A6Q reliability

[David C Kumpf]

Kent Crossley wrote:
> Hi all!
> I have been away from this list for awhile and really miss
> the quattro bant= er.  I don't know if this an old
> beat-to-death issue or not, but is there a=  consensus out
> there on how reliable the '98/'99 A6q is?  My wife and I wer=
> e considering replacing her much loved '93 90q with a newer
> series A6q when=  I came upon the less than complementary
> assessment of the car in the 2002 = April issue of Consumer
> Reports.  Their data, which I believe is based on r= eader
> surveys, indicates that these things are to be avoided unless
> you som= e how owe a debt of gratitude to the local Audi
> mechanics!  As I consider t= his list be considerably more
> objective than some miffed non-q-heads, can a= nybody
> comment?  We currently have two 200qs and the 90q and have no
> desire=  to spend much, if any, time in the local Audi
> dealer's service bay. Scott = Mockry is my ace Audi guy and I
> would trust him with my life, so I know the= se cars require
> some occasional expert attention.  But I don't want to be b=
> eat up regularly.  Thanks in advance for any input. Regards,
> Kent Crossley

OK, here's my experience with a 1998 A6Q, purchased used from dealer at
just over 38k miles in August 2000, now at 56k miles:

- 39783 miles, fuel sender recall, repair interior rearview mirror,
warranty
- 43085 miles, no restart problem (see TSB), towed in, warranty, in
dealer over a week
- 52297 miles, fuel sender recall (redesigned sender), service interval,
front brake pads/rotors, cup holder, in dealer about 3 days
- 55578 miles, complete loss of coolant, towed in, water pump & timing
belt, warranty, in dealer 2 weeks
- 55955 miles, tension roller separated from engine (!!), towed in,
timing belt, heads rebuilt, warranty, in dealer 6 weeks
- miscellaneous - have replaced three foglight grills - either they're
falling out or someone is stealing them. I also had a windshield washer
tank crack, believe that was replaced under warranty.

I have a 200Q also. The A6Q is nice but the 200Q is a more interesting
car.

Dave Kumpf
mailto:dkumpf at optimetra.com
'89 200Q 230k
'98 A6Q 2.8 56k