2016 3.0t CREC - 26,000miles/41,000km

[clettngx]

Hi all,

Currently daily drive a 2014 A4 quattro. It's been really good to us since we purchased it at 45,000km in 2020. It's at 81,000km and no issues, but I have the itch to jump into something more powerful.

There is an S4 with the CREC 3.0t locally within budget. Drove it today and it's certainly a beast compared to our a4. The transmissions are the same on both(DL501) and I do my own maintenance.

Initially, I thought the CREC was the best choice out of all the s4 options, given it's the latest generation. However, I've seen reports of supercharger clutch failures, early water pump failures, and a few cases of oil consumption at higher miles. Some claim the redesign of the piston/ring setup in the CREC is to blame.

I've seen the case study of the new CREC which outlines it's revisions, but can anyone give any opinions on this engine? Would you feel it's better to get a generation 2 3.0t instead? My main attraction to the CREC is the dual injector system which reduces the need for walnut blasting valves.

I posted in this forrum since NA did not get the CREC in s4s.

Thanks!


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[Valpo A7]

The CREC engine is the better option available right now despite the problems you have read about. The older 3.0t has those problems as well.

In addition the A6/A7 platform have a few other problem

Wheel bearings
Control arms
Flex pipes wear out
Broken cat converter flanges, especially the passenger side
Oil consumption
PCV problems
water pump / thermostat
previous owners NOT changing transmission fluid. Audi's view is fluid for life but ZF who makes the trans says to change at 60,000 - 80,000 mile intervals.

[ActiveMonkey]

I bought my 2016 A6 (crec) with 81,000 miles a little over a year ago and now have ~142,000 miles (228,000km). It has been relatively great and the car is now stage 2 (single pulley) and generally runs E85. Given the age of the car and my... spirited driving style, I feel it has held up great.

Below are the maintenance items I've had to address.

• Religiously change the oil and oil filter every 5k miles
• Low Pressure Fuel Pump @ ~90k Miles
• PCV Valve @ ~95k Miles (While i had the supercharger off for the PCV work, I also changed the thermostat, water pump and replaces a bunch of O-rings and seals related to the supercharger and intake)
• Motor Mounts @ ~110k Miles
• Rear CV Axles @ ~110k Miles
• Serviced the ZF8 Transmission @ ~110k Miles
• Downstream 02 Sensors @ ~135k Miles
• Front control arms @ ~140k Miles

[clettngx]

The CREC engine is the better option available right now despite the problems you have read about. The older 3.0t has those problems as well.

In addition the A6/A7 platform have a few other problem

Wheel bearings
Control arms
Flex pipes wear out
Broken cat converter flanges, especially the passenger side
Oil consumption
PCV problems
water pump / thermostat
previous owners NOT changing transmission fluid. Audi's view is fluid for life but ZF who makes the trans says to change at 60,000 - 80,000 mile intervals.

Many thanks for this information. It seems like these CRECs essentially have the same problems as the previous gens, bar the chain tensioner problem.

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[clettngx]

I bought my 2016 A6 (crec) with 81,000 miles a little over a year ago and now have ~142,000 miles (228,000km). It has been relatively great and the car is now stage 2 (single pulley) and generally runs E85. Given the age of the car and my... spirited driving style, I feel it has held up great.

Below are the maintenance items I've had to address.

• Religiously change the oil and oil filter every 5k miles
• Low Pressure Fuel Pump @ ~90k Miles
• PCV Valve @ ~95k Miles (While i had the supercharger off for the PCV work, I also changed the thermostat, water pump and replaces a bunch of O-rings and seals related to the supercharger and intake)
• Motor Mounts @ ~110k Miles
• Rear CV Axles @ ~110k Miles
• Serviced the ZF8 Transmission @ ~110k Miles
• Downstream 02 Sensors @ ~135k Miles
• Front control arms @ ~140k Miles

Again, this is good information, thanks! Those all seem to be pretty normal maintenance issues for these engines.

I can't say I'd be keeping this s4 for that long, but at least to 150,000km I'd say given it's a 3.0t.

Really glad to hear your experience has been a pretty pleasant one with it. Gives me some food for thought.

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[ActiveMonkey]

The crec motors also do not have carbon cleaning issues since they have both port and direct injectors.

[Spitfire007]

2016 a6 with 96k.

My motor has been good.
Burning about 1.5qts in 5000 miles. Everyone says that's normal.

I have a strong parking lot speed vibration when the steering wheel is turned, even a little. It's in the drivetrain, no one can figure it out.
Call it Quattro rumble...whatever, wasn't there until 41000 miles and it's very very slowly getting worse.

I've had water pump/thermostat done at 39000.
Motor mounts (pax side twice) and front lower control arm bushings done around 87k

Starting to feel some suspension issues, some pops and squeaks and groans. Hard to diagnose.
Some vibrations under braking, but brakes are new...

Engine and trans have been pretty good, still original battery.

Prolly time for something else, I'd rather have a stick and less of a cruiser.


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[MyDimeIsUp]

2016 a6 with 96k.
I have a strong parking lot speed vibration when the steering wheel is turned, even a little. It's in the drivetrain, no one can figure it out.
Call it Quattro rumble...whatever, wasn't there until 41000 miles and it's very very slowly getting worse.

That's your center diff. It sits behind at the end of your transmission and you can drain and refill it. People say you need to use this special $100 fluid but after I did more research you don't. The $100 fluid is 75W-90 with Sturaco friction modifier and is only needed when replacing with a new diff. If you're draining and refilling you can just use regular 75W-90. Remove the crossbrace (8 bolts), then the transmission support (4 bolts) while having a jack on the transmission and you have access to the drain and fill on the center diff. While you're there I'd also do tranny fluid if not done.

[Valpo A7]

For the center diff aka transfer case the Audi fluid is GL4 with an additive package. I changed mine with synthetic GL5 about 26,000 miles ago and have had zero issues.

[Spitfire007]

I've done all the fluids (every diff and the trans) with no change in the vibrations.....so it guess it's going out slowly.



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