Comments: 1-15, 16-27
The car: A6 Quattro 2.8L with every option that you can think of.
Repairs: (Despite having all routine maintenance done on time)
At about 20,000 miles I had to get the radiator reservoir replaced at an approximate cost of $200.
At 30,000 miles the windshield washer container had to be replaced at about $350.
At 46,000 miles the water pump, timing belt, and CV boot had to be replaced at a cost of $2200. Initially I went in to the dealer because of a clicking sound that comes from the front axle area, and after this cost I still hear it and have to go back.
Service Experience:
Initially we had an appointment for an oil change and after we got there, we were told that there really aren’t ‘appointments’ and that it was always on a first come first served basis. It took all day to get the car back from an oil change (Never got an oil change from them at a quicker pace either). Luckily they gave me an old Honda Accord, which had a sun visor that swung into my face and nothing automatic on it, but the transmission, to drive all day.
After that I didn’t make an appointment and just came early so I could be served first and was told that I had to wait because I didn’t have an appointment. Got to drive the crappy old loaner car again. They explained that they have to pay for their own loaner cars and that is why they couldn’t provide me with one of at least an equivalent value. Here I have a problem because it is their problem that they cannot offer what the other places offer and not mine.
The next time I went in for service they didn’t have a loaner car at all. Again they said it was because they have to buy their own loaner cars. Again, this is their problem and not their customer’s problem. I only expect the same service that any other dealer at the same price mark would provide. They have an amazing new showroom with hardwoods, a coffee bar, and plasma TV, but no loaner cars, sure.
One of my friends also warned me a few months ago to get rid of this Audi because he had one that was an A6 2002 4 Liter that caused him troubles. He had repair costs of approximately $1,000 every 3 to 4 months after 60,000 highway miles. High repair costs for a car that isn’t cheap and has been taken care of properly.
I totally agree with you I have the same problems with my 2001 A6 no Joke... same same same and they say its not a recall... I used your words :)...At 57,000 miles the windshield washer container had to be replaced at about $220.
At 59,000 miles the w timing belt area leaks, and CV boot had to be replaced at a cost of $2800. Initially I went in to the dealer because of a clicking sound that comes from the front axle area (right side), I have to buy go back to owning a Maxima...<<<<best car to own for Highway use (I have been driving on the Higway for years... Audi A6 2.7T is the worst when it comes to gas... drinks it like its in the a desert. Peace.
Audi a6 timing belt tensioner bolt must be replaced when timing belt is service. found two autos where this bolt was broken. both autos suffered extreme engine damage. dealers do not want to admit this is a problem.
All cars these days have problems I have to agree with you about the dealers and their hourly charges they are too high I hope one day audi of america will wake up and correct this problem their dealers and pay attion to fixing cars correctley with fair price.
Same here with my 98 A6. Great car to drive, but I just can't afford the repairs anymore. Funny my water pump, timing belt and CV boot were all replaced at one visit as yours were. Kinda makes you wonder if this is dealer protocol. I've had this car for two years and it has cost me over 6K in repairs within that time. If youre gonna own an Audi make sure you can afford a new one, and that you get rid of it as soon as the warranty has expired. As gump said "that's all I have to say about that"
1999 Audi A6 2.8
94,000 miles currently, purchased new in 1999 from suburban Chicago-area dealer. This car has been very reliable (I believe) but, unfortunately, has been in the dealer for service 13 times in the first 50,000 miles (while it was still under warranty). Starting with the first scheduled oil change, the car would come home from the dealer with one or more things broken on it that required another visit to fix. Initially I took the car back to have the overly touchy brakes looked at, and when the car came home from the dealer the cruise control didn't work (cruise control is vacuum controlled by the brake booster). The cruise control electronics are behind the dash. Then that was fixed and the dash didn't light up properly. That was fixed and the side view mirror control was broken off. That was fixed and the door hinge was bent so that the driver's door didn't close properly. That was fixed and the locking mechanism for the doors didn't lock the driver's door anymore. And so on, and so on... Once the warranty was over we started taking the car to a local mechanic with some Audi experience. All has been bliss since then with nothing braking on the car.
Word has it that this dealer, with it's splashy new building, was padding their revenues by billing Audi for lots of extra warranty repairs.
Now with 94,000 miles we could be coming up to our first unscheduled expense--namely a clunking noise from the front end that could indicate a worn CV or half shaft. All maintenance has been performed on time, and the car has been very solid and reliable (at least I believe it would have been had I taken it to another dealer during its early life).
The clicking noise is a CV joint! We got ours changed and the clicking/clunking noise stopped!
I purchased my 1999 A6 new. Things went pretty smoothly for the first three years. Once out of warranty, that's all folks. Had the same problem which several of you have already mentioned regarding water pump and cam shaft along with timing belt, axles and boots constantly going bad, several tire replacements and barely have 65,000 miles. Took it in for over $1,000 repair a few years ago. One month later I was back for another $1,000 donation. Have donated over $5,000 to the Audi dealer from 2004 to present, all after the warranty expired. I am currently looking for a new car so I can turn this lemon in once and for all. I could kick myself for not getting the 100,000 mile extended mile warranty. Its the only way to buy one of these cars if you absolutely need the performance and don't have the wisdom to go Japanese.
I just bought a 99 a6 2.8 quattro with about 94000 miles, has anyone had any rattling noise from the under carriage? I recently replaced my cv joints to eliminate the clicking noise from the turns, however the rattling noise from the under carriage remains. I don't even have to hit a hard bump the smallest pot hole creates the most annoying rattle... someone help me out please. BTW even a certified mechanic cannot find anything loose when he inspected it.
I have the same probably with my audi a6 quattro 99 I recently went to a auto shop and the probalem shown was the cataylic converter meaning it won't pass emmisions tests and its quite the penny to fix aswell.
I have a 1998 A6 with 109k miles. The clunking noise many of you are referring to is the front suspension linkages and tie rod ends. I have had them all replaced and 20k mles ago and it is back in the shop for more. Has anyone had cruise control issues? Speratic behavior.
I recently had a "clunking" noise in the front end of my 99 A6 2.8 (at about 52K miles) and it was a control arm. Each wheel has 2 control arms and they have a rubber boot at the pivot point. This boot often deteriorates or tears causing depletion of the lubricant and eventually the control arm becomes loose and clunks. This is a common problem. I purchased my car used a little over a year ago and I also purchased a 3 year "bumper to bumper" extended warranty as there was no other way I would purchase a European car. The torn boot is considered a wear and tear issue though and I did have to pay to replace the control arm. When the warranty runs out I will hopefully purchase a new Audi. The quality and reliablility is greatly improved in the new models and this is recognized by consumer reports. The Audi repair shop told me they are worried because the new ones come in with no problems. Imagine that! I just can't go Japanese; there's no joy in the drive experience like in the German cars. I'm hooked!
I have a 99 A6 with 239,000 miles. Drive 800 miles a week. Just now am starting to have issues with sporadic cruise control and have sprung an oil leak. I notice the bumping in the front end, but will only fix it when it breaks (high miles versus $$$$$). Along the way I have had my share of repairs, but overall I have been very pleased with the vehicle. I love that I can drive 60mph in 6 inches of snow like I am on a DRY road...awesome. I agree with the guy who cannot fathom a Japanese car... to boring! I like the German quirks.
We bought our 1999 A6 Quattro in 2001 - a lease return. Luckily we bought an extended warranty that, over three years, paid for itself many times over. When that expired we were not allowed to renew it.
This car is the most expensive to maintain car we ever owned. Something is always wrong with it, and it's always a thousand-dollar repair.
There is a major design flaw in this car. The front bumper sits too low to the ground. It is too low to clear many curbs, at least in America. Three times someone in our family hooked the bumper on a curb. That is a thousand-dollar repair every time.
Last night the anti-lock brake mechanism did not stop the car in the time it usually does, on a patch of ice with a bumpy surface. I slid into an intersection and got T-boned by another car. The police officer felt the bumpy surface interfered with the anti-lock action. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt.
I hate waste and never thought I'd be happy a car was totaled. I won't miss the Audi at all and I'm happy it didn't get passed off to another buyer.
A Mercedes dealer told me an Audi is just a Volkswagen. I guess he was right.
There are a some pluses: It is an extremely comfortable ride, with the most ergonomic seats. The drive is smooth, quiet. Very comfortable vacation car, even with kids in the back seat. Normally it drives well on ice and snow.
Bottom line: Much too high-maintenance. I'll never buy another Audi.
99 A6 q 2.7l. 120k miles. Going to repair the water pump for the 2nd time. Been through the CV boots, driver side mirror, front bumper replacement, ABS brake sensor replacement... pretty much all of the above. Love the car, hate the maintenance. Costs about 1 - 2k/year. It would be nice for Audi to step up for the cv boots and the water pump issues.
I too had a bad CV boot and replaced the axle assembly at around 72K miles.
The water pump and timing belt had been previously replaced at about 50K miles, so I was told when I bought the car used. Seems to be a common theme. (1999 Audi A6 2.8 Quattro Avant)