A very nice car, but is spoilt by the engine problem
I've got an intermittant engine fault. It cuts out without any warning.
A very comfortable car with acres of space and a massive boot. A very easy car to drive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 30th April, 2006
An over-engineered, moderately reliable, very comfortable car
- CV boots @ 40K and 80K
- Brakes @ 60K and 90K
- A/C fan relay @ 60K
- Valve cover gaskets @ 50K and 90K
- Electrical short causing transmission malfunction ($1700 to find/solve) @ 70K
- ABS controller @ 80K (rebuilt for $250 vs $2000 dealer cost)
- Replace all rotted engine compartment vacuum hoses @80K
- Various Check Engine Lights throughout the life of the car.
This is a pretty good car. But if you cannot work on cars yourself, or do not have a great mechanic, avoid it. It's very comfortable, although fairly sluggish with the 2.8L engine. After the initial warranty period expired, and a very expensive electrical problem, I decided to take over maintenance myself. Armed with VAGCOM (diagnostic software available online), and the time and interest to solve problems, this has turned into a car we would buy again. But if taken to the dealer for all problems (@ $130/hr labor in my area) we would not be able to own this car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th November, 2005
I bought a 98' A6 Quattro just over a year ago. Iv had the timing belt and water pump changed, and most of the preventive maintenance done at the Audi house, "as you know it's not cheap".
On the last trip they told me I had a small transmission gasket leak - $570.00, worn strut bushings - $470.00, and now the ABS and brake dash light is on. When I took it to them, I was told that is was either the ABS modulator or the wiring harness. The cost could be anywhere between $750.00 and $2000.00 to repair. And also the rear view mirror shorted out - $500.00, and there is a burning plastic smell coming from under the hood. I wonder if the car is even worth all this trouble and cost? The car itself looks great, and despite all the problems, it still runs and drives pretty good.
I learned the hard way about the cost of ownership of a German car. Just because you can afford to buy the car, doesn't mean you can afford to repair it!
Marvelous car, built by sound engineering
Leaking crankshaft oil seal.
Lost the left blinker unit.
From one to the other day my car started to leak engine oil (no ATF). In my opinion this can only be the rear crankshaft oil seal. This is quit an exercise to replace this seal.
I will not do it myself since it is rather much work. Some garages were not even interested to do this for me, they did not want to touch an A6 with automatic gearbox.
The automatic gearbox box overhaul specialist (the only one that showed interest as well as being the cheapest) will repair this seal for 600Euro total (385Euro labor, 100Euro gearbox oil/gasket/filter, 15Euro Seal, 100Euro VAT).
Although this is the first, and hopefully the last repair I cannot do myself, I am a little disappointed in the bad seal and the costs to repair will driving this car for just 6000km.
Did anybody experience this seal problem as well? Please let me know.
Lost the left blinker unit. Probably because previous owner or his dealer did not push back the unit until it 'clicked' into the locking position.
This car is seriously the best money can buy with typical German quality. Absolutely better than BMW and Mercedes, but than cheaper, if not only for it's appearance.
One big disadvantage of the Avant is it's size, very small compared to my previous Volvo station.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th March, 2004
21st Feb 2010, 13:51
My A6 did cut out, but cured itself, then started to run lumpy for a few months; that cured itself also.
Then the rev counter stopped working, and also the ABS, aircon, anti-lock brakes, plus 3 warning lights.
Main dealer said it was a major rewiring job needed, about 2 days labour. So I part exchanged it for Hyundai Coupe, dealer gave me 500 pounds for it. That A6 was my 5th Audi, no more for me, they're too expensive...