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The smiles on the faces of Audi executives at the 1997 press launch carefully hid a touch of nervousness. Their latest A6 was the first to be designed from scratch wearing the badge - its predecessor was a lightly re-touched and re-named 100 - and the striking shape of the latest car could have alienated as many buyers as it attracted.
It didn't. Even though business buyers in BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class territory are notoriously conservative, the A6 had to be different to offer a real alternative. And it was, particularly in four-door form. Did a saloon really have to look like a saloon? Or could it be a touch more provocative with a roof line more akin to a sporty coupe? Characterful? Even in-your-face? Audi said 'yes' and the executive establishment decided the same. This A6 became a relatively common sight, giving its German rivals a run for their money on the British showroom floor, executive car park and motorway. So there are plenty of fine examples on used forecourts, too.
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Detailed ratings
Full-Sized Executive Cars
What you get
Sleek looks, great engines, a well-sorted chassis and top-notch active and passive safety systems are all found here. If you want more luggage space, check out Avants; for icy driveway grip, look at quattros. The equipment tally is complete too. Perhaps more significant, however, are the little touches. There are no fewer than 20 different interior lights and the seats are composed of several layers of various softness on a firm base so that they feel pliable but supportive on longer journeys.
Every model has an electronic differential lock (EDL), plus ASR traction control (and ABS of course). If that's not enough, the options list offered a dictionary of acronyms - EBD, DSP, VTG and so on. Plus ESP, an electronic stability programme that, in panic situations, automatically decelerates selective wheels separately, preventing the car from skidding and fishtailing.
To be honest, if you habitually find yourself in situations where ESP is likely to be of use, the A6 may not be your sort of car. All the high-tech gadgetry in the world can't hide the fact that it's front, rather than rear wheel drive, the class norm. Rear-driven cars are supposed to be more rewarding if you push them to the limit, a point proved by equivalent BMW 5 Series models, but refuted by the surprisingly dull Mercedes E-class of the same era. The A6 lies somewhere in between.
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What to look for
Not too much, really. There have been some tales of niggling unreliability but nothing too serious. The quattro system is reliable and well proven but it's best not to allow a local spannerman to fiddle with it.
The complexity of the car should be enough to ensure you insist on an A6 with a cast-iron service history and, at this stage, Audi dealers are still likely to have the best examples. The premium they charge may be well worth your peace of mind.
Interiors are hard wearing and well designed, much like the rest of the car. As for corrosion, with an Audi you're pretty safe.
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Replacement parts
(based on a 1999 1.9 TDI SE Saloon - ex Vat) A clutch assembly is around £150. Front and rear brake pads should be about £65 a set. A radiator is about £140, an alternator about £235 and a starter motor £160.
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On the road
The performance is certainly more than adequate; both at the pumps (where the 1.9-litre TDi averages 40mpg) and on the test track - where even the 1.8T makes 60 in 9.4s on the way to 136mph. To be fair, however, V6 power suits the car better. The 2.4-litre unit is impressively refined and far less frantic, recording 9.1s and 141mph. Stretch if you can to the gorgeous 2.8 V6, 2.7T or V8 4.2-litre models which, in desirable quattro form, answer tractional questions that rivals haven't even thought about.
This A6 is certainly a lighter, more agile car than its predecessor and feels it to drive. Audi claims a 35kg reduction in weight compared to the previous model - one reason why the fuel consumption figures are around 7% better across the range.
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Overall
A serious rival to the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-class and one or two others. If you can live with the slightly extrovert looks, you'll love the driving experience. Used car ownership is rarely this satisfying.
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