Buying a Audi a6 - 2006, fully loaded - good deal?
#1
10-29-2009, 12:05 AM
Buying a Audi a6 - 2006, fully loaded - good deal?
I just put a deposit down on a 2006 Audi A6 Quattro from a Volkswagen dealer. It is fully loaded with Tech package, adv key, navi, push button start, rear park sensors.. It has a silver exterior and in very good condition. It has around 41k miles on it - I negotiated them down from $26k to $23400. What do you guys think, is that a good price? It is one of the better prices I have seen...
A few questions to the people who already have A6's as I will go and see it for the first time :
Do these come standard with LED tail lights?
Anyone have any experience with purchasing warranties after the fact? What are the best options - go to an audi dealer or get a third part warranty? Thanks in advance
A few questions to the people who already have A6's as I will go and see it for the first time :
Do these come standard with LED tail lights?
Anyone have any experience with purchasing warranties after the fact? What are the best options - go to an audi dealer or get a third part warranty? Thanks in advance
#2
10-29-2009, 06:18 AM
I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new nearly 5 years ago. She currently has 63k on the odometer. As far as reliability, she is ok, but she is no Lexus. But she is alot 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, about a year ago, I have not had any computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 41 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33 I have not upgraded to 41. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33 and 41 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 motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking.
17. The coolant temperature gauge stopped working and the sensor had to be replaced.
18. The trunk latch ceased working and had to be replaced due to a redesign of the latch.
19. The adaptive headlight malfunction light came on and the dealer had to upgrade the software for the adaptive lights.
20. The air bag light came on and the rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a second time.
21. The Parktronic broke and the speaker had to be replaced.
Similar to the computer issues discussed above, Audi has TSBs on 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 over 40 days for repairs during the last 57 months, not maintenance, I would certainly buy the car again because the 4.2 is alot 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 eBahn'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, not including labor. Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service and the 75,000 mile service are the "major" services for the car. 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
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, about a year ago, I have not had any computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 41 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33 I have not upgraded to 41. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33 and 41 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 motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking.
17. The coolant temperature gauge stopped working and the sensor had to be replaced.
18. The trunk latch ceased working and had to be replaced due to a redesign of the latch.
19. The adaptive headlight malfunction light came on and the dealer had to upgrade the software for the adaptive lights.
20. The air bag light came on and the rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a second time.
21. The Parktronic broke and the speaker had to be replaced.
Similar to the computer issues discussed above, Audi has TSBs on 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 over 40 days for repairs during the last 57 months, not maintenance, I would certainly buy the car again because the 4.2 is alot 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 eBahn'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, not including labor. Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service and the 75,000 mile service are the "major" services for the car. 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
#3
10-29-2009, 08:28 AM
Kevin,
It sounds like you are the president of the Never Buy a Car The First Year of a Major Redesign Club!!! Wow!
Hopefully, jattsingh's car has all the updates done and he doesn't have to go through the beta testing that you paid good money for the opportunity to perform for Audi.
Bob
It sounds like you are the president of the Never Buy a Car The First Year of a Major Redesign Club!!! Wow!
Hopefully, jattsingh's car has all the updates done and he doesn't have to go through the beta testing that you paid good money for the opportunity to perform for Audi.
Bob
#5
10-29-2009, 05:53 PM
Kevin,
It sounds like you are the president of the Never Buy a Car The First Year of a Major Redesign Club!!! Wow!
Hopefully, jattsingh's car has all the updates done and he doesn't have to go through the beta testing that you paid good money for the opportunity to perform for Audi.
Bob
It sounds like you are the president of the Never Buy a Car The First Year of a Major Redesign Club!!! Wow!
Hopefully, jattsingh's car has all the updates done and he doesn't have to go through the beta testing that you paid good money for the opportunity to perform for Audi.
Bob
#7
11-01-2009, 08:46 PM
Buying *any used car requires homework..mainly with an Audi make sure it has a complete history...was it in the new orleans flood etc 
Has it always been serviced on time by Audi,it should have paperwork for everything and or stamped in the book..get a current carfax, if it lacks a good history, find another one...there are more silver Audi's, regardless of price, it requires a careful process.
Not everyone is as much of a stickler as Kevin but he tells it like it is..I'd like to buy his Audi
Has it always been serviced on time by Audi,it should have paperwork for everything and or stamped in the book..get a current carfax, if it lacks a good history, find another one...there are more silver Audi's, regardless of price, it requires a careful process.
Not everyone is as much of a stickler as Kevin but he tells it like it is..I'd like to buy his Audi
#8
11-03-2009, 12:36 AM
looking at a 2005 A6 fully loaded.
I am looking at a fully loaded 2005 A6 for $26,900 with 47k miles and Audi certified two year warranty. It doesn't sound like a very good deal compared to yours but does have the factory certified warranty. Is this way to high?
Thanks
Thanks
#9
11-03-2009, 06:34 AM
The OP's car was not "fully loaded" and did not have the 4.2. If the car you are looking at is truly "fully loaded" with a 4.2 and a 2-year warranty it is a little high but not horribly high.
#10
11-03-2009, 12:02 PM
Kevin,
This car is a 3.2 quattro with basically the same features as jattsingh's car. I have been looking at the used A6 3.2 quattro market for close to a month now and it seems that supply has gone down and demand is up coming into the winter months especially in Seattle.
Am I just being a stupid car buyer sucked into what the dealers are telling me? I definitely want a certified A6 but this seems high. I have also looked at a 2007 A6 3.2 quattro with 25k for about $26,900 but all it has is the cold weather package(heated seats). I would rather get the one with all the gadgets on it. Especially the adv key, push start, and blue tooth.
Got any advice?
This car is a 3.2 quattro with basically the same features as jattsingh's car. I have been looking at the used A6 3.2 quattro market for close to a month now and it seems that supply has gone down and demand is up coming into the winter months especially in Seattle.
Am I just being a stupid car buyer sucked into what the dealers are telling me? I definitely want a certified A6 but this seems high. I have also looked at a 2007 A6 3.2 quattro with 25k for about $26,900 but all it has is the cold weather package(heated seats). I would rather get the one with all the gadgets on it. Especially the adv key, push start, and blue tooth.
Got any advice?
