The weak link for Audi (aside from yes, I know already, the reliability of the breakdowns and electrical glitches) has been the lack of a competitive V6 in the US for the past few years. It's not that the 255 bhp 3.2 liter V6 was bad (smooth as dulce de leche in fact), it's that numerically it was at a disadvantage against BMW's 300 horsepower turbocharged I6, Benz's 268 hp V6, and pretty much everybody else in the 300 horsepower neighborhood. At times, in the big A6 with required automatic transmission, the engine just felt like it could use an inhaler. To get back in the hunt, Audi is offering the 3.0 liter supercharged V6 previously announced for the A4. It's rated at 300 horsepower and 310 lb ft of torque – about on par with where Audi's 4.2 liter V8 was just a few years ago. The 3.2 liter V6 will soldier on for A6 models equipped with the suicide-inducing FWD/CVT combination. Move up the range from those two V6 engines and you can pick up the 4.2 liter V8, now offering 350 horsepower (some 30-40 shy of the competition again). And then we move into serious performance territory: The 5.2 liter V10 S6 with 435 horsepower, and the properly bonkers RS6 with a twin turbocharged, dry sump 5.0 liter V10 and 580 horsepower. The rest of the facelift is superficial, mostly limited changing the front and rear lights. This writer quite liked the A6's own taillight styling, more or less carried over from the last generation to the current – but out it goes, in the name of sausage design and engineering. The A6 also picks up LED headlights up front. Still no word on the 3.0 liter V6 diesel. As for the gas engined cars, we'll bring you pricing and fuel economy numbers as soon as they're available.
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Yeah yeah, all Audis are unreliable. That classic slam on the brand is getting a bit old. Audi has improved their quality remarkably in the last few years, especially with the A6. According to CR’s scores for the ’07 models, the A6 wipes the floor with the all versions of the Lexus GS in reliability, not just the piece of junk AWD version. The A6 is also rated more reliable than both the 5 and E. Time to come up with something else to bash Audi about.
Wait, how can an ’07 anything mop floors in terms of reliability? The biggest problem with VW/Audi vehicles is the lack of reliability and expensive replacement parts when coming out of the warranty. Initial reliability doesn’t mean crap – as long as it’s under warranty and is fixed promptly, which is more of a warranty department issue.
@davekaybsc:
I’m not bashing Audi for reliability issues. I own a VW. I’m back at the dealer every 45 minutes and I don’t care.
I was more pre-emptively recognizing that many people are going to say “Sounds cool, but Audis are unreliable.” As you have, I too have tired from hearing the refrain.
If I wanted reliable, I’d buy a Schwinn.
Curiously, whats screwy with your GTI?
nopanegain:
Cracked radiator housing, required immediate trip to dealer. Replaced under warranty.
Cracked oil pan (design flaw, they hang unreasonably low) – replaced not under warranty.
Check engine light 3 times. Once for seat sensor, other times for strange events with engine sensors.
Battery in both remotes died at different times.
@alex_rashev
Initial reliability does indeed “mean crap” to a lot of people. The previous A6 was an infamously bad, lemon law all-star. Nobody enjoys that kind of experience. The point I was making is that the typical new luxury car buyer who doesn’t keep their car for 5+ years no longer has a reason to fear Audi, a new A6 is no more of a risk than anything else in the segment.
All German luxury cars get expensive when the warranty runs out, that just comes with the territory.
@DAvekaybsc,
I own a German luxury car, and one of the reasons I was drawn to it was perceived quality of engineering. I have been proven incorrect on that point after sinking $2k into replacing 3/4 power window motors. Sorry, I’ve got friends with Lexi and Infinitis that don’t have stupid design flaws like that. I’m okay with paying a premium for a better product, but I get testy when paying a premium price but get GM like quality of a part that shouldn’t be breaking.
Love how the car drives, but am irritated at costs that shouldn’t be part of the equation.
I want the RS6 Avant soooo bad.. Still Audi does have a well deserved rep when it comes to reliability, IMHO. My Bimmers been no sweetheart, (shocks, window motor, thermostat, all rubber busings, strut hats, rear shock mounts, stabar links, p/s pump & lines, AC, etc.) by any means, but it has always been a problem that I could fix. Audi’s on the other hand have crazy electrical/sensor isssues that no one can fix. I know allegories don’t prove anything but still, my friend had an A4 that would just shut down at random and no one could fix it. I also was just talking to a guy with a TT and reminiscing about the one I used to have (under warranty). He questioned why, as he was trying to sell his but couldn’t due to several electrical gremlins that could not be resolved.
Justin,
Do you own a VAG-COM? If not, I’d recommend getting one. Much easier than going to the dealer just to have them figure out why your check engine light came on.
I have owned both a 93 100S (the same car that later became the first A6) and a 2000 A6 2.7T.
OK, I admit they were not solid, low depreciating, economical to own cars. The 2000 it seemed had the magical ability to put $1,000 on my Visa every time I just drove past a dealer. Still, I loved both of those cars. I even found a source for the problematic P/W motors that got my replacement cost down to around $100. My best time if I remember right was under 15 minutes. I recently heard a rumor that the pixels in the driver information display no longer burn out before the first oil change.
With $4 gas and the need to carry car seats now past I am thinking A3 in 09. If they decide to bring in the A3 cabriolet, it’s a done deal for me.
To me the look of an Audi interior alone makes up for a few minor glitches.
BMWs are even more unreliable, their parts are every bit as overpriced, and you have the added disadvantage of becoming one of those people that would own a BMW. I’ll stick to Audi’s.
Ack! We have a reliability conversation going.
Anyone else psyched about the supercharged V6 engine? Should be pretty cool.
The supercharged V6 should be cool, but I will miss the V8 in the S4. Just when the A4 looks good again, they ditch the V8. Shame.
My boss’s A4, less than 2 years old, is what my pilot dad used to refer to as a ‘hangar queen’. An electrical nightmare with some other faults thrown in. They’ve conquered nothing.
TRL :
To me the look of an Audi interior alone makes up for a few minor glitches.
Yup, I know looking at my worn to the white plastic door pulls and tearing fake leather seats give me a warm feeling every time I get in my Audi…
The newest (by 8 years at that), lowest milage, most expensive car in my garage is the one that looks the most worn out. Nice job Audi!
I have been saying for over a year now that Audi needs to use the 3.6 from the VW range in more of its cars and ditch that 3.2.
Just as well Audi anounces these model redesigns as they usually end up looking just like the previous model and without some marketing no one would ever notice.
I’ve owned an A6 Avant and an A4 Cab. Both were nice cars but devoid of any hint of personality. Yes, the interiors are well-crafted, but much of the near/luxury industry has caught up. Too bad for Audi.
@drifter
Audis used to be cheaper than BMW and MB, but that really isn’t the case anymore. The ’09 A4 3.2 costs about the same as the 335i and the C350. People that choose Audi now choose them because the are better looking, and have better interiors than their German rivals. The one area where Audi certainly is not in MB’s league is the number of lemon law buybacks. Nobody does criminally bad quality like Mercedes.
And yes, I am excited about the new TFSI V6. Audi’s normally aspirated V6s have always been anemic, going back to the 2.8. The new 3.0T will finally be a proper replacement for the 265hp/280ft.lb A6 2.7T S-line.
The new S4 will be all the better for the supercharged V6. The V8 S5 is just too heavy in front.