Audi A6 3.2 VS 4.2?

[NvMySi]

I recently sold my 3.2 litre Audi a6 that I only had for 6 months and regret selling it, so I'm buying another one but curious to which one is better 3.2 or 4.2? How big is the mileage difference? Which one is more reliable? Thanks any help would be appreciated.

P.S. the 4.2 litre that I'm wanting to buy has 65,000 miles

[v8a6]

4.2 is at least 1.0 better than the 3.2. And, if you want even better, then 5.2 is 1.0 better than the 4.2.

The engine that people are really raving about is the 3.0. But it is 0.2 worse than the 3.2.

[LINDW4LL]

4.2, no question. The gas difference is minimal and the 3.2L is underpowered. Both are very reliable.

If you can afford it, go with the facelift C6 3.0T, 2009-2011.

[BluntAaronR]

4.2, no question. The gas difference is minimal and the 3.2L is underpowered. Both are very reliable.

If you can afford it, go with the facelift C6 3.0T, 2009-2011.

Affording it wasn't a big issue, finding a low mileage example was painstakingly difficult though. It took me months to find my Avant and my search included lots of calls along the lines of "We just got it in earlier today on trade let me go and pull the paperwork for you...someone put a deposit on it already and is coming to get it tomorrow."

I don't have experience with the 3.2 or 4.2, but I can say that the 3.0 has been surprisingly fun and stout so far.

[Dutch_A6]

I have the 3.2 and it's been bulletproof so far and I'm on 140k miles, from what I've read on here though most of the issues or niggles come from the 4.2 in leaks etc with the most watched out for issue being the tensioners for the timing chain being a large maintenance item if it ever needs to be done. The best engine by far is the 3.0T but it is going to be the more expensive car to buy and harder to find.

[ichi d]

3.0T is the only way to go if price is not an issue.

[NvMySi]

Yah I won't go with the 3.0t too much $$$
I had a 3.2 just curious if the 4.2 is just as reliable, and for the tensioner it's a big job on both 3.2 and 4.2 exact amount of hours to change.

[FormulaElement]

I believe you don't have to drop the engine to change the tensioners on the 3.2 unlike the 4.2. Its very expensive on the 4.2 costing $5k+. Although the 4.2 FSI doesn't have these problems that i've heard of yet. I would get a 07+ 4.2. You will have to do carbon cleaning then though.

[NvMySi]

The one I'm getting is a 2006 4.2 non fsi so no carbon build up on those to worry about, and it's the same job 4.2 or 3.2 you won't get your hands in behind the engine to change a tensioner both motors have to come out to have access

[dufferdude]

i've had both the 3.2, a A6 Avant and the 4.2, a A6 sline. go with the 4.2. you won't be disappointed.

[ichi d]

if the 3.0T is too much dollars then i would go for the 4.2 more power.

[Kevin1]

I had my 05 4.2 for over 9 years, it is a great engine. Go with the 4.2.

[NvMySi]

I had my 05 4.2 for over 9 years, it is a great engine. Go with the 4.2.

Have you had any issues that had to be addressed?

[sun_dance]

Have you had any issues that had to be addressed?

LOL :) you obviously don't know Kevin...let me state that he addressed every possible issue on his car and is/was a meticulous owner of his 4.2. He sold it off a few months back and moved into a C7.

Kevin, feel free to share your extensive list of repairs and if he doesn't run away from A6 ownership...well at least he has full visibility of what could possibly go wrong;)

[Kevin1]

LOL :) you obviously don't know Kevin...let me state that he addressed every possible issue on his car and is/was a meticulous owner of his 4.2. He sold it off a few months back and moved into a C7.

Kevin, feel free to share your extensive list of repairs and if he doesn't run away from A6 ownership...well at least he has full visibility of what could possibly go wrong;)

Do you think he can handle it? Lol

[sun_dance]

Do you think he can handle it? Lol

Few can. I recall going through that list the first time and feeling both fear and anxiety building up inside me. If you have a weak heart, slight OCD, and a less than substantial maintenance fund, then I'd steer clear of your list Kevin ;)


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[Kevin1]

Have you had any issues that had to be addressed?

Here is a list of what happened with my 05 4.2 at higher miles. I was a bit meticulous when it came to my baby. But it should give you an idea of what to look out for.


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 knob

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

[NvMySi]

Wow Kevin, you either goth it with one that just kept breaking down or the dealer milk'd you , I'm almost certain not every 4.2 a6 needed same repairs, and luckily I have my own mechanic who does my work for me he's a friend, he does work for really good price like he swapped a motor for my friend in his 3.2 for $900 , so when I asked him what he would charge to do the tensioners for he said $1300 plus parts so not too bad at all. Thanks for all then info Kevin

[LINDW4LL]

That guy's A6 sounds like a lemon. Holy cow.




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[Kevin1]

She ran like a champ and handled like a brand new car until the 130,000 mile mark. It then became impossible to keep it running like new, no matter what I spent, so I decided to buy a 2015 TDI. I don't think the car was a lemon since it did fine until 130k, and I don't think I got taken by the dealer since Audi essentially paid for everything for the first 100k miles under warranty. It was mostly caused by my meticulous nature. However, what happened with the car at the 130k mile mark with the timing chain tensioners, torque converter, etc. should be a warning to everyone as to what may happened to these cars as they age.

[Jmurph648]

So Kevin all your work was performed by an audi dealer? At 120 bucks an hour ? OUCH....lol. A good indie shop is worth it's weight in gold. My shop is owned an run by former audi techs who charge half the dealer rate and never try to up sell you..... though it's still scary to walk into the shop and see an engine on the floor with cracked guides.... haunts my dreams....lol. be safe....

[NvMySi]

#19
Today 07:44 AM by nvmysi
Hey guys so I ended up not buying this unit as it had some bondo work on passenger rear panel and the job was done poorly, I have found another one that is approx 800 miles away from where I live this one is a 2008 Audi a6 s-line 4.2 litre now this one has an fsi engine is this a bad thing or no? It only has 78,000kms ( 48,000 miles) this one is going to be $16,400 after taxes USD. Let me know what you guys thing thanks

Only problem is it doesn't have rear heated seats is that hard to install ? I have a a6 wagon for parts that has rear heated seats not sure how much work it is to swap it over and if it plug in play

[FormulaElement]

I think it's a good deal. You may want to inquire about if it has had a carbon cleaning and negotiate that into the buying price.

It's not easy installing rear heated seats and if that's a deal breaker don't buy the car but really, how often do you have passengers in the back? It's not plug and play and the avant seats won't fit in the sedan

Personally I'd rather pay for 2-3 carbon cleanings at 1000ish $ during the cars life other than a 5-15k repair if the timing chain guides to out that could cause it to skip a coulple teeth on the timing totaling the engine....

You could install a catch can and maybe never have to do carbon cleanings but I haven't heard about many people doing that with these cars.

[-A6-]

My 4.2 went to hell at the 130k mark two but before that was fully maintained by Audi all oil changes on time n everything but after 130k it ended up needing little repairs averaging 1k A month until 5k last month and a blown or cracked headgasket this month so I had to get rid of it But Galpin ford gave me a great trade in price of 9k for it! Lol it will be missed id say steer clear of one with 130k miles though.

[FormulaElement]

Haven't heard of any 4.2's with this problem. But then again their aren't many FSI 4.2's around. I guess it might be good to stay away from the FSI and stick with the dreaded timing chain guides.

[Kevin1]

My 4.2 went to hell at the 130k mark two but before that was fully maintained by Audi all oil changes on time n everything but after 130k it ended up needing little repairs averaging 1k A month until 5k last month and a blown or cracked headgasket this month so I had to get rid of it But Galpin ford gave me a great trade in price of 9k for it! Lol it will be missed id say steer clear of one with 130k miles though.

My 4.2 also hit the wall at the 130k mark and I also decided to trade it in. Prior to 130k it was a great car.