In your own informed opinion, which car is more reliable?
2004 VW Passat 4motion W8 AWD Manual trans 120k miles

2001 Audi A6 quattro 2.7 manual trans 120k miles

 

Well, I can say this. The 2.7T will have turbo issues in the next ~30k, and will also have timing belt issues. The W8 does not have turbos, and has timing chains, a much better setup. The Passat is newer, and has the same chassis and AWD system. Both have tie rods/control arm issues, but by 120K, they either need it, or have been fixed. Over all, I would say the W8 is the better car. I have not heard of any issues with that engine. The only bad thing, and it is big, is that there werent many W8s around. It was only offered in the Passat for a couple of years, where as the 2.7T has been around since 1998, and was offered in multiple vehicals. There are tons of parts avaible for the 2.7, OEM and aftermarket. I dont know what can be said for parts selection on a W8. Relaible, the W8 gets it, but easy to fix, the 2.7T. And remember, both will be insanely expensive to fix!

 

thanks for the input it is very much apreciated

I go to pick a car up in the coming days. I'm a DIYer so 90% of my work is done by myself.

 

the 2.7 been around since 98???? i thought it was like 00 or 01 to 04 most 98 99 a6s i see are 2.8

 

Im pretty sure the B5 S4 came out in 98 in Europe. I may be wrong though. Im just saying its been out for a long time now, and I think W8s were only in 03 and 04 passats.
It was for sure no later than 00...

 

But when the W8's fall on their faces it's big-time....they have head gasket issues and the way they are stuffed into the engine bays.....big BIG dollars...

 

Since when does the 2.7T have timing belt issues? It's a standard replacement item, not a problem. Same with the turbos. Keep up with your oil changes, don't lead foot the accelerator when cold, and you will have zero problems. All of my turbo Audis have been bullet proof. It just takes proper maintenance.

 

W8s are very problematic and hard to work on....thats why they stopped putting them in passats(the big price tag didnt help either). You will be better off with a 2.7t, lots of people are knowledgeable about them and parts are easy to find. We did an alternator in the W8 at our shop and the part alone was $600, a water cooled alternator, and what a pain in the ***.

 

I was reading last night, cam adjusters=big bucks!!!(on the w8) If you look at a blow up of that design it looks crazy. Kinda like the 10# of **** in a 5#bag.

BR

 

"10# of **** in a 5#bag."

Wasnt that the whole idea behind the W8 engine?? LOL