1998 Audi A6 SE Estate 2.5 TDI

Summary:

Better value than BMW or Merc

Faults:

Volume knob on Audi Concert Stereo started to fail (jumped to max or min volume when adjusting). Apparently a common fault.

Air-flow meter failed, causing sluggish performance. Another common fault.

Rear wiper failed. Replaced by dealer.

Difficulty cold starting - probably glow-plugs starting to fail.

General Comments:

Overall, the car is pretty comfortable, with a reasonable amount of power from the 2.5 V6 TDI. Still runs very smoothly, despite mileage.

Sports suspension pack is best avoided - makes the ride too firm for comfort on poor road surfaces.

In hindsight, I think the 1.9 TDIs are a better buy. The 2.5 isn't that much quicker than the 1.9 130bhp, but is quite thirsty at 38 mpg. You can get nearly 50 mpg from the 1.9 models.

Overall, these cars are pretty good value, especially when they have high-mileage. It was much cheaper than the equivalent BMW 5 series or Merc E-class.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th February, 2004

1998 Audi A6 SE 2.4

Summary:

A refined luxury cruiser

Faults:

Nothing in the six months of ownership - Can't comment on dealer service yet, as one isn't due until 60000 miles.

Only minor niggle is the driver info module/computer which can get fainter and fainter after long periods. Once 'cooled down' or rested for an hour or two, it is OK - until the next time.

General Comments:

A superb car in every respect. Eats motorways for breakfast.

Superb ride, leather seats and dual climate control. Understated luxury.

Very quick, and amazingly smooth. Tiptronic 5 speed works like a dream. Gearbox is altogether one of the best features on this car, as it adapts to the road conditions so quickly.

Not too bad MPG - but being heavy on the right foot is always tempting in a car such as this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2002

28th Aug 2002, 10:41

Fading dash driver info unit is a common problem on the A6 SE spec. models and up. In order to fix though, they have to replace the entire instrument cluster - very costly unless under warranty!

2nd Dec 2006, 03:07

" the best of the bunch"

Well my 2nd "A6 2.5 TDI se Avant" has just died after 220,000m, I can't fault these cars they're rough, executive, family, van. They are what ever you need when you need them. make sure they are serviced regular and you won't have a problem. Many cars die after 100k. so a big thumbs up to AUDI.

1998 Audi A6 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Lovely car, too unreliable

Faults:

Three of the suspension arms were gone when I got the car (at 36,000 miles), were replaced when I complained about the knocking.

CD player skipped continuously, CD changer brackets were incorrectly mounted.

Oil level is showing incorrect level, when the engine is filled with amount of oil that is spec'd in the user manual (and by Audi) the dipstick shows oil level 1" above maximum.

Car has now started to cut out when the engine is hot.

When broken down at the side of the road due to the heat problem the hazard warning lights stopped working after about 10 minutes!!!, flasher unit has gone faulty too...

General Comments:

Lovely handling car.

Very comfortable, good handling.

Good performance from 1.8 engine for such a big car.

Very expensive to maintain.

Main dealers in Dublin are terrible to deal with, getting spare parts is a painful ordeal, the service is not carried out according to the service manual (greasing hinges etc).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th May, 2002

4th Sep 2002, 10:34

I have not owned my 1999 Audi A6 Avant long (bought it used w 33K miles) but I am very experienced with vehicle maintenance. Thus I would like to comment about the oil level concern/complaint. It is nearly impossible to drain all oil out of a engine as there is no way of "tilting" the engine in all directions to evacuate all of the oil. With that said one should never look in a manual as to the required capacity and then add that stated amount oil into the engine and then check the level. One would almost always be adding too much. The capacities are there to guide you in how much oil you should have available for the "change". If it says the capacity is 6.9 liters for example one should have about 7 liters available and add say 4 liters to the crankcase, then check the level. After that add until it is topped up to the proper level. Just a helpful hint in proper procedures, no mean or insults intended.

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1998 Audi A6 SE 1.9 Tdi

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Massively stylish, just looking at the design details are enough to make you buy it.

Very comfortable especially on motorways.

Enough gadgets and details to keep any car buff occupied, and incredible Bose sound.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 1998