A Cinderella story. Its stepsisters, the A4 and A8, having already received makeovers and rave reviews from admirers, the Audi A6 was feeling left out and wished hard that she would be pretty enough to take to the ball. A tired engine and dated look left her sitting alone by the garage hearth. Finally, in 1998, a fairy godmother granted the A6's wish and dressed her up with more sophisticated lines and a more powerful engine to update its previously inadequate horsepower. However, only the sedan was redesigned in 1998. The wagon maintained the 2.8-liter, 172-hp V6 and would not get its chance to attend the ball until 1999.
The 1998 A6 gets a new 2.8 V6 engine upgraded to 200-hp. All A6s have only automatic transmission, and while the wagon keeps the 4-speed, the sedan gets a 5-speed Tiptronic that switches between auto and manual. Some say it is still not enough power for the size and weight of the A6, but it is adequate for highway cruising. A firmer suspension mirrors that on the A4 and, combined with the light steering action, maintains Audi's reputation for a responsive, precise, predictable driving experience that brings not only a well-balanced ride, but the security that has earned the A6 high crash test ratings. The 1998 A6 gets more legroom and more standard features, including a trip computer, wood trim, dual climate control, and headlight washers. Weather packages add heated seats or a solar sunroof which helps power a cooling fan.
Outside, the 1998 Audi A6 receives more rounded edges to lend an air of sophisticated European flair. Like the A8 it gets more aluminum in its body, making it even more sturdy and durable. Long front overhangs seem to affect ground clearance. Owners love the firm control and quiet smoothness of being behind the wheel of an A6, and the quattro AWD is a favorite feature for its strength in snow and ice. The new styling and elegant interior also earn high praise from owners who like to travel in style. Sluggish acceleration, flimsy cupholders, and a long list of expensive repairs by unhelpful dealers top the complaint list.
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This 1998 Audi A6 has been my daily driver as a Real Estate Agent in Canada since I purchased as a 2 years old (lease back) in 2000 for $35,000 CAD. I had driven Acura's up to that point but fell in love with the Audi's (unusual) interior colour, handling and style. Since I purchased it in Winter, I quickly fell in love with the all weel drive system.
Needless to say, given the 200,000+ KM I have put on this car, I have generally loved it. However, you can't drive an aging German luxury car without a little hate in your heart. On average, to maintain this car in top shape, I have spend $1,500 a year for the last 5 years, a surprising amount of that on tires (heavy car). Parts sourced through my mechanic are quite cheap since the Audi has benefited by the long and continued use of this platform by VW. The car is in the shop a couple of times per year over the last 5 mostly with replacing aging plastic hoses and chasing down oil leaks. Not terrible perhaps for a 14 year old car but painful since I'm stuck driving my wife's (boring) Toyota. I have now purchased a newer A6 (2-14) but still use this car for personal use at it fits like an old glove.
As you may have seen from the pictures, have also attempted to keep this car up to date with modern electronics, while keeping the beautiful stock look of the interior, which I feel remains it's strongest feature. I have added a Phatbox 120GB music system, Garmin Nuvi 7690 and XM radio (professionally installed). I feel this car still compares well with anything on the road less than $40K, and I still get constant compliments on it as I drive customers around!
In summary, a well maintained late model A6 C5 platform is an excellent investment for a relatively inexpensive German luxury vehicle - but find a good mechanic to check it out carefully and be ready for some frustrations along with your smooth daily drive.Dec 19, 2012
by Dustin L
May 23, 2011
Performance: Quick acceleration, great stopping power, and german touring car handling
Build Quality: at 160,000 miles all it needs is control arm bushings
Appearance: Few dents and scratches, interior still in top notch shape
Cost of Ownership: V6 with full time AWD gas milage is my only complaint
Fun Factor: Very fun car with amazing luxuryMay 23, 2011
by Walter B
Dec 08, 2010
Best car I ever owned. It is really now fully broken in. Smooth and quiet
even after over 100000 miles.
There are a few problems. The heated steering wheel no longer works and
the engine light is permanently on. It can still get 30 mph on the highway.Dec 08, 2010
User rating:
by Anonymous
Dec 19, 2012
This 1998 Audi A6 has been my daily driver as a Real Estate Agent in Canada since I purchased as a 2 years old (lease back) in 2000 for $35,000 CAD. I had driven Acura's up to that point but fell in love with the Audi's (unusual) interior colour, handling and style. Since I purchased it in Winter, I quickly fell in love with the all weel drive system.
Needless to say, given the 200,000+ KM I have put on this car, I have generally loved it. However, you can't drive an aging German luxury car without a little hate in your heart. On average, to maintain this car in top shape, I have spend $1,500 a year for the last 5 years, a surprising amount of that on tires (heavy car). Parts sourced through my mechanic are quite cheap since the Audi has benefited by the long and continued use of this platform by VW. The car is in the shop a couple of times per year over the last 5 mostly with replacing aging plastic hoses and chasing down oil leaks. Not terrible perhaps for a 14 year old car but painful since I'm stuck driving my wife's (boring) Toyota. I have now purchased a newer A6 (2-14) but still use this car for personal use at it fits like an old glove.
As you may have seen from the pictures, have also attempted to keep this car up to date with modern electronics, while keeping the beautiful stock look of the interior, which I feel remains it's strongest feature. I have added a Phatbox 120GB music system, Garmin Nuvi 7690 and XM radio (professionally installed). I feel this car still compares well with anything on the road less than $40K, and I still get constant compliments on it as I drive customers around!
In summary, a well maintained late model A6 C5 platform is an excellent investment for a relatively inexpensive German luxury vehicle - but find a good mechanic to check it out carefully and be ready for some frustrations along with your smooth daily drive.Dec 19, 2012
by Dustin L
May 23, 2011
Performance: Quick acceleration, great stopping power, and german touring car handling
Build Quality: at 160,000 miles all it needs is control arm bushings
Appearance: Few dents and scratches, interior still in top notch shape
Cost of Ownership: V6 with full time AWD gas milage is my only complaint
Fun Factor: Very fun car with amazing luxuryMay 23, 2011
by Walter B
Dec 08, 2010
Best car I ever owned. It is really now fully broken in. Smooth and quiet
even after over 100000 miles.
There are a few problems. The heated steering wheel no longer works and
the engine light is permanently on. It can still get 30 mph on the highway.Dec 08, 2010
by Kyle B
Oct 21, 2010
rides like a couch but somthing new breaks every day. they have hardened plastic vacuum lines that break and are impossible to track causing vac. leaks. no turbo with this year sucks. interior is very comfortable. overall, stick with benz, audi breaks too muchOct 21, 2010
by Anonymous
Oct 10, 2010
It's alright for the cost. motor has been serviced before, but still is pretty reliable. Stupidest thing is they say not to drive full speed or you will spin the crank pully. Is very luxurious, better than a BMW, but not a Mercedes. Oct 10, 2010
by Shawn H
Sep 24, 2010
I love this car. Best car i have owned to date. Great car to drive around town and very comfortable for long road trips. Car has plenty of power and loves to go fast, and believe me it does. The handling is phenominal and takes corners like a champ. The interior quality is second to none for cars of that year and comes loaded with plenty of features to make drving fun and easy.Sep 24, 2010
by Saurabh S
Sep 16, 2010
This a 1998 Audi A6 and still looks much better than most of the japanese cars and
american cars made today. It has incredible performance and the quattro system
makes driving on snow a breeze. This car technological advancements that were
seen in the 2005 and later Japanese models. Fully loaded car. Overall this a
wonderful car.Sep 16, 2010
by Brian G
Feb 18, 2010
What have facebook let themselves In for asking
me this...anyway, grand car, but wayyyy too
small
an engine for body weight. Engine sludge a major
issue also on the turbo model. Front multi link
suspension takes getting used of after driving
macpherson strut setups. Nose does not lean
going into corners and can lead to a false sense
of security as it understeers without warning.
Front anti roll bar possibly too heavy also, lifting
of inside wheel can occur when pushed hard on
the twisties leading to loss of traction. Feb 18, 2010
by Thomas R
Jun 02, 2009
This was my first Audi, and I love it! It handles really well, very responsive in it's braking, accellerating, and handling capabilities, and with the Quattro All-Wheel Drive, I feel very secure in it as well! I haven't experienced and issues with this car, but do wis it had a little more to it, as for the exterior design goes!Jun 02, 2009
by Johan F
Sep 10, 2008
The enginge could be bigger ,it´s only 2.4liter,old,quality quite good,perfomance enough.
I would recommend this car to a friend excluded that is a old car it is quiet and performance is enough and it has automatic transmission which is good for me and very good in heavy traffic.Sep 10, 2008
by Derek C
Jul 10, 2008
its a boat.... it ways nearly 4000 pounds, so it doesn't really have any real pick up, but its a gansta mobile, or so I'm told. Gas mileage in a boat that only takes supreme is a little rediculous (like 120$ a tank ridiculous) Jul 10, 2008
by Jonas G
Jun 10, 2008
The car is so good and fast, that it cost me my drivers license for 13 months here in Norway maybe I even have to go to jail for a couple of weeks Jun 10, 2008
by Nathan B
May 19, 2008
Have this audi A6 for a little over 3 months. 10 years old but great reliability still and maintains its style very well. Runs great although it does eat some oil now. Would recommend the A6 to anyone. Great carMay 19, 2008
by Bobby C
May 06, 2008
Gets 23 mpg, quattro is amazing in snow, super stable, even at high speed, has plenty of go once you get it moving, really comfortable seats. Greta stereo. Stock Bose.May 06, 2008
by Gustavo M
May 03, 2008
Great Car!!! Amazing Performance.May 03, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 17, 2008
what can i say just trying to find out if this car is sohc or dohc.Apr 17, 2008
by Benjamin A
Apr 04, 2008
Awesome Car. Period. All wheel drive in the UP made this winter fun to drive in. The car is very roomy and has the largest boot ( trunk) in its class. It also has some cool technology things like a solar panal on the sunroof and automated sun shades. If you want an awesome luxury european car Audi is the way to go. Apr 04, 2008
by Tiffany S
Mar 25, 2008
long lasting...i was at 365000km when the origional bearing on the rear tire decided to break.... it made a small squeeling noise that i just worte off due to the cold weather well i drove it for about a month and a half and finally when it became too loud and we replaced it, the bearing ran with no grease for over 4 weeks and over 10000km!!!!! lets see a honda do that! anyways when we went to replace it my mechanic (who works on domestic and foriegn) said to me, i've never seen anything like it! all the bolts still had thier rust proofing, all the bolts came out without a fuss, except a bushing got in the way... he says the whole knucle on most cars would have been a mess where as all of the BOLTS were still in perfect shape..
the car is rolling up to 400000 and it still makes it up to 200km/hr and not a single speck of rust!Mar 25, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 19, 2008
good car but the hood flew up and smashed the windsheild and hood
Mar 19, 2008
by Jordan K
Mar 14, 2008
a little sluggish at first but be patient cuz it sneaks up on youMar 14, 2008
by Mfon N
Mar 01, 2008
Facinating technology, love them all red interior lighting and computers. However Audi needs to figure out a way to keep their car computers working right!Mar 01, 2008
by James E
Dec 24, 2007
A big premium saloon, with style. A beautifullt packaged car, and a very classy interior. Front wheel drive, but came in Quattro as wellDec 24, 2007
When I bought my used car, it had 17 inch rims and tires on it. The tires keep scrubbing, and then a blowout. I’m pretty sure the originally came with 16 inch rims and tires. Is there a way to keep the tires from scrubbing and blowing out? I don’t have the money to buy 16 inch rims and tires at the moment but I also can’t keep replacing the tire every five days. My car is a 98 Audi A6 Quattro wagon
My 1998 AUDI A6 1.8L , has damaged the fuel pump seal again,. I've changed this rubber piece for the second time in last two months . Does anyone know what is causing this issue. Se the picture