A6 2.5 TDI AKN: Buy or Not? (VW Audi)

Hello everyone,

I've touched upon this topic before in an old thread.
However, I'm not yet convinced. (Sorry for the rambling.)
So:
A6 Avant 2.5 TDI AKN 150 hp, originally priced at €4,990, with 98,000 km, first owner.
ABS, ASR, towing hitch, FIS (driver information system), cruise control, all electric, Concert (radio system).
Armrests, sunshades, sports seats, aluminum, 6-speed, cargo divider net.
For €19,000.

- What about the lifespan of AKN products (typical issues)?
- It's significantly faster than my Golf (yes, I'm still going for a test drive).
- What is the price if I can negotiate to have the timing belt replaced?
- Is it worth looking for a model with 180 horsepower, or does a much more powerful engine offer significant advantages?
- What kind of mileage are you getting with these?
- How does the tuning potential look for this machine? Does it have room for improvement, or is it best to leave it as is?

Thank you for any advice, Thomas.

Hello Thomas,

The AKN seems to have undergone some modifications compared to the AFB (which, according to reports in this forum, seems to be a flawed design), and as a result, it appears to be better.
However, the 150 horsepower in the heavy A6 Avant (1.7 tons with a few extras) doesn't exactly make it feel powerful. While it's acceptable with a manual transmission, the automatic feels really sluggish (and subjectively, it feels weaker than my Passat with 110 horsepower).
I would recommend looking for a model with around 180 horsepower, preferably the newest one with Euro 4 emissions standards (which offers tax exemptions!).

Best regards,
Albrecht.

It has a manual transmission (6-speed), and for me, €19,000 is right at the upper limit of what I'm willing to pay .

However, the 150 horsepower in the heavy A6 Avant (1.7 tons with a few extras) doesn't exactly make it feel powerful. While it's still okay with a manual transmission, the automatic feels really sluggish (and subjectively, it feels weaker than my Passat with 110 horsepower).
Albrecht

Hello Albrecht,
I cannot confirm that at all.
My A4 with the 150 hp AKN engine weighs 1.5 tons and pulls really well, even with a good load, starting from around 1500 rpm! And it's a huge difference compared to the 110 hp Passat, both at traffic lights and on the highway.

Hi!

I completely agree with Albrecht's opinion!
Because you can definitely feel the difference when you're carrying an extra 200 kilograms!

I personally drive the AKE with 180 horsepower, and for a good reason.
150 horsepower is simply not enough power for the weight.
But what is enough for one person may not be enough for another.


cu: Marko

I can only speak for my brother, who owns an A6 Avant quattro with a 150 hp TDI engine. He also constantly complains about the vehicle's lack of power. Compared to my T4 with 102 hp and a lighter weight of 2 tons, the A6 feels sluggish from a standstill. Also, the actual power delivery is more in a higher RPM range, which gives a rather sluggish impression and is unusual for a diesel engine.

If you want something a bit more powerful, the 180 hp TDI is the way to go, although the 150 hp version is still perfectly adequate.

Best regards, Peter.

Hi,

It's baffling to me how you arrive at such results. Either your acceptance criteria were...
Either it's not working correctly, or I received a particularly well-functioning model.

I'll believe that a T4 with 102 horsepower performs better when I see it with my own eyes.
And it's also clear that the AKE is performing better.
There are definitely different opinions (and expectations) about that.
I'll test drive this part today and let you know how it goes by tomorrow.

Then we have the topics of price/performance ratio, mileage, and possibly tuning.

Any opinions or experiences on this?

Thomas.

There are definitely different opinions (and expectations) about that.


- This has nothing to do with entitlement. For comparison, I'd like to mention my friend's modified Seat Ibiza TDI / AFN. It has 136 horsepower and around 290 Nm of torque. The car is significantly lighter, but it doesn't pull any better; in fact, on the highway, I easily pull away from it at speeds of 180-190 km/h.

@marco
Okay, sounds good. How old is your AKN (presumably a vehicle), what's the mileage, and how much does it cost?

@all
Who else drives an AKN (A6 Avant) and can help me?

'Thank you, Thomas.'

Okay, I rode this thing yesterday and today.
- Initially, I intended to turn back and stop the test drive after the first kilometer.
--- He came out of the box (was cold and had been stored for 7 months).
- It then gradually improved, and now I'm satisfied after driving 100km.
- This is my first 6-cylinder engine, and it drives completely differently.
--- especially when compared to PD Golf.
--- not so rushed, more of a leisurely pace, but it's slower.
- is at 80...120 km/h (my test track).
--- In 6th gear, it's roughly as fast as my Golf.
--- In 5th gear, as fast as my Golf with its dodgy, temperature-sensitive tuning.
- It performs significantly better in the higher RPM range (up to 3500 RPM so far).
--- is leaning towards being a gasoline engine, and it doesn't sound like a diesel either (from the inside).
- At 120 km/h, the engine speed is approximately 2000 RPM, and at 200 km/h, it's approximately 3500 RPM (in 6th gear).
--- AMAZING, incredibly quiet.
- Fuel consumption: approximately 6.5 liters per 100 km on country roads, and approximately 9 liters per 100 km on the highway (according to the vehicle's onboard computer), which is acceptable to me.

If I can agree on a price with my friendly mechanic, I'll go with him.
(wants the timing belt, brakes, and tires to be replaced).

I will add it once a decision has been made. Thank you, Thomas.

Hello,

'If the car has been sitting for 7 months, it's not surprising that it didn't run properly at first.'
'It should be running smoothly. Try driving it a few more kilometers; it often gets better with use. The VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry) and AGR (Adjustable Geometry Intake Manifold) valves are likely the culprits, as they tend to become stiff due to prolonged inactivity. The car should run better than a Golf from 1500 RPM onwards; it shouldn't feel sluggish. So, have it checked again.'

Here's a tip: When it comes to the tires, make sure they don't have any flat-spotting. (This will cause a rumbling noise within a certain speed range, for example, between 35-40 km/h.)

@marco
danke für den Tip bez. VTG and AGR.
Is the AGR system on this machine a similar issue as it is with PD engines?
I'm guessing it's a VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry) turbocharger. The power delivery is good from 2500 RPM onwards, but it's lacking at lower RPMs.

@chris_s
I'm still trying to get my hands on some 17-inch alloy wheels.
'15' inch tires look a bit ridiculous on that car.'
(at least the rims that are currently on).

Thank you, Thomas.

Hm, 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers on the country road seems quite high to me. My 2.5 TDI with 150 horsepower needs just under 5 liters at a constant speed of 100 km/h, and on average, with starting and braking, it's around 5.5 liters. But it probably also depends on how much you use the accelerator pedal.

In everyday driving (approximately 1/3 city, 1/3 country road, and 1/3 highway), I get around 7.5 to 8 liters per 100 kilometers.

Subjectively, the AKN also seems slow to me. But I've noticed that this is because I rarely rev above 1800 RPM in the city. Often, I drive very comfortably in 5th gear at 60 km/h and 1000 RPM, and when you press the accelerator, of course, not much happens. But above 2000 RPM, it all feels too hectic, because I can't keep up with the shifting. } And on the highway, in the higher RPM range, the AKN performs well; when you press the accelerator at 180 km/h, you still feel a significant increase in power.

Oh yes - and very important: I believe there was a recall campaign (for tie rods?) for 2.5 TDI models manufactured in '99 and older. Make sure that recall was addressed, otherwise you might have to pay another 1000€ to get it fixed.

Hello everyone.
I did it, my first 6-cylinder engine (see my signature).
The friendly person was very accommodating to me.
(Timing belt, tensioner pulleys, ribbed belt, water pump, front and rear brake discs, brake pads, new 16' alloy wheels with Goodyear 205/55-16 tires, new instrument cluster (my Golf also had problems with this, and apparently VAG uses a great supplier for these), and a few other minor things).
Everything has been taken care of with a fresh inspection, including the vehicle registration, technical inspection (TÜV/ASU), license plate (with a custom number plate).
for €17,500.

and they're also going to install the Recaro seat for me, free of charge.

Yes, is it already Christmas ?

I'm satisfied so far, but it still has to last for 3 years (with 40,000 km per year).