Audi A6 Problems

But the really important question is: what do women want in a car?Finding the answer keeps carmakers tossing and turning at night, because they are well aware that women choose more than half the vehicles sold in Australia. There are all the ones they buy for themselves, as well as the deciding vote on most of the ones bought by households.Sorry, fellas. It’s true. No matter how much you want that souped-up sports car, unless the head of household finances agrees you may as well back away from the vehicle now.One of the earliest attempts to deliver a car for women was the mid-1950s Dodge La Femme. It was actually a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer under the skin, but the Detroit designers camouflaged that skin as thoroughly as a make-up artist doing Vogue covers.The car was decked out in pink paint, with an interior covered in pink vinyl, set off by pink rosebud tapestry. And to show that this was not merely a cynical marketing exercise, Dodge kitted the car with accessories they thought reflected the growing independence of post-World War II women moving into meaningful career paths - a pink handbag complete with office essentials like a matching powder compact, lipstick case and comb.Sales estimates run as low as less than 1000 cars. And the pink panderer was quickly dropped from the Dodge range at the end of the following year.Australia’s own Carla Zampatti tweaked a Ford specifically for women in the 1980s, but whether it won women - with accessories including a hanging hook for handbags - is still open to question.However, Dodge and Ford weren’t completely on the wrong track. Women want a car to be stylish, but also practical. Luckily, these days there are quite a few vehicles that fit the bill – without playing the pink paint card. These are the best style picks for women today, from a woman's perspective, with the figures for the basic car.Don’t agree with these? Let us know what YOU think women want in a car in our poll at left.LIGHTMazda2Price: from $16,030Engine: 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 6.4L/kmEmissions: 152g/kmThe baby 2 has cute and slightly edgy looks, is compact with usable space, and the long doors make it easy to get in the back seat. The auto will be preferred by most, but it adds to the weight of the little car.Close calls: Ford Fiesta from $16,990; Peugeot 207 from $22,490.SMALLBMW 1-SeriesPrice: from $38,900Engine: 160kW/270Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.2L/kmEmissions: 190g/kmA pocket-sized entry in German prestige – without breaking the pocket. Looks stunning, an amazing amount of room, and great to drive.Close calls: Mazda3 from $21,330; Hyundai i30 from $20,390.MEDIUMFord MondeoPrice: from $31,990Engine: 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 9.5L/kmEmissions: 227g/kmThe best thing Ford has brought to Australia in … ever, possibly. Enough space to make you wonder if you’ll ever need a larger car, elegant design and well built.Close calls: Mazda6 from $31,834; Audi A5 Sportback from $78,400.LARGEAudi A6Price: from $74,500Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 5.8L/kmEmissions: 153g/kmThere’s not a high chic quotient in this class - where the homegrown Falcon and Commodore lean more to aggressive styling - so the Audi’s restrained elegance makes it a clear winner.Close calls: Honda Accord from $36,381Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80,900.PEOPLE MOVERHonda OdysseyPrice: from $46,166Engine: 132kW/218Nm 2.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.9L/kmEmissions: 212g/kmIn a class that’s dominated by lumpy boxes, the Odyssey is a sleek stand-out. It's low-slung, car-like and leading with a fashionable face.Close calls: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from $39,990; Chrysler Voyager $60,990.SPORTYBMW Mini Cooper ClubmanPrice: from $36,600Engine: 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.8L/kmEmissions: 163g/kmA bonsai wagon with go-kart street cred and revamped retro lines, this one will get admiring glances from everybody.Close calls: Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690; Audi S3 from $69,100.CONVERTIBLEVolkswagen EosPrice: from $47,990Engine: 103kW/320Nm dieselTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.0L/kmEmissions: 158g/kmThe EOS is streamlined and sophisticated, looks equally good with the roof open or closed – and has enough room in the back to get a couple of extra friends in for short trips.Close calls: BMW Z4 from $86,200; Lexus IS250C from $80,150. SUVHyundai ix35Price: from $26,990Engine: 122kW/197Nm petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.5L/kmEmissions: 201g/kmThere’s heaps of practicality but precious little style in the SUV paddocks. But Hyundai’s new compact ix35 proves you can have both. Ultra-modern lines, trim shape and space to spare.Close calls: Jeep Wrangler (medium) from $31,590; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (large) from $99,900.

The mid-sized prestige market has been a very lucrative one in the past 20 years or so, particularly for European carmakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and more latterly Audi with its A6. Audi has been aggressively, and successfully, chasing market share and the A6 has been an important weapon in its campaign to overthrow its rivals.The most obvious change to the A6 introduced in 2006 was the bold new grille, but that change alone said plenty about the model and the brand's intent. In one fell swoop the A6, and the brand, took on a more aggressive, in your face look. It emerged from the pack and said 'look at me'. If the grille was the centrepiece of the overhaul, there were other changes to the body as well. Again, given BMW's move to more sharply defined, chiselled lines, the smooth, sweeping lines of the Audi were appealing to the many buyers who found the BMW looks challenging.The new A6 was larger than the previous model, with more cabin space and a larger boot, made even more useful thanks to a folding rear seat. The interior was nicely designed and finished, with comfortable and supportive seats, and everything else you could wish for in the segment. When first launched the A6 had a selection of engines ranging from a 2.4-litre V6 through to a 4.2-litre V8, along with a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6.But in no time at all more engines were introduced, including a new fuel-efficient 2.0-litre TFSi unit. The transmission choices were a six-speed automatic with tiptronic shift control and a smooth CVT continuously variable automatic gearbox, and there was a choice of front-wheel drive or Audi's popular Quattro all-wheel drive system.Not surprisingly given its price the A6 came with plenty of luxury features, like leather and wood trim, CD sound, power seats, sat-nav and a raft of others. On the road the A6 was a smooth operator aimed more at giving the executive a smooth ride than a driving thrill. It wasn't as sporty as a BMW 5-Series, but that was Audi's claimed point of difference. Even though it didn't pretend to be as sporty as its main rival it still displayed a fine handling balance with a reassuring neutral poise that dealt corners with a minimum of fuss. The ride, too, was blissfully smooth and supple on all surfaces, and bumps and broken pavement was soaked up with consummate ease.IN THE SHOPIt's European, which means it comes with technology that can  sometimes be temperamental, and parts and repairs can be expensive. Before buying a second hand Audi it's a good idea to have it checked  by someone with experience in the brand, someone who can pick the faults and advise on what could go wrong. It's also well worthwhile to be on good terms with an independent Audi specialist who can not only expertly service your car, but also source more affordable parts if and when needed. Look for oil leaks around the engine and coolant leaks around the cooling system, check the service record, and inspect for poor crash repairs.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $80,600 to $145,900Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol; 125 kW/280 Nm 2.4-litre V6 petrol; 130 kW/230 Nm 2.8-litre V6 petrol; 154 kW/280 Nm 3.2-litre V6 petrol; 188 kW/330 Nm 4.2-litre V8 petrol; 246 kW/420 Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel; 165 kW/450 NmTransmissions: 6-speed auto, CVT, FWD, AWDEconomy: 8.5 L/100 km (2.0T), 9.8 L/100 km (2.4), 9.7 L/100 km (2.8),  9.9 L/100 km (3.2), 13.2 L/100 km (4.2), 8.3 L/100 km (3.0 TDi).Body: sedan, wagonVariants: Base, Avant, and Quattro Safety: 5-star ANCAPVERDICTSmooth driving, smooth riding, well-equipped alternative to the BMW with a smooth new look.