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Topic: Audi A6 avant multitronic for towing

tomtomfan

06/5/2015 at 8:24am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Audi A6 Avant and Lunar Quasar 544

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Does anyone have any experience of towing with an A6 avant multitronic? I am looking at a June 2014 model for which Audi are quoting £1700 for a tow bar because of additional parts. The Audi dealer selling the car told me to fit an aftermarket witter towbar which would be fine but I am nervous that if Audi think it needs the other alterations maybe I should pay the extra?

I have also read horror stories online about this gearbox failing but understand that people shout loud online and the majority of owners may have had no problems. Interestingly Audi have recently replaced the multitronic with the S-Tronic thereby ditching the CVT design.

Post last edited on 06/05/2015 10:18:54

jaiash

06/5/2015 at 10:43am
Location: nr Derby
Outfit: Phoenix 440+

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I had an A6 Avant s-line tdi multi and towed a Bailey Pegasus (1480 Kg) and a Compass Corona (1500kg).
It towed very well and was never a problem. We now have the later model with S-tronic. Not much difference in the gearboxes performance wise, s-tronic changes are more noticeable, whereas the multi is an 'electronic' change in effect.
I also had two A4s and another A6 all with the multi gearbox and without problems. Be aware that the Gear fluid needs changing every 40k miles and check it's been done if the car has that mileage.
Towbar... we have always had Westfalia on our Audis and a dedicated wiring kit - the latest one cost £390 including updating of the software. Never been a problem either.
Don't know where you are but ours have been fitted by Mobile Solutions in Derby as recommended by the local dealership. MPG? - whe n the engine has a few miles on it ie over 7k ---- 44 knocking about into town and back, 48 minimum on the motorway and upto to 55 if a bit more gentle on the pedal, towing between 25 and 33 depending on the load, hills wind etc.
Ask your dealer to recommend a fitter and try to negotiate at least a 'trade' price.

PS I assume that as it is a multi it isn't the 'ultra' model with the AdBlue system - that truly seems to be problematic. ( I know from recent experience)

Post last edited on 06/05/2015 11:17:52

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Grahame

tomtomfan

06/5/2015 at 11:30am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Audi A6 Avant and Lunar Quasar 544

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Thanks for your reply, no it's not the "ultra". It's good to hear someone who has had a positive experience with the car. Just the final decision to make now!

checkley1973

06/5/2015 at 10:03pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636

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we have an A4 multitronic which we towed with for 2 years, a great gearbox to tow with as the drive is so smooth.

Our current van is too heavy for it so we now tow with the X5 but it's not as good as the Audi

Hairywol

17/5/2015 at 4:39pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5

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Audi's towbar in expensive because it's Audi and everything in an "upmarket" main dealer costs an arm and a leg.

A removable towbar with dedicated Audi electrics will be £500 - £600 aftermarket, cheaper if you want a permananet towbar. I would deffo avoid non-deicated wiring though because original activates the car's trailer stability systems.

A Merc dealer is worse again - over £2000! My local dealer said they stopped doing towbars altogether because of the grief they got over the cost.

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checkley1973

17/5/2015 at 8:51pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636

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We paid £500 for a Westfalia detachable with dedicated electrics at a local specialist.

Westfalia is Audi OEM.

tomtomfan

20/5/2015 at 3:06pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Audi A6 Avant and Lunar Quasar 544

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Thanks for the replies. Opted to bite the bullet, get the car and pay the £1700 for the Audi tow bar. There were warranty implications too if we used a non-Audi tow bar; I must admit it is a really neat looking design. We intend to keep the car for 6 years or more so should get our monies worth. First trip this weekend.

checkley1973

20/5/2015 at 11:23pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636

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Audi don't make tow bars. They will fit a westfalia tow bar that you can get fitted yourself with dedicated electrics for around £500?

Ask the dealer what the make of towbar is.

Skoda Bob

23/5/2015 at 4:27pm
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example, 2 packets of identical crisps, one costs say 50 pence, now the other has Audi stamped on the packet and will cost you an extra 100 quid,
you could have had a nice 3 weeks or more away with the savings, the warranty, is 3 years or 60K miles what ever comes first on the car, this can be extended to 5 years or 100K for a premium, and as other have said Audi don't make tow bars but get someone else to fit them.
Have you ever wondered why Audi have massive showroom windows, it's so that sales can see you coming

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