2018 2.0 A6 - Help me get to 200k! vs. a Passat TDI trade

[pdevonschall]

I am financing a 2018 A6 Quattro with the 2.0 motor and ZF transmission. I currently am putting about 35k miles on the car annually and sitting on 25k right now. I am upside down about 8k on the loan (new purchase). I realize I'll have this thing to 100k miles in no time, and I really debated trading it for a 2015 Passat TDI 6 speed manual. With that being said, I would rather not take the negative equity hit. Thus far, my A6 has been solid. I also have a 10 year 100k warranty from the dealer on the power train. I live in Virginia where I do 100% highway driving. I have an LR3 to drive around town.

1. What maintenance do you all suggest I do to get the most life possible out of the car (sounds crazy, but I really want to hit 250k)?

2. Any thoughts on taking the hit and trading for the TDI?

3. Have any other high mileage folks out there with the ZF8 serviced their transmissions?

Overall, I can trade to a TDI or a Corolla (so boring), but I really love my vehicle. Thoughts?

Thank you all by the way.

[WatchMeSpend]

I am financing a 2018 A6 Quattro with the 2.0 motor and ZF transmission. I currently am putting about 35k miles on the car annually and sitting on 25k right now. I am upside down about 8k on the loan (new purchase). I realize I'll have this thing to 100k miles in no time, and I really debated trading it for a 2015 Passat TDI 6 speed manual. With that being said, I would rather not take the negative equity hit. Thus far, my A6 has been solid. I also have a 10 year 100k warranty from the dealer on the power train. I live in Virginia where I do 100% highway driving. I have an LR3 to drive around town.

1. What maintenance do you all suggest I do to get the most life possible out of the car (sounds crazy, but I really want to hit 250k)?

2. Any thoughts on taking the hit and trading for the TDI?

3. Have any other high mileage folks out there with the ZF8 serviced their transmissions?

Overall, I can trade to a TDI or a Corolla (so boring), but I really love my vehicle. Thoughts?

Thank you all by the way.

While I do not own a 2.0 anything, a few friends do. I feel that they seem to need more servicing on little things to keep them going. With my 1.8 and friends 2.0 (in A4s) they seem to love breaking the exhaust and you are for ever fearful to the belt tensioner, but now they have a chain, but some people say that doesn't matter.

If you love your car, I'm not sure how you would love a Passat. I like Passats myself, but when I sit in them there is a noticeable quality difference. I don't think the difference is initially affecting me but on long drives, I start to get uncomfortable. My current 2016 A6 has me arriving nice and refreshed after long drives.

Since I buy used, your car is the one I would be looking for when you near the limits of warranty. Higher mileage with minimum wear and the dealership doesn't want it in their inventory. I buy it cheap knowing that the car has driven straight most of it's life and it might have high mileage but all the rubber joints, seals and what not aren't rotting from age. Then I drive it 5000 miles a year for a decade.

Are you sure you can't score a deal on a used A6 TDI? I don't want to tell you how much to spend, but I always tell people that I spend more time in the car than outside while I am driving it, so the interior comfort is very important to me. It obviously helps that the exterior is sexy as hell.

In regards to a Corolla and similar, a mechanic/instructor summed it up the best when he said "If you want a reliable car, you can't beat a Toyota or Honda. Very reliable to own, but you wouldn't want to have to drive it." ie They might be very reliable, but the driving experience they provide is not good.

I liked the Passat I drove in 2013, but the engine was lacking (floored it everywhere), everything in the interior was firm which I initially like...then hate on long journeys. My 3.0 A6 (Stg 1) provides effortless acceleration without thought, very good gas mileage and is very comfortable to drive, even with the 20" wheels.

So do you really want a Passat, or is this just a fleeting thought that you may question later? I can't help you with the trading the car in, because I've never done that except to say, the longer you wait, the worse the gap gets if you are looking to minimize losses.

[19birel]

There is a thread in the B8 A4 forum regarding the servicing of the ZF8 speed auto.

As for the 2.0T motor, being that you have what's known as the Gen 3 of the EA888, you have the stoutest 2.0T motor yet. My biggest recommendation would be ignoring the 10k mile oil change interval that Audi recommends and doing it every 5-7k miles.

I think the A6 will certainly serve you well and be very reasonable to maintain, personally I would only swap it for a Passat if you deemed the A6 unaffordable.

[Burnt]

I would opt for a TDI if you're planning to put that many miles onto a car. I'm currently in an A7 3.0 TDI and get 40+ mpg while on the highway. You could probably find one that is used, the TDI are built to last.

Won't be able to use your 100k warranty that often due to the amount you drive.

[pdevonschall]

Thank you all for the input. I am going to keep the A6 and cross my fingers the transmission holds up.