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Audi A6

6920 messages,  Last post on Dec 26, 2012 at 7:05 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A6, Sedan

Messages Page 289 of 693

#2872 of 6920 Just purchased a 1998 Audi A6 by jerij79

Jun 20, 2002 (9:02 am)

Hello,
 
I have recently purchased a 1998 Audi A6 with 69k from an individual. My husband and I were highly impressed with the performance as well as the luxury accessories. After driving the car for only a week I have started to notice that when placed in reverse it tends to "jump" a bit. The jumping feels like when a person is about to "pop the clutch" in a standard transmission vehicle. I have noticed a couple of concerns previously posted in regard to the throttle. Do you think this could possibly be where the "jump" is coming from? Also, the owners manual mentions something about hooking your cell phone to the radio. Does anyone know what exactly I need to do to have this function work properly? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Jeri in Little Rock

#2873 of 6920 Phone Radio by markcincinnati

Jun 20, 2002 (10:53 am)

This (installation of a digital non-Audi phone) is covered in great detail on AudiWorld.Com -- pictures, diagrams, etc.
 
Or, you can go to your Audi dealer and have one that was meant for the car installed.
 
For some this is NOT an option due to their carrier -- the phone a 3watt analog phone, works great and has virtually NO dropouts. I will miss mine when my 2003 Audi with the digital phone comes in.
 
My analog phone wired into the stereo system and controlled by the steering wheel toggle switches has been bullet proof, safe and has excellent sound quality.
 
Again -- it is ANALOG -- which fundamentally means, yesterday.

#2874 of 6920 Jeri's Tranny & The New A6 by timcar

Jun 20, 2002 (5:25 pm)

Jeri, what you're describing sounds almost like the when the idle was turned up too high. But that's acient history, and the Tip software controls many things including, I suspect, optimized throttle for engaging a gear. It doesn't sound like any throttle issue. Don't know if you had an Audi technician check out the car before you bought it, but you might want one to take a look at the tranny, just to be sure that there's not some simple maintenance that's required.
 
You might also want to investigate if it's still possible to purchase an extended warranty for the car. Don't know if you can do, or if so, that's it worth it, but you might want to check.
 
Someone on AW reported their dealer told them that next year is the year for an all new A6. Said he saw one on a trip to Germany, and it really looked good. I credit this, as it what I've guessed as the likely date for introducing a new product.

#2875 of 6920 Dumping and Stuff by mpyles1

Jun 21, 2002 (9:59 pm)

The A8 is such low volume that I doubt if selling it at a loss would seriously derail its profitability picture.
 
Regarding the comment about dumping laws . . . I'm no legal expert in this arena, but if dumping laws are constructed similarly to antitrust laws, Audi could probably sell a single model at a loss without running afoul of the law, since a niche model sold at a loss is not likely to unseat a competitor. It would be another matter if they did so across broad product lines (and that assuming dumping law even apply to automobiles, which I don't know).
 
Anyway, I cannot even guarantee the veracity of the information that the A8 sells here at a loss. As I stated, my source was a person in one of my company's businesses that supplies the auto industry.

#2876 of 6920 Don't hold onto the A6 2.8 by cooper18

Jun 22, 2002 (9:45 pm)

In the last three months I have spent $1700 on repairs..brakes - the rotor are good for one set of pads! Water pump $650...and the $900 oil leak is being saved for the next owner of this car...it's going off lease and has been off warranty for 5000 miles. so for those of you who haven't had a problem with the A6...I was there once too...I am now finding out they have longevity equivalent to a fruit fly

#2877 of 6920 r.e Don't hold onto A6 2.8 by theremin

Jun 23, 2002 (12:46 am)

I'm coming to the end of my 3-yr lease on a '99 A6 2.8 and I've hardly had any troubles at all. I've got 41K miles on it & have had a couple of minor electrical glitches along the way (window etc), and had the brake pads replaced at around 35K (all free of charge). Sorry to hear about the problems you've had--I don't know how many miles you've got on the car--maybe mine's about to 'hit the wall', I don't know. But based on the my first 3 yrs, I'm seriously considering getting another one.

#2878 of 6920 My first trip to Switzerland (and what that has to do with Audi's, etc.). . by markcincinnati

Jun 23, 2002 (8:03 am)

A few years ago, being what I then thought was a fairly seasoned traveler, I mentioned to my very well seasoned traveled cousin that my wife and I were going to Zurich for a vacation. Up to that point, Italy was the most expensive country I had ever been to. My cousin's words still ring in my ears -- "Mark, if you think Italy is expensive, well Switzerland is BREATHTAKINGLY expensive." He was, of course, right. However, except for the Czech Republic and Poland, everywhere in Europe seems expensive to us Ohioans.
 
What does this have to do with Audi's, A6's or otherwise you might ask? Two things: #1 "if you think Audi's are expensive to maintain and repair after 4 years or 50,000 miles, well BMW's Mercedes, Jaguars and Volvos, etc. are BREATHTAKINGLY expensive;" and, #2 having personal experience with two dozen Audis and friends, relatives and co-workers who among and between them have probably had at least another two dozen, you may want to consider extended warrantees (scratch that may, make it "must consider") or you may come to the conclusion that it is "less expensive" to, in effect, "dollar cost average" your transportation expenses and NEVER keep one of these fine European cars beyond 50,000 miles and always make lease payments -- there will be no surprises and predictable costs that way. Now of course thing #2 assumes that you will drive equal to or less than 16,666 miles per year.
 
If you drive more than that, you must consider extended maintenance/warranty agreements and you should probably pay cash for the car, unless you can get zero or low interest rates.
 
I have enjoyed, thoroughly enjoyed, virtually every new Audi I have had more than the one that it replaced. They each, however, have had both maintenance and repair needs that would have been BREATHTAKINGLY expensive without the protection of the Audi advantage or my extended warranty.
 
Audi's, BMW's and the rest of the high end, high or higher buck European cars are, in my opinion, generally more expensive to acquire used than lease new (within the 4 year old parameter, that is). I believe -- and the ancedotal evidence on this board often supports this notion -- that one could lease a 2002 A6 for 36 months for less money than one could buy and maintain a 1998 A6. And, the 2002 A6 will be the more pleasurable and reliable (and safe) acquisition.
 
I do not make enough money to afford used European cars.
 
Just a thought. . . .

#2879 of 6920 A6 4.2 repairs by marleybarr

Jun 24, 2002 (6:31 am)

Mark,
      From your reports on this forum, it sounds like you have enjoyed your A6 4.2 Audi. However, had the vehicle not been under warranty, it would be very interesting to see what the "net" repair charges would have been to finally solve your brake problem?
     I have calculated $1500 in repair charges (if the vehicle was out of warranty) on my 2.7T over the last 2 years and 33,000 miles. Nothing major, but like you said, these cars do cost a fortune to maintain.
     The Audi dealer must have an unbelievable overhead to maintain, obviously the customer has to pay for all that!
     I would not hesitate to buy a 3 year old Audi w/50,000 miles from someone like you that has fixed all the "glitches" under warranty. This should be a relatively trouble free vehicle for the next 50,000 miles at a discounted (used car) price for a vehicle that is almost like new! The trouble is that it is almost impossible to find a used Audi (for sale) at the right time from a dedicated enthusiast like yourself!

#2880 of 6920 Repair Costs and Warranty and New vs Used, etc. by markcincinnati

Jun 24, 2002 (7:54 am)

Let's see, what parts have been replace on my A6 4.2 -- I am currently on my 3rd or 4th set of front rotors, 2nd set of rear rotors, one power window motor and one entire power steering column. Also, I have had three entire sets of pads for the brakes (all four wheels). Also the blower motor in the climate control system was replaced (it squealed in the winter).
 
I think the steering column was around $1,400 -- the "customer price" of the Audi rotors, beats me, as do the "retail" costs of the other items -- I also have a set (the one that is on it now) of aftermarket front rotors (cross drilled) that Audi paid for. By the way, I do not think that the repairs, etc, that I have had (excluding the brake rotors) are particularly out of line (compared with my friends who have a variety of European cars).
 
I have always been loaned cars during repairs. I have not been horribly inconvenienced. Both the dealer and AoA have been terrific. I really like my A6 4.2. And, our experiences with our Audis (including with my rotors) has in no way diminished our loyalty to the brand and enthusiasm for the cars. As you may know, both my wife and I have ordered 2003 Audis -- she has ordered a 225HP TT coupe and I have ordered an allroad (6spd). She has four months left on her lease, which is just about right. I have ten months left on mine, and will probably "bail out" around 4 or 5 months early (hoping my allroad with an October build date will be here in December or January).
 
My point is (and I hope always has been) that Audis are mechanical devices, therefore imperfect. Yet, I think they are the "biggest bang for the buck" in the near (sporty) luxury and (sporty) luxury class. And, I think they are incredible cars to drive -- and even though others also do all wheel drive, I think Audi does AWD better than anyone (and that is a signifcant selling point for me -- AWD, i.e.). Nevertheless, I do think they are very expensive to repair out of warranty. However, I would also say that they are NOT more expensive to maintain than BMW's, Mercedes, etc, in fact, I think they are less expensive to fix and maintain out of warranty than other European brands (perhaps excluding VW which, after all, is very similar.)
 
But, without a warranty, I believe that "buying and maintaining" a three or four year old Audi is equal to or more expensive than leasing a brand new one every 30 - 36 months. Now, if you do buy a "used" Audi A6 4.2 with under 50,000 miles on it AND buy either an Audi or aftermarket warranty, wel l. . . you may beat the odds.
 
It just seems to me that a new Audi that leases for $500-$750+ a month (for 36 months) and is driven 16,666 miles per year (or less) will cost less than a used (3 or 4 year old) Audi that is purchased and maintained (and repaired) for the same period of time.
 
I thought I had beaten the odds, in 1987, when I bought a "new" (used, really) 5000 CS turbo quattro with just over 20,000 miles on it. My costs were just about the same as if I had leased a new 1989 or 1990 model (also turbo quattro) -- and when I sold the car, it had depreciated so much that I actually felt I could have put the money to better use.
 
Now, a friend of mine always buys young used cars and he swears it is less expensive than leasing a new car every 30 - 36 months (which is what I do). He usually does this with American cars -- I can't seem to make it work with German cars (Audis). And my friend's who have tried it with Volvos, Saabs, BMW's and Mercedes seem to end up leasing new ones rather than buying and maintaining "slightly" used ones.
 
The maintenance is just a killer -- and when something really breaks, well it is time for a second mortgage -- I would "prefer" a "permanent" lease payment and no surprises, which has been my "mode" since 1977.
 
To each his/her own as my mother says. . .

#2881 of 6920 Blowout & Roadside Assistance by nyccarguy

Jun 24, 2002 (9:06 am)

My Mother apparently had 2 nails in one of her tires on her A6 3.0Q which caused her to have a blowout. She was going rather slow on a road with some traffic and was able to pull over immediately. She whipped out the owner's manual from the glove compartment and called Audi's Roadside Assistance. At first they told her that her car wasn't registered in the computer. She had to go through much of this information over the phone with them. They came 1.5 hours later (a bit long for Friday at 11:00AM) and changed her tire with the convenient 5th wheel and full size spare (All cars should have this). She drove the car to the Audi dealer to get a replacement tire. They don't stock the Dunlops (not sure of the model) that came standard on My Mom's car. She ended up going to our local tire shop to get the new tire mounted & balanced.

Messages Page 289 of 693

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