School me on the b6 A6

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
06/02/2014 at 21:35 • Filed to: None

Are these even remotely reliable? What engine is the best? Looking for mpg and reliability, not performance....

DISCUSSION (12)

Vicente Esteve > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:38

Jeremy Clarkson Review:

jkm7680 > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:39

I'd say the 2.7T paired with a manual is great. Reliable NotSaMuch.

Oh, and for the A6 it's C5 :)

B6 is the A4.

Big Bubba Ray > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:39

From personal experience, I'd say they're not very reliable. My dad has one (the 2001 2.7) and it's been sitting in our garage for literally three years with a blown transmission. He's trying to save enough to get it fixed haha

Even before the transmission shit itself, the car had it's fair share of problems and it only has 125,000 miles.

It could just be an isolated incident with his car, but I'm not sure.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:39

Best engine IMO would be the 2.7TT, since you can get serious power out of it for not much money. The 4.2L V8 was also good, because Audi V8 It is generally unreliable, since the electronics can go bad. Also, if the one you're looking at has Air suspension, RUN.

Maddox Kay > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:40

That gen A6 is known as the C5 (it makes Corvette people mad.) The B6 is an A4. Anyway, on the C5 A6, watch out for timing belts, 02 sensors, and and valve cover gaskets. If you're buying a car with over 100k on it, make sure the timing ans serpentine belts have been replaced. The 2.7T engine is well regarded but the turbos can sometimes go on high mileage cars. The other engine is the 3.0 V6 which I don't know too much about. My cousin has an RS6 which is a great car but a maintenance nightmare because you have to take the engine out for most services.

Soloburrito > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:46

If you want mpg and reliability, you probably should steer clear of decade old German cars.

bpands > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 21:52

C5 A6: The car of New England country clubs in the late '90s

Looks: Pretty nice. Even now. One of my favorite designs from Audi.

Space: You can actually fit American adults comfortably in the back seats of these, unlike the A4 of the time.

Power: Any engine is adequate enough as long as you go for a manual. Earlier automatic transmissions tend to show off how heavy this thing is in behind the wheel impressions from a stoplight.

Maintenance: V8 models need to have the whole front clip removed in order to be serviced for near any job. Make of that what you will.

Reliability: Such a crapshoot but so are a lot of Germans of the era. I knew an A6 Avant owner who ran his 2.8 Quattro for 160,000 before opting for an newer car, but that doesn't seem to be a common sentiment among A6 owners.

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2014 at 22:04

He looks strangely Boss Ross Esque with that hair.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
06/02/2014 at 22:12

he does!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/02/2014 at 22:16

My mom is on her send 3.0 C5 avant. Hers is a 2004 w/ 112k miles on it, we've had it for 8 years, and it has had some major issues, despite regular dealer maintenance. Depending on the mileage, they can be reliable, but that requires finding one with a good maintenance history and then keeping it in top form yourself. If you're looking for a car that will be guaranteed problem-free, look elsewhere, as keeping them running, especially at higher mileage, can get expensive. It's well worth it, but be warned. Even if the major drivetrain components hold up, little electrical stuff will break. Still, this isn't always true, and they are still good-looking, practical, fun cars to drive. And the Quattro is unstoppable in the winter.

*EDIT: Also, for the love of god, ignore the people going, "Oh yeah, get the 2.7 TT or the 4.2 V8, they're hella fast!" They are, but the 2.7TT is not even a little bit reliable. The turbos will probably go, as will a host of other things. The V8 is a little more reliable, but very thirsty. I would say your best bet is the basic 2.8 or 3.0 V6.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > mkbruin, Atlas VP
06/03/2014 at 09:49

acquire a 2.7, get bloody knuckles: become a man.

ColoradoTaco > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/03/2014 at 14:10

Serious power for not much money? Where can I sign up for that? Just upgrading the turbos (needed for "serious" power) will you run at least $2200. Add in all the necessary supporting mods, fueling, clutch, diverter valves, intercoolers, etc (don't forget maintenance) and your looking at almost $10k in parts, and the engine needs to be pulled to install them.