A6 Reliability
 

I posted something similar in the A4 forum, but have the same questions about the A6s.
I'm considering picking up either a 2000-2004 A4 or A6, and know nothing about their reliability.
What is most common-fail part out there? When looking for a 2000-2004 A6, are there any items I should specifically check?
Thanks for your help.

RE: A6 Reliability
 

Depends on the mileage, how it wasdriven, if it was regularly maintained, and if it has turbos. If it has high mileage and hasn't been maintained all that well, turbos will go a lot sooner (2000 2.7T's had more turbo failures than later models). Also the timing belt, water pump, and tensionerwould need to be changed around 90,000 miles. Then there's small things like control arms, tie-rods, sway-bar endlinks, window guides, blinker switch etc. A 3.0 or 4.2 will be more reliable than a turbo motor, but not as fun to drive or as easy to mod. The best thing you could do is find a CPO car if you are near an Audi dealer. That way it will have a nice warranty and would have been checked over andfixedby an Audi tech.

RE: A6 Reliability
 

Awesome. Thanks for the advice.
Anyone else?

RE: A6 Reliability
 

If you do a search in this forum you'll see a lot of answers to similar questions.

I bought my A6 used two years ago with 36k miles and now have over 96k. I had a brake switch fail shortly after getting it and it was replaced under warranty, as was the rear transmission seal at 50k. The only unexpected failure was the alternator at ~60k. I hit a pothole at very low speed and it stopped working immediately. About 10k miles after chipping the car I had to replace the clutch and flywheel (at 89k). Was it due to the extra power or the original owner towing a small trailer - probably both. I also had to disable the headlight washers as the damn things leaked.

I change the oil regularly and generally drive conservatively...I accelerate gently but tend to drive faster than the speed limit. I had the timing belt, etc replaced recently but consider that to bemaintenance. At the same time we found the auxiliary water pump to be leaking so that was replaced too.

So it's not as reliable as my last car (2002 Vue) but it is a ton more fun to drive and more comfortable. It's fully loaded so there is more to "go wrong".

Speaking from hearsay and not experience, it appears the 4.2l engine is bulletproof and has a lot of power but modifications are limited. It also gets V8 gas mileage. The 2.8l and 3.0l engines gets better mileage but mods are very limited. I'm not sure the 6-speed manual isavailable in those configurations. The 2.7T gets 6-cylinder gas mileage but can be modded from it's stock 250hp to over 400hp. But youlive with the risk of early turbo death which can be very expensive.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

RE: A6 Reliability
 

I've been considering an A4 as well, but am really holding out for an A6. I have no desire to mod the car as I already have my cure for the horsepower virus in myPT-88 powered1994 Mustang. I'm just looking for something with relatively low miles that won't break my savings account just to keep it going. Plus I've always had a thing for Audis.
I'm just trying to educate myself as best as I can so I'll be prepared when I find the right one.
Thanks to everyone thus far.

RE: A6 Reliability
 

I also had to change my brake light switch and disable the headlight washers as well (which is fine since they just dirtied up the hood).