Faults:

- Problematic oil leaks (oil filter housing o-rings and valve cover gaskets).

- Control arm clunking.

- Xenon headlight failure (bulb, maintenance really).

- Center arm rest spring clip failure.

- Horn failure.

- Radiator failure (had to remove the nose of the car to repair).

- Timing chain chatter on cold start.

- Ignition coils.

General Comments:

Honestly, with the exception of the radiator failure and the oil leaks, this car really just asked for proper maintenance. It was really great for the time that I had it and was very reliable. Never left me sit. Even when the radiator was failing and leaking, it still got me home.

The ride was good, weather/snow did not slow this Audi down at all - in fact thanks to quattro, it was incredibly surefooted, and it was very well equipped. Best of all, thanks to the 4.2 V8, it was FAST. Steering was prone to both oversteer and understeer in certain situations and was a bit numb for a sport sedan, but I can forgive that. Didn't handle like my E39, but I wasn't expecting it to (though, not much can touch that car in regard to handling).

One big thing to watch out for on the 4.2 is the timing chain - it is one big chain running the whole rear of the engine, and if it goes, it is a nuke. Telltale sign of it about to go is an intermittent or persistent chattering sound on cold start. It could fail the next day, or in 2 years, you never know for sure when. Mine chattered for about 6 months and luckily I got rid of the car before the chain letting go or deciding to bite the bullet and do it. You have to pull the engine for the repair.

The oil leaks on these V8s is also troublesome. The two biggest failures are the valve cover gaskets and the oil filter housing o-rings. If you get oil leaks, do the valve cover gaskets first. If that does not resolve the leak, move on to the oil filter housing o-rings. In order to do the o-rings, you have to pull the intake, which is a far more intrusive and risky job (delicate valve motors that don't like to be disturbed are on the front of the intake). Good news is you can clean the throttle body and ports while you have the intake off. If the oil leaks still aren't gone after both these, then it is likely the oil pan or timing cover; in which case run for the hills or live with the leaks - unless you plan to pull the engine to do the timing chain that is.

Overall, I was very happy with this A6. It had a great look, was very comfortable, reliable, had solid and impressive performance (numb steering not withstanding), stellar build quality/high quality materials throughout, and had plentiful creature comforts/features including an excellent BOSE stereo. If taken care of, you won't be sorry for owning one - even more so if you are mechanically inclined.

Faults:

Rear tail light failed, warning light on dash. Light required replacement.

Headlight failure, another warning light. Bulbs replaced. This could be chalked up to maintenance costs until the adaptive headlights failed. Another warning light. This required replacement of the entire headlamp unit.

The smart key failed. The car would sometimes not start immediately. Or unlock with the remote. Battery replaced for the 2nd time within a year (remote battery).

Unresolved groaning noise from the steering at low speeds.

Unresolved clicking noise from the right front window when lowered.

Erratic idle (possible carbon build-up). Sold prior to addressing.

Windshield cracked - replaced.

Console latch broke.

TPMS sensor & warning light would go off without reason.

Rattles, rattles, rattles.

Electrical issues including a loud feedback episode through the speakers. MMI reboot required. Radio inoperative until resolved.

Bluetooth would not always pair & the steering wheel control did not always work.

General Comments:

Beautiful to look at.

Comfortable to drive.

Top notch dealer, but very expensive to maintain and required constant care. The electrical issues and associated beeps, buzzes, blinks, and chimes drove me to the brink, and did indeed result in my turning the car in. Even when I traded it, the TPMS was acting up and the "service required" light and chime were coming on, although the car was well within its service interval.

Actually the 10K service interval is quite convenient, but this car invariably had a failure every 5K miles, so I had more frequent oil changes performed.

But oh, did I mention the squeaks, creaks, and rattles? I used to drive the car with my fingers jammed between the dash and door panel just so some of the racket would stop.