Thoughts on audi a6 2.5tdi quattro 180

[K7ERG]

I have been looking into getting a 4x4. The above car ticks most boxes as what I am looking for.

I don't know much about engines in these cars but have.heard the early versions of a4 2.5 tdi have. Problems with cam wear. Any other problems too look out for. Cars around the 1999 to 2001 a6 as the a4 is fairly small inside.

If high mileage 180000miles what are the main faults. Service intervals for cam belt.
Finally what are they like in the snow?


Thanks in advance.

[S2central.net]

My favourite engine - NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

I had the chocolate camshaft failure last year on a 2001 motor. Not a job you want to be doing regularly - reckon ~500 quid on parts for that.

In saying that - other than common sweaty leaks from diesel pipes on the injectors and rocker cover gaskets (mine are lovely and dry now) - the engine pulls well and is very reliable.

The biggest fear on that type of engine is if you get injector pump failure - phooooking expensive

Timing belt interval is 80k mile from memory - not a horrendous job but some special tools needed plus new tensioners etc circa 150 quid in parts

They can eat glow plugs too... I had to replace all 6 for ~90 quid ish

Best mod for them is EGR delete - keeps a lot of gunjy crap out of the engine.

The allroad is great in the snow on this motor - a hoot actually - lots of torque - normal A6 will be more dynamic

Worst thing on this engine is fuel economy - we average 28 with tiptronic overall but thats lots of small runs - MUCH better on long mway runs

[K7ERG]

Oh not so good mpg. Typical fuel pump failure.... I guess the 1.9 tdi engine is the one you want then.

[S2central.net]

If you want decent MPG then the 1.9TDi is superior... not as much fun... but not as painful on the wallet to fill up.

[K7ERG]

How many miles to a tank do you get Paul? I currently do between 500 to 700 miles a month. Is there anything else to look out for. I had a older 2.5 5 pot diesel quattro which was great but I totalled mine when I hit diesel on a wet motorway. Gutted! I had a few problems with that engine as well. Fuel pump, lifters x2 sets, crank pully as key had snapped......

[S2central.net]

On long runs with manual gearbox expect 35mpg

Our mileage is killed by slush box and short runs to school etc

[K7ERG]

I have a 50mile round trip each day to work and then the Mrs uses it to work when I am off 40mile round trip so.should see in the mid to late 30's. Do.you have a homefry for that engine?

[S2 EDS]

Audi Allroad 2004 - 180 bhp Tiptronic.

I have a 2004 2.5 V6 TDi Allroad. My mileage is currently 118,000 miles. On the whole, really reliable, but fuel economy is shiiiiitttte on the short runs - I get about 24pmg (or rather the wife does doing the school run and shopping). That said, I prefer to have my kids transported in the tank - least of know that if some idiot collides with it, the precious cargo are pretty safe. This year of model came already biodiesel tuned (as per handbook) - ordinarily on motorway runs - I can do about 34-6mpg at about 65 - 70mph. I have used vegetable oil in it - rape seed to be precise - mixed with injector cleaner and regular diesel - usually after a 5 mins running, the computer works out the change - goes into reduced power mode and then adjust back to normal. I was doing this when the price of rape seed was 95p per litre - its now up to about 125p per litre - so have returned to full diesel. (I know some people may comment about the injectors and fuel filter, viscosity etc, but I have used it wisely and had no issues).

Water Pumps

These are something you would need to watch out for on this model - as they use the crappy plastic rotor type. Mine failed a couple of thousand miles ago when I was returning from the Lake District - pulled off the M6 near Stoke and the temp just rocketed - I knew it was the pump instantly due to the rapid temp rise - 3 hours later I got back home on the back of a tow truck. My local ex-VW franchise fixed a new pump, timing belt, tensioners and rollers etc. Bill for this £663.00 (Cars@A47 Thurnby, Leicester). Good Team who know their stuff.

Air Bags - Suspension

Again this is an area to be cautious about - generally speaking if the motor has not seen much off road action, it shouldn't be a problem. However, if it has, the mud and small grains of grit have tendency to stick to the back as it folds when you return suspension to normal road conditions - this does have the effect of cutting into the cord of the bag and this then becomes a week spot to tear. I should know, last summer when I took the family round West Mids Safari Park, whilst going passed the Lion area, we had the most almighty bang come from the left rear - thought my tyre had exploded until the dash lights went crazy and the suspension lights flickered - the bag had blown and the suspension dropped onto the shocks - I couldn't get out of that place quick enough. A single airbag is about £250 delivered (non-Audi) - At the time, I imported mine from the USA - still worked out cheaper than any UK supplier. Fitting was a bit of challenge, but got it sorted in the end.

Alternators

Mine gave up the ghost on 117,000 miles. The part costs approx £150.00, but fitting it is a beast - 2 - 3 labour messing around with the front bumper and radiator.

Front Drop links.

The rubber bushes wear quickly I think due in part weight because of the engine and the vibration between the suspension and anti-roll bars. New part from Audi is £39, same part from Europarts is £12 (basically a re-bushed unit, with the Audi stamp ground off!!).

4 x 4 Capability.

Nothing beats it in my opinion when it comes to snow. We have done Scotland the past 2 winters and the car has performed great. Traction superb and extremely good fun when you switch off the ESP - 180 and 360's can be achieved!!! Mad I know.

When it comes to parting, will probably opt for the new A4 version. If I win the fecking lottery!!!

[K7ERG]

The allroad would be good but the air suspension puts me off.

[anthonys2]

I have a audi A4 1.9TDI quattro sport 130bhp and this is my everyday car and one that does about 30 to 35k in mileage a year mpg averages 40 on short journeys and long journeys about 46+ fantastic in the snow and rain as you would expect with quattro and extremely reliable and mine hit 180k last week. Had it serviced and all it needed was belts changing and front brakes and usual service bits done got a full check done on the car and theres nowt wrong - I know its not what your after but highly recomend them!!!! Mines a 53 plate which i like this shape my brother has previous shape in a 1.9tdi and this has 297000 on the clock and still going well!!!

[K7ERG]

Ideally a 1.9tdi quattro is the car I would go for in A6 form but are hard to find in my price range.

What are the clutches like on the 180 quattro?
Any common areas which rust?

Guessing mileage isn't a problem if history is there to back it up.

Any other problems to look out for?

[Al Wyn]

Id be looking to track down a 1.9 rather than the 2.5 as they seem to be pretty much bullet proof when well looked after in comparison. We run a Alhambra Stylance family wagon with the 130 TDi unit and that moves along nicely for 2 ton of 7 seater van and sees 50mpg on a run so in a much smaller lighter car would be even more economical and spritely. David (S2driver) on here runs an A6 1.9 TDi avant (not sure if its a quattro) might be worth dropping him a pm

[K7ERG]

Still thinking the 2.5 as the extra power will help get it going.

[SE_30]

My Dad runs a 2.5tdi Allroad on a 54 plate, (used for towing) owned it for around 5 yrs now, loves it especially when it snows, ESP off and away he goes. Never had any issues with engine, suspension airbags at all. He sometimes complains about the MPG but the cost of fuel is a contributing factor also, but a car that weighs over 1.5tons of build quality and quattro reliability it's not bad considering. Most winters inc the last one we just had it was the only car in his street to leave in around 2 weeks of bad snow. You could see the look on the neighbour’s faces he says looking out the windows thinking look at him he's going to get stuck only to be spitting feathers when the Allroad shows its capability.. I’ve used it a few times and the only complaint I have are the lack of supportive seats his has heated leather, and the ghost like gear changes with the auto box. Apart from that a great all rounder.

[prj]

I wonder why no one has mentioned the fact that the camshafts wear out on this engines (pretty much all of them) and replacement is close to 3000 GBP.
And the fuel pumps like to go as well.

Pre-2003 (and even then, the engine code has to be checked) ALL have camshaft problems.
The 3.3 V8 TDI on the A8 has exactly the same problem as well.

2.5 TDI is crap. Not stellar fuel economy, not much power, and loads of problems.
Better save up a little and buy something with 3.0 TDI V6 (but even there, there is issues with the chain tensioners).

Basically, if you want to actually save on running costs, buy a V6 petrol engine. It will be much cheaper for you in the long run than buying a used early-year 2.5 TDI.