Out with the old....

[Philb65]

Today was pick up day for the 45tfsi avant Quattro Sline. I have to say Plymouth Audi have been very good all through the process, gave me a cracking discount and made it a pleasure to buy the car from them.

The last day for the M2, had it 18 months and really enjoyed it but driving in the uk now does tend to make this type of car a bit obsolete these days unless you are going to track them in my opinion. Certainly in Devon at least. Fun car, turned heads but time for a change. A few rubbish pics of the M2.

Initial impressions of the A6 is it’s a good looking car. Fit and finish look to be very good. I’ve only driven from the dealer to home about 20 miles and it’s much smoother and quieter than the M2, rides very well over poor surfaces and this is standard Sline suspension. I didn’t upgrade the sound system and I’m very glad I didn’t. To my old ears the Audi sound system fitted is very good, I would say equally on a par with the Harmon Kardon in the M2 which is good news. Hopefully it won’t blow up three amps in 18 months like the M2 did! I’ve gone from a manual to an Auto for the first time so I haven’t played with any of the settings yet, left it in Auto. The engine seems pretty decent as well, I had to join the A38 and it pulls very well, was up to 80 before I even realised! Gear changes very smooth. All the tech seems pretty straightforward, glad I got the tech pack the VC is lovely. Also happy I didn’t opt for the privacy glass, the cabin is nice and light without it. The cabin is a very nice place to sit I have to add, the seats are very comfy with plenty of adjustment.
So far a happy bunny.

A few more rubbish pics.

 

[DaveW]

Looks great, be interested to hear what you think of the engine and its fuel economy, once it loosens up.

 

[Sandra]

Enjoy the new car Phil. It looks amazing

 

[Philb65]

Fuel economy will be interesting. My drive is country lanes and town driving and I managed 26mpg in the M2 with a bit of spirited driving. I’m hoping it will be high 30s but I’m not that bothered. I’ll have a play with drive modes to see what the engine is like but seems quite rapid for a big car.

Might sound silly but I did wonder how you run an auto in, if you even bother, or if it’s needed? I’m guessing you just drive it.

The only other thing I’ve noticed is you really have to shut the doors with a bit of force otherwise they don’t quite shut. I read somewhere this is to do with the door seals?

 

[DaveW]

Fuel economy will be interesting. My drive is country lanes and town driving and I managed 26mpg in the M2 with a bit of spirited driving. I’m hoping it will be high 30s but I’m not that bothered. I’ll have a play with drive modes to see what the engine is like but seems quite rapid for a big car.

Might sound silly but I did wonder how you run an auto in, if you even bother, or if it’s needed? I’m guessing you just drive it.

The only other thing I’ve noticed is you really have to shut the doors with a bit of force otherwise they don’t quite shut. I read somewhere this is to do with the door seals?

Just drive it, but dont rev the **** out if it

Re the doors, this is my 3rd A6 (also had a C7 and a C7.5) and they all do that.

 

[ChetA6]

Congrats on the car mate, interested to hear about the 45 engine, I presume it’s the same ea888 in the golf R, in which case it’s a great engine!, I’m sure it has decent remap potential!

 

[Philb65]

Thought I’d give a little update on the car.

It’s not that economical on my 15 mile drive to work through country lanes and town driving but good enough for a big heavy car, around 30mpg average speed 29mph over 300 miles. That’s driving sensibly, if you were giving it some beans then it would be a fair bit lower. My M2 averaged 26mpg for reference and used to get the odd spirited drive, but it was 400+kg lighter I believe.

Just done a run up to the NEC and back with the wife, 209 miles each way. On the way up 45mpg average speed in the 50s. On the way back 41mpg avaerage speed again in the 50s. Speed on the motorway between 70-80. Pretty good I thought so if you do a fair few motorway miles it won’t cost the earth to run.

Engine is pretty pokey, for me it’s a good choice over the diesel, no dpf worries as I don’t do big mileage. I haven’t tried the different drive select modes yet, still stuck in auto so I need to give these a go. Thankfully no active sound engine noises in the cabin so it’s pretty quiet in there. Driving everywhere in D, I have tried S a couple of times for getaways at roundabouts but to be honest it’s fine in D. I was worried about the delay which people seem to suffer but in this car it’s nothing to worry about at all, it pulls away nice and sharply.
Seats are very comfortable. I’m getting used to the cruise stick. Other cars that I’ve had came with the cruise functions on the wheel. I flashed the odd car trying to resume cruise grabbing the wrong stalk, the other drivers must have thought I was a right plum! Handles ok for a big car, no complaints, standard Sline suspension is very good, irons out most of the rough surfaces and the body doesn’t roll too much. Sat Nav very good, clear and easy to use.

I’ve had one trip to the local tip.....and got a puncture from a nail with the tyres only having done 250 miles ***. At least I know the tpms works fine! Luckily a screw in the middle of the tyre so a quick trip to Tavistock ATS and repaired no problem which was a relief as it’s one of these Pirelli noise cancelling foam jobbers. No damage to the wheel by the tyre fitters, wheel presented back immaculate and clean. Can’t recommend these guys highly enough, they are car enthusiasts and take a pride in their work which is a rare thing these days. No worries about scuffed wheels!

Fit and finish very happy....apart from one thing. It doesn’t do it all the time and seems to be temperature related but you get the odd clicking/ticking sound as the different materials in the dash seem to be contracting and expanding. Anyone else have this ‘feature’? It seems to go away after a while as the temperature evens out in the cabin. No rattles though so maybe I should be thankful for small mercies? I’m wary about taking it to the dealers and getting them to strip it down and pad it up where they can and making it worse. Interested in others experiences. Shouldn’t do this on a near £50k car but it’s not a deal breaker for me, very happy with the car in general so far!

 

[DaveW]

Thanks for the update, sounds a great engine and hopefully will be my next one.
I've not noticed any clicking in the dash in mine, although from now on I'll listen out more, providing I turn my music down!

 

[ascr]

Thought I was going mad, yes absolutely had the clicking noise.. usually get it when cooling the car after it has been parked up. Lasts about 30 seconds.... I'm sure there is some logic behind why it does this, can't possibly be a design flaw...!

 

[Philb65]

Thought I was going mad, yes absolutely had the clicking noise.. usually get it when cooling the car after it has been parked up. Lasts about 30 seconds.... I'm sure there is some logic behind why it does this, can't possibly be a design flaw...!

Mine lasts a bit longer than 30 seconds but I’ll live with it for now, you’ve confirmed my temperature related theory so thanks. I’ll see what it’s like in the height of summer. I don’t think material types and tolerances have been given enough thought!

 

[ashminors82]

Thought I’d give a little update on the car.

Fit and finish very happy....apart from one thing. It doesn’t do it all the time and seems to be temperature related but you get the odd clicking/ticking sound as the different materials in the dash seem to be contracting and expanding. Anyone else have this ‘feature’? It seems to go away after a while as the temperature evens out in the cabin. No rattles though so maybe I should be thankful for small mercies? I’m wary about taking it to the dealers and getting them to strip it down and pad it up where they can and making it worse. Interested in others experiences. Shouldn’t do this on a near £50k car but it’s not a deal breaker for me, very happy with the car in general so far!

I’ve experienced the same over the past few days. Seems to happen when the sun is shining on the car/dash and it’s warm outside. Happens without the aircon system running so it’s not that. Definitely sounds like the dash materials expanding and contracting. Similar to black plastic house guttering creaking and cracking on a sunny day.

Very noticeable and my passenger today said it sounded awful. This is my 6th Audi now and never experienced this previously. Disappointing for a car in this class.

However, suspect I might struggle to replicate at the right time with the dealer and there probably isn’t a lot they could do about it. Sounds come from the whole top dash area and not concentrated in one particular area, so think it’s a design flaw. Frustrating for those like me who are irritated by sounds once I’ve noticed them!

 

[Philb65]

I’ve experienced the same over the past few days. Seems to happen when the sun is shining on the car/dash and it’s warm outside. Happens without the aircon system running so it’s not that. Definitely sounds like the dash materials expanding and contracting. Similar to black plastic house guttering creaking and cracking on a sunny day.

Very noticeable and my passenger today said it sounded awful. This is my 6th Audi now and never experienced this previously. Disappointing for a car in this class.

However, suspect I might struggle to replicate at the right time with the dealer and there probably isn’t a lot they could do about it. Sounds come from the whole top dash area and not concentrated in one particular area, so think it’s a design flaw. Frustrating for those like me who are irritated by sounds once I’ve noticed them!

If enough people are getting this then Audi might have to do something about it. I didn’t think I’d be on my own and it’s exactly as you described. It will be interesting to hear if anyone has taken their car in and had it fixed.

Don’t other models have the new dash design as well? I’d guess they have the same happening.

 

[Mooogie]

yes, the A7 forum has a number of posts on dashboard creaks and rattles in the new model...

 

[ashminors82]

Mine is at the dealer Wednesday next week for a number of issues including a loud dashboard rattle, car drives to the left significantly when steering wheel directed straight ahead (only covered 1,000 miles an no impact with kerbs etc) and the plastic wheel bolt caps were left in a bag in the boot and not fitted.

I’ll report the dashboard cracking/creaking and advise others are experiencing the same issue. I’ll try and get some video footage to avoid the whole ‘we can’t replicate it so don’t really believe you’ nonsense.

 

[elan2s]

This thread might help
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-c8-platform-discussion-229/dashboard-noise-clicks-2969743/


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[daytonamart]

Looks great, especially without tints, good look that.

 

[Philb65]

@ashminors82 did you get anywhere with the dealers for your creaks and rattles?

 

[ashminors82]

Kind of.....

Visit to Norwich Audi was a frustrating experience.

Said they couldn’t replicate either of the creaks/rattles I identified and therefore couldn’t do anything. Advised could only help if they could replicate issue whilst in their possession or I could gather enough video evidence they’d re-look at it. I get it as they need to be very clear on which aspect to look at/replace, however......within 100 yards of leaving the car park the rattle was loud and clear! Didn’t feel like they tried particularly hard to be honest.

On the plus side
A) I managed to locate the sound of one rattle which is the moveable air flow direction ‘pointer’ on one of the vents just above the top screen
B) Having suffered more cracking and creaking from the dash, I’m pretty certain it’s the large plastic speaker covers near the windscreen that are making the noise when the sun is beaming on them.

Will have to record this again on video and will have it booked in to be resolved.

Annoyingly also, my A6 has always pulled to the left quite considerably with the steering wheel pointed dead ahead. They checked the wheel alignment which was perfectly in range and said it was fine. Clearly not and very obvious when driving away from the dealership. Would be surprised if they bothered test driving it after the alignment check to be honest. Vehicle wasn’t ready until 5.15pm.

 

[Philb65]

Not good then. I’ve never owned an Audi before but it sounds like the dealers are as poor as most others sadly.