Looking at 2012 A6 3.0T - Problems?

[1flossedS4]

Hi everyone, I'm starting to look at A6 3.0t's for a daily driver.

Any major concerns to look for on used models out of warranty?

Thanks in advance.

[BOPOH]

1. Chain rattle
2. Wheel bearings
3. Brakes (not an issue but expensive to replace)
4. Engine mounts - shaking a lot on idle
5. Some people say thermostat and water pump
6. MMI screen movement
7. Steering rack crackling

Other than that you will have to clean intake valves, but that's the problem for all these cars

[dc2002]

Check for open recall campaigns and avoid ones where you cant get the service history...they are out there.

There was a pretty major fuel system recall, and ECM recall (many people have avoided this one, anecdotally gives you lower MPG lower emissions) - I think those were the major ones - I think some were recalled for the water pump/thermostat but not that many.

Look for a Prestige as loaded as you can find...definitely look for Sport Package and LED package and driver assist package at the minimum. The technology package is cool and adds night vision, heads up display, and lane assist. Mine has everything but the technology package and am very happy with it...i feel better with the wife driving it with the driver assist package...LOL.

The big service will be the 55K service which will be around the mileage you will find on a 12:
Oil and filter change
Air filter
Cabin filter
Supercharger belt
Spark Plugs

DIY is <$300 ...Dealer will be approaching $1000 depending where you live. There are many DIY's on this and the only special tool you need is the serpentine belt wrench if you dont have one already and they are like $25 on amazon. Also if you dont have one, a vaccum suction pump for oil changes makes it a breeze since the filter is on top on the engine bay. I cant believe it took me 30 years of wrenching to get one...

Check the water pump, it is located directly below the supercharger pulley on the front of the engine. What you want to look for is an all metal housing VS a plastic housing where it bolts to the engine block.

Early C7's with the plastic water pump housings were problematic and many were upgraded if dealer maintained.

Thermostats were somewhat problematic on early C7's as well...this is a $1000 plus job as you have to pull the supercharger to get to it. If you have a metal water pump then i would worry much less about it.

Other than that you are good to at least 100K miles with normal maintenance when you would probably need engine mounts and approaching an intake valve cleaning "soon"...again a supercharger pull to do this.

I bought a '12 prestige last november with about 45K miles on it, have about 53K now and car has been flawless...EPL stage 1 tune really woke it up...I have been very happy with this vehicle. I even like it better than my old B7 S4 4.2.

[1flossedS4]

Thank you both for responding. This forum is a great wealth of information.

With that list you gave me it has me wondering if I should look for a CPO model. That's quite a bit of items no?

[dc2002]

Depends how handy you are...you will pay a premium for a CPO since now you will have to go to MY14 to get CPO'd. They generally limit CPO to 3 MY old.

For me it would have been a preference to get a loaded 12 or a CPO 13 that was more of a base model.

Your biggest risk in my opinion would be the engine mounts. Just know that they will need to be replaced at or around 100K.

I would roll the dice that by now any water pump or thermostat issue would have surfaced and been addressed on a '12 or even a '13.

Other than that these 3.0T drivetrains are pretty bulletproof.

[1flossedS4]

Depends how handy you are...you will pay a premium for a CPO since now you will have to go to MY14 to get CPO'd. They generally limit CPO to 3 MY old.

For me it would have been a preference to get a loaded 12 or a CPO 13 that was more of a base model.

Your biggest risk in my opinion would be the engine mounts. Just know that they will need to be replaced at or around 100K.

I would roll the dice that by now any water pump or thermostat issue would have surfaced and been addressed on a '12 or even a '13.

Other than that these 3.0T drivetrains are pretty bulletproof.

The one I'm looking at is a 13, non cpo with 43,000 miles and has audicare for another service. Prestige.

[Brooklyn]

1. Get a CPO model. I would avoid any German car without some sort of extended warranty protection given the potentially expensive repairs that might pop up after 50k miles.
2. Confirm Audicare has been purchased for the vehicle.
3. Take a hard look at whether you can't get a used S6 for damn near the same price. Having owned an A6 for a year, I can tell you the differences in performance between the two is significant.
4. Get a MY14 or newer at this point.

[1flossedS4]

1. Get a CPO model. I would avoid any German car without some sort of extended warranty protection given the potentially expensive repairs that might pop up after 50k miles.
2. Confirm Audicare has been purchased for the vehicle.
3. Take a hard look at whether you can't get a used S6 for damn near the same price. Having owned an A6 for a year, I can tell you the differences in performance between the two is significant.
4. Get a MY14 or newer at this point.

S6 is still $45,000 easily CPO. A6 3.0T CPO is $30K. Significant difference unfortunately.

[dc2002]

Stage 2 3.0T is pretty comparable to a stock s6...if only 3.0T had the dsg...

[1flossedS4]

Stage 2 3.0T is pretty comparable to a stock s6...if only 3.0T had the dsg...

How bad is the auto in the A6?

[dc2002]

It's not bad at all...it's just not a dsg.

Perspective is key...

It feels like it shifts as fast as my passat tdi with the dsg and twice as fast as my b7 4.2 and 100x faster than my b5 a4 2.8...

It's an 8spd and to me it's silky smooth.

There are tunes for the dsg and the dsg has launch control...

[lx4life]

Just get a car with good to great service history, hopefully a one owner. I have owned four Audis all were great and no major issues except the oil piston ring on the A4(B8) but was fixed under their extended warranty( I had 96K when I got it fixed.) The 3.0 is a great engine almost bought an older Panamera hybrid(they come with the 3.0)!

[RRF985]

Stage 2 3.0T is pretty comparable to a stock s6...if only 3.0T had the dsg...

Funny, I actually like the car more because it doesn't have DSG.

How bad is the auto in the A6?

The ZF is a great gearbox. It has some quirks but overall it's a fantastic transmission.

[boarder007]

Loved mine. Had it 2 years. 30k miles. 50-85k miles. Amazing car. No issues. Loved it!! Great daily! Great in snow! Fits 5 adults! Enjoy!


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