Audi A6 1997-2004 used car review
The 1997-2004 Audi A6 offers a lot of luxury for just a few thousand dollars.
The 1997-2004 Audi A6 offers a lot of luxury for just a few thousand dollars. Unfortunately, repair bills can be incredibly high.
The Audi A6 is a large luxury car available as a sedan and wagon, known as an Avant. Its competitors were mostly rear-wheel drive; the Audi offers all-wheel drive, except in one front-wheel drive option. The A6 was the base for sports versions (S6 and RS6), and an SUV-like 'Allroad' wagon model.
Inside and out
The A6 has a very rounded look for a large, voluminous sedan. The front features a wide grille with its four-ring emblem. The projector-style headlamps are rounded and curve down to the side of the car. Along the sides, you notice the large wheel arches, which stick out significantly. The roof slopes down gently to the rear, which makes the boot lid relatively small.
Climb inside and the A6 feels exceptionally luxurious. Everything’s solidly built, and quality leather or wood finishes feature throughout. The instruments are black and surrounded by chrome rings for a sporty look. A red digital screen for vehicle information and the trip computer sits between them.
The centre console features a pop-out cup holder and the button for the electronic stability control. Below this is the CD and cassette player stereo. The controls for the climate control, which has separate settings for the driver and passenger, sit at the bottom of the console. This means you need to look away from the road to use them.
Front seats are electrically adjustable and very comfortable, and yet with lots of side support. The rear offers enough width for three adults and plenty of legroom. The curved roofline causes a slight shortage of headroom, with rear-seat passengers over 182cm likely to find themselves close to the ceiling.
We expect you will be able to fit at least four large suitcases in the boot of the A6 with its high 551-litre volume. The short boot lid may restrict some larger items being loaded. The rear seats split 60/40, and there is a ski port for carrying longer loads.
On the road
A wide range of engines is available in the A6. The smallest was a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, then a 2.4-litre six-cylinder petrol, a 2.7-litre turbocharged petrol, a 3-litre six-cylinder petrol and a 4.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol. Nearly all models sold here and in Japan are all-wheel drive. They're paired with a five-speed automatic transmission except for the 2.4-litre six-cylinder which was sold with a CVT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
Our review vehicle is the 3-litre, which produces 162kW and 300Nm. This engine is very smooth and gives it sufficient power for open road trips with a full load of people on board. The automatic transmission is smooth and can be shifted using buttons on the steering wheel.
‘Smooth’ also describes how the A6 drives. It smooths out rough roads well, yet also feels well balanced with lots of grip around corners. The 'Quattro' all-wheel drive should provide excellent traction in slippery conditions. The steering does feel a little remote. The brakes are excellent.
Our review vehicle was not fitted with a reversing camera or parking sensors, and for such a large car we think it should have one. You can buy a camera to fit your self from $50 or have a professional do it from $200.
We couldn't find any local tow ratings for the A6. The rating for the vehicle in the United Kingdom is a hefty 2,300kg braked (a medium-size trailer boat).
Safety
We were unable to find any local crash ratings for this generation Audi A6. Euro NCAP testing gave the model, without electronic stability control and curtain airbags, a three-star rating for adult protection. Our review vehicle is a 2002 update model and features front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control and electronic brake-force distribution.
Electronic stability control became optional in 2000 and standard on all models from 2002. To check if the car has it, look for an 'ESP' button on the centre console. Curtain airbags were an option until 2001 when they became standard.
ISOFIX child seat mounts and top tethers are found in the window positions at the back. All three rear seats feature full shoulder-type belts, which offer more protection than the lap-only belt.
Reliability
This generation Audi A6 is now getting very old, and most remaining cars are below their best when it comes to reliability. The engine uses a cam belt which will require regular replacement.
The engines are not known to cause issues. The transmission, on the other hand, can fail with little warning. Ensure it shifts smoothly and does not make any unusual noises during your test drive. Replacement with a used unit - if you find one - can cost thousands.
Parts and repairs are expensive and faults sometimes hard to find. Also, listen to clunks and groans from the suspension. Tie rods, ball joints, and other components are all likely to be showing wear at this stage. Avoid models with the optional air suspension as this has proven particularly troublesome.
Cost of ownership
Audi recommends servicing the A6 every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The standard service will cost $280, which is low for this type of car. That will allow you to save up for the cam belt replacement. Required every six years or 120,000km, this will cost a massive $3,000.
RightCar does not list a fuel consumption figure for the A6. Claimed combined fuel economy for the car is a high 11.6-litres per 100km. The 70-litre fuel tank will cost $140 to fill and should take you 575km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the A6 costs $99.92 a year, with the car in the second cheapest ACC levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for an A6 valued at $6,150 will cost $50.39* per month. That’s the same as a BMW 530i of similar value.
Buyers' guide
The 1997 to 2004 Audi A6 is available on Trade Me priced from just $2,000 to $8,000. Low mileage and a full-service history lead to the highest prices for this model.
Variants
Standard features are high across the range. Separate air conditioning settings, CD player stereo, electric front seats, heated seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, remote central locking and a leather steering wheel are standard across most NZ-new and Japanese import models.
Diesel models were available in markets like the United Kingdom and may have arrived here as private imports. Only petrol versions were sold in NZ and Japan.
Variants are based on the engine size and if the car has all-wheel drive, known as Quattro:
- 1.8T Quattro
- 2.4i
- 2.4i Quattro
- 2.8i Quattro
- 2.7T Quattro
- 3.0i Quattro
- 4.2i Quattro
Timeline
- 1997 Sedan version launched
- 1998 Wagon version launched
- 2002 Receives a facelift
- 2004 Replaced by new model
Details
2002 Audi A6 3.0i Quattro
$7,000 to $8,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
3-litre six-cylinder turbocharged, 162kW and 300NM
Five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Three-star Euro NCAP
15,000km or twelve months
Space saver
11.3-litres per 100km (claimed)
Premium
4796mm
1810mm
1453mm
2300kg (braked)
11.8m
This review covers the Audi A6 for model years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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Kyle Cassidy 