hey wassup folks....im new to this forum....so far alot of helpful info anywayz heres my story
just purchased a 01' turbo with 57k back in june of this year. purchased vehicle "as is". i brought an
extended 4yr additional warranty as well.
from june until, this point, i have already spent over $1000 replacing front and back brakes, cv boots,
power steering pump, and new battery.
when i would parallel park, i would hear a loud "whining" noise while turning the wheel. after my ps pump was replaced....same thing. the mechanic now tells me that the tie rods (ends) are responsible for the noise. ( not covered in my warranty ) AND NOW..my check engine light is on. also lately during highway, i will notice a decrease in power, and simultaneously the traction control and abs lights flicker. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY DREAM CAR but right now im starting to get really pissed. right now im over 60k and i havent even done a basic tune up yet. i really want to keep the car, ( i have no choice now anyway ) but seems like issues keep arising. also, this mechanic ive dealt with, friendly guy, been in business a long time, i feel like he really fucked my car up, because the check engine light did not come on until after i took it to him. now all of a sudden i need tie rods ASAP. they could have been the prob all along without me even needing a ps pump. I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS AS FAR AS REPAIRS SO THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING!!!

 

power steering has air in the system, jack the front wheels off the ground then do a full lock left to right and fill as required ( engine not running ) for the other problems lets have some fault codes

 

TRE (tie rod ends) are a replacement part around 60kmi. It's a weak part in Audi's. Unless he didn't tighten things up, or left something unplugged, I highly doubt he did anything.
But we can't really help with out the codes.

I would start looking at the throttle body boot & diverter valves (TBB & DV's).

This is normal stuff for a used car, people let the maintaince go, do to them trading it in, then you end up paying for it. Once you get all the NORMAL wear items out of way, the car will be your friend.

 

I'm in a terrible dilemma as well, I bought my 2001 Audi A6 2.7T in 2005 at 73000 its now 95,000 and eagerly waiting for its due timing belt change. Now Listen, I love this car to deff... I have done all sorts of minor repair, but non went above $800. Every time I've been running to the Audi Stealership as soon as a warning light goes off. Now my love hate relationship with this audi has reached its peak, Jan 2007 I replaced cam seal, Feb - replaced CV boots, brakes, april- instrument cluster started loosing pixels. May - steering rod loose, Now ABS light is on and leaking coolant expansion tank... I could go on and on WOAH!

I angrily matched to a Toyota dealership to trade in this car and BOOM! I realized how worthless the car was even when I had all
the problems above fixed. I have upgraded this car to unbelievable heights, In-dash Navigation RNSD, 5 bar BBS rims, phat-noise
MP3 player, etc...Now I think I'm Stuck with this Audi. A little devil still makes me admire the 2006 audi A8. But before I get to
the A8, I'm wondering if I Should I simply maintain this car to a near perfect or simply loose it at $6000 worth in trade-in? I
have looked into extended warranties, but they are all avoiding the major failing parts. what should one do?
Roco
Medford, MA.

 

Better sell it quick if you don't replace that timing belt, or you will be really screwed.

 

To Rolandz - Dude, what do you expect trading a car in? BlueBook is much higher. than that. Hell, you could list it on Ebay, have a guaraunteed sale in 1 week, and get more for it than that. Dealer is ALWAYS going to give you the absolute lowest price for a trade in that they can get away with. Just my 2Cs.
And to Born, My sympathies. I just got mine, an 03 2.7t, and while it is a great car, it is a potential moneypit. And it does seem that cars always have some muysterious and expensive fault right after leaving the mechanics... But hey, my prior car was a 91 Alfa Romeo 164s. Talk about a mechanics dream. Good luck, get these guys the codes and they will help you out!

 

are u guys talking bout the codes obtained from connecting vag to computer? if so, the mechanic told me the check engine light was due to some 2nd air intake or something like that??!! ill get back to u guys with that one!
now i mentioned that this same mechanic changed my ps pump and replaced broken cv boots on both sides. he also told warned me i needed tie rods ( ends ) asap.
well now im noticing when i drive and go to make turns, the steering wheel feels really tight to the point i almost have to use 2 hands damn near. no power steering screeching noise though, just tighter than usual steering epsecially during turn. also, on straight driving, feel pulling to right side. tie rod issues???

 

Guys -

You upgrade from any 2001 to a 2006 car, you will have fewer problems. The newer the car, usually the fewer the maintenance headaches. That's why people lease and dump after 2-3 years. You buy a used car, you are buying some level of problems and needed maintenance because the previous owner did not want to be bothered. So one BIG LESSON here is to have the car inspected, regardless of aftermarket warranty, and negotiate down based on what you find.

Final comment, IMHO I'd spend $1000-2000 per year to maintain and occasionally repair a fine car that I enjoy driving,rather than pay $300-600/mo to the bank.