C7 s6 reliability with high mileage

[qantus747]

Hi guys looking at buying a 2012 s6 and have been doing some research and they seem pretty reliable just need some real world info on how they are what are the know issues with them and how they cope with tuning / mods how does the trans cope with added tourqe and power?

[Valpo A7]

Read up on turbo failure for the 4.0L engine.

[gimpgutter]

I'll let people expand on the list, but some of the more common issues include:

1) Turbo failure issue
2) Fuel door gets stuck, needs actuator replaced
3) Motor mounts leak / fail
4) Control arms / bushings need replacement at higher mileage
5) Brakes are NOT cheap. For the fronts, you are looking north of $600 USD just for parts. They do last a while, just want you to be mindful of maintenance costs.
6) PCV failure, resulting in loud whistling noise

[PeytonBrandt]

I'll let people expand on the list, but some of the more common issues include:

1) Turbo failure issue
2) Fuel door gets stuck, needs actuator replaced
3) Motor mounts leak / fail
4) Control arms / bushings need replacement at higher mileage
5) Brakes are NOT cheap. For the fronts, you are looking north of $600 USD just for parts. They do last a while, just want you to be mindful of maintenance costs.
6) PCV failure, resulting in loud whistling noise

Depending on the mileage, number 6 will be fixed under extended warranty from Audi.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Valpo A7]

PCV extended warranty is for the 2013 and newer models with less than 120,000 miles. The OP is asking about a 2012 model, no extended warranty for him.

[digdah]

He is in Australia. I wonder if they got the S earlier than the USA market and if so whether or not Audi Corporate would cover it.

PCV extended warranty is for the 2013 and newer models with less than 120,000 miles. The OP is asking about a 2012 model, no extended warranty for him.

[qantus747]

Dosnt sound that bad compared to some other cars like a merc e63 failing timing chains or a m5 dct transmission failure apart from the turbo failure on these but then again I am a mechanic for a living and not to scared to take on a job like that.
How do these cars engine and driveline cope with the added stress of a flash/tune as I would like to mod it if I do buy it

[gimpgutter]

Dosnt sound that bad compared to some other cars like a merc e63 failing timing chains or a m5 dct transmission failure apart from the turbo failure on these but then again I am a mechanic for a living and not to scared to take on a job like that.
How do these cars engine and driveline cope with the added stress of a flash/tune as I would like to mod it if I do buy it

Well, I didn't mention it but I had a clutch fail on my car last month. ~$3500 to replace. The mechatronic units occasionally fail, as well. Still yet to be determined if my case is an isolated incident, or if the higher mileage cars are starting to exhibit transmission issues. There's a couple recent threads with DCT issues that are making me wonder.

[Riker]

Get your oil screen checked, I believe the reason the turbos fail on these cars is because they are being starved of oil as a result of the oil screen either being clogged or because the screen itself provides insufficient flow (unlikely unless this is some planned obsolescence).

Well, I didn't mention it but I had a clutch fail on my car last month. ~$3500 to replace. The mechatronic units occasionally fail, as well. Still yet to be determined if my case is an isolated incident, or if the higher mileage cars are starting to exhibit transmission issues. There's a couple recent threads with DCT issues that are making me wonder.

Did you start with the stage 2 when you got the car? How long as the EPL tune been on your vehicle?

[qantus747]

Yes that does sound like more of an expensive fix is your car tuned ? Do you think that the trans might not cope with extra power ?

[Riker]

Yes that does sound like more of an expensive fix is your car tuned ? Do you think that the trans might not cope with extra power ?

I'm going to guess yes (as in increased wear and tear), because they (Audi) went with the 8-speed in the RS7 model. I imagine due to the higher torque demands, or less stress across the gears given the extra gear ratio to play with.

[gimpgutter]

Get your oil screen checked, I believe the reason the turbos fail on these cars is because they are being starved of oil as a result of the oil screen either being clogged or because the screen itself provides insufficient flow (unlikely unless this is some planned obsolescence).



Did you start with the stage 2 when you got the car? How long as the EPL tune been on your vehicle?

I purchased the car CPO in March 2016. It was bone stock until July of 2018. I always had some jerkiness with the transmission and was hoping a TCU tune would help.
I then went Stage 1 EPL TCU and ECU tune in July of 2018. Added in AWE S-FLO intake shortly after.
I then went Stage 2 EPL TCU and ECU tune in Feb of 2019. I had downpipes installed, then an AWE Touring exhaust installed in August of 2019.
The transmission slippage issues started in Sept of 2019.

So, I lasted about 6 months on Stage 2 before the clutch had to be replaced. I don't use launch control, but I like to have some fun at stoplights.

I have no seen a few other forum posts with people having transmission issues on higher mileage cars. I don't think anyone else had their clutch replaced yet, though.

[qantus747]

Sorry to hear Maybe it allready had an underlying issue as it was allways jerky before modding it? Still doesn’t scare me too much because it sounds like they are pretty reliable apart from the trans issue but like you said it could be one off.

Any body else with trans or other issues after performance modding or high mileage ??

[vrod]

So, I lasted about 6 months on Stage 2 before the clutch had to be replaced. I don't use launch control, but I like to have some fun at stoplights.

I have no seen a few other forum posts with people having transmission issues on higher mileage cars. I don't think anyone else had their clutch replaced yet, though.

I have minor slippage on my S6 Facelift (downshift from D2-1 and sometimes D3-2). The local shop said it’s very minor though. Bought the car 7 months ago with 45k miles on it.

How much did the clutch replacement cost you?

[gimpgutter]

I have minor slippage on my S6 Facelift (downshift from D2-1 and sometimes D3-2). The local shop said it’s very minor though. Bought the car 7 months ago with 45k miles on it.

How much did the clutch replacement cost you?

It cost me about $3500 USD at a private mechanic. It was ~$1500 for the clutch and the rest was labor.

[vrod]

It cost me about $3500 USD at a private mechanic. It was ~$1500 for the clutch and the rest was labor.

Sorry, realized you posted it earlier just now.. my garage quoted me 2500€ (i live in germany) for it. Did it change the driving for you? Like, does it just drive super smooth now? I have sorta learned to live with the “bump” when stopping and the car goes from D2-1 but more than often it’s really annoying...

[gimpgutter]

Sorry, realized you posted it earlier just now.. my garage quoted me 2500€ (i live in germany) for it. Did it change the driving for you? Like, does it just drive super smooth now? I have sorta learned to live with the “bump” when stopping and the car goes from D2-1 but more than often it’s really annoying...

I was getting severe slippage. The transmission would overheat and put me in limp mode, limiting me to about 3500-4000 RPM. It would also overrev and just not engage the transmission. Since the clutch replacement, it's probably the best the car's felt since I've owned it. I'm still nervous to push it as hard as I used to, but the couple launches I've done were silky smooth.

[vrod]

That sounds awesome! I think mine is still in the “early stages”. I don’t drive it that hard usually, sometimes I can floor it on the autobahn though. My downshift “bumps” also happen sporadically.. mostly when it’s cold but it also sometimes just shift perfectly. I just hope it doesn’t puke all over the road at some point...

[hsingh2088]

I wouldn't worry too much about buying a higher mileage car with this engine platform. It is pretty bullet proof, especially if you can do your own work. I do recommend that you do the PCV/Oil separator service and upgrade your turbos from the stock cast S6 turbos to billet style/RS7 turbos. If you change the strainer from the "F" revision to the "G" revision, you won't have turbo failure. (Also, if it's not clear, the turbos fail as a result of the bad oil separator, which screws up the crank case pressure, which leads to excessive oil blow-by, which messes with the pressure control valve's calibration, ultimately leading to turbo failure.)

[zcd2.7t]

A friend's tuned S6 just needed clutch work as well, at around 90K miles. He also had the PCV failure and unfortunately had to pay for that repair, too.

[vrod]

Did anyone put in a “stronger” clutch? I am asking this as if I needed to change the clutch in mine, would it be possible to use a stronger replacement than OEM to make it better suited for stage?

[wwhan]

Did anyone put in a “stronger” clutch? I am asking this as if I needed to change the clutch in mine, would it be possible to use a stronger replacement than OEM to make it better suited for stage?

Something like this (listed for B8 S4)? Audi S4 800 Ft/lbs Torque Clutch Package

[vrod]

Something like that yeah.. was just wondering.. since the parts are usually the cheapest thing, might as well use some stronger components if I decide to go stage 1.

[then1z]

1.) turbos due fail due to oil screen on earlier models, but if you plan to mod and get bigger turbos this should not be an issue
2.) motor mounts fail and are super pricey over $600 a piece
3.) water pump/thermostat replacement on higher mileage but could be considered normal maintenance item
4.) trans fluid flush needed for higher mileage, maintenance

These cars are super enjoyable and you will love it but even doing the work yourself just been mindful the parts are quite pricey