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Reliability Problems Of The 3.0 Supercharged Engine?
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: NYC
Reliability Problems Of The 3.0 Supercharged Engine?
I'm very interested in purchasing the 2012 A6 when it comes out. I've been comparing it to the BMW 5 and I like it quite a bit more. My one hesitation is the record of reliability In Consumers Reports the A6 has a dismal reliability record and most of it seems to be related to the 3.0 supercharged engine. I was wondering if Audi acknowledges this and if they have taken any steps to rectify whatever it is that causes this engine to be unreliable. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
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From: RI
I'm very interested in purchasing the 2012 A6 when it comes out. I've been comparing it to the BMW 5 and I like it quite a bit more. My one hesitation is the record of reliability In Consumers Reports the A6 has a dismal reliability record and most of it seems to be related to the 3.0 supercharged engine. I was wondering if Audi acknowledges this and if they have taken any steps to rectify whatever it is that causes this engine to be unreliable. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by audi40; Apr 27, 2011 at 05:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: NYC
I believe the reliability issues reported in Comsumers Reports relate primarily to faulty water pumps and thermostats on certain '09-'10 Audis with the 3.0T engine (i.e. A6, S4 and Q7). Both of these issues are well documented/discussed in the B8-S4 and C6-A6 forums, and Audi is now actively addressing both issues with the affected models and has, as far as I know, corrected these issues with new production of those vehicles with the 3.0T engines. I just had my A6 in for its 15k service at which the thermostat was replaced under warranty (I had just recently received an RVU - required vehicle update - notice from Audi concerning the thermostat), but have not had ANY issues with the car/engine otherwise.
Again, thanks for the input and reassurance.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: RI
Thank you. That's very reassuring. As I said, I really fell in love with the 2012 A6 when I saw it and sat in it at the NYC Auto Show this past Mon. Prior to that I was focusing on the BMW 5 series. I think the BMW is now somewhat bland looking...a 3 series that just put on weight (or, alternatively, a 7 series on a diet...lol). The interior of the 5 series is not at all welcoming. What I'm not completely sold on is the relatively small nav popup nav screen in the A6. It doesn't seem appropriate in a car of this stature. But the rest of the A6 is simply gorgeous and it's design is so classic it'll never really age badly. Hopefully Audi can get its reliability ratings up to where they should be and all will be well.
Again, thanks for the input and reassurance.
Again, thanks for the input and reassurance.
http://www.insideline.com/audi/a6/20...rst-drive.html
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Consumer reports can make mountains out of a few things. The water pump /thermostat issue has been discussed many times.
Consumer reports has been kind to the new generation A6, and for several years they had it recommened and gave it a thumbs up.
The A6 is pretty rock solid.
Although I had 4.2 v8, I had no realiabilty issues with my 2008. All I did was put gas in it and go for almost 3 years. Never a electrical glitch, check engine light...nothing in the time I owned it.
The 09 was the 1st year of the S/C engine. So it's expected you might have a few glitches here and there.
If you car dies from a bad water pump, it is a fault and something that needs to be addressed.
But for anybody to say the new generation 05 & up A6's are generally "abismal" - doesn't know what they're talking about.
Consumer reports has been kind to the new generation A6, and for several years they had it recommened and gave it a thumbs up.
The A6 is pretty rock solid.
Although I had 4.2 v8, I had no realiabilty issues with my 2008. All I did was put gas in it and go for almost 3 years. Never a electrical glitch, check engine light...nothing in the time I owned it.
The 09 was the 1st year of the S/C engine. So it's expected you might have a few glitches here and there.
If you car dies from a bad water pump, it is a fault and something that needs to be addressed.
But for anybody to say the new generation 05 & up A6's are generally "abismal" - doesn't know what they're talking about.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
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From: NYC
So, in short -- (1) don't shoot the messenger and (2) work on your reading comprehension.
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A few things. First it's CU that rates them "Much Worse Than Average," their lowest rating in the reliability dept. I took the liberty merely of equating this to "abysmal." Pardon me for offending your apparently delicate sensibilities. Second, I did not say "the cars themselves" were abysmal, merely their record of reliability. Sometimes it pays to focus on what you're reading.
So, in short -- (1) don't shoot the messenger and (2) work on your reading comprehension.
So, in short -- (1) don't shoot the messenger and (2) work on your reading comprehension.
I see this in all consumer products ranging from cars to washing machines to TVs, if they believe they are buying the best then they think it should never give problems, but the reality is that all things electrical and mechanical do break down from time to time regardless of the brand.
If you think for one minute that Audi are any less reliable than Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar or Porsche then you are wrong because they all use the same sub-manufacturers to supply the parts which make up the cars you drive, if theres a difference it's coming from post assembly, meaning the dealer network.
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 38
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From: NYC
Consumer ratings are based on a number of things, (1) the problem, (2) the dealer's ability to fix the problem, (3) time taken to cure said problem and (4) the whole experience from booking car in to receiving it back. The professionalism of a dealer greatly reflects on these ratings in combination with the expectations of the consumer towards the brand itself.
I see this in all consumer products ranging from cars to washing machines to TVs, if they believe they are buying the best then they think it should never give problems, but the reality is that all things electrical and mechanical do break down from time to time regardless of the brand.
If you think for one minute that Audi are any less reliable than Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar or Porsche then you are wrong because they all use the same sub-manufacturers to supply the parts which make up the cars you drive, if theres a difference it's coming from post assembly, meaning the dealer network.
I see this in all consumer products ranging from cars to washing machines to TVs, if they believe they are buying the best then they think it should never give problems, but the reality is that all things electrical and mechanical do break down from time to time regardless of the brand.
If you think for one minute that Audi are any less reliable than Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar or Porsche then you are wrong because they all use the same sub-manufacturers to supply the parts which make up the cars you drive, if theres a difference it's coming from post assembly, meaning the dealer network.
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Maybe you should open a thread asking members to vote either 'yes' they have had an issue with their 3.0SC engine (regardless of model) or 'no' they have experienced no problems what so ever.
I run one recently before handing over to my brother and between both of us we haven't experienced any problems at all. Maybe we are the exception to the rule but I feel if it's record is indeed as bad as you are claiming then this vote should reflect this.
I run one recently before handing over to my brother and between both of us we haven't experienced any problems at all. Maybe we are the exception to the rule but I feel if it's record is indeed as bad as you are claiming then this vote should reflect this.
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I can't live my life just on what Consumer Reports or JD power says. They write it, so it's bible and verse in a lot of people's minds.
As a 3 time Audi owner and 2 time A6 owner (06/08/11 models), I have had good expereience with my A6's.
The people that are angry in life usually let a lot of people know about it. There is a lot of technology on these cars. User error and "ghost problems" are counted against the manufactuer and people complain about a lot of things.
Some are very valid, and others not.
If you can't handle the emotional stress of owning an A6 because Consumer Reports says not to, then maybe you should go buy a Subaru.
As a 3 time Audi owner and 2 time A6 owner (06/08/11 models), I have had good expereience with my A6's.
The people that are angry in life usually let a lot of people know about it. There is a lot of technology on these cars. User error and "ghost problems" are counted against the manufactuer and people complain about a lot of things.
Some are very valid, and others not.
If you can't handle the emotional stress of owning an A6 because Consumer Reports says not to, then maybe you should go buy a Subaru.
Last edited by jperryrocks; May 3, 2011 at 12:29 PM.