1995 S6 problems/issues? AND auto shipping from VT to CO

[Robert Rossato]

Problems that are specific to the C4 body S6 are:

Ignition coils that fail resulting in misfire at higher boost levels.  Very difficult to track down which coil is the culprit when it happens.

The Power Output Stages (POS - and it really is), which trigger the coils, also fail.  Typically it is a constant misfire and can easily be diagnosed at idle by disconnecting the injectors one cylinder at the time until you find the one doesn't result in a change.  With the POS at least you get one free fix, assuming the PO hasn't already taken advantage of it.  There are two POS's with 3 channels each, so one is available to swap with the bad one.  

Factory coils are approx $100 each.  A POS is probably $150-$200, don't really know as i haven't priced one lately.  Your car is at the mileage where if they haven't had a problem yet, they will soon.  

There is an alternative fix that is out there now that replaces the factory coils and POSs with the coils from the 1.8T, which have POSs built in.  Kits are now available from 034Motorsport and Apikol for around $300+, or you can roll your own for less.  You won't want to reinstall the coil cover when going this route as the heat buildup is likely too much for the 1.8T coils and will result in premature failure.  There are several folks running this set up now.  This fix has been out there for about a year.  In my opinion it's still in beta testing, but that's just me.  Others will certainly disagree.  

If I needed to change my coils right now, I would opt for the original factory setup.  Yes it is expensive.  But it is a known quantity.  Do you spend $300 on a setup that has not been totally proven, in my book, or spend $800-$900 (assuming you replace both coils and POSs) on something that is sure to last you at least another 125k miles, or more.  Plus I don't really care for the kluged look of running sans coil cover.  Again, just me.  This may ruffle a certain someones feathers as it seems he gets really sensitive when people don't follow his advice.  Oh well.

Another S6 specific problem, like other turbo Audis, will be the intake hoses.  Usually the Michelin Man hose, which is the one connecting the cross-over tube to the intercooler, will fail.  Samco makes a replacement set of silicone hoses which run $350 for all three - turbo to X-over tube, MM, and intercooler to throttle body.  There have been 2-3 GBs over the last few years that usually result in a price of about $260-$280 for the set.  Given you have an MTM chip already, it's possible that the original hoses have already failed due to the higher boost and been replaced with Samcos.

The transmission can develop a whine, or sometimes a ticking, in 1st gear.  The problem is due to galling of 1st gear on the main shaft.  In later years, like 95.5 models, the mainshaft was replaced with a one that has a wider 1st gear.  The clicking noise seems to be more prevalent to the earlier '92 - '94 S4s. My '95 S6 has the whining noise.  I equate it to the noise of straight cut gears.  Frankly, if you develop that I wouldn't worry about it.  Mine started at around 50k miles and now have 100k miles on it.  After 50k miles of hard 1st gear launches it hasn't gotten any worse.  I've tried to break it but it just scoffs me and asks for more.

I think the biggest expense you're going to have is not from having to repair things, but rather from the seemingly endless list of upgrades you can get for your new toy.  Between brake upgrades (factory US brakes are horid), full RS2 engine upgrades, 6spd close ratio transmission, V8 torsen rear differential, exhaust, suspension, etc. you can easily spend another $10k -$12k.  And that's if you go the conservative route.  Given you're in Colorado, there are much higher expections that have been set for you by the CO S-Car mafia.  Those boys play in a totally different league.  I wouldn't recommend trying to keep up.  You may have to move out of the state.

If you do consider driving back, you may want to wait 5 weeks if you can and stop 
by S-Fest 2006 in Coventry CT on Aug 26th. (http://tinyurl.com/ogcop)

Bob


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Tom Winter <tom at freeskier.com>
> On 7/19/06 1:04 PM, "quattro-request at audifans.com"
> <quattro-request at audifans.com> wrote:
> 
> > P.S. Here's my car-acquisition road-trip history...
> 
> Classic, Ed! Simply amazing.
> 
> And it's no surprise that everyone who has responded has suggested driving
> it myself. I should have known! Totally predicable that a bunch of Audi
> freaks would want to spend a couple of days behind the wheel of an S6. And
> totally predictable that none of them would trust anyone to haul their car
> across the country!!!
> 
> Unfortunately I've done the drive from D.C. to Colorado and it sucked! I
> don't really think that I'd want to see the Midwest that way again. It looks
> better from thousands of feet in the sky as you fly over it.
> 
> Also, you guys are forgetting the fact that it's an avant. Hotels? Are you
> kidding? Just sleep in back! LOL! That'll save you at least $40-$60 per
> night in hotel bills!
> 
> Given work deadlines I think I need to have it shipped. . .
> 
> Also, what about problems/issues with these cars? Everyone is so excited
> about the thought of driving for two days straight that they've yet to
> answer my first question!
> 
> Tom
> 88 5000 TQA (chipped, very fast, very well maintained, and very much for
> sale :-(
> 95 S6 (eagerly awaiting my new ride!)
> 
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