Considering 2005 A6 4.2
#1
04-16-2009, 10:10 AM
Considering 2005 A6 4.2
Hi. This is my first post, as I am looking at buying a 2005 A6, 4.2 (if I can sell my 2004 VW Passat). It has 85000 miles, so it is out of warranty, but it is in excellent condition, and has had the TB done. The only concern I had driving it was a vibration at about 65 mph, and I suspected the aftermarket wheels that are on it, or maybe it needs an alignment. Are there any issues I should be aware of? Would you recommend an extended warranty for an extra $1000? Thanks in advance,
Steve
Steve
#2
04-17-2009, 06:40 AM
I have pasted in two of my earlier posts.
I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new slightly more than 4 years ago. She currently has 57k 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.
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.
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.
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 33.6. Since being updated to MMI version 33.6, about two years ago, I have not had any MMI computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 46.1 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33.6 I have not upgraded to 46.1. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33.6 and 46.1 are negligible.
As far as non-computer issues. I have had quite a few.
The first was that all 8 coil packs had to be replaced.
The second was 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. Audi had the car for 2 days to fix these problems.
The third was that the frame for the front passenger seat came loose and the entire seat had to be removed and the bolts tightened.
The fourth was a rattle in the glove box area of the dashboard.
The fifth was a bad tire pressure sensor.
The sixth was a mildew smell from the air conditioner vents, which required the replacement of a ventilation duct.
The seventh was a rattle from the rear fold down seats, which required a new clamp.
The eighth was a rattle from the driver’s side of the dashboard, which required additional damping material.
The ninth was the fuel filter recall, which required a new fuel filter.
The tenth was the fuel gauge sometimes read empty even though there was fuel in the tank, which required a computer software upgrade.
The eleventh was that the transmission developed a chirping and the transmission software had to be upgraded.
The twelfth was that the coolant light would come on for no reason, which required an upgraded electrical circuit.
The thirteenth was that the power steering reservoir leaked, which required a revised clamp.
The fourteenth, the front brakes developed a vibration at slow speeds and the brake caliper seals had to be replaced due to a re-design.
The fifteenth was that the motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced because of a groaning noise.
The sixteenth was the motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking as well.
The seventeenth was that the coolant temperature gauge stopped working.
The eighteenth was that the trunk latch stopped working and needed to be replaced.
The nineteenth was that the adaptive headlights stopped working and the software had to be updated.
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. From what I have seen in the TSBs for the 3.2 it suffers from some oil leaks and cam problems. In total, the 3.2 has over 200 TSBs.
Despite the car being at the dealer for over 45 days for repairs during the last 49 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 33.6, 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 (the fluid is $57 per liter). Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service is the "major" service 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
Here is my post in response to a related topic:
I am afraid that Audi has TSBs on 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 4 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 4 years of experience, most of the C6 owners on this forum only have a few months of 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
I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new slightly more than 4 years ago. She currently has 57k 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.
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.
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.
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 33.6. Since being updated to MMI version 33.6, about two years ago, I have not had any MMI computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 46.1 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33.6 I have not upgraded to 46.1. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33.6 and 46.1 are negligible.
As far as non-computer issues. I have had quite a few.
The first was that all 8 coil packs had to be replaced.
The second was 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. Audi had the car for 2 days to fix these problems.
The third was that the frame for the front passenger seat came loose and the entire seat had to be removed and the bolts tightened.
The fourth was a rattle in the glove box area of the dashboard.
The fifth was a bad tire pressure sensor.
The sixth was a mildew smell from the air conditioner vents, which required the replacement of a ventilation duct.
The seventh was a rattle from the rear fold down seats, which required a new clamp.
The eighth was a rattle from the driver’s side of the dashboard, which required additional damping material.
The ninth was the fuel filter recall, which required a new fuel filter.
The tenth was the fuel gauge sometimes read empty even though there was fuel in the tank, which required a computer software upgrade.
The eleventh was that the transmission developed a chirping and the transmission software had to be upgraded.
The twelfth was that the coolant light would come on for no reason, which required an upgraded electrical circuit.
The thirteenth was that the power steering reservoir leaked, which required a revised clamp.
The fourteenth, the front brakes developed a vibration at slow speeds and the brake caliper seals had to be replaced due to a re-design.
The fifteenth was that the motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced because of a groaning noise.
The sixteenth was the motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking as well.
The seventeenth was that the coolant temperature gauge stopped working.
The eighteenth was that the trunk latch stopped working and needed to be replaced.
The nineteenth was that the adaptive headlights stopped working and the software had to be updated.
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. From what I have seen in the TSBs for the 3.2 it suffers from some oil leaks and cam problems. In total, the 3.2 has over 200 TSBs.
Despite the car being at the dealer for over 45 days for repairs during the last 49 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 33.6, 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 (the fluid is $57 per liter). Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service is the "major" service 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
Here is my post in response to a related topic:
I am afraid that Audi has TSBs on 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 4 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 4 years of experience, most of the C6 owners on this forum only have a few months of 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
#3
04-17-2009, 09:40 AM
How to check MMI version and TSB's performed?
Kevin - Thanks for all of the information. It is certainly helpful. As I mentioned, the A6 I'm looking at has 85000 miles, and the current used car dealer indicates it has had all service done by VW. I'm thinking (maybe wishfully) that most major issues have been taken care of by now. Can you provide more details about how to check which TSB's have been performed, since I have the VIN? I'm not familiar with Erwin's site - do you have a link? Finally, is there an easy way to check what the current MMI version is? Thanks again!
#4
04-17-2009, 07:12 PM
You can find the MMI version by selecting "car" in the MMI. The bottom right hand corner of the screen will say "version". Click on the bottom right MMI button and the MMI version will come up next to "S/W". As far as determining the service history, I would go down to your local dealer and explain that you just bought the car and was looking to get the service history, including what TSBs were performed.
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