Diesel ? Which one ? Should I?

This choice has got to depend on your requirements, priorities and budget.

New, or secondhand. Do you need an Avant? The saloon is now available in the new model - the new Avant won't be out until next year sometime.

My ownership experience is limited to two versions of the A6 Avant - the

2.7T (no longer available new in the UK) and the RS6, but I can heartily recommend either of those.

I would be going for 2nd Hand. The reason I would like an Avant is my growing family, 3 kids, wife and 2 dogs and even though the Saloon is pretty big I have no proper way of transporting the dogs about.

I couldn't afford the new A6 yet, been for a test frive in one and they are awesome, but haven't seen one on the road yet.

I was thinking of trying the Diesel for economy reasons and I have just got spoilt by the Multitronic so it would have to be automatic

Can't advise on the A6 part, but I've just moved from a A3 1.8 (non turbo) to a A3 1.9 TDI 130. The difference is like night and day. I doubt I'll ever be going back to a petrol driven car unless I have no choice.

The massive increase in acceleration, the increased fuel economy (about

40uk pounds to fill and over 500-600 miles per tank) for me make it very worthwhile.

Forget the so called "stigma" attached to diesels. I know, I used to look down on them, heaven knows why as this one is just SO much fun to drive and the only "noise" you hear is when the car is idle.

All IMO of course. :-)

In all fairness though, you went to a diesel from an N/A 1.8, so a noticeable power increase is to be expected. I drove a 90Hp 1.9 TDi powered Golf recently (I have yet to try the newer, more powerful variant) and while I found it pleasent, it hardly seemed powerful in comparison to the 180Hp 1.8T in my GTi. The TDi's greatness is more or less the product of it's combination of reasonable power output, flexibility (peak output from low RPM and a liner powerband) and fuel economy. The A6 TDi was involved in a comparison recently aganist the 530D and Jag's S-Type diesel in an issue of CAR magazine (UK). It got a favorable review but fell to 3rd place for numerous reasons aganist the Bimmer and (somewhat surprisingly) the less powerful Jag. I can get the month and issue number if anyone is interested. Steve Grauman

Just been to the dealer today as they had a Black 1.9 Multi in for £20K but I have negative equity on my 1.8T SE so I'll have to leave it till next year. Funnily enough managed to look at the computer printout on his desk whilst he was away and the Stand in Value was £18695 and they where selling for £20995. when he came back I played on the fact it was Black and not really the colour I was looking for plus it didn't have a 6 disc head in it like mine or side and rear blinds. He eventually knocked £1000 of the price but tried to tell me he was selling at just above cost.

Still economics tell me I'll have to wait another year or win some money.