Questions about 2006 A6 3.2
#1
09-28-2009, 01:56 PM
Questions about 2006 A6 3.2
I am considering purchasing an A6 3.2 Quattro for my wife to replace our Sequoia (also considering an Acura TL) and I had a few basic questions. I know the Quattro is a big advantage over the TL but we live in the South, so weather is not a concern. I just want the Quattro because I DON'T want the CVT. Anyway, here are a few questions I had:
1. How easy is the 3.2 to work on (coming from BMW & Volvo's, I am using to doing all of my own work....exception would be electrical). It appears very straight forward but I just wanted to be sure.
2. What kind of gas mileage would I expect with the Quattro? 50/50 hwy & city with a light foot. Would the non-Quattro be much different?
3. Any certain things to be aware of or watch out for in a 2006?
4. Is there a sticky or link somewhere for routine maintenance schedules?
I have always loved Audi's but have been steered away by bad stories (same with VW). However, I recently purchased a 09 VW TDI and I couldn't be happier. I prefer the Audi driving experience to the TL but my wife likes the TL slightly more because of "predicted" reliability/operating cost.
Thanks for the help!
1. How easy is the 3.2 to work on (coming from BMW & Volvo's, I am using to doing all of my own work....exception would be electrical). It appears very straight forward but I just wanted to be sure.
2. What kind of gas mileage would I expect with the Quattro? 50/50 hwy & city with a light foot. Would the non-Quattro be much different?
3. Any certain things to be aware of or watch out for in a 2006?
4. Is there a sticky or link somewhere for routine maintenance schedules?
I have always loved Audi's but have been steered away by bad stories (same with VW). However, I recently purchased a 09 VW TDI and I couldn't be happier. I prefer the Audi driving experience to the TL but my wife likes the TL slightly more because of "predicted" reliability/operating cost.
Thanks for the help!
#2
09-28-2009, 10:11 PM
i have a 3.2 quatt. 2006... as for working on it... pretty str8* forward... changing the filter was a job and a half though... not exactly user friendly but its not rocket science either. there are little performance mods if you are looking that route.... now a days i put about 10 gallons of gas a week and that lasts me about 280 miles.... so thats what 28mpg observed? thats with a K&N drop in cone filter and i flush my fuel system every 10 tanks of gas... i just use a simple injector and fuel cleaner... prestone 0-60 works best i find.... maint sched can be given to you by the dealer... only prob i had was front wheel bearings had to be changed at 35k but that was a freak prob... the car runs like a beast (for a big car) and handles like a dream... mom has a mercedez and bro has a beemer and their overall opinions are that they both prefer to drive my car over their own... its more luxurious than a beemer but not as performance orientated and its not as luxurious as a mercedez but better performance... its the best of both worlds with better handling ... i think she and you will enjoy it greatly
#3
09-29-2009, 07:56 AM
The gas mileage was a big concern for us (coming from a Sequoia), so 28 would be great. I just didn't want 22 consistent, since the reason for switching vehicles was fuel savings over many years. I'm not one to get real caught about gas but we really need decent mileage due to mileage driven. Sounds like a solid vehicle that should be fairly easy to manage. I will be changing the oil as well, so hopefully it will not be too confusing.
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for the input!
#4
09-29-2009, 05:58 PM
I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new four and a half years ago. She currently has 62k 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.
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 54 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.
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 54 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 $1,000 just for the fluid, not including labor. Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service and the 75,000 mile service are the "major" services for the car. If money is an issue, you may want to look for a car that is cheaper to "maintain". Regardless of your decision, you will enjoy driving an Audi, but you may not enjoy the maintenance. Good luck.
Kevin
#5
09-30-2009, 10:49 PM
i got my, 1999 2.8 V6.
got about 140k already. Only problems like others:
Passenger side window plastic guides (fixed b m self - cost me 24$)
LCD display - dead pixels (fixed b m self - cost me 100$)
Cruise control - stop working (fixed b m self - cost me 0 $)
I',m very happy with audi.
got about 140k already. Only problems like others:
Passenger side window plastic guides (fixed b m self - cost me 24$)
LCD display - dead pixels (fixed b m self - cost me 100$)
Cruise control - stop working (fixed b m self - cost me 0 $)
I',m very happy with audi.
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