LJH

So the wife's '01 Subaru has hit a 100K miles and we are looking at replacing it. I personally have been driving Quattro's for 18 years now and have owned a bunch of Type 44 TQ's, have a '84 Ur-q (needs love) and a B5 S4 in the garage. Now that the S6 prices have come down to a range that we can pay cash I am interested in knowing what they are like to live with. I have to say I have not been all that impressed with the S4 on a maintenance level, I love driving the car but the fact that the Tie rod end were shot at 65K and it looks like I have to do at least upper control arms in the spring at 75K has me wondering. How are the S6's holding up? Do the 2.7TT Allroads suffer from the same malidies? I like manuals but the thought of a hot rod V8 really has me thinking.

Cheers,
Jim

Gerry

are an issue as they are with the other C5s and the V8 issues are typically timing belt maintenance, (same operation as A6 4.2). If the S4 maintenance is an issue for you I wouldn't expect the S6 to be any better OTOH I wouldn't expect it to be worse either. My S6 has had no issues to speak of (knock on wood) and I've owned it since late 2001.

pu911

I just picked one up myself, wonderful car getting 19.5 MPG around town, not much worse that my Volvo and much nicer car, the V8 is awesome. There are some damn good buys out there as well.
Phil

SloopJohnB@mac.com

My first recommendation is get a 2003, last year if you can. Look for mileage under 60K, look for about 15-18K $ depending on dealer or private seller.

No matter what you do...GET A WARRANTY, preferably as long as you can get. 3 yr/36K is not unreasonable considering the cost exposure to maintenance and failure modes. I just bought a low mileage S6, incredibly clean (cleaner than my one owner moi 2000 4.2A6!!) car that has been in the shop longer than I've driven it...head gasket, motor mount(s), intake manifold, and currently I'm driving it with a CEL while waiting for a new ECM from Germany.

Things like control arms are covered by a warranty if you have one...brakes aren't, but they're not that bad if you do them yourself...relatively expensive if you have the dealer do pads and rotors (they won't do just pads).

Last issue...no manual trans on V8 S6 in USA...I understand there are one or two manual conversions somewhere, pricey but worth it if that's what you want and considering the quality of the conversion.

Good luck..S6 is a nice car....I'm holding out for a 3-5 yr old V10 S6...with the economy and oil prices, I'm sure one will pop up in a couple years (there's already an 07 V10 for sale in NJ for $49K with only 19K miles on it...I'm sure there's a 'story' with it too!).

paulroad

Allroads with a TIP typically nead a Torq Converter after 70K, sometimes later or earlier. And some never. But its a common occurence.

The other things about the allrod is the suspension. The airsprings will wear or develop a hole. OEM is 600.00+ labor, but ARNOTT IND. of FL just started marketing their own for 300.00 and the feedback is very positive.

I have 165K on my allroad. I've been the only owner of it. Its an expensive car to keep, (6 speed, original clutch) but now an inexpensive car to buy. I've replaced all 4 OEM Shocks with OEMs (that's all there is) at 150K.. also all control arms and TREs at 130K. But that is maintnance.

Turbos can go, some do some don't.Oil leaks, suspension ECU gremlins, they are all there, but its a great car. I love it.

OOOOya

I bought a fellow AW '02 S6 back in June and haven't had anything go wrong yet, except whoever aligned it last blew it on the toe setting which cost me 2 tires.

He had owned it since basically new, and kept up with maintenance & records.

scratchbuilt

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/117798/telluride_2008_001.jpg"></center><p>I had the timing belt done as a condition of sale. roughly $ 1700 at dealership

I have faulty airbag/seatbelt module for the rear seat. I guess when the aribags are activated, it makes the seat belts tighten up. The airbag light only comes on when someone uses the seatbelt. Mechanic pulled codes and is around $ 650.0 to repair. Not really concerend at this point.

Random CEL which is pulling evap/ emissions codes. The CEL will come on for a day than go off for a long period of time then randomly come on again. It is not the gas cap. Doesnt effect performance at all.

Other than these things, the car has been wonderful (a huge knock on wood). Wife snapped this pic in Telluride after we bought it and took it on its first road trip (for us anyway). Try and get one with sport seats. I love em.

TwinTurboTerror

all but 40k miles, the second set (crappy Meyle replacements) 10k miles. I'm now on my third set (back to OEM).

CAs have pretty much been the story.

ThetaTau87

they are very solid. The S6 is a great family hauler and pretty fun to drive when you're not hauling people or stuff.

CALL AAA

Not many downsides. Crappy mileage, touchy gas pedal.