Audi A6

dwpc

The Passat is based on the Audi A4 chassis. The A6 is a totally different vehicle sharing some components with both the A4 and Passat. Drive each for an hour and the many differences in handling, comfort and feel will be crystal clear. Kind of like comparing a Camry with a Lexus...they share many components too.

drew_

lostwages

I have never owned an Audi (currently a Volvo 960 and a BMW M Roadster) but I am considering an A6 2.8 Quattro ('97-'00). I would like any and all info. regarding the differences between these model years and the pros and cons to each year. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

bocajay0427

A question for all A6 owners, I just bought an A6 2.8 and love it, but one thing that I have found a little concerning is that it seems like there is a lot of wind noise in the cabin even with the windows up, is this common for the A6?

moimeme

It doesn't increase very much at higher speeds, though. It's a combination of the outside rear view mirrors, the shape of the car, plus the quietness of the engine/drivetrain.

I drove an STS for a while (Avis gave me a brand new rental with 14 miles on it...upgrade from a Geo Metro!). It was so quiet that the road noise and wind noise drove me nuts. A little bit of NVH (noise and vibration) can be a good thing.

Best thing to do is check that all your seals are intact (around the windows) and put on very low background music.

aerolus

I am in the process of buying a car, about 2-3 yr old. I have looked at Audi A6, Acura 3.2TLs and Infiniti I30.

The A6's I test drove have about 50K miles on them. I intend to keep this car for a long time and I put on 8o miles a day travelling to work and back. I have heard that Audi's are expensive to maintain - just curious to find out what this group thinks about that and also how well does it hold up with over 100K miles ?

Thanks

timcar

My 2.7T only has about 8500 miles, so I don't have any first-hand experience, but I've read a lot of posts by those who have. The A6 is likely to be durable, and last a long time. It's also expensive to maintain out of warranty. I had a '92 Legend and it was expensive too. No experience with Infinity.

I've read of new trannys for an A6 running toward $10K. That's not an expense I'd like to absorb. So, I'd investigate the price for buying a good long term maintenance warranty from a third party prior to deciding on the car.

IMHO, the A6 is in a different class from either the I30 or TL. It's a lot more car. They're compared because of price points.

thor8

Thanks for the information. I took a look at the A6 and I was impressed, very nice car, the only problem is that we looked at the A8 too, is a magnificent sedan. Time to do some seriuos thinking.

varig

Can anyone tell me the difference between quattro and 4Matic. Any "real-world" superiority of one over the other.

lintoronto

I presently own a 1995 legend which has a market value of about $18,000. I am considering an A6 but am somewhat torn between the merits of buying versus leasing. I drive only about 10,000 miles a year; however, I would really like to own a very comfortable and reliable car for highway driving mostly. I would welcome whatever feedback that Town Hall members wish to offer. Thanks in advance and good luck to all.

mmcbride1

I could be wrong, but I think they are the same, just different names. Mark may be able to shed more light on it, though.

timcar

If you plan on keeping your car for four years or less, or use it mainly for business, leasing is probably a good idea. In that situation, it would work out best if you sold your Legend privatly, and then did a lease deal independently. Audi Financial is having some great lease deals on left over '01 A6's. (New model will be out in next couple months.) '02's will have some significant improvements, but won't come as cheap, or have the same lease deals. Your choice. IMHO, if you want to keep your car longer than about 4 years, you probably want to buy it. In this case, I would still sell the Legend privatly, and either invest the cash, or use it as a down payment if the dealer will allow that much cash. Remember to also explore third party financing in additon to Audi Financial. Credit Unions, if you have access to one, can be a good source of financing. If you plan on keeping your car beyond the warranty, you might wish to explore a third party extended warranty.

I had a '92 Legend, and have an '01 A6 2.7T. I also had a Lexus ES300. As good as the Legend was, the A6 is SO much more enjoyable to drive than either Japanese car. You didn't mention if you'd test driven an A6. IMO, the first step is to test drive EACH of the three A6 versions, 2.8, 2.7T & 4.2, and see if they give you a special feeling. (Keep in mind for '02, the 2.8 will become the 3.0 with about 10% more hp.) If so, which feels best? Because if they don't make you not want to stop driving, you might just want another Japanese car. Though of course, NO car will be better in the snow than an Audi with Quattro and ESP. IMO, A6's are reliable. But statistically, no makes surpass Lexus, Infinity and Acura for reliability. So unless you get something special from the A6, there are good model choices within each of those Japanese brands. If you do get a special feeling, I think you will find the trade-off between almost perfect reliability and driving pleasure to be well worth the sacrifice.

rapro

I also considered possibly buying a 98 A6. This crazy thought was with me until I got an extended warranty quote from 'warrantygold.com'. The quote for a 3 year/36,000 miles for an A6 quattro with 60,000 miles on it was 3,800 USD. For a comparison a similar quote (3/36,000) for a 95 Infiniti Q45 with 60,000 miles was 1,200 USD and Q is a better car, it is a class up on the A6, bigger, faster, probably handles better too. These quotes are not based on thin air, but massive data the company collects from its business. The cost reflects the projected component failure costs for the car excluding regular maintenance over the period. It seems that the downgrade of the car by Consumer Reports was rather justified. A beautiful car though...

radpk

From my experience, the extended warranty price for the A6 seems about right. My '99 A6 has been in the shop about 25 separate times in the past 2.5 years. I really like the car, especially the gorgeous interior, but reliability has been pretty much bottom of the barrel stuff. I don't know what you folk's experience has been but my local service dept has been crappy at best. The free scheduled maintenance has been great for I think maintenance cost on Audis are above average for the class. Over $300 for a wheel alignment(had to point out the fact this was covered under Audi Advantage although they wouldn't believe me even after I showed it to them in the warranty booklet). Lovely car and a great value but perhaps the manufacturing execution and the dealership infrastructure are not quite up to snuff yet. I personally would not buy another Audi unless I lived near a dealership with a great service dept.

lintoronto

Many thanks to Tim car, Rapro and Radpk for your comments re experience with and views on the A6. I have also heard from other sources that the Audio are lovely cars to drive but oftentimes quite unreliable and fairly expensive to maintain post warranty. I suppose it is a bit like the pretty woman..... nice to look at and embrace but can cause a lot of heartache.

r8754

I have a 2000 A6 4.2 without ESP. The early builds did not have ESP. Prior to the A6 I had a 328 with BOW's version of ESP. It kicked in twice in 27,000 miles when I started sliding in curves on a wet surface. I was amazed at how well it worked.

I have not done any sliding with the A6 yet. But, I feel it is better to have ESP than not have it. You can always turn it off.

allart

An audi wins here though, because as soon as you trade her in, you are relieved from any future payments...

speed14

I am looking at a 99 A6 2.8 with 20000 miles, can anyone tell me if the reliability of this vehicle will be good or bad. Should I buy 2001 Passat or 325Xi BMW instead? Thanks

jkendall

MarkCincinnati, Ralph owes you a coke! I called him this afternoon and we made a few changes of interior color on one he has scheduled for August production. Took just a few
minutes (almost forgot the cold package... I live in South Central Indiana). He sounds
like a great guy, and I'm excited to get an early production date. Thanks for all your posts. I've
spent days reading almost all the posts on this topic!

My last Audi was an '84 5000 which I kept two years and sold prior to the bruhaha of 60 minutes. It and the Jag XJ6 sedan were two of the best handling cars I've ever owned, besides the 911s (I'm too old and lazy for that anymore!). I drove a 2.8 A4 that belongs to a kid who was working for me six weeks ago, and just couldn't get it out of my mind!!

...Know anyone who would like an excellent '97 40th anniversary Land Cruiser??

jim

markcincinnati

Great, congrats -- what did you get?

A6 2.7T 2002 -- color, interior, transmission, sport package, wheels, etc etc etc???

Any clue on price or Audi Financial information??

Inquiring minds -- NEED to know.

lisampls

After much consideration and research (looked at A4's, 330xi BMW, Acura TL, Lexus ES 300 as well as Acura MDX and Lexus RX 300), I decided on a 2.7T Quattro w/ Preferred Luxury, Premium, and Cold Weather Packages and Bose upgrade (Casablanca White w/ Tungsten Gray Advance Interior.)
Couldn't go wrong with the end of the year financing on 2001's. The lease for this model is $499/mo and they waived the deposit and acquisition fees. I had to pay a bit more because I wanted 15,000/yr, so with that and the options, my lease is $580/mo. After comparing all the models above I found that with Audi's service/warranty plan, I will pretty much just be putting gas in the car for the next 39 months -everything else is covered!
After coming out of a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, I now see what all the fuss is about with German cars!
After only a few visits to the dealership, I am already seeing the truth to all the comments about great customer service as well.

jkendall

Mark, I got Amulet Red, I guess the same color of the TT now with heilbeige interior. I hope it's close to the Tornado red (Ralph said it's blood red... I didn't ask if it were oxygenated blood or venous blood!!). The interior, I hope is close to melange with the cabernet dash, etc, but I'll take what I can get. I got tip, premium package, preferred package, symphony (the new way to call am/fm/cd/tape). I didn't get Bose. I also got the sport pkg with 16" rims 'cause I just can't afford trips to dealers to get rims straightened, and South Central Indiana roads aren't great. I've had a 911 with a bent wheel, and it's difficult in the boondocks to get it fixed, plus, I would have a hard time doing without the toy in the meantime. I was very ambivalent about not getting the 17" wheels, and, I know it's a compromise, but later, if I just gotta have the 17" wheels, I can use the smaller ones for snow tires and/or swap them or something (it's funny how used wheels don't bring much!). Anyway, Ralph gave me what I believe to be an excellent price, and I'm pleased I'll be the first kid on my block with a new Audi. I called two dealers, one in Louisville, and one in Bloomington, IN, but they had to 'return' my call, so Ralph got the first chance, and I took it. I had shopped at Blue Grass in Louisville on 7/4, but they didn't think I was serious about buying a car and wanted to give me less than wholesale for my TLC, using the fact their SUV dealer was closed as an excuse for the lowball.

I did consider buying your 4.2, but the price was still high, I'm not crazy about green, I like the zip of the 2.7, and aluminum fenders make me nervous. Plus I wanted to be sure to get the newer, bigger brakes, ESP, and the other new things on the 01's and 02's.

I really appreciate your candor.

jim

jkendall

Mark, it'll be an August build, so I hope to get it by Thanksgiving.

The finance wasn't even discussed, but Blue Grass offered 2.9% for 36 months. I've always used credit unions before, but if I get a lower rate than CU's at Audi, I'll take it. Their money factor was .00077 on 7/4, so, my guess is they think most people lease, but I like the flexibility of owning. Of course the 2.9% was offset by the low trade-in allowance and nothing off the sticker price except maybe a $595 factory to dealer discount. NO deal.

I struggled thru the German site to see the color, and it's very hard to visualize the color, but I'll take what I can get. Took French 40 years ago and it's proved worthless!!

jk

judeolinger

I've been looking at various "entry level" luxury cars for a few months (I-30, ES300, 3.2TL) and haven't found anything that really turns me on. I recently drove an E320 that made my head spin but it's out of my price range. Then a friend turned me on to a great $399 lease deal ($1500 down, 36 months) on an Audi A6 2.8 Quattro. Drove one today and thought it was an excellent car for the price (not quite the MB E320). I really like the looks of the car (both interior and exterior). I especially like the interior roominess.

My primary concern about an Audi is reliability (I drive a Honda Accord) even though it's covered under warranty the whole time under lease. The other concern I had was that it didn't seem very zippy for a V-6.

Any comments on the lease deal, the reliability, or the power?

jkendall

judeo,

If you stay on top of the rpms, the 2.8 will surprise you. I've driven an A4 2.8 and it was a blast to drive. The lease deal sounds good, 'cause for less than 16k you can live the Audi experience for three years, not having to worry about paying for anything, and those drivers who had no problems most likely didn't or won't post.

I had an Audi in '84 and the warranty work was exceptional. I think better than the folks at Porsche. Audi even replaces windshield wiper blades free! I've had a Honda Accord Special Edition, and while reliable, it did break. While you should go into any deal with your eyes wide open, get what you want.

jim

judeolinger

jkendall,

I did notice that "staying on top of the RPMs" made a difference. Also, I had 4 adult passengers in the car on my test drive.

I didn't get into the warranty details but is it correct that Audi does all maintenance free while under warranty?

I really like the car and think I'll enjoy it more than the other Japanese models I was looking at.

Jude

jkendall

It has been years, but to the best of my knowledge, they change your oil and periodic service, and, of course, warranty work gratis for the life of the 4 year, 50k warranty. Others on this site have more current knowledge, but that's my understanding.

Of course, if you get ball point pen ink on the vanilla leather, they won't fix it free, but they do replace wiper blades, etc., which other manufacturers would say were wear items (you gotta buy your own tires, tho!!).
jk

moimeme

...and my A6 4.2 is fault-free, other than a problem or two introduced by the dealer during servicing. At first, I regretted my decision, but this car grows on you in leaps and bounds.

It was supposed to be my "weekend" car. Now, I can't imagine why I'd want to drive anything else...weekend, weekday, holiday, whatever. I make excuses to take the long way home.

All I can say to ANYONE who hasn't owned an A6 is "this is a MUST experience."

When I first got the car, I thought it was nothing too special, just an upscale weekend/special event car.

Now, I feel like I'm in the penalty box when I drive my other car, or one of my friends drives me around in their cars (some of which are WAY upscale). Take the long way home? I thought they were kidding, but YES! Raining outside? OH, #$%! I need to go for a DRIVE! Sunny outside? Aw man, I need to go for a DRIVE! Night time? I love to see that red glow...need to go for a #$&% DRIVE!

Have you ever seen an A6 glow and shimmer in the noon day sun? Or pulled into the gas station to hear someone say "Nice carrrrrrrrrr!" Or, double-tip-downshifted and blasted past an imaginary obstacle, exhilarated at the effortless power in your hands? Or taken a corner at an insane speed with just a chirp of the tires? Or felt relief from the Audi Lady guiding you to that distant appointment on time? Or been content to be stuck in traffic?

It's so hard to drive another car. Wud ain't wood. Don't forget you don't have Quattro or you might throw yourself off a hill. Don't count on Parktronic or you'll back into somebody. How primitive! Having to reach over to change the radio volume or CD track instead of using the steering wheel. The angle of the sun just changed...need to play with the A/C controls. Knowing that a lone airbag is there to protect you. Plus, Audi drivers look at you like you're crazy when you follow them around in a non-Audi.

Folks, it's not just a car; it's an experience. A Lexus is a really great car, but it doesn't have a "soul", if I can be so bold. The A6 impresses you with its personality in very unexpected ways. If the market were doing better, I'd have a TT roadster and an S8 parked out front.

For ANYONE who's on the fence about buying one of these things, do it. I can't speak well enough about the 4.2.

markcincinnati

Congratulations -- it sounds like you will have a great car -- I would have added the Nav pkg personally, but other than that -- sounds great. Amulet red is a knockout -- currently it is avail on the TT. I think the interior will be a little closer to "carmel" or ecru -- in that it will have a hint more "natural" color than the melange that I have (which BTW is a little hard to keep clean -- harder than the ecru on my 1997 A8 that is).

BTW -- all the evidence I have been able to uncover (including a call to Ralph) -- says that you do not have a choice on the wheels -- they are 17" ers. Ralph verified this when I brought it to his attention. Apparently, he did not have his detail fly sheet on the 2002 2.7T at the time he was talking with you.

Oh yes -- with all those goodies, I "might" have been tempted to go with the 6spd. manual transmission (and since I don't know what the differences are in the Bose, I might even have gone for that too). My 2001 4.2 has the tip and now after 10,000 miles on the odometer, I do like the tip a little better -- but they "loaned" me an A4 today with a 5spd manual (while my A6 is in for the 10,000 mile svc) and I do like the fun factor of the manual even at my "advanced" age (50). I can't wait for the 2003's to come out -- my wife is now 13 months into her 30 month lease and I am 8 months into my 30 month lease. She will be ordering a 2003 TT about this time next year. These Audis just keep getting better and better all the time.

markcincinnati

As some of you "old timers" to this forum know, I have had two A6 4.2's -- I liked the first one (a 2000) so much I traded it in on a 2001, with sport, nav, prem -- mainly for the ESP feature which was lacking on the 2000 (I had been to the Audi driving school in Seefeld, Austria and had become a believer in the technology).

I have had very few "issues" with my car (now at 10,000+ miles since December 2000):

#1 I hated the Pirelli P6000 tires that came with it, so much that about 3,000 miles ago I replaced them with Yokohama AVS db's in the same size as OE (255x40x17") -- this I would say is a personal preference but the car IMMEDIATELY became virtually road-noise free and I graduated from a summer only tire to an all-season Ultra High Performance tire, which in Cincinnati makes more sense (we have moderate winters, mostly sleet and some snow). Again, I would not fault Audi for this choice -- but I do think that when ordering a $56,000 car you should have the choice of tires (perhaps 4 or 5 choices would be sufficient).

#2 For all the ballyhoo about the NEW brakes, I still find myself "annoyed" by the apparent lack of durability of the rotors -- they were replaced (warped) about 3,000 miles ago (same time as the tires); now the dealer wants to replace the pads -- the brakes still have a hint of shimmy or shudder at speeds over 70mph. I admit to fast driving (mostly on "rural" interstates) but I deny hard or repeated braking -- I never get brake burning smell. Even Car and Driver and Autoweek caution about the brakes lack of fade resistance and the fact that they are warp prone. This problem is a ditto of my 2000 A6 4.2 (happily all covered by the Audi advantage, but still "annoying" for a car this expensive; and my wife's TT @ 18,000 miles has invulnerable brakes, or so it seems). This factor is not going to keep me from another Audi though -- no way!

#3 A/C - heating motor had to be replaced due to squealing at certain fan speeds -- I also do not consider this an issue, S*** happens and the Audi advantage to the rescue and coincidental with the 10K service, so I still give the car an overall "superior" rating -- no kidding, nothing even comes close to this experience.

Drive a 2.7T and/or a 4.2 -- and, while I do think they are different from each other in many ways, these cars are "cut from the same cloth" -- and a very fine cloth it is.