Used Audi 3.0 question

[Hamish]

I’m thinking of upgrading my A5 sport back 2.0 170

I'm considering an Audi 3.0 (to get a good 2T tow capacity)

A4 preferably or 6 allroad style

it’ll be 2-4 years old I guess

is there any engine issues I should be aware of !

[PaulAA]

Hamish

Assuming you have the 3.0tdi in mind, I'm sure others will offer you vastly more competent feedback than mine, but from a user perspective (A5 3.0tdi single turbo followed by an A6 3.0tdi bi-turbo), it seems the older the better. Admittedly, I wasn't particularly gentle with either car, but the A6's power (330bhp) translated into dire consumption - I rarely got more than 30mpg on longer trips, and around town it would average below 20mpg. A chum with an RS6 gor better figures...

Apparently, the latest version has a rep for chewing its camshaft gear, comprising far more plastic, and leaking more frequently from more locations.

Also, whilst appreciating that you have towing in mind, you may be disappointed swapping from the A5 to an A6, which is a far more anodine experience (and very scary at the upper limits, if you ever have the opportunity to explore them).

Paul

[Nick Jones]

It’s a bit new for me.  With most modern diesels it seems that usage profile and service regime have a big effect. Higher mileage (not starship at that age!) motorway cruiser likely to be better (lower hours too) than something that’s be pottered about. I would tend to avoid anything that’s had extended service (car decides!) intervals, but not sure avoidance is even possible at that age.

They are very complex engines and there are quite a few variations of them, some with more issues than others. Worth finding out the engine codes (three letters generally) of prospective buys and googling! Bearing in mind that googling tends to bias to the negative!

[PaulAA]

8 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

I would tend to avoid anything that’s had extended service (car decides!) intervals

Incredibly, the first service interval for the 2016 A6 was 24 months/20,000km.

[Nick Jones]

Yes. And that’s probably better than the “long life” (that’s the oil not the engine!) system where the car decides based on usage which might be 50% more than that.  Our TT was on that regime for its first 48k and had two oil changes according to the records. The first wasn’t all that long either (relatively). Engine is rather more filthy inside at 115k than the A6 at 368k. And people wonder why the oil strainers block up!

[Hamish]

Thanks guys. I knew there would be issues to look out for. 
apparently the 3.0L TDI a4 avant is a rare older beast and that option stopped in 2019. 
 

An A6 avant style looks to be a much bigger car that the 4 or 5. 
I’ll be waiting and looking for a good used well spec’d allroad I think. Perf already with tow hitch