Hello All!
I have a 2003 3.0L Audi A6 AWD - 95,000 miles - second owner - purchased at 46,000 miles. Any opinions on the 2003 A6 3.0L?
Does anyone have an opinion on getting the timing belt (et all), water pump, and serpentine belt replaced before 105,000 recommended miles?
The car is driven by my son - in Law school - not much time to drive it - so it sits a lot - lately.
Any reports on issues - common problems - it has been a good car – was my wife’s – who now has an A8. The A6 has had typical maintenance issues - front axle CV and boots, new battery, thermostat, tires, etc.
Everyone likes the car – and I was thinking of getting a 2005-2006 A6 4.2L – any opinions?

 

I have one. Completely went through the car at 114K cost 4-5 thousand in parts and my labor. It would have cost way more than the car is worth if I went to a mechanic. But I kept chasing problems and the parts kept adding up.

You would definitely need to do the timing belt, waterpump, thermostat job etc..etc... also replace the coil packs and various gaskets and o-rings. inspect the CV joints, control arms, engine mounts, replace the output seal on the transmission and service the drive train etc. etc...

In short that engine is about to fall apart and unless your son is going to take up mechanics I would dump it. It's not in his best interest to be worrying about the car breaking all the time when he should be partying... I mean studying.

 

I believe the 03 A6 3.0 scored dead last in reliability by Consumer's Reports. Listen to jackmup. His is the voice of experience.

 

Wow - you two guys do not seem to keen on A6 with the 3.0L V6? And one owns a 02-A6 Quattro 3.0 Avant? If I have the timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt and any tensioner pulleys replaced what else is there to go wrong? Besides a gazillion other things that could go wrong? (After all it is an Audi!) The car is AWD - best in bad weather and thank God not a Honda POS? So why do you say get rid of it? I had a GT Coupe back in the 1980’s and the valve adjustment every year always pissed me off!@ - seems Audi will never change! 4-5 thousand in parts? What the heck happened? I have a 2006 A8L 4.2L - should I scap that too!

 

If you can afford three Audis (2003-and up) and keeping your boy in Law School, then I wouldn't even be worried about listening to Jack. Do the regular maintenance and enjoy driving.