Advice before buying 2017 S6

[Goodman2265]

Im looking to get into my first German car and have been eyeing BMW M550i's for months now as I am about to pull the trigger on a new car.

My buddy sent me a link to a Audi S6 for sale a few days ago and now I cannot stop looking at the Audi he sent, I've viewed APR tunes as well and the power gains look insane.
I've been reading up on the 4.0 and it seems like turbo failure is a huge thing to watch for, what should I exactly look at before I buy a S6. One I'm looking at is 1-owner lease from Audi dealer with 35k miles on it

Thank you

[jrhgto]

My advice on the M550i is to do your research on the reliability of BMW's V8s if you are considering the M550. While their V6s seem fairly reliable, I also briefly looked at the M550 as I am also considering a 17 or 18 S6. I trolled some of the BMW boards, and found that the BMW v8s are notoriously unreliable.

Motor mounts are a common problem on the 4.0T as it is on the 3.0T.. The turbo failures are mostly due to a clogged oil screen. Supposedly the reworked oil screen was put into cars starting around the 16 or 17 model year. The screen can always be replaced as a PM.
The other less common issue that I hear about is Mechatronic failure on the 7speed DSG. Fix for that is about 5K, but reports of failure are far less than turbo failure in the 2013-15 4.0Ts. Even then many people still report OEM turbos going strong many years later, so you can never tell.

The C7 platform as a whole is very reliable, just keep in mind that things like brake rotors etc cost a lot more on the S6, and the engine mounts if they do fail cost a lot more on the S6 than the A6. I currently have a 2012 A6 and am starting to look for another car, and really want to stay on the C7 platform (since its so damn solid, and the overall quality is tough to beat), but would like a little more sportiness and the S6 fits the bill.

[Goodman2265]

My advice on the M550i is to do your research on the reliability of BMW's V8s if you are considering the M550. While their V6s seem fairly reliable, I also briefly looked at the M550 as I am also considering a 17 or 18 S6. I trolled some of the BMW boards, and found that the BMW v8s are notoriously unreliable.

Motor mounts are a common problem on the 4.0T as it is on the 3.0T.. The turbo failures are mostly due to a clogged oil screen. Supposedly the reworked oil screen was put into cars starting around the 16 or 17 model year. The screen can always be replaced as a PM.
The other less common issue that I hear about is Mechatronic failure on the 7speed DSG. Fix for that is about 5K, but reports of failure are far less than turbo failure in the 2013-15 4.0Ts. Even then many people still report OEM turbos going strong many years later, so you can never tell.

The C7 platform as a whole is very reliable, just keep in mind that things like brake rotors etc cost a lot more on the S6, and the engine mounts if they do fail cost a lot more on the S6 than the A6. I currently have a 2012 A6 and am starting to look for another car, and really want to stay on the C7 platform (since its so damn solid, and the overall quality is tough to beat), but would like a little more sportiness and the S6 fits the bill.

I considered the M550i because its the N63TU2 which has most of the issues fixed and actually I have a lot of friends that work at BMW and they said they haven't seen any come in with issue. Its just I found a white on red S6 with low miles and it looks hot. Other option is a RS7 but i have to shop around more for one of those thats clean. Looked at S8's briefly to because I currently have a Cadillac and i love me a luxo-barge

[orphancrippler]

I considered the M550i because its the N63TU2 which has most of the issues fixed and actually I have a lot of friends that work at BMW and they said they haven't seen any come in with issue. Its just I found a white on red S6 with low miles and it looks hot. Other option is a RS7 but i have to shop around more for one of those thats clean. Looked at S8's briefly to because I currently have a Cadillac and i love me a luxo-barge

I have a '17 S6, and can tell you what I've had happen/done maintenance wise. The poster above had the general points right, but a few of the details are a little off.

The turbos failing is probably the most common "big ticket" failure on the 4.0T. Some have it, some don't, and if it seems more common than you'd think, remember this is an enthusiast board, so many people are over OEM power levels. I will say that there isn't a direct correlation between tuning it and the turbos dying, it just seems to happen to some and not to others. If the turbos haven't already started failing, and by that I mean damage to the bearings, removing the screen is the simplest insurance against that happening. Unfortunately, it is a very involved process to get to the screen itself, and most will replace the PCV while they're in there, as the PCV is another common failure. Many people opt to upgrade when/if theirs fail, as OEM turbos are 2-3x more expensive than good quality aftermarkets, and it allows you to go a size up and save serious $.

The mechatronic failure is only present on the S6/7, as the other cars have the ZF8 automatic. It is another thing that, while more common on earlier, pre-facelift models, can and does happen randomly to anyone, stock or modified. I have some mild mech issue symptoms myself, but the good news is a full repair kit can be had for $725 shipped in the US, and the repair is not difficult to do at all, the trans stays in the car and nothing except the subframe crossbrace and mech unit itself actually have to be removed. I don't have any codes, but I do get some 2-1 shift clunkiness and hesitation to shift when the DSG is cold. I'm doing it now instead of letting it progress to the point where it actually affects the drivability of the car.

I have had 1 motor mount fail, and it was replaced under warranty at around 38k. With the state the car is in now, I don't have a warranty and I have no need of the complex, electro-mechanical fluid filled mounts that Audi built these cars with, as my 4-cyl mode has been disabled for the last 10k miles and I don't miss it at all.

Another note on the oil screen, even people with the newest revision have had failures, so it's not a guarantee. I believe that the most recent version started coming installed from the factory in the middle of the '18 model year, or thereabouts. My 2017 did not have it, and I had it removed when doing turbo upgrades and went with the JHM screen relocation/replacement kit that trades the single, deeply buried and poorly designed screen for 2 easily accessible, user serviceable filters. There is great debate on the necessity of the screen or a filter at all, and many people have removed it completely and never had an issue.

I won't speak on the Bimmer, as I don't really have much of an interest in them except for how good they look in my rearview mirror . Whichever way you go, enjoy your new ride! There are a lot of really knowledgeable guys on here, it's a great community and we'd be happy to have you join us.

One more thing before I go, skip APR and get a DS1. There are more than a few threads discussing the differences and benefits, including many people who have come over from APR, and the only reason APR is relevant at all, is that they slashed their prices. Even with that, if you care about your car and want a little or a lot of flexibility, the DS1 is the way.

Sent from my Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

[New_Audi]

The 2018 version has the updated oil screen.

Point being, I posted a 2018 S6 for sale. Practically its a garage queen! I didn't put any real effort into selling it last time. Come this Spring, I will rectify that.
Link to the old listing. https://www.audiworld.com/forums/market/3010109

[MattyMarkey]

Not all MY18 have the updated oil screen from the factory - all depends on the build date. Been discussed in length.

Also still unknown if the updated oil screen will have the same fate as the original. Pretty sure I have seen one blown turbo failure on a new Rev screen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Goodman2265]

I have a '17 S6, and can tell you what I've had happen/done maintenance wise. The poster above had the general points right, but a few of the details are a little off.

The turbos failing is probably the most common "big ticket" failure on the 4.0T. Some have it, some don't, and if it seems more common than you'd think, remember this is an enthusiast board, so many people are over OEM power levels. I will say that there isn't a direct correlation between tuning it and the turbos dying, it just seems to happen to some and not to others. If the turbos haven't already started failing, and by that I mean damage to the bearings, removing the screen is the simplest insurance against that happening. Unfortunately, it is a very involved process to get to the screen itself, and most will replace the PCV while they're in there, as the PCV is another common failure. Many people opt to upgrade when/if theirs fail, as OEM turbos are 2-3x more expensive than good quality aftermarkets, and it allows you to go a size up and save serious $.

The mechatronic failure is only present on the S6/7, as the other cars have the ZF8 automatic. It is another thing that, while more common on earlier, pre-facelift models, can and does happen randomly to anyone, stock or modified. I have some mild mech issue symptoms myself, but the good news is a full repair kit can be had for $725 shipped in the US, and the repair is not difficult to do at all, the trans stays in the car and nothing except the subframe crossbrace and mech unit itself actually have to be removed. I don't have any codes, but I do get some 2-1 shift clunkiness and hesitation to shift when the DSG is cold. I'm doing it now instead of letting it progress to the point where it actually affects the drivability of the car.

I have had 1 motor mount fail, and it was replaced under warranty at around 38k. With the state the car is in now, I don't have a warranty and I have no need of the complex, electro-mechanical fluid filled mounts that Audi built these cars with, as my 4-cyl mode has been disabled for the last 10k miles and I don't miss it at all.

Another note on the oil screen, even people with the newest revision have had failures, so it's not a guarantee. I believe that the most recent version started coming installed from the factory in the middle of the '18 model year, or thereabouts. My 2017 did not have it, and I had it removed when doing turbo upgrades and went with the JHM screen relocation/replacement kit that trades the single, deeply buried and poorly designed screen for 2 easily accessible, user serviceable filters. There is great debate on the necessity of the screen or a filter at all, and many people have removed it completely and never had an issue.

I won't speak on the Bimmer, as I don't really have much of an interest in them except for how good they look in my rearview mirror . Whichever way you go, enjoy your new ride! There are a lot of really knowledgeable guys on here, it's a great community and we'd be happy to have you join us.

One more thing before I go, skip APR and get a DS1. There are more than a few threads discussing the differences and benefits, including many people who have come over from APR, and the only reason APR is relevant at all, is that they slashed their prices. Even with that, if you care about your car and want a little or a lot of flexibility, the DS1 is the way.

Sent from my Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

The 2018 version has the updated oil screen.

Point being, I posted a 2018 S6 for sale. Practically its a garage queen! I didn't put any real effort into selling it last time. Come this Spring, I will rectify that.
Link to the old listing. https://www.audiworld.com/forums/market/3010109

Not all MY18 have the updated oil screen from the factory - all depends on the build date. Been discussed in length.

Also still unknown if the updated oil screen will have the same fate as the original. Pretty sure I have seen one blown turbo failure on a new Rev screen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is the car I am looking at
https://www.whiteplainsvw.com/used/A...9b9c2486da.htm

[jrhgto]

Pictures look good, I love the white/red combo. The car fax though has some strange stuff you may want to look into:

7/3/20: shows up for sale at audi dealer in delaware
dealer keeps it for a month, then sends it to auction after replacing 4 tires
8/10/20: used car dealer in bronx buys car.
bronx dealer keeps car for 7 months, only puts 19 miles on it, then sells? to white plains volkswagen

Also white plains volkswagen has less than stellar reviews on yelp/dealerrater etc


some of this could be related to pandemic (or car just sitting on lot, no buyers etc). It does seem like it takes a few months to sell these cars, so maybe some of the dealers werent as patient maybe.

[hrpfg2]

I don’t have anything to share as far as the reliability in these but I like to point out..

Looks to be an Audi exclusive.! Not sure if that adds value or not.

[A6sport]

I don’t have anything to share as far as the reliability in these but I like to point out..

Looks to be an Audi exclusive.! Not sure if that adds value or not.

Not Audi exclusive, but Audi design selection... IMO Audi exclusive interiors do not add value. Some folks go way too far, so much as to turn buyers away.

Some are downright terrible looking.

[hrpfg2]

I thought Arras red interior was only available on audi exclusive. maybe not the case for that MY but you are absolutely correct on design selection.

[jrhgto]

Yeah it was a standalone $1250 option for MY17 and 18 at least, not sure about other years,

[joeyjazesmith]

i got a 2015 audi s6 with the red inserts and red stitching audi exclusive interior. I also put the JHM oil strainer relocation kit on and changed the o-rings in my coolant lines as there was build up from a little leak. I have to do motor mounts soon, but ive been trying to wait for 034 motorsports to release their street density motor mounts. They have a thread for it and they started working on it last summer but no word when it will be ready for release. Im not sure how long i can hold out but 034s solution is supposed to be better and a lot cheaper than the stock mounts. More aftermarket parts are being released for this car, alot in the last year.