webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Which of the two are the better buy. Both similair in price, both with main dealer history. Both 2000my, the merc is the 270 diesel 4x4 and the Audi is the 4.2 V8 Avant also 4x4. Interested in running costs for both/parts/servicing/reliability and depreciation. Also any issues with them both. Either are for my brother so all the info i get for him the better.

Dracoro

One's a big suv and one's an exec estate. Somewhat different.

Anyway, the Audi will be the better drive, far cheaper to run, much more reliable (merc ml are known as the most unreliable mercs and have been consistently at the bottom of all the customer satisfaction/reliability surveys etc.)

Get the A6, or if you 'must' have a suv, get something other than the merc.

ScoobyDoo555

apparantly the V8 4.2 Audi job is rather thirsty, so again, difficult to compare against a diesel.

I'd be looking at a newer S4 (V8) or a the S6 when I change, but the economy does niggle me. I'm use to it being rubbish (had 2 Scoobys! ) and the V6 S4 I've got now is OK, but the V8s are meant to be pushing about 15/16 mpg

Kinda puts me off slightly

dan

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

15/16 blimey, i think he thought you'd get a bit more than that. Mind you his mate has just got an ml270 and reckons that it is'nt that great on fuel either. I heard also that the S6 is known for eating front ball joints etc..

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

If the Merc were a newer version then I would definately give it a thumbs up, but it is a relatively early diesel version, so the list of faults goes something like this:
1: Broken rear springs, come as complete strut unit, £350 each plus 4hours fitting for the pair.
2: Ball joints all round and need full hub removal to replace - 2 hours each
3: Very heavy on tyres and brakes (pads are £100 each end)
4: Inlet manifold port shut-off valves stick and break - new manifold required - £300 plus 6 hours.
5: Injector seals leak causing mis-fire and carbon gunks up rocker cover - huge price variation on this depending on severity - £100 - £3000.
6: Wiring faults at centre switch pack, centre diff unit, fuel tank sender units, ABS/ESP unit and under front seats - prices as above.

My brother has an 04 plate and loves it more than his fully spec'd X5 3.0d he had previously (says it is a more sensible 2 ton family car), but I would steer clear of a 2000 plate model.
I don't know how good the Audi is, but surely must have issues also.
Why not get a new style Legacy Spec B for what must be similar money - seen a few on AutoTrader that are even tempting me

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Either of the cars are for my brother. I think he leans towards the Audi but is unsure about faults/parts price reliability etc..

FlightMan

This is just a lure to get Audilover wound up again isnt it?

GCollier

My 2004 RS6 averages 19-20mpg over a varied mix of driving. An S6 should do somewhat better.

AudiLover

I dont need to get wound up because the mk1 ML is so **** poor every sensible member here will tell him to go for the audi

Ewwww suv

Allan

iTrader: (1)

Brother in-law has run a 01 270CD ML from new. The only faults he's had are wipers packed up (done under warranty), and a small fault with the gearbox, approx £100 to fix.

He's been very happy with it.

Allan

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Give me some info on the S8. My brother is quite set on one, but given Audiparts prices/servicing etc... or is that a bit of a myth. Do they really eat front suspension parts, gearbox reliability and engine. I dont want him to buy one and then be in the horrors when it starts going wrong as it will be his daily mixed driving commuter.

logiclee

The Mk1 ML was the worst car on sale at the time according to the motoring press.
It came bottom of the warranty holdings reliability table.
It was also the least satisfying car to own in the UK according to the JD Power survey.

Why are you even considering one?

Cheers
Lee

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

It's my brother not me, and his misses likes big things

AudiLover

Well being a audi they are pretty solid. The engine is definetly extremly well put together and will do big mileage no problem. The servicing is expensive compared to normal cars but I suppose thats what one would expect from a performance model.

Hard driven examples and big milers might need some seeing to at the front suspension as they are quite nose heavy.

A good example will be about 12,000.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

So a 53000 miler with fash is a decent buy at that price? Trouble is, they never seem to come up for sale

AudiLover

Well if it has a good service history I wouldnt say that its a risky buy. There are hardly any S6's on sale, dont think audi sold many as I see alot more RS6's.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Blimey you don't sound very convincing. We took it for a test drive today and the sound of that V8 is awsome, also it was very composed over unsettling roads. But and oh but, on the motorway it was in a league of it's own. But what are parts prices like. He's nearly convinced but still a bit unsure

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

The spec is pretty fantastic front and rear electric/heated/recaro seats.Alcantera head lining, climate etc etc...

AudiLover

no Idea on the parts, dont know much at all about the S6. Suppose it depends on what components it shares with the other A6's. I cant imagine it to be as expensive as a RS6 as the S models get developed alongside the rest of the normal audi range whilst the RS's are made by the quattro division.

Best bet is to speak to a audi specialist or main dealer. Cant see anything major going wrong with the S6 TBH though.

ScoobyDoo555

FWIW, I've just had my S4 serviced (basic service) - don't expect to see much change from £200.... quite reasonable, I thought considering it's quite a large-sized engine and is performance based......

Audi servicing is VERY expensive (IMHO) - I went with my local 3rd party concern, as he serviced both of my Subarus and does quite a few performance cars anyway.
I know that the whole FASH thing is now interrupted, but my local Audi dealership seem more concerned with shiney desks and fake salespeople, rather than the cars..... this seems to be the general impression I've had from a few people (on rs246.com and audi-sport.net) - alot of people rate MRC in Banbury for servicing (and mods )
Parts-wise, doesn't seem too bad - especially from Ebay (new I hasten to add! )

I only got the mpg stuff from guys at rs246.com, but if it's up in the 20s, then I think I may have found my replacement

You won't find many because they are rarer than rocking-horse ****.....
Much rarer than my S4, and I had to travel up and down the country to find one.......

There was a lovely one on Pistonheads a few weeks back though. Don't know if it's still there though.....

hth

Dan

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Cheers Dan, it does mate