Honest opinion needed on 2005 A6

[needfd]

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to buy a 2005 A6 Quattro 3.2 and I am wondering if you guys can post your honest opinion on the car.
I have read that there are a lot of trouble spots so I'm concerned, I had an Audi before so I'm not new to it I just want to see if the trouble spots are consistent with the ones posted here below:

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-audi-a6-2.htm


TROUBLE SPOTS
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: The air conditioning may not cool sufficiently and/or the outside temperature reading may be wrong due to a poor crimp connection or faulty outside temperature sensor. (2005)

Brakes: The ABS (anti-lock brakes) may activate unnecessarily under normal to light application due to cracks in tone wheels. (1996-05)

Check-engine light: After sitting overnight, the 2.0L or 3.2L engine may run rough, misfire and trigger the check engine light because the hydraulic valve lash adjusters drain down and all must be replaced. (2005-06)

Cold-starting problems: The coolant level warning light may come on in colder (below 40 degrees) then go off when the engine warms up due to malfunctioning sensor in coolant reservoir. (2005-07)

Coolant leak: The coolant level warning light may come on in colder (below 40 degrees) then go off when the engine warms up due to malfunctioning sensor in coolant reservoir. (2005-07)

Dashboard lights: The "oil level" selection of the information center does not work because cars shipped to the US do not have this feature. (2005)

Doors: Doors may occasionally not unlock with the remote due to a problem with the program in the door module(s) requiring reprogramming. (2006-08)

Doors: Doors may occasionally not unlock with the remote due to a problem with the program in the door module(s) requiring reprogramming. (2006-08)

Engine misfire: After sitting overnight, the 2.0L or 3.2L engine may run rough, misfire and trigger the check engine light because the hydraulic valve lash adjusters drain down and all must be replaced. (2005-06)

Fuel door: The fuel door may not open because the release cable causes interference and must be routed out of the way. (2005)

Fuel gauge: If the fuel gauge does not show full after filling up, the program for the instrument cluster must be updated. (2005)

Keys: The key may not come out of the ignition switch because the system can't tell that the shift lever is in park. This requires replacement of the shift selector with redesigned part. (2005-06)

Keys: The ignition key may not come out of the lock or the car may not lock due to trouble with the gear selector mechanism. (2005)

Oil leak: Oil leaks may occur on the 3.2L engine at the timing chain upper covers requiring fresh sealant. Leaks from the camshaft sealing plugs require the old plugs to be removed (possibly from inside the engine) and redesigned plugs installed. (2005)

Oil leak: Camshaft plugs in the cylinder heads of the 3.2L engine may come loose causing an oil leak. (2005)

Windows: The master power window switch may work intermittently due to interference with the trim. (2005-07)

Windows: The master power window switch may work intermittently due to interference with the trim. (2005-07)

[Kevin1]

I have pasted in two of my earlier posts, which I have slightly revised and updated.

I have an 05 4.2 that I purchased new about 7 years ago. She currently has 101k on the odometer. As far as reliability, she is ok, but she is no Lexus. But she is a lot of fun to drive. Most of the problems have been nuisances.

1. The airbag light came on two weeks after I purchased the car. It took them 10 days to figure out the problem. Audi then came out with a TSB on updating the computer software for the airbags.

2. The MMI "crashed" a year after I bought the car. After having the car for 8 days, Audi wiped the hardware clean and reinstalled the MMI computer software.

3. The MMI had a few bugs with not updating the satellite radio stations, losing surround settings and sometimes not automatically linking with my bluetooth phone. Audi had the car for a day and updated the MMI computer software. Audi has a TSB on this issue as well.

I have written those three problems off to having a very early computer software version. To give you an idea of the number of changes in the software, my car came with MMI version 10 and now has version 33. Since being updated to MMI version 33, around 2006 or 2007, I have not had any computer issues. I understand that there is now a version 46 that is available. Since my MMI has been stable with version 33 I have not upgraded to 46. From fellow Audi owners I understand that the differences between 33 and 46 are negligible.

As far as non-computer issues. I have had quite a few.

1. All 8 coil packs had to be replaced.

2. The lid for the gas cap would not open from inside the car. In order to open it I had to wedge my credit card inside the lid and open it from the outside.

3. The frame for the front passenger seat came loose and the entire seat had to be removed and the bolts tightened.

4. A rattle in the glove box area of the dashboard that required installation of additional insulation.

5. A bad tire pressure sensor had to be replaced.

6. A mildew smell from the air conditioner vents, which required the replacement of a ventilation duct.

7. A rattle from the rear fold down seats, which required a new clamp.

8. A rattle from the driver’s side of the dashboard, which required additional damping material.

9. The fuel-filter recall, which required a new fuel filter.

10. The fuel gauge started reading empty even though there is fuel in the tank, which required a computer software upgrade.

11. The transmission developed a chirping and the transmission software had to be upgraded.

12. The low coolant light would come on for no reason, which required an upgraded electrical circuit.

13. The power steering reservoir leaked and completely emptied itself, which required a revised clamp.

14. The front brakes developed a vibration at slow speeds and the brake caliper seals had to be replaced due to a re-design.

15. The motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced because of a groaning noise.

16. The MMI knob fell off.

17. The motor for the rear power sunshade had to be replaced because that motor was groaning and clicking.

18. The coolant temperature gauge stopped working and the sensor had to be replaced.

19. The trunk latch ceased working and had to be replaced with a redesigned latch.

20. The adaptive headlight malfunction light came on and the dealer had to upgrade the software for the adaptive lights.

21. The air bag light came on and the rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a second time.

22. The Parktronic speaker broke and had to be replaced.

23. The coolant gauge broke again and the sensor had to be replaced.

24. The coolant gauge broke yet again and the thermostat had to be replaced.

25. The gas struts for the trunk were replaced.

26. The air bag light came on and rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a third time.

27. The LED unit had to be replaced in the rear right because the brake and turn signal light would fail to fire.

28. The coil packs were replaced under recall.

29. The air bag light came on and a rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a fourth time.

30. The brackets holding the electric switch panel to the front passenger seat broke and had to be replaced.

31. The air bag light returned and the dealer upgraded the software yet again.

32. The upper control arms were replaced.

33. The motor for the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel had to be replaced yet again.

34. The air bag light came on and a rear air bag sensor had to be replaced for a fifth time.

35. The entire steering column had to be replaced.

36. The oil pressure sensor had to be replaced.

37. The air bag light came on yet again and this time the right rear supplemental (optional) air bag was replaced.




Similar to the computer issues discussed above, Audi has TSBs on nearly all of these issues, seeming to indicate that the problems are not isolated to just my car. Audi has also issued dozens of other TSBs on issues that I have not experienced since I have the 4.2 engine instead of the 3.2 engine. In total, the 3.2 has over 200 TSBs. If you complain about these items while the car is under warranty, Audi will fix the problem for free, which sounds like a recall to me.

Despite the car being at the dealer for over 75 days for repairs during the last 84 months, not maintenance, I would certainly buy the car again because the 4.2 is a lot of fun to drive, especially on the highway, and the dealer gives me a loaner. However, I would check which MMI software version is currently in the car. If it is below 33, I would take it to Audi and have it updated as soon as possible. In addition, I would check the car's VIN and compare it to the Audi TSBs and see what issues you need to keep an eye on. You can get copies of the Audi TSBs at Erwin's website. The dealer will probably give you the car's maintenance records. While the car is still under warranty, I would make sure you complain about any issues contained on the TSBs issued for your VIN. If you are buying an aftermarket warranty I would get an exclusionary warranty that your local Audi dealer accepts.

Despite the issues with the car, I think that it is a great driving car. However, keep in mind that I am an original owner who paid close to $60,000 for my daily driver and who according to my wife is the President of the "More Money than Brains" club. For example, changing the transmission fluid costs over a $1,000 just for the fluid (the fluid is $57 per liter), not including labor. Also keep in mind that the 55,000 mile service is the "major" service for the car. The 75,000 mile service is also significant, in that the nose of the car needs to be removed on the 05 and 06 4.2s. If money is an issue, you may want to look for a car that is cheaper to "maintain". Regardless of your decision, you will enjoy driving an Audi, but you may not enjoy the maintenance. Good luck.

Kevin

Here is my post in response to a related topic:

I am afraid that Audi has TSBs on nearly every one of the problems that I experienced indicating that I am not alone with these issues. As far as not hearing about these issues on the forum, I point out that I am one of the few original C6 owners on the forum with the corresponding 7 years of experience in owning one of these cars. I doubt that when these cars are purchased used that the original owners are so honest with the buyers. In contrast to my 7 years of experience, many of the C6 owners on this forum have less than a year’s experience with the "maintenance" on these cars. With that said, I think that the C6 is a great driving car and is a lot of fun on the highway. I would also buy it all over again. You just need to make sure that you are carrying some type of warranty coverage.

Kevin

[needfd]

Hi Kevin,

Thank you very very much for this, you've gone above and beyond the answers I needed and I appreciate this greatly. I had a A4 and I was thinking of buying the upgraded A6 and it helps to have a summary like the one you posted. I read many TSBs and that's why I wanted an opinion from the owners of the vehicle itself.

I'm really going to think about this decision, I was supposed to check out a car on Sunday but I have a lot of thinking to do at this point, mainly because I don't know how much money to allocate for maintenance anymore. The car I'm interested in has 65,000 and the 75,000 is coming up so I wouldn't be able to buy the car and do maintenance so shortly after.

Also, do you know if the Quattro transmissions have many problems? I know that the CVT on the A4 had to have the computer upgraded (quite costly also)

In summary, it seems like the MMI upgrades has fixed many issues but how much does it cost to take it to the dealership to have it updated?


Again thanks so much for your input!

[Audiboy]

None of what you posted happened to our car thank goodness

I looked at Kevin’s list and glad only few apply as well. We have a 2005 3.2 Quattro. The car has around 125K miles. We had it since under 50K and been adding roughly 25k miles a year.

So far it’s been reliable and trouble free until a couple of weeks ago where we got a beep after turning left and occasionally now after going over bumps. It’s probably the ABS module, but I’ll keep looking.

As far as issues in the past, many mild ones

1) It uses oil – like 1 qt every 3K miles - since we got it. It’s not an issue since oil is cheap. Engine is clean and no signs of oil leaks. I add oil once between oil changes. Hasn't change it's oil consumption.

2) As Kevin said - A mildew smell from the air conditioner vents, which required the replacement of a ventilation duct.
We get this often. First time was shortly after we bought the car used. I replaced the dirty filters. Problem was gone for a few months. Then it went back. This time, I cleaned the area of the filter with tylex and circulated it and vented it out. Problem was gone for 2+ years. Now it’s back. And this happens even if we used the A/C for the first time in months, turn the compressor off minutes before shut down. I have 2 other Audis and they don’t do this. We have 3 other cars right now too, and none of them exhibit this. I think there is a fundamental flaw in the climate control design that traps moisture somewhere.

3) Our 3rd brake light broke in 2009 and caused a warning light. I found out it’s a broken diode. I replaced it with a generic off the shelf power supply diode and it worked – except for one LED that burned out when it broke so we have missing tooth 3rd brake light :)

4) Tires – unusual inner corner tire wear on all 4 corners. Alignment is spot on. Factory suspension, factory 18” wheels with 245 tires. This car eats tires faster (~25k miles) than my modified cars - I’m into racing, so my other cars have very custom suspension setups. I have a set of wider 19 wheels and 245 tires coming any time. I’m hoping it’s a bad wheel to tire size ratio from factory that’s causing this. Note, it’s my wife’s car and she doesn’t corner the car hard. We have 3 other cars for that. Mostly freeway driving transporting our 3 year old. No aggressive driving. It eats tires.

5) MMI was updated in 2010. Very easy task. Works very well after that.

6) MMI center console had the chrome peeling in 2010. Got a new unit for like $50 – can’t remember.

7) Car was sandwiched by a Volvo and a Hyundai Sonata and eventually a Bimmer 328 who refused to stop in time. Impact of both cars pushed my wife and her A6 into the Volvo. The 2 cars behind her had to be towed. The Volvo and A6 had cracked bumpers (front of our car). The rear bumper was fine but the exhaust bent from the submarining Hyundai who's doors won't open. 2 S-line bumpers and new exhaust later, the car is perfect – for over a year now. Safe car? Yes!

8) Average MPG = 22. If we drove all freeway, it will be over 30! Very impressive for a car that weighs over 2 tons. Car is not a slug - faster off the line to 60 than an RSX hitting Vtec – ok I was driving and no baby on board :) I clocked it at 6.6sec 0-60. Not too shabby!

We love this car. It's a safe, reliable car that's good on gas. Eventually we will replace this car. Right now possibly a C7 A6 3.0T.

Good luck!

[jerry-lincoln-n]

I have a 2005 A6 3.2 with 89,000 miles. I bought it November 1, 2011 with an extended warranty, thankfully. The previous owner messed up the cylinder head. I learned that when the CEL came on and it went into a dependable repair shop for service. The warranty company decided to replace the engine. My deductible is $150. Good deal. The warranty company also replaced the steering column. I had a radiator hose replaced. While the car has spent nearly 60 days in the shop for repairs, I hope this covers major issues.

Perhaps I have very little common sense. I would buy this car again. I've owned Saab's from 1999 through 2011, but always admired the engineering of Audi. This is a joy to drive.

My advice is to get an extended warranty because you cannot know completely how the car was cared for by previous owner(s).