1998 Audi A6 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

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 Quattro V6 - 5V from North America

Summary:

Great car, sparse dealer network. Nonpareil quality!

Faults:

There were no problems of any kind (a couple of manufacturer's recalls) until after the car went of warranty (50,000) miles, at which time the computerized interior temperature display started flashing intermittently - all functions are normal, however.

General Comments:

The most amazingly stable and controllable car on icy roads I have ever driven - it is actually fun to drive under adverse conditions, when other cars (including my 4wd Jeep) leave one shaking from near-loss of control.

The only negatives about the car are poor power (more powerful engines are now optional), and the seats, initially very comfortable, tend to cause low back pain after an hour or so behind the wheel - this, despite a plethora of adjustment functions. Astoundingly capacious trunk. Lots of headroom. Warm weather package a definite boon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2002

1998 Audi A6 Sedan 2.7 Quattro from North America

Summary:

Too expensive for the overall experience

Faults:

Big "thump" experienced on even slight and easy acceleration after slowing down. It is not there if you come to a complete halt.

Despite the recall on the fuel gauge, I still experienced running out of gas with my "miles to empty" at 180, the second time at 80.

Rattling sound somewhere from the rear driver's side seat.

Low air dam, it caught even the lowest parking lot cement blocks.

General Comments:

Awesome car in the rain or snow.

Poor acceleration.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th April, 2001

3rd Sep 2001, 09:20

I own an Audi A6 2.0 Avant with manual gearshift. It too has a huge thumping when taking up the drive, this is the engine slamming the gears into place, i.e. loose gearing. I had this same problem with my previous Audi 80, so it does seem that this is a "feature" of Audi in general! What luck!

23rd Nov 2008, 16:47

Actually this is a common problem with many, many manual vehicles (the thumping on shift). I had owned a porsche that did the same thing; and a friend that owned a new style gto had the same issue also. It is the gear doors slamming open and shutting.. it is very normal, scared the crap out of me when it happening on an awkward shift. don't be alarmed.

1998 Audi A6 Quattro from North America

Faults:

Front end has a very low design, always hitting lower part of front bumper when entering driveways etc. Oil pan cracked because of this low design. This happened when I entered a dirt road and hit a low spot. Brake shoes give off a lot of dust and keep wheels very dirty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th September, 1999

7th May 2008, 16:24

Lets try to remember it is a car, not an SUV or truck. Just about every car is low to the ground. Remember that next time you park over a curb.

1998 Audi A6 SE 1.9 Tdi from UK and Ireland

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