Faults:

Nothing.

Only annoying thing was its appetite for dashboard illuminating bulbs and rear lightbulbs.

General Comments:

Got a car with 98.000 miles, and had it taken away from me 3 years later with more than 200.000 miles on the clock. The only reason the car is no longer with me is the non skillful driving of 16 years old boy-racer, who rammed his uncle's Impreza into my Audi. Needless to say he came off worst.

During 3 years of ownership and more than 100.000 miles, I changed nothing apart from usual serviceable parts (oils, belts, tyres, brakes etc).

The old model A6 was a bit cumbersome and not particularly sharp, but it was amazingly reliable and comfortable car. It was built like a tank, and when I got car taken away from me, all mechanical components were still original, amazingly even all ball joints and tie rod ends were still factory ones (which cannot be said for post 1997 models, which suffer badly from worn ball joints).

My A6 was 2.5 tdi auto with the 140 HP engine, and although not very fast from a standstill, midrange punch was quite impressive. I also took my A6 many times to Europe, and regularly exceeded 120 mph on autobahns in Germany.

Fuel consumption was very good for such a heavy, automatic car with a 2.5 litre engine. Average was around 36-37 mpg. Worst I could do was around 30 mpg. Overall running costs were fairly low due to the fairly reasonable fuel consumption, and the car never needing any parts.

Main dealer parts were fairly expensive, but I only got timing belt and dashboard bulbs from them, and the rest I was buying at independent parts dealers.

My advice would be to buy an old shape A6 2.5 TDI with low or reasonably low mileage (if you can find one) and never sell it. It will easily outlive you. Car manufacturers just don't build cars like this anymore.

Faults:

An hour into my drive (having just bought the Audi) out of London the car began to stutter. It was behaving like a fuel starvation problem.

The problem was at first very subtle to the point that I was not overly concerned about it.

As the days passed however the stuttering became more pronounced and was noticeable after a few minutes of driving rather than an hour.

It has since been in the garage literally every week for three months. The stuttering remained intermittent, but the car literally splutters and jerks along at times. This appears worse when accelerating or decelerating.

During it`s weekly visits to the garage it has had two new Lambda sensors, various connections tightened and a new ignition coil.

The car still cannot do a journey without stuttering. This problem has got worse as it has begun to cut out especially in slower traffic.

Last week having just given the garage another £170.00 the car spluttered its way to a round about and conked out. It had no spark to start for about twenty minutes and eventually would start, but only run for about six seconds...Yippee!

Presently the car has spent the last week at another garage having been towed there.

I am absolutely at my wits end because when I enquired about my car today they began muttering things like lambda sensor...AAAH!

I feel so frustrated. I have paid out loads of cash on this car and it is at best a total displeasure to drive.

This is such a shame as when it is behaving I have fleeting glimpses of what a great car it could be.

I would be grateful for any feedback as I have no idea what to do.

General Comments:

Beautiful car, but the design is too complicated and expensive.

Faults:

Camshaft oil seal went at 120,000 (3 hours labour).

Door handle iced up causing mechanism to break (2 hours labour).

General Comments:

Still going strong at 151,000. Uses no oil or water.

Auto box has developed a slight lurch when engaging 4th.

Not exactly the most powerful car in the world and a great deal of patience is required while accelerating. This car is more of a motorway cruiser.

Handling has always been good, but starting to get a bit wobbly due to high mileage.

Auto box has a habit of changing into 4th at the earliest opportunity, stifling any acceleration. Averages an excellent 28.8.

Faults:

Automatic gearbox needs replacing at 49,000 miles, cost £2,700.

Ignition went just outside 1 yr warranty. Cost £80.

Temperature gauge, automatic gear selection indicators all went in less than 3 yrs.

Glove box won't close properly and no dealer has been able to fix it.

General Comments:

Prone to develop irritating defects. Otherwise it's a nice car to drive and own.

Faults:

Very little in 135,000 miles. Minor fault with water bottle when new and some recent problems with an oil warning light.

General Comments:

Very good car, but why buy a new one when you can have a VW Passat which is the same as the new A6 for much less or more spec for the same price !!