As my projected new car purchase date looms closer (Nov/Dec) the wheels of my decision making process have shifted into 2'nd gear. The 2.7/4.2 has been near the top of my list, if not at the top, as some of the things that I initially didn't like about the car are starting to grow on me. However, all the horror stories about service, parts availability, and the various recurring defects/problems that owners of these cars are having are really causing me to think twice. It seems that as more and more of these cars are becoming roadbound the list of problems and dissatisfied customers is multiplying at an alarming rate. Maybe I should buy a used e class Benz with Starmark and wait until Audi gets it act together. At least with that purchase someone else will have taken the initial dep hit and I could get out of it quik as it wouldn't be a lease. Just thinking out loud... Anyway, a friend of mine bought a 2.8, believe it or not at my recomendation, and I sure hope he doesant have tons of problems. BAD10

 

I agree with you, guy. It is pretty scary. I'm driving a '98 626 ES-V6 that hasn't given me a day of trouble in almost 3 years. Just ordered an '01 A6 4.2. I would be super-ticked if I end up paying $20K more, just to get an unreliable car.

On the other hand, the people who complain are the ones who scream loudest and make posts. I don't see too many "had mine for 3 years and haven't had a bad day yet" posts. Of course, I mostly see complaints about the 626 on Edmunds, but have had great reliability.

I'm going to take the chance, personally. I treat my cars well and good stuff generally happens to me. People still mistake my current car for new and it has 64,000 miles. If bad stuff happens to you all the time, like one of my friends, perhaps you should bail on the Audi.

My personal problem is figuring out whether vanilla/royal blue is too bright for me to have a happy 4 years with A6 or the tungsten grey is too boring...

Best wishes no matter what you do!

 

I know of many satisfied Audi owners that have little or no problems with there cars. Unfortunately, on the forums here, we mostly read about the problems Audi owners are having. I've bought 3 new Audis since 1985 and have had a few problems with them myself, but I would not hesitate to buy another. I've heard about similar problems with just about every other manufacturer. Cars just aren't perfect....yet.

Chris JB
00 2.7TM

 

I think the Vanilla interior looks just AWESOME. It is totally unique and would be my first choice. However I saw a 2 year old A6 with vanilla and it looked absolutely terrible and that scared me away...lots of black lines where the leather gets creased, the headliner looked hopelessly dirty, and the package tray below the rear window looked all bleached out. I dont know if the shabby look was due to neglect but I keep my cars immaculate and if some people could attest to not having such a hard time with their vanilla interiors I would probably consider it again. I just think it would show every speck of dirt and that used one I saw backs that up.I personally dont like the gray interior, I think it is kind of dull. The black interior looks great and is my first pick if you dont count the vanilla. BAD10

 

I complained about windshield distortion to the dealer in my first week. They promptly replaced it, only to have the same "defect". I even looked at the new screen as best I could in the service dept., but couldn't see any problems. Guess it's an inherent flaw and is only really visible once it's mounted and your in the driver's vantage. Minor annoyance. Her in CO. we go through a screen every year or two. Maybe I'll get a good one eventually. After 900 miles the dreaded "radio gremlims" appeared. Again, minor annoyance I'll address at first service. Other than that, I couldn't be happier. I smile everytime I jump in and drive it. There's no rattles, squeeks, thumps. Tranny, handling, ride and braking are silky smooth, power is un-Godly (a bit of lag in the low RPM's that takes some getting used to--but once the T's kick in HOLD ON!) and I can't stop fawning over the build quality. The solid "thunk" the doors make, the exquisite interior, the function of the controls (window controls excepted Overall it's fab! I am going to have the dealer see if they can adjust the Xenon's to point higher at first service. I agree with many that they're pointed too low. They do great for the first 40 ft. After that you're wanting the brights, and the fogs are pretty useless too, being washed out by the Xenon's. Sorry for the ramble. Yeah, they're a bit quirky, but I'm still very pleased with my decision.<p><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/Coloraudi.jpg" Border=0></a>

'01 2.7T Tiptronic, Luxury, Premium, Bose, CD, Xenons

 

I can accept a few minor niggles as I think most german cars have their fair share. Some of the problems seen on this board seem excessive, though. My 1996 camaro Z28 in 50,000 miles went through: 3 transmissions, 2 water pumps, 2 powersteering pumps, one powersteering rack, differential gremlins, failed powerdoorlocks, and the general lack of quality. Suffice it to say I will never guy a GM product again. My last Toyota went 125,000 miles without a single problem and was tight as a drum when I sold it and my current one has 53,000 without a single problem. I would just be very pissed to have major problems with a $45,000 car.

 

...if you recommended that he buy a "turd".

 

...if I had seen some of the posts about A6 problems, would I have bought my A6? I definitely agree with your point that forum "posters" probably post more rants than raves. I, for one, have owned my A6 for about four months and have had zero problems (knock on vavona wood)!

A friend bought a Chrysler 300M about the same time as my purchase of the A6 and has returned his car to the dearler four times for stupid stuff like mis-balanced tires, loose speakers that rumble, loose wiring that rattles. He has had second thoughts about the car's assembly quality. I have never had any such doubts about my Audi.<p>Charlie
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/CDM_Myaudi3.jpg">
2000 A6 2.8 Frontrak

 

Problems or not, why do you think people frequent this forum? Because they like their cars. The feelings of frustration about bad dealer treatment, quality issues, etc... are discussed because I believe in general we're passionate about these vehicles. If we weren't, these pages would be empty.

I've had my 2.7 for 5 months/7000 miles. Only problem has been an out of alignment cup holder. I imagine that the vast majority of A6 owners are happy and that we only hear the "bad press" because people need to vent this more than "5 months and STILL NO PROBLEMS!".

With that being said, there's no denying that the A6 does have some recurring issues. I'm not convinced that other makes are that much better, however the other brands' dealership service might be better.

A used E320? I think about those cars when I'm having problems falling asleep. Get what you're passionate about. Find the best dealer in your area, negotiate a price (worth paying a bit more at a better dealer) and get what you want. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Good luck.

 

is that only the exceptions stand out.

I have a '00 2.7T and haven't had a single issue as of yet (knock wood )

most everything you hear pertaining to anecdotes is warped towards the side of exceptional cases for the plain fact that no one goes around saying how much trouble they *aren't* having.

think of it as watching the evening news and not buying an house because everyday they report some fire somewhere in the city where a family lost their home. is it terrible? yes. could it happen to you? sure. but the odds are on you're side that it won't. it just so happens that its boring for the news crew to go around filming all the houses that didn't catch fire. (sorry in advance for the poor analogy, but its early here and i haven't had my coffee yet)