New to Audi - Advice for Pre-owned High Mileage Purchase
01-08-2017, 05:10 PM
#11
AudiWorld Senior Member
Dan, don't make Kevin re-live that -- may be too painful! In the end AGE is right in that it is a different engine so probably does not "translate" to car AGE is considering. Despite the fact that the 3.0T is reputed to be one of Audi's more reliable power plants, as we all know, north of 100K miles anything can happen. I don't think there are all that many A6s with 100K+ miles out there that we can pull data from.
AGE, I think best you can do is ask dealer for some ballpark numbers for major repairs which I believe you may have done already. Let me give you a "for example" since I know Acura very well (Generation III TLs -- 2004 through 2008 in particular). That car's weak points are generally very minor (engine mounts, front compliance bushings to name a couple) with one exception being the automatic transmission which if not properly cared for (read: fluid changes every 30K miles under normal operation per a Honda specified procedure). Since I've run a couple of these cars to 150,000 miles (and have one sitting in my driveway at the moment) I've inquired about cost of trans replacement should the old girl spit up her tranny. At dealer this is an approximately $4,000 extravaganza. I suggest you ask your Audi dealer what it would cost to replace the ZF 8 speed in the A6. I honestly have no idea but would not surprise me if the cost was double what it is for the old Acura. I'd also ask about the timing chain guide issue and what those might cost to replace if they go bad.
One thing I did when I took delivery of my A6 was to start putting $1,000 - $1,500 away each year in a little "repair" fund just in case I decided to keep the car outside of warranty. This way I have a nice amount of money allocated to repair/maintenance should it be needed. I figured if I did not keep the car much outside of warranty or if I did and didn't use the entire amount, I'd just put it toward the replacement vehicle. Just a thought for you (which you probably already thought of).
Again, good luck with your search.
Best,
Jeff
01-09-2017, 06:49 AM
#12
AudiWorld Senior Member
I have pasted in below an old post of mine from a couple of years ago setting forth the service history on the old gal. You will see what happened towards the end. Granted it was a C6, but it will give you an indication of what may happen when these cars age.
I am getting ready to end my 9 years with my beloved 05 A6 4.2. She currently has 139k on the odometer. In order to assist my fellow owners in understanding the potential maintenance and repair issues with these cars, I am posting most of my service records, including prices paid and what was covered under warranty. When I receive delivery information on my factory order 2015 A6 TDI I may post the 05 in the classifieds. She has had over $20,000 in repairs in the last 10,000 miles and is probably only worth $7,000 so she may be a steal for a forum member who is mechanically inclined. Of course my wife says I will never sell it. We will see. I have really enjoyed the forum. Thanks.
Miles Service
884 Miles Warranty
1) MMI hardware replaced
5,283 Miles Warranty
1) 5,000 mile service
10,152 Miles $126.53
1) Oil Change
14,775 Miles Warranty
1) 15,000 mile service
2) tighten front passenger seat
3) tighten air vent outlets
4) update airbag software
5) tighten dashboard
6) update MMI software
20,059 Miles $112.74
1) Oil Change
2) tighten dashboard
20,685 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced pollen filter door
2) Replace tire pressure sensor
3) Replace Mmi control ****
24,727 Miles Warranty
1) 25,000 mile service
2) tighten dashboard
3) replace windshield wiper blades
28,506 Miles $204.97
1) Brake fluid flush
2) Repair front passenger seat frame
3) Replace license plate light bulb
4) Update MMI software
5) Repair ski sack
6) oil change
28,620 Miles Warranty
1) Replace all 8 coil packs
2) Replace throttle control valve
29,806 Miles Warranty
1) replace fuel door cover
2) update airbag software
32,254 Miles Warranty
1) Replace front brake pads
2) clean HVAC drains
3) replace pollen filter
33,926 Miles Warranty
1) Replace rear brake pads
2) Replace fuel filter
3) Lube steering column
4) Tighten dashboard
5) 35,000 mile service
36,129 Miles Warranty
1) Update fuel gauge software
2) Replaced power steering hose clamp
36,739 Miles Warranty
1) Replace interior light in driver's footwell
37,715 Miles Warranty
1) Update airbag software
40,759 Miles Combination Warranty/$341.74
1) Transmission fluid flush
2) Replace fluids in differentials
3) oil change
44,754 Miles Warranty
1) Replace steering column
2) convert front brake pads
3) 45,000 mile service
49,419 Miles Warranty
1) Replace head cover gasket
2) Oil Change
50,283 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced rear sunshade motor
54,659 Miles combination warranty/$891.32
1) coolant system flush
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace fog lamp
4) replace trunk latch
5) 55,000 mile service
56,440 Miles combination warranty/$110.29
1) update ECU module
2) replace tire air pressure sensors
3) replace windshield wipers
60,168 Miles combination warranty/$241.49
1) oil change
2) brake fluid flush
3) replace rear seat air bag ignitor
61,040 Miles $1,186.67
1) replace front brake pads and rotors
2) replace rear brake pads and rotors
65,209 Miles combination warranty/$323.54
1) 65,000 mile service
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace parktronic speaker
65,635 Miles $435.50
1) replace thermostat
66,553 Miles $168.85
1) Replace light bar in front passenger door
66,848 Miles $268.20
1) Replace wood trim on driver's front door
69,020 Miles $123.55
1) Oil change
70,741 Miles $287.34
1) Replace rear right tail light assembly
2) Clear air bag codes
75,099 Miles $761.88
1) 75,000 mile service
75,762 Miles Warranty
1) replace center rear seat air bag sensor
2) replace rear seat bracket
80,187 Miles $1,223.61
1) oil change
2) flush transmission fluid
3) replace brake fluid
85,450 Miles $320.44
1) 85,000 mile service
2) update airbag software
87,879 Miles Warranty
1) replace rear seat air bag sensor connector
2) readapt tilt wheel steering column
90,746 Miles $826.97
1) oil change
2) replace oil pressure sensor
3) re-adapt steering column
4) replace rear brake pads and rotors
93,793 Miles combination warranty/$315.09
1) Replace steering column
2) replace front brake pads
95,964 Miles $720.33
1) 95,000 mile service
2) replace battery
100,600 Miles $1,529.52
1) oil change
2) replace all 8 coil packs
3) replace fuel filter
4) replace brake fluid
5) coolant flush
6) replace supplemental rear passenger air bag
103,924 Miles $1,191.74
1) 105,000 mile service
2) replace passenger tailight assembly
3) replace right side motor mount
110,515 Miles $2,277.12
1) oil change
2) replace all 4 upper and lower control arms and tie rod ends
3) replace both side sway bar links
115,704 Miles $861.73
1) 115,000 mile service
2) 4 wheel alignment
3) replaced left side license plate bulb
4) replaced passenger side running light
120,490 Miles $1,105.50
1) oil change
2) replace transmission fluid
3) replace differential fluids
124,683 Miles $2,303.08
1) 125,000 mile service
2) replaced front brake pads and rotors
3) replaced rear brake pads
4) replaced satellite radio module
5) replaced battery
127,496 Miles $552.87
1) replaced rear passenger window regulator
2) replace passenger sider amber light bulb
133,383 Miles $1,516.17
1) replace jet pump valve
2) replace engine temperature sensor
3) replace both radiator hoses
4) coolant flush
5) brake fluid flush
6) 135,000 mile service
133,600 Miles combination warranty?$502.96
1) replace right side combi valve
2) replace passenger side adaptive headlight assembly
133,714 Miles $225.52
1) fuel injection service
134,585 Miles $1,977.74
1) replace vacuum line under manifold
2) replace temperature sensor
3) replace driver side adaptive headlight assembly
135,880 Miles $493.54
1) replaced thermostat
2) bled coolant system
3) replaced rear passenger side seat latch
137,015 Miles $1,540.46
1) replace drivers air bag
2) replace wiper blades
138,250 Miles $849.93
1) replaced radiator
138,682 Miles $9,116
1) oil change
2) replace torque converter
3) replace timing chains
4) replace timing chain guides
5) replace timing chain tensioners
138,939 Miles Warranty
1) replace intake manifold
2) replace all coil packs
3) replace all fuel injectors
4) replace fuel distributor rail
5) replace front heated oxygen sensor
6) replace combi-valve
I am getting ready to end my 9 years with my beloved 05 A6 4.2. She currently has 139k on the odometer. In order to assist my fellow owners in understanding the potential maintenance and repair issues with these cars, I am posting most of my service records, including prices paid and what was covered under warranty. When I receive delivery information on my factory order 2015 A6 TDI I may post the 05 in the classifieds. She has had over $20,000 in repairs in the last 10,000 miles and is probably only worth $7,000 so she may be a steal for a forum member who is mechanically inclined. Of course my wife says I will never sell it. We will see. I have really enjoyed the forum. Thanks.
Miles Service
884 Miles Warranty
1) MMI hardware replaced
5,283 Miles Warranty
1) 5,000 mile service
10,152 Miles $126.53
1) Oil Change
14,775 Miles Warranty
1) 15,000 mile service
2) tighten front passenger seat
3) tighten air vent outlets
4) update airbag software
5) tighten dashboard
6) update MMI software
20,059 Miles $112.74
1) Oil Change
2) tighten dashboard
20,685 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced pollen filter door
2) Replace tire pressure sensor
3) Replace Mmi control ****
24,727 Miles Warranty
1) 25,000 mile service
2) tighten dashboard
3) replace windshield wiper blades
28,506 Miles $204.97
1) Brake fluid flush
2) Repair front passenger seat frame
3) Replace license plate light bulb
4) Update MMI software
5) Repair ski sack
6) oil change
28,620 Miles Warranty
1) Replace all 8 coil packs
2) Replace throttle control valve
29,806 Miles Warranty
1) replace fuel door cover
2) update airbag software
32,254 Miles Warranty
1) Replace front brake pads
2) clean HVAC drains
3) replace pollen filter
33,926 Miles Warranty
1) Replace rear brake pads
2) Replace fuel filter
3) Lube steering column
4) Tighten dashboard
5) 35,000 mile service
36,129 Miles Warranty
1) Update fuel gauge software
2) Replaced power steering hose clamp
36,739 Miles Warranty
1) Replace interior light in driver's footwell
37,715 Miles Warranty
1) Update airbag software
40,759 Miles Combination Warranty/$341.74
1) Transmission fluid flush
2) Replace fluids in differentials
3) oil change
44,754 Miles Warranty
1) Replace steering column
2) convert front brake pads
3) 45,000 mile service
49,419 Miles Warranty
1) Replace head cover gasket
2) Oil Change
50,283 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced rear sunshade motor
54,659 Miles combination warranty/$891.32
1) coolant system flush
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace fog lamp
4) replace trunk latch
5) 55,000 mile service
56,440 Miles combination warranty/$110.29
1) update ECU module
2) replace tire air pressure sensors
3) replace windshield wipers
60,168 Miles combination warranty/$241.49
1) oil change
2) brake fluid flush
3) replace rear seat air bag ignitor
61,040 Miles $1,186.67
1) replace front brake pads and rotors
2) replace rear brake pads and rotors
65,209 Miles combination warranty/$323.54
1) 65,000 mile service
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace parktronic speaker
65,635 Miles $435.50
1) replace thermostat
66,553 Miles $168.85
1) Replace light bar in front passenger door
66,848 Miles $268.20
1) Replace wood trim on driver's front door
69,020 Miles $123.55
1) Oil change
70,741 Miles $287.34
1) Replace rear right tail light assembly
2) Clear air bag codes
75,099 Miles $761.88
1) 75,000 mile service
75,762 Miles Warranty
1) replace center rear seat air bag sensor
2) replace rear seat bracket
80,187 Miles $1,223.61
1) oil change
2) flush transmission fluid
3) replace brake fluid
85,450 Miles $320.44
1) 85,000 mile service
2) update airbag software
87,879 Miles Warranty
1) replace rear seat air bag sensor connector
2) readapt tilt wheel steering column
90,746 Miles $826.97
1) oil change
2) replace oil pressure sensor
3) re-adapt steering column
4) replace rear brake pads and rotors
93,793 Miles combination warranty/$315.09
1) Replace steering column
2) replace front brake pads
95,964 Miles $720.33
1) 95,000 mile service
2) replace battery
100,600 Miles $1,529.52
1) oil change
2) replace all 8 coil packs
3) replace fuel filter
4) replace brake fluid
5) coolant flush
6) replace supplemental rear passenger air bag
103,924 Miles $1,191.74
1) 105,000 mile service
2) replace passenger tailight assembly
3) replace right side motor mount
110,515 Miles $2,277.12
1) oil change
2) replace all 4 upper and lower control arms and tie rod ends
3) replace both side sway bar links
115,704 Miles $861.73
1) 115,000 mile service
2) 4 wheel alignment
3) replaced left side license plate bulb
4) replaced passenger side running light
120,490 Miles $1,105.50
1) oil change
2) replace transmission fluid
3) replace differential fluids
124,683 Miles $2,303.08
1) 125,000 mile service
2) replaced front brake pads and rotors
3) replaced rear brake pads
4) replaced satellite radio module
5) replaced battery
127,496 Miles $552.87
1) replaced rear passenger window regulator
2) replace passenger sider amber light bulb
133,383 Miles $1,516.17
1) replace jet pump valve
2) replace engine temperature sensor
3) replace both radiator hoses
4) coolant flush
5) brake fluid flush
6) 135,000 mile service
133,600 Miles combination warranty?$502.96
1) replace right side combi valve
2) replace passenger side adaptive headlight assembly
133,714 Miles $225.52
1) fuel injection service
134,585 Miles $1,977.74
1) replace vacuum line under manifold
2) replace temperature sensor
3) replace driver side adaptive headlight assembly
135,880 Miles $493.54
1) replaced thermostat
2) bled coolant system
3) replaced rear passenger side seat latch
137,015 Miles $1,540.46
1) replace drivers air bag
2) replace wiper blades
138,250 Miles $849.93
1) replaced radiator
138,682 Miles $9,116
1) oil change
2) replace torque converter
3) replace timing chains
4) replace timing chain guides
5) replace timing chain tensioners
138,939 Miles Warranty
1) replace intake manifold
2) replace all coil packs
3) replace all fuel injectors
4) replace fuel distributor rail
5) replace front heated oxygen sensor
6) replace combi-valve
01-09-2017, 10:32 AM
#13
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: South Central Wisconsin
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Big Thank You's to both Jeff and Dan. The one thing that is interesting to me is the concept of the Coil Packs. My co-worker who has his "dress up BMW" and then his "fun and tinker BMWs" also talks of those. Time for some AGE research. He is less mechanically inclined than I am but said replacing them yourself is easy enough.... but why? (to be continued)
As for Tie Rod ends and sway bar links and Upper/Lower control arms.... Yeah, that price tag is a bit high but I have done that on my Murano (both lowers, all four sway bar links, and two outer axles) and the cost was about 60% less than Audi.... and all required at less than 100K. Winter in Wisconsin is a killer.
So, as Jeff recommends, a mechanical Slush Fund is in order. I heard from Calimus and he (I assume a "he") reports mostly positive information with his high mileage 3.0 TFSI.
Again, thanks for all the input. Dan, this was very valuable.
AGE
As for Tie Rod ends and sway bar links and Upper/Lower control arms.... Yeah, that price tag is a bit high but I have done that on my Murano (both lowers, all four sway bar links, and two outer axles) and the cost was about 60% less than Audi.... and all required at less than 100K. Winter in Wisconsin is a killer.
So, as Jeff recommends, a mechanical Slush Fund is in order. I heard from Calimus and he (I assume a "he") reports mostly positive information with his high mileage 3.0 TFSI.
Again, thanks for all the input. Dan, this was very valuable.
AGE
01-10-2017, 09:06 AM
#15
AudiWorld Senior Member
Dan, don't make Kevin re-live that -- may be too painful! In the end AGE is right in that it is a different engine so probably does not "translate" to car AGE is considering. Despite the fact that the 3.0T is reputed to be one of Audi's more reliable power plants, as we all know, north of 100K miles anything can happen. I don't think there are all that many A6s with 100K+ miles out there that we can pull data from.
AGE, I think best you can do is ask dealer for some ballpark numbers for major repairs which I believe you may have done already. Let me give you a "for example" since I know Acura very well (Generation III TLs -- 2004 through 2008 in particular). That car's weak points are generally very minor (engine mounts, front compliance bushings to name a couple) with one exception being the automatic transmission which if not properly cared for (read: fluid changes every 30K miles under normal operation per a Honda specified procedure). Since I've run a couple of these cars to 150,000 miles (and have one sitting in my driveway at the moment) I've inquired about cost of trans replacement should the old girl spit up her tranny. At dealer this is an approximately $4,000 extravaganza. I suggest you ask your Audi dealer what it would cost to replace the ZF 8 speed in the A6. I honestly have no idea but would not surprise me if the cost was double what it is for the old Acura. I'd also ask about the timing chain guide issue and what those might cost to replace if they go bad.
One thing I did when I took delivery of my A6 was to start putting $1,000 - $1,500 away each year in a little "repair" fund just in case I decided to keep the car outside of warranty. This way I have a nice amount of money allocated to repair/maintenance should it be needed. I figured if I did not keep the car much outside of warranty or if I did and didn't use the entire amount, I'd just put it toward the replacement vehicle. Just a thought for you (which you probably already thought of).
Again, good luck with your search.
Best,
Jeff
AGE, I think best you can do is ask dealer for some ballpark numbers for major repairs which I believe you may have done already. Let me give you a "for example" since I know Acura very well (Generation III TLs -- 2004 through 2008 in particular). That car's weak points are generally very minor (engine mounts, front compliance bushings to name a couple) with one exception being the automatic transmission which if not properly cared for (read: fluid changes every 30K miles under normal operation per a Honda specified procedure). Since I've run a couple of these cars to 150,000 miles (and have one sitting in my driveway at the moment) I've inquired about cost of trans replacement should the old girl spit up her tranny. At dealer this is an approximately $4,000 extravaganza. I suggest you ask your Audi dealer what it would cost to replace the ZF 8 speed in the A6. I honestly have no idea but would not surprise me if the cost was double what it is for the old Acura. I'd also ask about the timing chain guide issue and what those might cost to replace if they go bad.
One thing I did when I took delivery of my A6 was to start putting $1,000 - $1,500 away each year in a little "repair" fund just in case I decided to keep the car outside of warranty. This way I have a nice amount of money allocated to repair/maintenance should it be needed. I figured if I did not keep the car much outside of warranty or if I did and didn't use the entire amount, I'd just put it toward the replacement vehicle. Just a thought for you (which you probably already thought of).
Again, good luck with your search.
Best,
Jeff
01-10-2017, 10:09 AM
#16
AudiWorld Senior Member
Sorry if came across that way! No, don't think I am confused (but anything is possible). I think you asked KevinGary to elaborate on the "repairs") and my response to you was perhaps the elaboration would be too painful for Kevin -- LOL. The rest of the post was addressed to AGE.
In any event, that was quite a list Kevin posted and that's a lot of dough. I totally understand how one can get attached to a vehicle (witness my Gen III Acura TL affliction) and with the good intention of keeping the old girl on the road in tip top shape things get out of hand. The difference is that, generally, with an American or Japanese car you can keep them going north of 120,000 miles with comparatively reasonable expenditure on parts and labor. European cars in my experience are a very different story.
Kevin thanks for sharing that list again. Very instructive for us all. Not saying these cars are crap -- far from it -- and not saying that all, and in particular the C7 A6, will cost what Kevin's car did in the later years. Just saying that keeping an expensive, complex German luxury car long term is not for everyone and important to go in with eyes wide open which appears to be exactly what AGE is doing.
Best,
Jeff
01-10-2017, 11:05 AM
#17
AudiWorld Senior Member
Sorry if came across that way! No, don't think I am confused (but anything is possible). I think you asked KevinGary to elaborate on the "repairs") and my response to you was perhaps the elaboration would be too painful for Kevin -- LOL. The rest of the post was addressed to AGE.
In any event, that was quite a list Kevin posted and that's a lot of dough. I totally understand how one can get attached to a vehicle (witness my Gen III Acura TL affliction) and with the good intention of keeping the old girl on the road in tip top shape things get out of hand. The difference is that, generally, with an American or Japanese car you can keep them going north of 120,000 miles with comparatively reasonable expenditure on parts and labor. European cars in my experience are a very different story.
Kevin thanks for sharing that list again. Very instructive for us all. Not saying these cars are crap -- far from it -- and not saying that all, and in particular the C7 A6, will cost what Kevin's car did in the later years. Just saying that keeping an expensive, complex German luxury car long term is not for everyone and important to go in with eyes wide open which appears to be exactly what AGE is doing.
Best,
Jeff
In any event, that was quite a list Kevin posted and that's a lot of dough. I totally understand how one can get attached to a vehicle (witness my Gen III Acura TL affliction) and with the good intention of keeping the old girl on the road in tip top shape things get out of hand. The difference is that, generally, with an American or Japanese car you can keep them going north of 120,000 miles with comparatively reasonable expenditure on parts and labor. European cars in my experience are a very different story.
Kevin thanks for sharing that list again. Very instructive for us all. Not saying these cars are crap -- far from it -- and not saying that all, and in particular the C7 A6, will cost what Kevin's car did in the later years. Just saying that keeping an expensive, complex German luxury car long term is not for everyone and important to go in with eyes wide open which appears to be exactly what AGE is doing.
Best,
Jeff
01-10-2017, 11:55 AM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
01-10-2017, 05:15 PM
#19
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Join Date: Jan 2017
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Ha... It was punishment enough driving a rental Jeep Compass in 35 mph winds and driving rain for 2.5 hours. At least the return trip was in dry conditions and a 40 mph headwind.... And in "Audrey" 
AGE
AGE
02-04-2017, 04:46 AM
#20
AudiWorld Senior Member
My 2005 A6 4.2 had roughly $12k in repairs from the 130k mile mark to the 140k mile mark. I was the original owner. All of the maintence was done religiously. I even did 5k mile changes and the tranny and differential fluids every 30k miles. Despite "over maintaining" the car, it became expensive at the 130k mile mark.
=========================
Kevin, your car didn't need 12k of parts--your dealer was nailing you for labor--what parts did you seem to need between 130 and 140k?
I've found audi/vw german parts to be quite robust compared to anything else in the world and lets face it..it's in your DNA to over-do your sweet 05 a6 maintenance, it was pampered for sure.
..my bet is, it's current owner has added another 50k + to it without issues.
Last edited by mystrodo; 02-04-2017 at 06:44 AM. Reason: Oops