A7/S7 looking to purchase one

[datax976]

Looking at buying an A7/S7. does anyone have input on what engine A7 as well as best years to get. anyone have thoughts on which years to stay away from or which years have been known to have the most issues or problems?

Im looking for a reliable daily driver that have plenty of upgrade options or tunability. I'm willing to consider as old as 2012 (although that's pushing it) as long as its low enough mileage and definitely reliable. what years do you all recommend and prefer? Thank You.

[Dutch_A6]

My 2 cents is buy the newest you can afford. I have 2012 with 138k on it, bought it with 100k on the clock. I've kept up with all routine maintenance and it was well documented on service from the dealer when I bought it. Wear items I've had to replace were motor mounts, brakes and spark plugs. I've replaced a lot of other items because of upgrades I've done like brake lines, sway bar, upgraded heat exchanger, supercharger pulley, trans fluid and exhaust system and intake. The engine itself has been built proof so far.

Only thing I'm weary about in the S7 is turbo failure on higher mileage cars.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[bahiaeternal]

Buy a 2016 A7 TDI and enjoy 650 miles to the tank and 400 lbs of torque.

[Valpo A7]

My 2012 A7 has 196K on it and has been fairly solid for me. We bought it at 142K. There is a guy on Audiworld that has 345,000 miles on a 2012 A7. Mine is stock with 310 HP and its plenty quick enough for my daily driving. More power would just get me more speeding tickets in it. I can cruise at 85 MPH at about 2,000 RPMs


S7 has the V8 and has issues with turbo lubrication although there are fixes out there to perform to improve the oil flow reliability. Many have said to keep a warranty on it to be safe. Not all warranties play well with tuning though.

[slomaro]

I drove a 2016 a7 with the 3.0t and a 2013 s7 and settled on the s7, but I care a lot more about the engine and driving experience than I do about gadgets. I come from the LS world and think the 4.0t is a seriously great engine. Aside from the known issues (PCV, turbos, engine mounts, etc..) they seem to be fairly reliable. My vote is for the s7, but find one with a good maintenance history and possibly with some of the bigger items already done.

[MattyMarkey]

Coming from a MY16 A6, which I absolutely loved, the S7 is night and day difference and it's not just the engine, it's all the appointments that come with the S badge. The 3.0T is a great engine, very reliable and plenty of DD power. MY16 and newer, you get the CREC engine - more HP, port injection to minimize carbon build-up, updates to the MMI system and some exterior updates.

The S7 is in a different league! The engine is amazing and I actually prefer the DCT transmission over the ZF8 in the MY16+ A7. I have the B&O upgrade, which is a different system than the B&O upgrade you'd get in the A7. The diamond stitching seats and carbon fiber inlays set it apart. The air suspension is extremely nice and rides very similar to the sport suspension I had in the A6, but when you push the S7, the suspension is noticeably tighter/planted. Yes, the 4.0T has more well-known flaws.

Obviously aesthetics, ride quality, audio and performance are all subject to the buyer, but I am itching to drive this car every day to work and for pleasure.

S7 is my vote

[christianb5s4]

I just made this decision earlier this month, and was between a 2016+ A6 Prestige or 2016+ S6. I also considered the A/S7 but decided I'd rather stick to the sedan. It really comes down to what you find important, the C7.5 A6/A7 are great cars and far more than enough for a solid overall daily driver, and are surprisingly quick with good handling with the s-line package. That said, the powertrain and air suspension in the S cars are a significant step up in every way although there is much more you have to keep in mind for maintenance and repairs which is the tradeoff. The 3.0T/ZF transmission have proven to be bulletproof and many have needed minimal maintenance over a range of mileage.

For my speed fix, I have the built B5 S4 and just realized I didn't need more than the A6 I ended up with. But if I didn't have the S4 and wanted one car for everything, I would have ended up with an S6 or RS7.

[Mad74Mac]

Hey, just went thru this myself, but I was sold on the S7 going in so didn’t compare A7 much.

I think your budget will drive a lot of this. I wanted a specific set of options so when I finally saw a car pop up I flew to Atlanta and bought it.

I set my age limit to 2015 because: I liked the post facelift that and the second-newest MMI version was released in the 2015 (see wikipedia Audi mmi table).

I set my budget at 45k I also wanted something with some warranty left over so mileage around 40k or better.

I wanted the sport package, comfort seats version so I could get ventilation, black optics, and driver assistance package.

When I put all that together along and excluded white, I was only finding 1-3 cars.

My car popped up for sale with all that, mythos black, plus night vision and cold weather which were just icing on top for me. Got it for 42k and couldn’t be happier.

Less than a month in and already two people have stopped me in parking lot to talk about the car.

fwiw I was open to an rs7 with similar options but never saw a car that fit my criteria fall below like 60k.

If you stick to A7 and can afford it then check out the 2018 which has the new interior and major MMI upgrade with virtual cockpit.

Good luck!


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[Mad74Mac]

Oh one other tip for searching if you go to S7 route. Don’t set a trim level filter. The S7 are all at the prestige trim level (at least for 2015+). I found many sellers don’t know so they just put wrong info in the trim level. My car was shown as premium plus so I would have missed it if I was filtering to prestige.

[MattyMarkey]

If you stick to A7 and can afford it then check out the 2018 which has the new interior and major MMI upgrade with virtual cockpit. Audizine

Referring to the digital cockpit and upgraded interior - I think you may mean 2019. I haven't seen a MY18 with either of those upgrades in the U.S.

You gave some great information and perspective for the OP!

[DocTJ]

Everyone has had great advice above
Stick to MY2016 or above.
If you can’t afford the S7 in those years then stick to the A7, which is a more than capable and well rounded and comfortable car. I found myself missing and being more in love with it than I did with my S7 that I had.
Both are a great choice. (Be wary of the turbo issues with the S6/S7 however)

[christianb5s4]

If you stick to A7 and can afford it then check out the 2018 which has the new interior and major MMI upgrade with virtual cockpit.

For the latest all screen setup, I've found it's definitely user dependent on how much someone would like it. I personally liked how it looks and is significantly more modern but it's not as easy to live with on a daily basis as the 2016-18 MMI. It also can be glitchy but I'm sure Audi has resolved that a year in now.

Also, for those with OCD, the screen gets dirty instantly from normal use/fingerprints.

[ItsLarryG]

I went from 2.0t A6 to S7 and do not regret it at all. I didn’t do much investigation on known issues prior to purchase, but Was lucky as dealer records showed my turbos were replaced shortly before I purchased. If you are considering an S, check if they have been replaced, it needs to be after 11/2017 since that is when the Audi TSB for the correct G rev oil screen was released. Audi extended the PCV warranty. Those are the two big issues that come to mind for S car 4.0TT.

[bluefox280]

(Be wary of the turbo issues with the S6/S7 however)

I’m in the market for the S6 variant and trying to become informed of the C7 platform; what items are known with the 4.0TT?

- Erik

[ItsLarryG]

The biggies:

Turbo failure, mostly traced back to the oil screen clogging. Resolved after G rev from Audi.
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...own-Turbo-Poll

Premature PCV failure which Audi extended the warranty.
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-Extension-PCV

[07S6]

Coming from a MY16 A6, which I absolutely loved, the S7 is night and day difference and it's not just the engine, it's all the appointments that come with the S badge. The 3.0T is a great engine, very reliable and plenty of DD power. MY16 and newer, you get the CREC engine - more HP, port injection to minimize carbon build-up, updates to the MMI system and some exterior updates.

The S7 is in a different league! The engine is amazing and I actually prefer the DCT transmission over the ZF8 in the MY16+ A7. I have the B&O upgrade, which is a different system than the B&O upgrade you'd get in the A7. The diamond stitching seats and carbon fiber inlays set it apart. The air suspension is extremely nice and rides very similar to the sport suspension I had in the A6, but when you push the S7, the suspension is noticeably tighter/planted. Yes, the 4.0T has more well-known flaws.

Obviously aesthetics, ride quality, audio and performance are all subject to the buyer, but I am itching to drive this car every day to work and for pleasure.

S7 is my vote

Curious what you mean about the B&O being different in S7 vs. A7, unless it's just something a salesperson told you? I have it in my A7 and am pretty certain it's the identical system in any A7/S7/RS7 with that option.

[daytona rs7]

Curious what you mean about the B&O being different in S7 vs. A7, unless it's just something a salesperson told you? I have it in my A7 and am pretty certain it's the identical system in any A7/S7/RS7 with that option.

Not all b&o audio systems are equal. There are different tiers.
I know for a fact the b&o system in my rs7 is not the same as an a7. 99% sure it's also a step above the ine in the s7 too.

[WatchMeSpend]

Faced with the same dilemma before I got my 2016 A6 S-Line. I purchase the A6 over the S6 because:

1. Scared of turbo failure.

2. Wanted less time on the body. My last used car was at the end of it's youthful appearance and had little specks of rust. I live in Canada where they salt the roads and also the 18 S-Line rims in a 2006 A6 were so close to the body, they sandblasted the paint off and then the salt took over.

3. Not sure if the previous owner took care of the S6 as they should or I would, and I know it needs a bit more love than the 3.0t.

4. Heard the shifting on the 7 speed could be rough in stop and go city traffic.

5. Didn't want to deal with servicing the transmission regularly.

6. I heard the seats were firm and my 2006 A6 had the rare sport bucket option. Bolsters were great, but after a while, it felt like you had been sitting on a catcher's mitt.

I did an APR stage 1 within 2 months and I am still digging the power. The car seriously needs a TCU tune and a rear swaybar. I think with a dual pulley set up and a HX upgrade, the TCU tune, Stage2+ and rear swaybar, I would be happy and worry free. Heated steering wheel and ventilated seats are a bonus.

I drive the car on my days off work. I drive longer drives to financial meetings on my days off or just locally to the store. I have a work vehicle that I use to get to/from work.

[07S6]

Not all b&o audio systems are equal. There are different tiers.
I know for a fact the b&o system in my rs7 is not the same as an a7. 99% sure it's also a step above the ine in the s7 too.

Interesting, learn something new every day.. This is the first time since the launch of the C7 A7/S7/RS7 that I hear any mention of the B&O being any different between the 3 variants.
Of course, we know the B&O systems are quite different in the other Audi model lines.

[christianb5s4]

I did an APR stage 1 within 2 months and I am still digging the power. The car seriously needs a TCU tune and a rear swaybar. I think with a dual pulley set up and a HX upgrade, the TCU tune, Stage2+ and rear swaybar, I would be happy and worry free. Heated steering wheel and ventilated seats are a bonus.

I've been trying to find more reviews of the APR stage 1 tune on the 2016+ 3.0T cars but less common given CREC motor has been on the market less time, how's your experience been in terms of real world driving?

[WatchMeSpend]

I've been trying to find more reviews of the APR stage 1 tune on the 2016+ 3.0T cars but less common given CREC motor has been on the market less time, how's your experience been in terms of real world driving?

The biggest challenge I faced was learning how the car works and the transmission which doesn't have much to do with the tune, but the tune helps point out other deficiencies.

I got the car in December and did the tune in February I think. Because of winter in Canada, I didn't have the optimal conditions to floor the car all the time. The 2006 4.2 I had was pretty straight forward. You drove in manual mode via the shifter or drove regularly in auto or in sport mode. No paddle shifters. Going to the 3.0t I found the car and the transmission combo was just better. The transmission had a gear for any situation and the motor seeming grew big when you needed it or just stayed a nice mellow V6.

I get the APR tune. Weather is still meh. A couple of times I floor it and it seems to pull long and hard like a turbo car. I don't drive in sport/dynamic and didn't think much of it but I keep playing with the settings (too much). I find sometimes the transmission doesn't do what I want, when I want. Over time, I realize, it's the drive modes. In comfort, when you floor it to make the light, it speeds up and doesn't get aggressive. In auto, it drops a few gears and pulls like a turbo car and in sport, it really takes off and exceeds the speed limit very quickly and would dispose of my old 4.2 post haste, not even close.

So now I realize driving in dynamic doesn't necessarily mean you are in sport. So, the other day I exit the highway and put the car into manual/dynamic. The light changes and I take off aggressively and floor it. Wheelspin at 4500 and traction control lights. Pull the paddle for M2 and floor it again, more wheelspin and traction control lights. I back off because it is a 35 mph zone and I'm doing 60mph. Roads were damp in the cracks and it was very cold so the tires were harder and the engine was happy with the cold air.

I've had a few occasions where I left the light hard and the traction control lit up just before the 1-2. Now the fly in the ointment is the transmission. It needs a tune. The engine has a 7400 RPM redline and it the trans keeps on shifting at 6200 which on the APR chart looks like I'm missing about 30 peak HP because the engine is still making power and increasing when it shifts.

The car under AMAX feels fantastic. The fuel mileage is better unless you keep getting into the throttle because you can't resist. Short 25 minute trips with 20 percent city and the rest highway is getting around 23-24 mpg. If I was on the highway for a while it will climb to north of 30-31 mpg.

A car with Stage one and a TCU tune wouldn't need an HX upgrade and would be very noticeably more nimble with the shifting and noticeably faster. Our 2016 cars are the same but mine has a different name because Canada. Same wood, same seats, same drivers assistance. I have 20 inch rims which I think were optional.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I debating on whether or not to go to Stage 2 single pulley 93 octane with TCU tune or just TCU tune on Stage 1 with 91. I don't want to go dual pulley and remove the front end and then have to replace my cats. I don't want to hear any louder exhaust notes or supercharger whine. I want silent and deadly.

[christianb5s4]

That sounds great, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Sounds like the best of both worlds in all situations and I'm with you on the silent and deadly. It seems the TCU upgrade is a valuable one but I'm weighing keeping this car as reliable as possible versus any potential gains it would give although the ZF 8 speed has proven to be extremely reliable.

[Riker]

Just snagged myself an S7 in November, my vote is the S7 if you're a speed junkie and love the rumble of the V8. The sound is absolutely intoxicating, and it really is a great all around car. However, like others have said keep an eye on major pain points and do tons of preventative maintenance. Overall I'd say the car is fairly reliable, but you need to stay on top of it and if you're mechanically inclined you can save yourself a ton of money.

[WatchMeSpend]

That sounds great, thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Sounds like the best of both worlds in all situations and I'm with you on the silent and deadly. It seems the TCU upgrade is a valuable one but I'm weighing keeping this car as reliable as possible versus any potential gains it would give although the ZF 8 speed has proven to be extremely reliable.

Just don't launch control out of your driveway daily and you'll be alright....