[ba] Reliability of B5 vs. B6 A4s? or???

Wed Nov 24 09:12:13 PST 2010

We ran our 1995 A6q avant up to 212k, planning to keep it much longer, when a 
close friend gave us his 2001 allroad (w/154k) in May. We sold 
(practically gave) the A6 to our nephew who is now enjoying it. The 12V V6 A6 
was one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned (along with a very neglected 
'86 4kq we have had for almost ten years, but vastly fewer miles). I do think 
there is some magic there. The transmission shifted with a thud into forth for 
the entire 100k miles we owned it, and is making some noise in reverse, but it 
keeps going and pretty much everything works and it drives great.

Now, at 158k miles, the allroad drives as if it were new, but I have already put 
one airspring in it (easy job it turns out) and the suspension compressor is 
noisy. My friend just had all the labor intensive stuff done to the engine (oil 
seals and TB job) so I hope not to have to deal with engine stuff anytime soon 
(the pair of little K03s seem to be hanging in there, good boost and no noise). 
The big fear is the infamous tiptronic torque converter (TC)...so far so good 
and no trans codes. I'm not sure the year, 2005 I think, is the year beyond 
which it is safe to go tiptronic without TC worries. That concern applies to all 
Audis with tiptronics, but the more torque and weight, the worse it gets (such 
as C5 cars with 2.7T or V8 engines). Anyway, not a ton of miles yet (@158k) but 
we hope to see how far it will go. I still think the overall build quality of 
the C4 is better than the C5, but as with every new generation the C5 has a lot 
more toys (that heated steering wheel is actually very nice, I scoffed at 
first).

Good luck in your search.

Mike Veglia

________________________________
From: robert weinberg <centaurus3200 at yahoo.com>
To: Tony Hoffman <auditony at gmail.com>
Cc: ba-group at audifans.com
Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 8:49:11 AM
Subject: Re: [ba] Reliability of B5 vs. B6 A4s? or???

Thanks Tony, super informative!

i guess my main curiosity is if my wife's 12V A4 is just some sort of freak - or 

there's a magic to the 12V A4 and A6 in their reliability. i still can't believe 

the auto tranny is going strong with 215k - but we do change the fluid (sealed 
for life my ass ;-)

does anybody have a 30V A4 or A6 with a ton of miles out there? what are your 
thoughts?

i would be looking for an auto quattro - my wife says she can drive stick - but 
has yet to take me up on the offer to prove it with my  200q20v ;-)

and i'd rather have an auto for sitting in traffic in the bay area.

see ya,
Robby

________________________________
From: Tony Hoffman <auditony at gmail.com>
To: robert weinberg <centaurus3200 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, November 24, 2010 6:02:39 AM
Subject: Re: Reliability of B5 vs. B6 A4s? or???

Robert, there really isn't that much difference in a B5/B6. The B7 is
when some bigger changes came in (6-speed auto, 2.0T adn 3.2DI). There
are some differences, though, slightly more plastic in the interior
(hidden from vies, however) and whatnot. As for the 1.8T's, they do
take some maintenance. But, so do the V-6's. The 12V's are the way to
go if you can find a low milage good condition one. But, as you
probably know, those stopped in 97. The 30V also has one large coil
pack, so the 1.8T coil problems would be avioded there. However, the
3.0's went to the seperate coil packs. But, I've seen a couple of the
single ones go bad as well.

I've not seen a lot of problems with racks or pumps on any of them,
difinately control arms though. But, they are present on both the B5's
and the B6, just slightly different shapes. The B6 does have a problem
with the glove box door hinges breaking, adn squeaking also. Both have
issues with the center console lid.

The B6 FWD went to the CVT, but I'm assuming you are looking at
Quattro's. And probably manuals for that matter.

HTH,
Tony

On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 5:17 PM, robert weinberg
<centaurus3200 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> hi all,
>
> i'm on the fence here. i'm looking for a new (to me) daily driver. i can only 
>go
> from immediate experience, but from what i've seen my wife's 1997 A4 12V V6
> Quattro has been a super-reliable car. 215k - pretty much just maintenance.
>
> meanwhile, i've had 2 friends with B6 1.8T Quattros which have proven to be 
>real
> pains in the asses. they've blown racks, ps pumps, coil packs - and lord knows
> what else.
>
> i only know older audis - (like my always adventurous 1991 200q20v ;-)
> i'd like your collective opinion on the following for a decent DD...
>
> B5 or B6 with either a V6 (12V or 30V) or 1.8T
> Mercedes Benz C230 or C240
> BMW 330i
>
> must be auto for the wifey to chauffeur my ass around ;-)
>
> my budget can be up to about $14k - but i'd LOVE to keep it under $10k, if
> possible. the car does NOT have to be super fun - just reliable (within 
reason,
> of course). i could buy a honduh - but i used to have a nissan sentra for a DD 

>-
> and i felt like such a tool driving it. and it wasn't all that reliable 
either.
> in the 2.5 years of ownership and 50k miles - i put in reman front axles,
> battery, starter and a water pump. the car had 99k when i bought it.
>
> mileage - eh from as low as possible to about 80k. must have had the timing 
>belt
> service and waterpump if above 70k.
>
> mainly - i already have 1 wallet vampire with the 200q20v, i don't need 
another
> problem child. and i wouldn't want to drive the 200 on my 55 mile daily 
commute
> even if it never broke down - it's just a waste of a cool car.
>
> thanks.
> Robby
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 200q20v mailing list    http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/200q20v
>

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