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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

#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.

#2882 of 6920 A6- 4.2 repairs.... by marleybarr

Jun 25, 2002 (4:43 am)

Mark,
     AOA has really treated you well! I checked on those cross-drilled front rotors on the A6 4.2- $750 each!!!! From what you have mentioned, it sounds like atleast $5000 for parts/installation charges on that car.
    I like your idea of the "perpetual" lease. A new Audi every 3 years or so covered by warranty. For those of us that are self-employed, this really makes sense from a tax point of view. Once Audi comes out with 6 speed tip and brings back a "clone" of the S4, w2.7T engine or something close, I will join the lease "club" once again.

#2883 of 6920 Marleybarr. . . by markcincinnati

Jun 25, 2002 (11:02 am)

Yes I agree with your tax statement. I have owned my company for 18+ years . . . however, I do not lease my car in my company's name, FYI.
 
But, regardless of the tax situation, a permanent lease payment and always driving a new or nearly new car with a known fixed cost structure, makes sense.
 
As the CPA's say, buy what appreciates (real estate), and rent everything else (cars).
 
My accountant says leasing or paying cash is the only "prudent" use of funds when it comes to cars (and no, I do not think this is a universally applicable truth, but "it works for me!")

#2884 of 6920 Leasing Audis.... by marleybarr

Jun 25, 2002 (1:59 pm)

Mark,
      For insurance reasons, putting the Audi in your name instead of the Co.'s name is the way to go. I have saved 20% on premiums by using this procedure!
    I'm assuming that Audi will be unveiling an S4 type, w/o some of the "cladding" and summer wheels /tires that will be driveable 'year round w/o much hassle. Kind of like what they have done w/A6 4.2- using all-season tires/wheels as stock equipment on the'02 model.

#2885 of 6920 tire and wheel question by amarchan

Jun 27, 2002 (5:34 am)

I recently replaced the stock springs with Audi sports springs in my '01 2.7T. Since new, there was a slight shimmy at 60-65 MPH which I had attributed to the soft springs, but it's still present now. Even when new the passenger seat back would vibrate at highway speeds in the smoothest of roads. The vibration starts at 60-65 MPH and it either goes away or is less noticeable over 75MPH. I've had the tires balanced and rebalanced by the local Audi dealership, and they assure me the tires (stock Conti's) and wheels are perfectly round. Alignment has also been checked twice. Tire pressure is the same all around (35psi cold). Has anyone had any experience with out-of-round stock A6 2.7T wheels? Bad Continentals that still balance? If it is a bad wheel (or wheels), should the vibration get worse or better as speed increases? The car rides perfectly smooth at 50MPH. I'm puzzled. I tend to think it has to do with the tires, but I'd hate to go through the expense of replacing the tires and end up at square one. Any ideas?

#2886 of 6920 2.7T tire question... by marleybarr

Jun 27, 2002 (7:52 am)

I've had the same tire"shimmy" problem at about 65 mph . I have found by increasing tire pressure to 41 psi (cold) the problem seems to diminish. The 2.7T seems to ride and handle much better (w/stock Conti's) at 40-41 psi. I have also noticed about +1 mpg dif at this psi over time.

#2887 of 6920 Not an expert, but. . . by markcincinnati

Jun 27, 2002 (2:12 pm)

Please be careful about over inflation -- check with dealer, tire dealer, etc.
 
I too overinflate, but I keep it to 110% of what the manual says. 41 seems a bit high.

Messages Page 289 of 693

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