A6 - '98... ownership issues?

[chim_knee]

Hi,

I wondered whether anyone has had any experience with owning Audi A6's ('98 model reg). I'm thinking about one as I want a cheap, big four seater and like having the gadgets. What about which one to have... the 2.8 Quattro?

Is there any known issues with them? Is main dealer servicing mandatory to avoid making it unsaleable in the future?

Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks,
Phil.

[gmarks1]

Hi - we have a 1999 Audi A6 4.2 Sport Quattro in the 'fleet'!

I think it's a great car, but it has been relatively expensive to run - the hourly rate at an Audi main dealer is prohibitive (IMHO) for a car of this age, so you would need to find a good local independent. It's a big heavy car, so brakes and suspension will require regular attention - also had a few minor electrical gremlins with mine (electrical seat motor failure, electric window got stuck) - nothing major really.

We get about 25 mpg - presumably the 2.8 could better that.

Actually the car is currently for sale on pistonheads www.pistonheads.com/sales/49616.htm but we're having second thoughts now - because on the positive side they are fast , safe and discreet, and if you squint, it looks a bit like an RS6!


>> Edited by gmarks1 on Monday 5th September 19:52

[chim_knee]

Thanks Gary.

Yeah - I've first hand experience on Audi hourly rates! I have found a local independent fortunately. The brakes on the TT need doing so I'm going to go there.

You car is more than I had planned to spend if I'm honest but it looks lovely... I am pretty tempted, [sigh] but I think that the idea was to get a more "sensible" car!

Thanks for the opinion - much appreciated. Good luck with the sale of the car too.

Cheers,
Phil

[targarama]

I have a A6 1.8T. Bought it as a commutewagon 4.5 years ago for 10k at 67,000 miles as an ex-company car. Now has 120k. Doesn't use any oil, returns 30mpg (that is real mpg, not what the DIS computer says, I suspect Gary's 4.2 won't do 25 real mpg - they overread by at least 10% usually).

It has 4 air bags, leccy seats, dual zone climate and lots of cupholders. Its comfy for a lanky git like me (couldn't get comfy in an A4). Had a few suspension joints and the cambelt replaced early on, otherwise no costs above normal servicing, tyres, rear discs recently.

It does what it says on the tin and is only worth a few grand now, so I'm keeping it. A 2003 15k A6 wouldn't give me any more (and I like the shape, hate the new shape though - too bland).

So, I think they're good cars. If you're after more for your money look at a recent Passat - same car with a slightly less nice interior and detailing (IMO).

Of course Diseasel A6s are a great buy if you can get one with less miles than it takes to get to the moon and back (they're all high mileage for a reason).

[chim_knee]

Thanks Trefor.

What's the 1.8T like for performance. I get the impression it'd be painfully slow (based on nothing more than big car + < 2.5l engine = slow). Is it OK? I'm not after performance at all, just something that won't catch me out at junctions (i.e. won't have me rocking the seat to try and get it to go faster!! )

Lanky git? Just how lanky are you as this is a consideration for me - I'm 6'3". The wife is 5'4" (so electric memory seats would be useful!).

Unfortunately I know nothing of the relative engine options and the performance/economy etc. in an A6.

Thanks for your help.

[P700DEE]

Now on my second A6 1.8T, first was company car 99 and departed after 120K miles, second is 98 Avant @ 90K miles. You must do cam belts as needed (60K miles ?) and suspension on the front is an issue (recall for worn arms) Speed, fine although you need to get the turbo spinning if you want a fast get away from stationary. The worse item for performance is the vaigue steering and tendancy to bounce over bumps but I am much happer now I am running 17" wheels as opposed to the fitted 15". Main dealer service is expensive but there are plenty of independents.
As a Turbo they are easily chipped for more power but I have never bothered. The only others I have driven in the range is the 1.9TDi and that is a little under powered and is a real pain with the triptronic gearbox. The 2.4 is supposed to be about the same pace as the 1.8T but requires less effort off the line. The 2.8 is probably a good compromise but if interested in speed the 2.7T (only available between 99 and 2001) should offer great speed but at the cost of mpg

[SJobson]

targarama said:

(that is real mpg, not what the DIS computer says, I suspect Gary's 4.2 won't do 25 real mpg - they overread by at least 10% usually).

Strangely the DIS on my S6 is almost 100% accurate - my own calcs have only ever been about 0.1mpg different. Don't know the accuracy of the mileometer though.

Having said that, I have only once seen 25mpg+ on the DIS - going downhill immediately after filling up and resetting, I managed to get 28mpg. But 18mpg is the proper long term average.

[winder]

My 99 A6 Avant 2.4 SE Tiptronic has been pretty reliable over 3 years of ownership, usual brakes, tyres plus 3 main dealer services(VW not Audi, they carry out the same schedule as on a new Passat) The MPG is around 24 on the DIS but you don't buy a big heavy car like this and worry too much about fuel consumption.
The biggest problem that's come up is a permanent fault with the braking system, diagnosed as a probable faulty Brake ECU (£900 + fitting + VAT!!!!!) I'm trying to find an independant in the South west to fix it, meantime my ABS is "dodgy"
The DIS display is also starting to fade away, another common problem apparently.

[targarama]

Lots of Parkers Guide type info always comments on rouge electrics in the A6. I've not had any problems, but I suggest checking everything works.

Electric seats - no memory on mine, just electric up and downness. I'm sure the uberposh models have memory seats though. I'm 6ft 5 and the girlfriend is 5ft 4 BTW, so you should fit just fine (they're designed for big fat German businessmen after all).

I find the performance perfectly acceptable. I don't have any issues with the steering, its not a sports car after all (now the steering on our TT is another matter - less feedback than the A6!). One bing benefit to me is that in 1.8T Front Wheel Drive the car is a tidy handler (I have 17s with 225/45s on mine though). Yes it leans, but the brakes are good and its quite light compared to the big engined versions. Look at the weight and the power to weight ratios of something like a 2.8 Quattro vs a 1.8T. A big V6 up front quite a long way forwards really screws handling too, turn in is awful in the v6 models I've driven. OK, its not sports car but when you're in a hurry it makes a difference.

Oh, I've never found the need for quattro either, adds weight and might help get the power down on the bigger engined cars, but not on the 1.8T. Only time I might have needed 4WD I was stuck behind 20 other cars with a Land Rover stuck behind me.

Saying all this, I'd love a 2.7T, just can't face less mpg than I get out of my TVR (which does 23mpg commuting and 26-27mpg on a motorway run at least). I bought my A6 as a cheap, safe, stylish commuter.

[Chim_Knee]

Thanks all - a lot of great info to go on!

Cheers
Phil

[mag76]

Just gone in for one of the old-shape Final Edition A6 Avants now that the new one has launched (which is so bland in my opinion and verging on being over-priced).
Only a couple of months into the ownership experience but I rate this as a really good car. 130 TDi engine is no ball of fire but is perfectly adequate for motorway work and general commuter driving conditions. Ok, so you are rarely going to head off for a cross-country balt in this sort of car and admittedly it feels like a barge when pushed hard...
And in these times of £1 derv is returning a REAL 42 MGP. Which for a big German, luxury car loaded with leather, BOSE and colour screen sat-nav is a result.
The price of this run-out model was impressive bearing in mide the level of kit as well. Residual values are not really a consideration as I plan to keep this one as the family work-horse until it literally gives up.
The Audi A6 gets a thumbs-up from me!