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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 652 of 692

#6511 of 6920 Need help with purchase by ecnirp

Oct 31, 2006 (10:05 pm)

I'm looking at a 2004 A6 4.2. I think the car looks and drives great. It has about 30K miles on it. However, I know nothing about Audi's. Can someone tell me if Audi's are reliable/prone to breakdown. Is normal maintenance expensive? How does the quality compare to Toyota/Honda? Would I need to take it to an Audi dealership for repairs or can a local shop do some of the regular work? (Dealership is about 30 miles from house - different direction than work.)
 
I have only owned Japanese cars in the past but would like to move up to something more fun. Any help or direction to other websites would be appreciated. Thanks.

#6512 of 6920 Re: Need help with purchase [ecnirp] by liferules

Oct 31, 2006 (10:37 pm)

Replying to: ecnirp (Oct 31, 2006 10:05 pm)
ecnirp,
 
No, Audi's aren't as reliable as Toyota or Honda. I suggest you read up on them more before purchasing one. I would always take a car to the dealership for regular work while under warranty (which yours would be). The car is quattro and regular "shops" forget that sometimes, causing problems even with such simple things as the annual inspection.
 
The A6 is a great car and very fun but definitely less reliable. It is by far the best interior of all the auto industry and the engine (the 4.2) is incredibly powerful and fun to drive.
 
Good luck with your decision...

#6513 of 6920 RE: 2003 A6 AWD 3.0- CERTIFIED by tonyev1

Nov 01, 2006 (5:16 pm)

i live in northern n.j. and presently dealing with 2 dealers for this vehicle. they both have the exact color and options i want. asking 23,000(both). over the phone, i have negotiated down to 22,000(BOTH). EDMUNDS TMV DEALER RETAIL IS 22,545 AND 24,836 CERTIFIED. KBB IS APPROX. 2000 MORE. PLANNING ON VISITING BOTH IN 3 DAYS. WHAT SHOULD BE MY GOAL? NO TRADE-IN, NO FINANCING, ALL CASH. OH YEAH- MILEAGE IS 27700 AT ONE, 29300 THE OTHER.

#6514 of 6920 RE: 2003 A6 AWD 3.0- CERTIFIED [tonyev1] by tayl0rd

Nov 02, 2006 (6:05 am)

Replying to: tonyev1 (Nov 01, 2006 5:16 pm)
If everything is identical, go with the one with fewer miles. Just watch out of backend dealer "fees."

#6515 of 6920 Re: Need help with purchase [ecnirp] by markcincinnati

Nov 02, 2006 (6:48 am)

Replying to: ecnirp (Oct 31, 2006 10:05 pm)
This Audi, I'd bet can be had as a major bargain. The engine in it sounds sweet -- especially when you go deep on the accelerator.
 
The reliability by the time the 2004's had come about (in the C5's history) should not be an issue.
 
With 30K miles on it, it has 20K of the Audi advantage left, is eligble for the 100K Certified Pre-owned designation and there are also Audi brand service/warranties that can essentially ward off virtually any big, breathtaking expense. At least, if this can be had as a value -- make certain it is CPO'd.
 
I had three of the C5 line A6's and one allroad (a 2003.)
 
The areas in both my 2000 and 2001 A6 4.2's that were problematic = 1. But, that 1 was a pain. The brake rotors were warp prone. On my 2000 + 2001 combined, I went through 9 sets of front rotors (including the set that came from the factory) and 4 sets of rear rotors. I tend to have short term leases and the combined mileage on both cars was probably no more than 75,000 miles or so.
 
My 2003 allroad (essentially an A6) went 46K miles with the most significant problem being with On*star and that was from DAY ONE of ownership and it lasted 11 days while a new On*star system was put in only to find the wires connecting On*star and the navi system were crossed at the factory.
 
Otherwise, nothing of any great consequence other than maintenance and everything was covered in any case.
 
The 5 speed tiptronic transmission coupled with the V8 makes for very lively driving events, but the tip was noted as having what is called "tip" lag or manumatic lag. This is a fuel saving program in my opinion that makes the transmission hell bent to upshift a bit before you might were you driving a stick and delay downshifting until you reach a full stop. I was able, once I was trained by it (not the other way around) to use the wonderful engine with its great torque without worry.
 
The fit and finish of the C5's especially by 2004 was Audi at its best -- even my 2000 A6 4.2 was a high quality piece in that regard.
 
If your number one criteria is reliability, there are no European or American cars that I know of that can better some of the best Japanese cars.
 
I know of no Japanese cars from 2004 that will be more rewarding to drive than the C5 A6 4.2, especially if the A6 has the upgraded factory wheels and/or the sport package, however.
 
With 30K miles and the pre gen body style, the off MSRP cost of this should make this a very attractive car. Just get the CPO if for some nutty reason it is not thusly certified already.
 
One other thing, the OEM tires, if it still has them will need to be replaced before you drive it off the lot. My A6 4.2's both came with summer only UHP tires, which are sticky but not great for high mileage expectations.
 
I ultimately switched to UHP all seasons, but I live in Cincinnati which has very little snow and what snow it has rare sticks for more than a day.

#6516 of 6920 RE: 2003 A6 AWD 3.0- CERTIFIED [tayl0rd] by tonyev1

Nov 02, 2006 (9:58 am)

Replying to: tayl0rd (Nov 02, 2006 6:05 am)
reply to message #6514: thanks for your comment. but how low should i go on my cash offer???

#6517 of 6920 RE: 2003 A6 AWD 3.0- CERTIFIED [tonyev1] by sfcharlie

Nov 02, 2006 (11:02 am)

Replying to: tonyev1 (Nov 01, 2006 5:16 pm)
Tony,
 
Given what you've negotiated and givne the figures you supplied from Edmunds and kbb, I'd feel I was getting a good deal if I could get the lower mileage one for $22,000 as CPO. I'd try to get that.
 
Charlie

#6518 of 6920 Help by hiddentigerz

Nov 15, 2006 (10:34 pm)

Hi
I dont if this is tha right place to post but im posting it anyways, sorry for any inconvince.
 
I am think about buy a 1999 audi A6 and i jus read alot of reviews that says this car has a lot of problems and its been recalled about 8 times so i was wonder if theres and 1999 audi A6 owners out there can they help? i really like tha car but i dont want to spend more money later on tha car.
 
http://signaturemotor.com/showDetail.php?task=detail&id=874 this is tha car im lookin at.
 
thank you

#6519 of 6920 Re: Help [hiddentigerz] by markcincinnati

Nov 16, 2006 (9:47 am)

Replying to: hiddentigerz (Nov 15, 2006 10:34 pm)
It would be less money to buy a new Audi than risk this one.
 
Well, that is the first thing that came to my mind -- but perhaps it would be prudent to pay for a complete inspection of the car and a look see at its service records if they are to be had.
 
If the inspection -- which won't be free -- comes up with acceptable estimated costs to fix and/or maintain and the buy price and overal terms are in line with your expectations, I would think you would be ok.
Good luck.

#6520 of 6920 Re: Help [hiddentigerz] by buffndm

Nov 20, 2006 (11:24 pm)

Replying to: hiddentigerz (Nov 15, 2006 10:34 pm)
I owned a 1999 A6 for 7 years and just sold it last July when I bought a new 2006. I bought a new one because I like the A6 and was offered a deal I couldn't refuse. Having said that, I think you are taking a large risk to buy the car without a warranty. You say "I don't want to spend money later on the car". There is a pretty good chance you will be spending money, maybe a lot of money, later on the car.

Messages Page 652 of 692

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