A6 vs Passat
I have a 2005 Passat Estate Trendline 2.0L 20v 128hp petrol VW Passat pulling a 2005 Michael Jordan Abbey Impression 520L (Swift spec). I have been towing it for 5-6 years and get about 20-23mpg, but have never been very happy with the towing as I feel it
is on the limit for this car, and have never been confident I could pull from standing off a really steep hill. (I have this fear of having to unhook and motormove off the hill). So it is time to change my car. I have been looking at getting a 2008 Audi A6
Allroad (4x4) but by what I have read on the forums they don't seem to be very reliable and very heavy on fuel. The Passat Estate 4x4s are very rare, so I have been thinking of changing to a 2008 Passat Estate Diesel. I figure I will have more low end torque
for pulling off a steep slope thus eliminating my fear. Has anyone here got a similiar rig or experience with these vehicles. Any comments are appreciated.
Comments
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Hello MacWomble, The Passat would be a 1.9 Tdi so quite a bit less than your A6. I have a small car for running about and only keep the Passat for towing, so it spends 95% of the year sitting in the drive. I had been recommended an A6 by several people as
they are cheap to buy second hand and again it would spend most of it's time standing (which of course is not good for any car). Is you A6 an Auto as I see most of them are. I am surprised that some forums I have looked at say the Audi A6 is far less reliable
than the Passat. Have you had many issues? Car reliability often equates to individual luck.Also the rear compartment needs to be minimum dimensions as the Passat but I would assume it would be bigger in the A6.0 -
You don't say what size engine you're thinking of.
I've a 2.7TDi (2006) A6 & find it's great for towing. Plenty low end torque & decent mileage (around 30) towing a Coachman 450/2 which is not the most lightweight of 'vans
You don't say what size engine you're thinking of.
I've a 2.7TDi (2006) A6 & find it's great for towing. Plenty low end torque & decent mileage (around 30) towing a Coachman 450/2 which is not the most lightweight of 'vans.
Write your comments here...Is your A6 an Automatic? Also is it the 4x4 version?
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My A6 is a manual, no engine/reliability issues whatsoever in the 6 years I've owned it. I, also, went for the 2.7 version rather than the 2 litre so I could have the extra pulling power.
Can't comment on the relative sizes as I've never driven/looked at the Passat.
The thing to remember with VAG group cars is the A6, Passat & Skoda Superb are very similar.
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Ok thanks for that, I have done some research and is seems to be bigger than the Passat. BUT I cannot find and A6 2.7 Manual anywhere, I have even googled it and cannot find one. There are dozens on Autotrader but I can only find Automatic. Is yours an allroad
(4x4) model?0 -
Mine is the C6 version produced bewteen 2004 & 2011
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A6
It's a "bog standard" 4 door saloon.
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I had, until last year, a 55 plate 2.0 tdi Passat saloon 140 bhp engine and towed a 1350 kg van all over the continent. It was excellent with loads of go and able to start off steepish inclines without too much clutch slip. Absolutely excellent reliability
- A6 is available with the same engine.0 -
I have a 2009 Passat Estate CR 140bhp TDI with the DSG box pulling our Swift at 1435mptlm and it does so effortlessly giving around 30mpg towing and early 40s around town. High 50s solo on long runs.
I was a little worried at the 93% match but it handles well so far on trips to Chatsworth, York and Grassington.
I couldnt find a decent 4x4 Passat when I was purchasing
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A 2009 Passat 140bhp here too, towing 1500kg. No problems and love the car. Around 30mpg towing, mid 40's running around and high 50's on long solo runs. I would however, consider the option of 4 wheel drive if/when I change, simply for peace of mind on
the odd occasion that I could have done with a little more grip (3 times in 5 years !)0 -
I do think that too much emphasis is put on BHP some times. (Including torque).
With an 1100Kg caravan on the back of an 84HP car (about 1100KG) we visited most places of interest, and most mountain passes, in Switzerland and Austria a few times....it was some years ago.
Currentlly my 3500 Kg motorhome and it's 85BHP diesel has climbed, easily, all of the Norwegian high roads that we have come across. Plus more recent visits to the other countries mentioned!
I see the point of 'more power' but it shouldn't limit routes or enjoyment!
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