1, A3, and A4 have halogen DRLs in the halogen headlights). There is no auto-opening boot lid on this model either (again, odd, as my A4 even has that, not an optional extra either), and it isn't keyless entry.
So, in we get, already feeling slightly lackluster, but hey, it's how it's specced on the inside that matters most, surely? So, what does it have? It has non digital dual zone climate (really? In 2012, a £32k Audi A6 came with manual climate with no display?), DVD based nav (which I "think" is attached to an updated MMI 3G system, although am not 100% sure, and the nav disc is missing), two SD card slots, an Aux in, and bluetooth phone prep (not bluetooth audio). The DIS is monochrome, and quite frankly a poor resolution, and is missing features that I've become accustomed to in both my other Audis (like instantaneous MPG, or fuel range available on every "trip computer" screen), the functions that are available are now all controlled through the steering wheel controls rather than the buttons on the end of a stalk, which is nice, but I'd rather have my old features and information back!
There are some other let downs too. My old A6 had carpeted door pockets, and all the mouldings were hidden away where you couldn't feel them (or see them), but in the 2012 model you get a nasty rubber lined door pocket, and seams that are rough edged and easily visible. The whole centre console is covered in a "cube" effect aluminium veneer which is horribly cold to the touch, and looks rather nasty in all honesty. It rides far noisier than either my old A6 or my A4 too. But the biggest oddity by far was that the car had keyless go, but not keyless entry
If I''ve already gone to the effort of finding and using the key to get in the car, I might as well place it in the dash, rather than leave it rattling round the arm-rest or a.n.other cubby hole.
All in all, my old 130,000 mile 2008 A6 felt more premium and better built, it was quieter and felt better laid out/more natural to use My old A6 also rode better and, despite its S Line suspension and larger, lower profile tyres, was smoother too. My A4 has more features (other than keyless go, which I find pointless without keyless entry anyway), and is a comfier ride. So, as it stands, I'm rather unimpressed by the A6.
Now, I know that the 2.0TDI SE is the lowest model in the range (no petrols in the current A6 line up at all!), so I'm going to gloss over the fact that I find the SE looks a bit dull, and the wheels look ridiculously small, but my 2008 A6 was the lowest engine in the range too (well, lowest petrol), and whilst mine was an S-Line, that only really changes the bodykit, wheels and suspension for harder-riding items (more on that later). First impressions are that it looks huge, and rather imposing at the front, but was disappointed to see that xenon headlights are still not standard fit (why? It's a £32,000 car!), and that the halogen headlights don't even have DRLs of any form (even the A1, A3, and A4 have halogen DRLs in the halogen headlights). There is no auto-opening boot lid on this model either (again, odd, as my A4 even has that, not an optional extra either), and it isn't keyless entry.
So, in we get, already feeling slightly lackluster, but hey, it's how it's specced on the inside that matters most, surely? So, what does it have? It has non digital dual zone climate (really? In 2012, a £32k Audi A6 came with manual climate with no display?), DVD based nav (which I "think" is attached to an updated MMI 3G system, although am not 100% sure, and the nav disc is missing), two SD card slots, an Aux in, and bluetooth phone prep (not bluetooth audio). The DIS is monochrome, and quite frankly a poor resolution, and is missing features that I've become accustomed to in both my other Audis (like instantaneous MPG, or fuel range available on every "trip computer" screen), the functions that are available are now all controlled through the steering wheel controls rather than the buttons on the end of a stalk, which is nice, but I'd rather have my old features and information back!
There are some other let downs too. My old A6 had carpeted door pockets, and all the mouldings were hidden away where you couldn't feel them (or see them), but in the 2012 model you get a nasty rubber lined door pocket, and seams that are rough edged and easily visible. The whole centre console is covered in a "cube" effect aluminium veneer which is horribly cold to the touch, and looks rather nasty in all honesty. It rides far noisier than either my old A6 or my A4 too. But the biggest oddity by far was that the car had keyless go, but not keyless entry
If I''ve already gone to the effort of finding and using the key to get in the car, I might as well place it in the dash, rather than leave it rattling round the arm-rest or a.n.other cubby hole. All in all, my old 130,000 mile 2008 A6 felt more premium and better built, it was quieter and felt better laid out/more natural to use My old A6 also rode better and, despite its S Line suspension and larger, lower profile tyres, was smoother too. My A4 has more features (other than keyless go, which I find pointless without keyless entry anyway), and is a comfier ride. So, as it stands, I'm rather unimpressed by the A6.
Last edited:
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
