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[Mark R]

I've never heard of 1st gear issues in the USA (MY 2000 was the first year
here for the S4 and 2.7L driveline).

Turbos are supposed to be replaced in pairs (per Audi), at least in North
America.  It's a major job... factory procedure runs something like this:
Step 1: Place carrier in service lock position.  Sounds easy, right?  It
should say, "remove the entire front end of the car, but don't disonnect
anything that may leak."
Step 2:  Remove engine.
Simple!

I'm told that with the right tools and experience, you can swap turbos from
the bottom without removing the engine.  It's tight, but I can see how this
is possible (although not something I've personally done).

As they say on the internets, "YMMV."

Mark Rosenkrantz

On Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 4:13 AM, mike <mikemk40 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I've got a '99 S4 which is at 195k (miles not km) and all is fine.
>
> Paperwork shows a replacement dealer turbo at 70k, I thought they were
> replaced in pairs? but the bill says one and the cost supports this.
>
> Other than that it's only had normal servicing, oil & filter @ 6k, cambelt
> etc at 80k, lower arms (ball joint issues?) were done free by the dealer at
> the 160k belt change and I've just done the rest of the front suspension
> arms as it was feeling a bit sloppy on the front end.
>
> Assuming A6 is similar I'd recommend them as safe, fast enough, and
> reliable.
>
> I do remember something about early 6 speeds having a weak 1st gear but I
> expect all these will have been sorted by now
>
> Mike
>