Hi guys, sorry for the totally newb type of post, but I didn't find any relevant results in my searching.
We are looking to maybe add a @2006 A6, 3.2 Quattro to our "fleet".
Some questions I have for the long term guys...
Looking for one under 100k miles, and with FSH. Anything to look for specifically? Common wear items?
How does the 3.2 do, for day to day driving?
Any known common issues with the diffs, drivetrain, etc?
Is there an aftermarket resource for diagnostic equipment? I currently have a Vehicle Server from Colin at Blackbox Solutions Ltd - Designers and manufacturers of the best vehicle diagnostic tools. for our Range Rover. In @6yrs, it has yet to see a dealer or a shop besides my own, so would love to hear about any equipment available for these vehicles.
The 2 cars we are considering are the A6, and a Jag XJR of the same vintage. All our stuff is paid for, and it is going to stay that way, thus no S6 etc. And the Boss (wife) doesn't like the pre 2005 models, so @'06 it is.
Many thanks for any help/advise, and if we go forward with the A6, I promise to become an asset to the community
I normally keep vehicles for a number of years, thus me wanting to ask these types of questions. I regularly pull motors and do a lot of custom fabrication work, so not afraid to get my hands dirty, so long as a dealer isn't involved etc.

Martin
Mid Mo.

 

The 3.2 engine is very reliable. Here are a few things to watch for.

1. The 3.2 engine like a lot of direct injection engines have a tendency to build up carbon deposits on the intake valves. This results in rough running and loss of power and eventually a CEL. The fix is to remove the intake manifold and clean the valves manually. There is a good DIY on one of the Audi forums.

2. Some of the 2005 and 2006 model year cars suffer from engine surging due to a failing Torque Converter lockup clutch. You can diagnose the problem by coasting downhill or running level with a light throttle at about 40 mph. If the tach jumps up and down by 200rpm the TC needs replacement.

3. Check the functioning of the climate control. There are a few minor glitches which you can repair yourself. Symptom of one is that outside air vents blow hot air. Sometimes one of the blower motors can fail.

There is a very good diagnostic computer called VAG COM available from Ross Tech for about $300. This is a complete analyzer and can access all modules in the car including the sound system, door locks, door handles, lighting controllers etc. If you buy an Audi and do your own work you need one. Do not buy the cheap Chinese knock offs, they do not work. If you are thinking of getting an Audi try to find someone with one and scan the car before you buy. It will scan all systems and give you a complete list of fault codes for the engine, transmission and all comfort/convenience systems.

I am sure others will add to this list.

Good Luck in your search.

 

I have pasted in two of my earlier posts, which I have slightly revised and updated.

I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new about 7 and a half years ago. She currently has 110k on the odometer. As far as reliability, she is ok, but she is no Lexus. But she is a lot of fun to drive. Most of the problems have been nuisances.

1. The airbag light came on two weeks after I purchased the car. It took them 10 days to figure out the problem. Audi then came out with a TSB on updating the computer software for the airbags.

2. The MMI "crashed" a year after I bought the car. After having the car for 8 days, Audi wiped the hardware clean and reinstalled the MMI computer software.

3. The MMI had a few bugs with not updating the satellite radio stations, losing surround settings and sometimes not automatically linking with my bluetooth phone. Audi had the car for a day and updated the MMI computer software. Audi has a TSB on this issue as well.

I have written those three problems off to having a very early computer software version. To give you an idea of the number of changes in the software, my car came with MMI version 10 and now has version 33. Since being updated to MMI version 33, around 2006 or 2007, I have not had any computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 46 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33 I have not upgraded to 46. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33 and 46 are negligible.

As far as non-computer issues. I have had quite a few.

1. All 8 coil packs had to be replaced.

2. The lid for the gas cap would not open from inside the car. In order to open it I had to wedge my credit card inside the lid and open it from the outside.

3. The frame for the front passenger seat came loose and the entire seat had to be removed and the bolts tightened.

4. A rattle in the glove box area of the dashboard that required installation of additional insulation.

5. A bad tire pressure sensor had to be replaced.

6. A mildew smell from the air conditioner vents, which required the replacement of a ventilation duct.

7. A rattle from the rear fold down seats, which required a new clamp.

8. A rattle from the driver’s side of the dashboard, which required additional damping material.

9. The fuel-filter recall, which required a new fuel filter.

10. The fuel gauge started reading empty even though there is fuel in the tank, which required a computer software upgrade.

11. The transmission developed a chirping and the transmission software had to be upgraded.

12. The low coolant light would come on for no reason, which required an upgraded electrical circuit.

13. The power steering reservoir leaked and completely emptied itself, which required a revised clamp.

14. The front brakes developed a vibration at slow speeds and the brake caliper seals had to be replaced due to a re-design.

15. The motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced because of a groaning noise.

16. The MMI **** fell off.

17. The motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking.

18. The coolant temperature gauge stopped working and the sensor had to be replaced.

19. The trunk latch ceased working and had to be replaced with a redesigned latch.

20. The adaptive headlight malfunction light came on and the dealer had to upgrade the software for the adaptive lights.

21. The air bag light came on and the rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a second time.

22. The Parktronic speaker broke and had to be replaced.

23. The coolant gauge broke again and the sensor had to be replaced.

24. The coolant gauge broke yet again and the thermostat had to be replaced.

25. The gas struts for the trunk were replaced.

26. The air bag light came on and rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a third time.

27. The LED unit had to be replaced in the rear right because the brake and turn signal light would fail to fire.

28. The coil packs were replaced under recall.

29. The air bag light came on and a rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a fourth time.

30. The brackets holding the electric switch panel to the front passenger seat broke and had to be replaced.

31. The air bag light returned and the dealer upgraded the software yet again.

32. An upper control arms was replaced.

33. The motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced yet again.

34. The air bag light came on and a rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a fifth time.

35. The entire steering column had to be replaced.

36. The oil pressure sensor had to be replaced.

37. The air bag light came on yet again and this time the right rear supplemental (optional) air bag was replaced.

38. The fuel filter was replaced.

39. The coil packs were replaced.

40. The LED unit had to be replaced in the rear left because the brake and turn signal light would fail to fire.

41. Right side motor mount was replaced.

42. All 4 upper control arms were replaced.

43. Both front sway bar links were replaced.


Similar to the computer issues discussed above, Audi has TSBs on nearly all of these issues, seeming to indicate that the problems are not isolated to just my car. Audi has also issued dozens of other TSBs on issues that I have not experienced since I have the 4.2 engine instead of the 3.2 engine. In total, the 3.2 has over 200 TSBs. If you complain about these items while the car is under warranty, Audi will fix the problem for free, which sounds like a recall to me.

Despite the car being at the dealer for 83 days for repairs during the last 91 months, not maintenance, I would certainly buy the car again because the 4.2 is a lot of fun to drive, especially on the highway, and the dealer gives me a loaner. However, I would check which MMI software version is currently in the car. If it is below 33, I would take it to Audi and have it updated as soon as possible. In addition, I would check the car's VIN and compare it to the Audi TSBs and see what issues you need to keep an eye on. You can get copies of the Audi TSBs at Erwin's website. The dealer will probably give you the car's maintenance records. While the car is still under warranty, I would make sure you complain about any issues contained on the TSBs issued for your VIN. If you are buying an aftermarket warranty I would get an exclusionary warranty that your local Audi dealer accepts.

Despite the issues with the car, I think that it is a great driving car. However, keep in mind that I am an original owner who paid close to $60,000 for my daily driver and who according to my wife is the President of the "More Money than Brains" club. For example, changing the transmission fluid costs over a $1,000 just for the fluid (the fluid is $57 per liter), not including labor. Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service is the "major" service for the car. The 75,000 mile service is also significant, in that the nose of the car needs to be removed on the 05 and 06 4.2s. If money is an issue, you may want to look for a car that is cheaper to "maintain". Regardless of your decision, you will enjoy driving an Audi, but you may not enjoy the maintenance. Good luck.

Kevin

Here is my post in response to a related topic:

I am afraid that Audi has TSBs on nearly every one of the problems that I experienced indicating that I am not alone with these issues. As far as not hearing about these issues on the forum, I point out that I am one of the few original C6 owners on the forum with the corresponding 7 and a half years of experience in owning one of these cars. I doubt that when these cars are purchased used that the original owners are so honest with the buyers. In contrast to my 7 and a half years of experience, many of the C6 owners on this forum have less than a year’s experience with the "maintenance" on these cars. With that said, I think that the C6 is a great driving car and is a lot of fun on the highway. I would also buy it all over again. You just need to make sure that you are carrying some type of warranty coverage.

Kevin

 

Don't let Kevin get you scared. Of course he experience those problem because he has the first year model of the redesign A6/C6(2005). As everyone know the first year of redesign models have there problems, the second year (2006) some of the problems are solved or all fixed.
Over all the A6 is a well built. But I would stay away from CVT tranny. Stick with an AWD.

 

Don't mean to scare anyone. As I said I would buy the car all over again. By the way Consumer Reports believes that the 05 is more reliable than the 06.

 

That's a first.