BITDI Reliability??

[OVI82]

Hi everyone.Time has come to get into a newer model A6 and having owned my 09 A6 C6 for over 5 years with no major issues(other than the boot locking mechanism failing) i am now looking to replace it with another A6.This time in the form of the C7 BITDI.The thing that worries me the most is reliability with these and in particular when looking to keep the car for the next 5 years.Ideally i would like to get an 2015/2016 plate with around 50k on the clock.It would be great if i could get some feedback from those of you that have owned this car for a few years now,especially those that have now got some mileage on these cars like 100k and above.Interested to see what, if anything has gone wrong with them.Are there any particular faults with this engine or anything i should pay attention to during a test drive??This would also be my first AUTO so I'm a bit new to that side of the car also.From what i have read the Tiptronic gearbox is more reliable than the S-Tronic which was also an influencing factor for me.Has anyone had any issues with the turbos or gearboxes on these especially the higher mileage ones??My current C6 is manual and i've looked after it really well,fully serviced every single year and for me that was only every 6000-7000 miles(that's oil and all the filters) and it never put a foot wrong.Are the newer C7 BITDI reliable if looked after??
I will look into getting a warranty on the car which brings me to my next question,Which warranty company would you guys recommend??I have seen Warranty Direct being mentioned a few times.
Any info/feedback would be much appreciated and whilst i'm sure these cars are OK as a 2/3 year example it's how well they perform in the long run that interests me the most.
Thanks in advance.

[Justinos]

Hi,

I have a 2017 BiTdi, now with 50k on the clock.

No major issues, other than headrest leather wearing. This is the silver colour. After argument they replaced under warranty. I pointed out the previous C7 I had with 95k on had no wear whatsoever, the only difference was it was black leather.

I also have 2 paint scabs on the lower rear passenger door. Clearly a paint defect, and I am waiting for it to be boked in to rectify under warranty.

My last 3.0 tdi A6 C7 used 1 litre of oil about every 4,500 miles. I wasn't first owner, so unsure if abused in first 20k miles. Oil consumption increased during my ownership and levelled off at 1L per 4,500 after 95k. As I was concerned about this I have been doing oil changes every 10k. I have the longlife service at 19k at the dealers, and do the interim oil/filter myself as it is very easy. At 50k I have consumption equivalent to 1L per 70,000 miles given it has dropped one notch on the display (125ml) in 9000 miles.

Mechanically no other issues. My last C7 had a wheel bearing at 90k, and new gearbox at 50k, but that was the STronic box. I need to research gearbox oil changing on the 8 speed ZF box in the BiTdi.

I do 90 miles per day mainly on dual/motorways. The rear brake pads needed replacing first at 45k. Fronts still original. Must be the DSC/ACC causing wear on the rears quicker than fronts.

[OVI82]

Thanks for the in depth reply Justinos.The thing that gets me ,is how can you have a new gearbox at 50000 miles on a premium car like Audi.This is what has always put me off buying a car with an automatic gearbox.As for oil changes i would do all this myself without bothering with the main dealer.That's what i have done with my current car as i just didn't see the point in paying for stamps in the book.And it's not used a drop of oil.
It's good to hear that you're enjoying your new A6.To be honest it's highly unlikely that you would have issues with a 2 year old car. Unfortunately my budget can't strech to a 2 year old car.
Aside from the A6 I have now, I'm also driving a 19 year old Renault Megane which i use a lot for work and it just keeps going and going....and doesn't ask for a thing.Not taking anything away from the Audi but sometimes i wonder if it could take the same level of abuse that the Renault gets and still stay in one piece despite being 9 years younger...

[john2107]

I have a 2013 BiTDI now with 116k miles. I bought it as an ex demonstrator at 13k. Brilliant car. Oil changes every 10k miles, I have had 2 sets of rear pads and changed rear discs once. Front pads amazingly still original. 2 wheel bearings replaced but no other work necessary. All servicing (once out of warranty) done by local Audi specialist. Transmission Fluid changed at 80k. None of this "sealed for life" nonsense for me!
So from my perspective, reliability is superb.

[Justinos]

Thanks for the in depth reply Justinos.The thing that gets me ,is how can you have a new gearbox at 50000 miles on a premium car like Audi.This is what has always put me off buying a car with an automatic gearbox.As for oil changes i would do all this myself without bothering with the main dealer.That's what i have done with my current car as i just didn't see the point in paying for stamps in the book.And it's not used a drop of oil.
It's good to hear that you're enjoying your new A6.To be honest it's highly unlikely that you would have issues with a 2 year old car. Unfortunately my budget can't strech to a 2 year old car.
Aside from the A6 I have now, I'm also driving a 19 year old Renault Megane which i use a lot for work and it just keeps going and going....and doesn't ask for a thing.Not taking anything away from the Audi but sometimes i wonder if it could take the same level of abuse that the Renault gets and still stay in one piece despite being 9 years younger...

The stamps in the book are handy when you have an out of warranty issue. The gearox would have been £11k. I was out of warranty and got goodwill as FSH, it cost me £1k and they fitted a new turbo as part of the noise fault finding. The stronic box is different to the gearbox in the BiTdi.

[OVI82]

Thanks for replying John2107,that is reassuring to hear.Maintenance work such pads/discs and wheel bearings I can do on my own.The gearbox oil is something I will definitely get a garage to replace.I did this on my previous Audi’s and they had manual gearboxes.Looking forward to getting into one now.The automatic gearbox is something I would.

[OVI82]

Would definitely not want to be in a position where I had to fork out 11k for a gearbox.I see what you’re saying about the full service history.With my current A6 being manual I didn’t have to worry about the gearbox one bit.Not wanting to brag or anything but I can’t see how Audi would service the car better than myself as I go the extra mile with everything.Obviously that will change with the BITDI and will end up doing the same as you and servicing it in between the Audi long life service.Other thing I did with my A6 is ALWAYS ran it on V-Power from Shell which I think has helped by not having any DPF issues especially as I do low mileage.

[BitdiTony]

Had my Bitdi for over 3 years (currently in the for sale section) my12 53k, never put a foot wrong. Regular servicing and a good indie is all you need.

[OVI82]

Thanks for that.Have you taken a extended warranty cover with your car. Unfortunately due to me living in London i am forced to get a Euro6 model to comply with ULEZ so that is 2015 onwards for me
Who would you guys recommend that won't try and wiggle out of a claim if it was ever the case?Is Warranty Direct a good one to go for?

Also as a side note:What is it with so many Black A6's for sale?It's an absolute mission keeping a black car looking clean!!And than you can see any small stone chips on the front bumper and even the superficial scratches from the lovely car wash.If i was ever ordering from new,Black would be my last choice.Would rather have Brilliant White or whatever it's called as a color,rather than black.Anyway, that is not the point of this thread so sorry for rambling on....

[dean warren]

My Bitdi has 125k i have had it 4 months, it is now in for its 3rd warranty claim.
Had a leaking oil cooler control valve loosing 1ltr water a day, Audi quoted £1093
Upper sump gasket leak Audi Quoted £4000
Supplying dealer took the car back and fixed these. (Took 3 weeks)
Then had car back two weeks for another water leak to appear.
Audi fixed this for £300.
Drivers mirror wouldn’t fold out on start up.
Audi replaced mirror mount £275
Then a week later limp mode turbocharger 1 actuator arm stuck.
Gone in this morning to get it looked at.
It now has 126245 on the clock.


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