03 Audi A6 2.5 tdi estate opinions.

cutenose1

Hi,I am looking to buy an audi a6 2.5 v6 tdi an older 02 or an 03 model,and was wondering what people think of that engine,are they a reliable or troublesome engine,would like to hear from past owners about there experiences common faults things to look out for etc,

I would prefer the older c4 5cyl tdi a6 but are very hard to find maybe owners of that model keep them longer?

Thank you in advance,

Tropheus

I have that engine in my 03 Allroad. I certainly haven't had any problems with it in 165k miles. An alternator at 150k is all that it needed engine wise.

The only thing you need to consider is economy. They're not a modern eco diesel so don't expect much more than 30 mpg around town (I could even be optimistic there). The Allroad isn't great economy wise, but I would assume that it's more thirsty than the A6 avant as it's heavier and has 4wd. Around town, the AR would deliver 26 mpg and 32 on a long motorway based journey.

Other than that, just check for the usual stuff like service history and make sure the timing belt was done when due.

cutenose1

Hey thanks for your reply,forgot to mention im looking for the quattro advant too for winter and some towing.I am currently getting similar mpg from my sprinter cdi but I have converted it to a campervan so need either another sprinter or something smaller like an estate car,good to hear you have had no major problems with your one,

tossy

Hi im currently driving a 2.5 quattro A4 avant.

The big thing to look for on these is cam wear,the are notorious for it esp certain engine codes,so get on google and do your homework.If you are buying one a cam inspection is a must,i have mine 12 months bought only after having the cam covers off and inspecting the cams,there was indeed slight pitting on one of the cam lobes on the outer end of the cam shaft on the right bank of cams (the furthest from the oil pump) but decided it was manageable as it was probably caused during its time as a UK car while on the stupid long life service VW have.I change the oil every 5k as you should really on a high mileage engine.

Other than that i've had no issues what so ever with it,if you are buying this winter then treat yourself to a set of winter tyres to get the best out of it.

Performance wise i average 35/40 mpg.

savagecabbages

ksimpson wrote: »

I have that engine in my 03 Allroad.... Around town, the AR would deliver 26 mpg and 32 on a long motorway based journey

God I'm unpleasantly surprised at how thirsty the Allroad is considering I've been kinda looking at one for a while, almost purely on the grounds that it'd be economical! Is yours auto or manual? I was taking for granted it'd be getting high 30s/40s
The aul fella once had a 1.9tdi A6 estate (fwd), and it did 40+ and high 40s on long hauls. I know the 2.5 is a good bit bigger, but its a LOT more powerful so shouldn't need to be driven as hard...

tossy

savagecabbages wrote: »

I know the 2.5 is a good bit bigger, but its a LOT more powerful so shouldn't need to be driven as hard...

Its also considerably heavier and the quattro lowers economy.

voxpop

The 2.5 isnt especially economical, plus unless you go for the 180bhp variant, not that much more powerful than the 1.9.

If you want economy, go for a 1.9 and forget quattro

savagecabbages

voxpop wrote: »

The 2.5 isnt especially economical, plus unless you go for the 180bhp variant, not that much more powerful than the 1.9.

If you want economy, go for a 1.9 and forget quattro

Its a lot more powerful than the 110bhp 1.9;)
I just didn't think it was that much heavier and less economical than the standard estate...

I suppose having an off road type tire under it would affect economy a lot.

voxpop

savagecabbages wrote: »

Its a lot more powerful than the 110bhp 1.9;)
I just didn't think it was that much heavier and less economical than the standard estate...

I suppose having an off road type tire under it would affect economy a lot.

Should have qualified that by saying the 130hp 1.9. The lower hp 1.9 arent worth looking at at all. I think the older 2.5 is 150bhp - not a huge difference there.

savagecabbages

voxpop wrote: »

Should have qualified that by saying the 130hp 1.9. The lower hp 1.9 arent worth looking at at all. I think the older 2.5 is 150bhp - not a huge difference there.

I didn't make it clear, but then I hadn't banked on people jumping to conclusions either:p And I'm not looking for a 110bhp, just pointed out the difference in economy between the one my father used drive and the Allroad ksimpson has.

Guess the extra weight (~200kg), the quattro system, soft tires and most of them being autos all chip in to give the poor economy...


@tossy, how are you finding the a4? thats also something i'm looking at. Running costs much different for the quattro?
Generally you find the quattros are top interior spec etc.

voxpop

savagecabbages wrote: »

I didn't make it clear, but then I hadn't banked on people jumping to conclusions either:p And I'm not looking for a 110bhp, just pointed out the difference in economy between the one my father used drive and the Allroad ksimpson has.

Dont know what you are talking about, what conclusions have been jumped at - my point was just that the 130 1.9 is very close power-wise to the 150 2.5, with the 1.9 being a good bit more economical. The 2.5 is not a great choice unless you want V6 bragging rights

savagecabbages

You said the 2.5 is

not that much more powerful than the 1.9

but you didn't know which 1.9 i was talking about. Hence you jumped to a conclusion.

-Apologies for being pedantic

tossy

savagecabbages wrote: »

@tossy, how are you finding the a4? thats also something i'm looking at. Running costs much different for the quattro?
Generally you find the quattros are top interior spec etc.

I find it great for what it is i.e a mille munching comfort bus.I never ran a 2wd (and never will) A4 so can't comment on differences in economy.My last car was also 4wd so i am comfortable with taking the hit in economy for an 4wd car.

voxpop wrote: »

The 2.5 is not a great choice unless you want V6 bragging rights

For me the choice of 2.5 was never about power.The are far from powerful.I opted for the 2.5 for the delivery of a V6 the have a decent power band unlike the 1.9,you are still left under no illusion that you are driving a diesel though as the power ends without warning and the closer you get to the red line the crueler it sounds.

My other main reason for opting for a 2.5 and is one worth baring in mind if you are also after a quattro model is that quattro on average saps about 40/50 bhp from the BHP of the engine as opposed to the 2-/30 bhp lost in a FWD A4,so a 1/9 130bhp quattro would have around 80/9- bhp at the wheels - i'd rather cycle

My advice is go for a uk car or ex uk car for a better spec.

savagecabbages

Cheers, I know what you mean a diesel Audi estate is no sports car!!

Prob right about getting a UK one, its downright impossible to find a clean, straight a4 quattro estate that hasn't had the felt spec treatment...
Good value to be had in bringing in an Allroad from the UK too thats mainly where I had been looking.

Tropheus

The Allroad is an option and later C5 versions are good value in the UK.

The fuel economy has been mentioned, but you also need to consider the adjustable air suspenion. It does give trouble on the AR. At 165k miles, mine has had the front air springs replaced twice and the rears are now due (original ones currently on the car).

Original Audi airsprings costs close to €400 each for the fronts and €300 each for the rears from a dealer. That doesn't include fitting. It's not a huge job to fit them if you're handy with a spanner. Cheaper US manufactured air springs are available and are well rated - I currently have them on the front of my car and come in at €500 for the pair.

I haven't experienced suspension compressor failure, but I'm led to believe its not uncommon - you can get them for around €500 from Germany on eBay or close to €1k from a dealer (not including fitting which is pretty straight forward if you're handy).

Mine has the later version of the 2.5 TDI (AKE engine code) which has 180 bhp. I haven't had the cam seal issue which I believe is common on the earlier versions of this engine.

Lots to consider before you make your decision.

tossy

ksimpson wrote: »

Mine has the later version of the 2.5 TDI (AKE engine code) which has 180 bhp. I haven't had the cam seal issue which I believe is common on the earlier versions of this engine.
.

This is the engine most prone to cam wear (that's wearing of the lobs on the cam shaft) so much so it is now known as the 'Ache' engine as opposed to 'ake' if your car was an ex UK car and was on long life service at any stage might be worth having the cams checked - an earlier tell tale sign is slight ticking noise when idling.Mine is an 'ake' engine also and has slight wear to one of the lobes.

Tropheus

tossy wrote: »

This is the engine most prone to cam wear (that's wearing of the lobs on the cam shaft) so much so it is now known as the 'Ache' engine as opposed to 'ake' if your car was an ex UK car and was on long life service at any stage might be worth having the cams checked - an earlier tell tale sign is slight ticking noise when idling.Mine is an 'ake' engine also and has slight wear to one of the lobes.

They were checked at the last belt change. The car also doesn't use any oil. I've never had it on long life servicing so that probably explains why I don't have the problem. I've had the car from new.

tossy

ksimpson wrote: »

They were checked at the last belt change. The car also doesn't use any oil. I've never had it on long life servicing so that probably explains why I don't have the problem. I've had the car from new.

Ah fair play if it was never on long life service then it will be perfect.