23rd May 2006, 16:51

I own a 2001 1.8T. My cam seals are being replaced too while I write this. Audi customer service just seems to document the problems and most of the problems started as soon as it came out of warranty. The repairs are expensive and dealers are not customer oriented at all. I was quoted $885.00 for this repair. So, I went with a third party shop that would cost me around $450.00. Did anybody else pay less than that? Want to see the actual time and money involved in the procedure and that the repair shops aren't just minting money off these well known problems.

5th Oct 2006, 09:11

I have a 99 A6 Quattro and so far have regretted ever buying it. I have a coolant leak (which was probably there when I bought it) that needs to be fixed. Oh, by the way they also just told me the tie rod ends need to be replaced also. Oh also, my check engine light stays on all the time.

LOL :(

I have a warranty through the used car dealer that I bought it from, but they are very specific on what they cover.

What sucks is that to fix the coolant leakage, they'll probably end up replacing the water pump, which means that they'll have to take the whole front end off. While that's happening, I might as well replace the belt and tensioner (not covered under the warranty) which is gonna cost me an arm and a leg too.

Makes me want to buy a $3000 Toyota or Honda and be done with this mess of a car.

Side Note: When I fill up the gas tank, it's hard to start the car. Has anyone else experienced this problem.

LOL What a mess!!

18th Oct 2006, 07:44

Wow! After owning an Audi 4000 (totalled due to a stupid error on my part), 1987 5000 (had for close to 100k, and became intimate with it on repairs), 1990 200 wagon (another lover, why can't Audi get it correct on electricals???) I was actually (call it battered spouse syndrom) considering buy an 2001 A6 wagon with 48K on it. THANK YOU ALL for your comments that has brought me back to my senses! I think I'm gonna turn Japanese and buy a Toyota Siena... drove a 2006 for 5k miles on vacation up in Alaska/BC this summer and loved it... of course a totally different car, but... how many horror stories to you read about Japanese cars???

9th Nov 2006, 08:17

Dear car owner,

I bought an Audi A6 2001 2.8 Quattro and I love my car. It was used when I bought it. I anticipated having the expense of the timing belt, tensioner, water pump at 90,000 miles as with any car, so I am wishful I had the warranty you discuss, but not dismayed by the fact I have to replace parts. If I were 90,000 miles old, I think I might need a few parts replaced too.

It is true they do have to take the front end off the car. Once that is done though, the space to work seems fine. My mechanic, Sadik, at Damascus Citgo 301-253-3857 did a nice job. While he was in there I had the camshaft sensor replaced too which took care of a check engine light. From what I have been reading, to improve gas mileage I may also replace the oxygen sensors as they are scheduled 30-100k on most cars.

As for the coolant leak, it could be as simple as a hose or a seal. A/C Compressors, A/C Drier, heating core all could go too, luckily for you they have not.

My point really is, if we get our cars in good shape and keep up in the oil changes, they will work fine. Perhaps the former owner was not as meticulous with maintenance as they should have been and that is why it is costing you a little bit of money now.

7th Dec 2006, 15:02

Wow.

I was shopping around for a 2002 Audi A6 2.7T. I couldn't believe how cheap they were! For such a great car! And I love Audi's. Well, I guess I figured out why that purchase may not be such a hot idea.

24th Jan 2007, 12:46

It is true that any Audi is a relatively higher maintenance vehicle if compared with its Japanese competitor. However, in all due fairness, one simply cannot compare the drive and feel of lets say a Honda Accord (No pun intended, I’ve owned 3 of them in the past) to an Audi or vice-versa. That is like comparing apples to oranges. If you are looking for reliability then stick with a Japanese vehicle. If you are looking for something fun to drive then you may find any Audi (even an A6 2.8 with its under-powered engine) to be more fun than driving a lean production such as Accord or Camry. As for reliability of other Euro brands, MB and Jaguar seem to have issues of their own and vary from one model to another. Even BMWs are having a fair share of issue lately. They are all vehicles and vehicle need maintenance. You as a consumer have to decide what your specific threshold is. By the way, Audi are not cheap just because of the problems. Other factors also have to be taken into consideration…Brand-recognition and basic supply/demand since many are coming off-leases lately…to name a few.

I have a 2001 A6 2.8Q with 67K miles. It has had its share of "maintenance" but so did my 1998 Accord bought new driven with great loving care and whose Valve-cover Gasket leaked at 38K miles. Unsual? Yes. Did that make it a lemon, probably not!

24th Jan 2007, 14:31

I know it may be a shock, but there are cars called Acura and Lexus that compete with Audi directly.

8th Feb 2007, 19:42

A6 2002 with 62,000 miles - just started smelling oil burning. I just had the car serviced less than a week ago, after pulling the belly cover and wiping all the oil off it appears that the source is on the upper right hand side of the engine. After reading all the comments regarding valve cover gaskets I'll have to get a mirror and take a closer look. Good comments, great car's - far less to maintain if you're mechanically inclined.

22nd Feb 2007, 13:38

I bought an Audi A6 2.7 2001 with 50k miles in May 2005 for $20,228 with 2 years extended warranty (precertified warranty). First month, water pump failed, coolant leaked, air intake replaced, N gasket replaced, brake lights, ash trays. I was happy that my warranty covered those things and I had to pay only $50 deductible. What a fool am I to think of such simple terms. Within the first year, my left CV boot, tie rod failed. A month following that, my right CV boot, CV joint, tie rod failed as well. Dealer said those were wear and tear items and not covered under the extended warranty. Goodbye $1,200. In 2006, I did not have any problems. I became happy again, thinking the end of my problems have ended. Beginning of 2/2007, side cam gaskets leaked engine oil, valve cover replaced at 60k miles. Please note I drive this car very carefully, putting only 5k miles each year. The cost for that job was $1,500. A responsible mechanic/dealer would've advised me to change the timing belt. However, he did not. After reading numerous forums about the timing belt failing b/w 65 to 70k miles, I did not want to take the chance of damaging my engine and having a $16,000 repair. So, I've changed the timing belt, tensioner, pulleys, water pump, fixed another 3 front gaskets for a total of $1,400 (Cash at a gas station). The 60k mile service is due, so I changed my spark plugs and brake fluids for $500.

Here's a list of cost not including anything covered by warranty:

1) Right & Left CV Boots, joints, tie rods: $1,200

2) 2 Side Gasket, Valve cover leaks: $1,500

3) Change spark plugs + brake fluid for: $500

4) Change timing belt, tensioner, pulleys, water pump, fix three front seal leaks: $1,400.

Do the math and I am shocked to have put in $4,600 into this car (not including oil changes and anything covered under the warranty). The only upside is that I now know what a CV boot, joint, tie rod, gasket and basically what unreliability and stupidity really mean. Wow, what's next? I cannot imagine nor do I want to think about it. My brother bought a c320 benz at $25,000 at Rallye and has not experienced any problems (yet). I regret getting this car. I went to the dealer to ask for the trade in value and they gave me $10,000.

Price bought: $20,000

Trade In: $10,000

Repairs: $4,600.

If I were to trade in the car today, I would lose immediatley $14,600. I am now in tears. Some say this is a bitter sweet relationship. I say this has only been a very bitter relationship.