High mileage 3.0T’s?

[ShakeNbakeA6]

Curious to see how many high mileage 3.0T’s are out there and still running and driving well and what problems they’ve encountered. I have a ‘10 A6 Quattro at 96k and am currently having to replace driveshaft and my drivers side cat .. not cheap lol.

[marketdemon]

There is a thread out there somewhere with a number of members who posted their mileage, so you can get an idea of how long you can run your car. Take a look for that and I think it will be helpful.
As for maintenance issues, at about the 100K range there will be a number of things you may want to do preventatively. Water pump, thermostat, brakes, etc....there have been a number of guys with water pump issues, myself included. I just did water pump, thermostat and coolant crossover pipe, LUCKILY my son did the work for me because as you stated, these things are not cheap. SinCity talks about the lower pulley/balancer which he calls an "immenent failure"so consider that as well. Not sure why you'd have to replace the drive shaft unless you're tourqing it coming out of reverse too aggressively, but then again there are a number of ways to break one of those. In any case, that's my personal experience. I bought my car with 94K in August, and it just turned 102K last week and it;s been the best car I've ever owned despite the maintenace issues. I expected to have a couple things to take care of, so it was expected and planned. Enjoy the ride, there are some guys in here with well over 200K on their cars, so you have a long way to go.

[Quattro 4 Life]

I bought a 2011 prestige in December with 103k (ish) miles. It was a one owner, dealer serviced car it’s whole life so I was comfortable with the higher mileage. Also got a solid deal and so far so good!

[B. Rock]

Used luxury cars still have luxury maintenance cost if you don't turn your own wrenches.

128k and climbing on ours.

[cal3thousand]

Used luxury cars still have luxury maintenance cost if you don't turn your own wrenches.

128k and climbing on ours.

Precisely!

I would not be driving this Audi if I had to pay for my own work. I'd probably be in a Suby...

Rounding 120k this weekend

[ShakeNbakeA6]

Thanks for the tips. I usually do my own wrenching but due to winter weather and lack of tools and garage at the moment can’t really do much hopefully these will be the only major things i encounter. I am also confused about why my shaft is bad but found one for only $350 compared to the dealers $1500+

[jobu72]

2009 A6 3.0T here. Bought 3 years ago with 142000 miles on it already. I was lucky enough to see dealership info on the Carfax, so I called the dealer, who verified that every single recommended service was done as shown on Carfax, no major issues at that point.

At buy time, I negotiated the dealer to fix the leaking rear timing chain covers, and a wheel bearing. I proactively replaced serpentine belt and supercharger belt.

I continued doing the other regular maintenance on my own. It could use valve cover gaskets, but not that bad yet. Replaced the sway bar links not long ago, they were completely trashed, but they are easy to do and not expensive. It surely needs more suspension parts, but holding off on that because ...

Around 150k miles or so, it started using more oil. More and more. Putting in a quart about every 700 miles pretty regularly. Not leaking majorly anywhere. No clouds of smoke. Tried all the tricks. I have not done the PCV system upgrade, so not sure if that will do anything. I don't recall how bad the leakdown and compression test were, but somewhat determined needs rings and rebuilt I guess.

Still runs awesome though. Awesomest car I ever had. And I would buy another when I need to. Maybe an S6 next though, but yeah, no question about it.

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[Kevin1]

Around 150k miles or so, it started using more oil. More and more. Putting in a quart about every 700 miles pretty regularly.

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These cars tend to become a problem once you are above 140k miles.

[zzzz05725]

Damn that is really too bad to hear, I’m looking for one because they are supposed to be bulletproof :/


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[Kevin1]

Damn that is really too bad to hear, I’m looking for one because they are supposed to be bulletproof :/


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Wrong car for that.

[zzzz05725]

I’m also looking at B5 S4’s which is really the wrong car for that lol. At least they have a decent block I guess


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[kneel]

189k bought this time last yr with 150k. No issues so far.
Oil consumption is about it.


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[19jdog]

189k bought this time last yr with 150k. No issues so far.
Oil consumption is about it.


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Very Nice!!!

Are those aftermarket tail lights??

[ichi d]

These cars tend to become a problem once you are above 140k miles.

235km on the clock, everything started to go bad at 200km not miles.

[Kevin1]

235km on the clock, everything started to go bad at 200km not miles.

If my math is correct your problems started around 125k miles. The design life of many of the components in these cars is rather short when compared to other manufacturers.

[zzzz05725]

I assume you specifically mean the 3.0T? I know many of their older motors are good for at least 200k with minimal oil consumption, I’m not as up to speed on the newer ones


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[B. Rock]

Very Nice!!!

Are those aftermarket tail lights??

No, the avants got different tails than the sedans. Edit: it looks like they changed slightly with the facelift as well.

That ski box however is very interesting - the rails go through the inside of the box?

[trayson]

No, the avants got different tails than the sedans.

That ski box however is very interesting - the rails go through the inside of the box?

Looks that way. expensive though. but I like how they have created a niche with a new idea.

https://www.skiguard.com/960-tte/

[B. Rock]

Ah, Boulder company. Enough said.

[SinCityA6]

I just past 150,000 Miles on mine. I believe I am the longest owning member that is active in the forum. My only semi-major issue was the separation of the harmonic balancer/lower pulley at just over 100,000 miles. I am trying to track a gremlin now that could be a relatively simple issue, or require a new transmission. Regardless, Stormy has been the best car that I have ever owned and will continue to keep her running strong well into the future.


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[sean_entrust]

I jumped ship at 99k after the thermostat went out. Picked up a 17 s3 and couldn't be happier.


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[cal3thousand]

I jumped ship at 99k after the thermostat went out. Picked up a 17 s3 and couldn't be happier.


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What's it like going to the smaller car?

[sean_entrust]

What's it like going to the smaller car?

honestly it's great. I wanted a smaller car but still wanted 4 doors. I also have a Q5 so I didn't need 2 big cars. I do miss the 3.0t and I miss how the a6 cruised on the highway but I love how nimble and quick the s3 is.

[jobu72]

2009 A6 3.0T here. Bought 3 years ago with 142000 miles on it already. I was lucky enough to see dealership info on the Carfax, so I called the dealer, who verified that every single recommended service was done as shown on Carfax, no major issues at that point.

At buy time, I negotiated the dealer to fix the leaking rear timing chain covers, and a wheel bearing. I proactively replaced serpentine belt and supercharger belt.

I continued doing the other regular maintenance on my own. It could use valve cover gaskets, but not that bad yet. Replaced the sway bar links not long ago, they were completely trashed, but they are easy to do and not expensive. It surely needs more suspension parts, but holding off on that because ...

Around 150k miles or so, it started using more oil. More and more. Putting in a quart about every 700 miles pretty regularly. Not leaking majorly anywhere. No clouds of smoke. Tried all the tricks. I have not done the PCV system upgrade, so not sure if that will do anything. I don't recall how bad the leakdown and compression test were, but somewhat determined needs rings and rebuilt I guess.

Still runs awesome though. Awesomest car I ever had. And I would buy another when I need to. Maybe an S6 next though, but yeah, no question about it.

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Browsing old posts and realized I never said how many miles on the car at that time. Was about 195,000 miles then. Now about 208,000. Recently changed spark plugs which were long over due. Now I get just over 1000 miles before having to add a quart. Woohoo!

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[C6Avant]

I have just under 130k miles on my 09 Avant. So far the 3.0T has been great minus the liter of oil I have to add every 1k miles. I just keep a 5 liter jug of 5w40 in the back at all times. No biggie!

I'm planning to do the PCV service at some point. I just need to build the courage to yank the supercharger off and have at it.

Did valve cover gaskets back in June. Very easy job.

Replaced front and rear wheel bearings last summer as they were making a ton of noise.

So far so good with this beast. I hope to put a TON of miles on her.

[a1dan_87]

Seems like these cars certainly have a lifespan. I think it was Sin who said its good to expect 130,000 miles (200,000 ish KM) out of these. If they don't go before that, seems that they'll keep pace with few problems for quite a while. I just crossed over 60k on my car.

High school kid, mechanically minded though. Water pump and thermostat haven't ever been done, so that's a ticking time bomb!

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[mik15]

153k miles here, bought it at 150k, apart from the start-up rattle which i will address it soon by replacing the driver side tensioner, no other issues. It has a full Audi service history and it has had quite many parts replaced so far, including the PCV with a software update. Short time before i bought it both belts and accessories were also replaced and a full service was also done. Oil consumption is negligible, it has always been serviced using 5w30 as per the Audi dealer and i have switched it to M1 0w40. I hope that after the replacement of the tensioner will get to enoy the car for a few years from now on, i don't put too many miles on it as i have a company car as well, this car it's like a hobby to me, a mini project car :).

[Dannyblue26]

I just got a 2011 A6 supercharged prestige. Will these things go 200,000 miles?

[Kevin1]

I just got a 2011 A6 supercharged prestige. Will these things go 200,000 miles?

Probably not

[SatanS6]

Probably not

I have a 09 A6 C6 3.0T with 239k and still going strong. Even have a APR Stage 1.IMG_20190425_191916_788.jpeg20190511_184409.jpeg20190325_154900~2.jpeg

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[cal3thousand]

Probably not

You don't even have a C6 anymore, yet you hang around to post that disparaging comment? I know you're bitter about your C6, but c'mon dude.

[Kevin1]

You don't even have a C6 anymore, yet you hang around to post that disparaging comment? I know you're bitter about your C6, but c'mon dude.

Not bitter at all. I loved my C6, just like a love my C7. But I don’t believe that either one of them will get to 200,000 miles without some serious financial support or some serious luck. With that said, I will try to see if I can get to 200,000 with my current one.

[christianb5s4]

I can see how someone can be put off by any car if it's a never ending hassle. I spent a lot of money getting my C6 3.0T in perfect mechanical shape and has been flawless for a while now, the hard to diagnose EVAP issue was a big damper on my confidence and enjoyment of the car. Now that it's taken care of, I have a lot more confidence.

I feel like there are people in two camps for C6s; one are people who've had no issues or relatively few issues and have had a great experience, or two people whose C6s were constant problems.

[Robokam]

I finally jumped ship at about 170k. Was having some tranny issues and need to start replacing parts for the 2nd time (front end suspension) and I didn't want to keep dumping $$$$ into it. I will miss it like all my previous cars but it was time to move on.

[AFONE]

I purchased mine with 70k and am currently on the plus side of 140K....the list of maintenance issues is growing but I will work to resolve and keep pushing through


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[Dannyblue26]

I just got a 2011 A6 prestige I hoping there is some good vibes, everyone keep telling me I made a mistake. I bought it with 122,000

I bought a 2011 prestige in December with 103k (ish) miles. It was a one owner, dealer serviced car it’s whole life so I was comfortable with the higher mileage. Also got a solid deal and so far so good!

[B. Rock]

Eh, it's a used car and a German one. If you're willing to do the work themselves it's not bad. If you're paying people, it will get pretty painful pretty fast.

I still haven't been in anything that's been compelling enough to switch. And a few bucks to keep a car on the road is still cheaper than buying something else.

[cal3thousand]

Eh, it's a used car and a German one. If you're willing to do the work themselves it's not bad. If you're paying people, it will get pretty painful pretty fast.

I still haven't been in anything that's been compelling enough to switch. And a few bucks to keep a car on the road is still cheaper than buying something else.

It's exactly that. People tend to care most about the market value of their depreciating asset. This car's market value is much lower than other cars when you factor in the relative cost to repair. If the car is currently worth $8k, and $800 repair or major maintenance item is 10% of the car's value.

A DIY mechanic may only pay $300 in parts etc to do the same job. I see it as $300 and some work to maintain a $60k machine that serves me well.

[trayson]

I still haven't been in anything that's been compelling enough to switch. .

Yeah, finding a stylish luxury 300+ horsepower AWD eurowagon??? There's just not a lot of options.

[rrated]

I have 150k on my 3.0T with no issues. I would guess your oil consumption is a PCV thing.

Also have 215k on my 3.2 but I have recplaced timing chains and guides on that one and a cam and a cam follower and I think previous owner probably did the chains too

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