As much as I love driving my stage. 1 a6 2.7t the 1 month out of the year it actually runs with no issues, I'll never buy another audi again. Lets see...the constant failing factory a.d aftermarket parts, impossible to diagnose problems,(which can involve spending a **** load of money replacing the 20 diff things that could be the problem until you buy the right one) and too.many more.issues to list
replaced all coil packs..420$
Torque convertor and trans...3700$
Suspension issues...lets say 1200$
3 sets rotors...300$
3 icm's ..about 450$
used motor after tb tensioner bolt failed...2700$
Hoses, clutch fan etc...150$
Lcd display...150$
Brake switch ..35$
Accessory belt tensioner pulley, i forgot lets say75$?
And probably another 2500$ in maintenance ...alternator, starter, breaks etc..not to mention an insane amounnt on tires..

 

I think I'm gonna sell this pos and get an old beat up.subaru so i can still go to work when it snows. if i ever become a millionaire ill lease an r8 and every other week when something breaks ill go to the dealer and say fix this ****

 

Nice rant and I can feel your pain. But did you buy an abused baby or have you been kicking the crap out of it? Admittedly there are a lot of things that can go wrong, but basic preventive maintenance reduces it. I've done all the maintenance and at 214k I have replaced the clutch and flywheel ($3k) and the cats ($2.5k and a waste of effort; still coding). Everthing else has been maintenance: a couple TB jobs, rotors and brakes twice, four sets of tires, both HID bulbs (one was yellowing so I replaced both), battery. Basically the headlight washers don't work, the SAIU is disconnected, I pulled fuse 10 for the headlight levelers, and a rear window sometimes sticks -- but other than that I have no fear climbing in and making a 2000 mile trip. I change tranny and diffy fluids every 60k and brake fluid every 2-3 years. And it is a wonderful vehicle for winter driving -- far superior in snow and ice to my jeeps and various FWD cars. I am also blessed with a very good local indie who does not rip me off.

 

I feel your pain.. I have a few buddies I help out a lot with these cars. They are nice, But gosh with the issues "all" the time. The are constantly in my shop for different issues.
I don't own them but the become my burden because I'm a mechanic. Today I'm trying to figure out one on my day off... I'm really starting to hate their engineering. And searching around for answers don't away's help!
I own 2 Fords, a truck and a car. They both are pretty good at staying out of the garage except for oil changes every 6 weeks cause of all the highway mileage I rack up lol.

 

I bought it at 70k or so w all maintenance records. I change my oil w syntec or moble 1 every 3k. Tb, wt pump thermo etc every 100k. Take care of any suspension issues, change trans fluid now every 60k or so, even though its "lifetime"... i treat it like its my baby..I've still been through hell and bk..
even though its chipped(running stock since no maf) i don't beat on it..put it this way, my stock turbos lasted 260,000 miles. The only
reason i don't have them is i took the ones with the new motor..
i also have a great local audi/vw mechanic for the things i can't do myself. maybe i just have bad luck like the millions of others. i check my oil and coilant level just about every day. use all the right fluid/oils and i can't catch a break. i also know a guy who has a brand new a5 2.0t that's been in the shop(under warranty ) 11 times in a year and 2 months. once for about 2 wks... they really need to take a second look at the way they design. these cars.

 

You certainly have had some bad luck. Maybe my good luck has been because I mostly drive highway and my car thrives on constant 75-80 mph. I also think you are changing the oil TOO frequently and wasting your money (and resources). I gnerally go 7-8k although occasionally I have gone over 9k.

 

Marc, if I may ask, how many miles are on it? Any idea how long the alternator(s) lasted?

thanks Ed

I was thinking my 02 4.2 was getting up there at 131,000

 

@ Edo:

My alternator died right after I replaced my Battery around 132k. I guess it was put under a lot of stress while the old battery wasn't keeping the charge, therefore the alternator was running pretty much 100% of the time.
-2002 audi a6 4.2

 

I got 10 years out of the OEM battery. It was still starting, but getting weaker

Did you do the alternator yourself, or have it done? I have mostly trips around town, but also don't wish to get stranded

thanks Ed

 

I did the alternator myself.
The first warning sign I had was the red battery icon on the speed gauge lighting up and the battery slowly draining (you get about 10 miles out of it before it goes into limp mode - guess how I figured that out, lol).
It's not a big deal to replace - except when you buy a re-manufactured alternator it comes without the pulley and you need a tool to get the old one off (at least in my case) - what a pain in the rear. So, except for that pulley removal it was a breeze.