Hi all. Thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Ben and I've just bought a 1999 A6 Avant TDI Quattro Auto/Tiptronic in dark metallic green (Tropic Green?). Drove it home this evening through the dark autumnal British evening and I'm really pleased with it. It feels like it's hewn from solid rock: it's completely rattle-free and tight! Lovely.

We're comparing it with our 1995 Mercedes E200 (shortly to be making an appearance on eBay!) and it's an interesting comparison.

There's no doubt that the Mercedes is smoother to drive, with more graceful suspension. A couple of times the Audi felt unsettled on the rough country roads on the hour's journey home in a way that the Mercedes never has. The Audi is new to me so perhaps the lack of familiarity is affecting the experience, but I'd say that on first impression it's not as sorted as the Mercedes. I think (need to check) that our Audi has the sports pack fitted which includes lowered suspension, so perhaps this is affecting things. It feel sharper and firmer than the Mercedes.

But boy, does the Audi feel heavy! I'm not sure whether it's heavier than the Merc, but it feels like it should be. I'll check their relative weights tomorrow. I know the Quattro system adds a lot of weight.

Next, the turbo diesel through the auto gearbox does some strange things. I don't think there's anything wrong with it: the gearchanges are smooth and effortless and the engine pulls well. It's just that occasionally, pulling up a hill at 40mph for example, the 'box will change down a gear in a way that seems sudden, and it catches the engine out. The engine revs jump up to 2000 and so the turbo spools up, making the car surge forward slightly, but then the revs drop back again and settle down. It's not a problem, but I noticed it a couple of times coming home.

The gearbox behaviour could be down to the fact that it has 5 gears, whereas the Mercedes only has 4 and so seemed to change gear less frequently.

I love the Audi though, and I'm being ultra-picky with these comments. The build quality is much better than the Mercedes' and after 7 years there's no rust at all. Our 11 year-old Mercedes is covered in rust, which is shocking. I'll never buy another Mercedes. Their paintwork is pathetic. This Audi is what my wife and I have been wanting for several years now, and we're not disappointed. It's a spacious, handsome, comfortable car and economical with reasonable performance too. Can't see any downsides yet!

Can't wait to get the Audi's Quattro system into the snowy French Alps for our skiing trip in January. The Merc wasn't good in snow and ice and I've heard only good things about Audi's 4wd system.

I'm planning to remove and clean the MAF sensor next week, just to ensure it's working properly. The Audi's done 104,000 miles and has had two cambelt changes, with the most recent just two weeks ago.

 

Welcome to the forums! Enjoy the new ride.