Market Segment:
Premium Mid-size Sedan
Target Audience:
Audi enthusiasts, DIY mechanics, professional repair shops
Key Competitors:
BMW 5 Series (E39), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210), Lexus GS (JZS160)
Vehicle Philosophy:
Sporty luxury, refined ride, advanced technology for its era
Manual Value Proposition:
Provides comprehensive, manufacturer-sourced technical data for effective maintenance and repair, empowering owners and technicians.
Engine:
2.8L V6 (AAH, AFC), 2.8L V6 30V (ACK, AHL), 2.7L V6 Bi-Turbo (APU, ARE, BES), 4.2L V8 (AGD, AQH, ARS, ASG)
Engine Management:
Fuel injection, ignition systems, emission controls (OBD-II compliant)
Transmission:
5-speed Manual (012 series), 4-speed Automatic Tiptronic (01F series)
Drivetrain:
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), Quattro All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Suspension:
Front: MacPherson struts, lower control arms; Rear: Independent multi-link (Trapezoidal Link)
Steering:
Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated discs; Rear: Solid discs. ABS, EBD functionality.
Electrical System:
Battery, alternator, starter, lighting, body control modules, power accessories
Body And Chassis:
Body panels, doors, windows, climate control, interior trim, crash structures
Maintenance:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and top-ups, spark plug replacement, belt inspections/replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic procedures, fault code interpretation, symptom-based troubleshooting guides
Repair:
Engine rebuilds, transmission overhauls, brake caliper replacement, suspension component replacement, electrical component repair
Disassembly And Assembly:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for removing and reinstalling all major components and sub-assemblies
Diagnostics:
Wiring diagrams, diagnostic connectors, scan tool usage, specific component testing
Painting And Bodywork:
Body repair techniques, panel alignment, paint codes, surface preparation
Depth Level:
Comprehensive, covering basic maintenance to complex overhauls and diagnostics
Detail Level:
Step-by-step instructions, exploded views, torque specifications, special tool requirements
Engine Code Example:
2.8L V6: AAH, AFC
Displacement 2.8L V6:
2771 cc
Horsepower 2.8L V6 12V:
172 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque 2.8L V6 12V:
191 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Horsepower 2.8L V6 30V:
190 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque 2.8L V6 30V:
200 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Engine Code Example Bi Turbo:
2.7T: APU, ARE, BES
Displacement 2.7T:
2671 cc
Horsepower 2.7T:
247 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque 2.7T:
258 lb-ft @ 1800-4000 rpm
0 60 Mph 2.8L:
Approx. 7.5-8.5 seconds
0 60 Mph 2.7T:
Approx. 6.0-6.5 seconds
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91+ Octane)
Emission Controls:
Secondary air injection, catalytic converters, evaporative emission control system
Standard Transmission:
5-speed Manual (012 series)
Optional Transmission:
4-speed Automatic Tiptronic (01F series)
Tiptronic Functionality:
Allows manual gear selection via shift lever
Transmission Fluid Spec Auto:
G 052 162 A1/A2 (ATF)
Transmission Fluid Spec Manual:
G 052 726 A2 (or equivalent GL-4/GL-5)
NHTSA Front Impact:
4/5 stars (estimated for the era, specific data may vary)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (estimated for the era)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Esp Optional:
Optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP) on some models
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags; optional side airbags
Seatbelts:
Pretensioner seatbelts with force limiters
Child Seat Anchors:
ISOFIX/LATCH compatibility on rear seats
Audio System:
Factory Audi Symphony or Concert radio systems, optional Bose sound system
Navigation:
Optional factory navigation system with CD-ROM based maps
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system
Parking Sensors:
Optional rear parking assist sensors
Connectivity Options:
Pre-wiring for optional cellular telephone integration.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (dependent on oil type and driving conditions)
Spark Plug Replacement 2.8L 12V:
Approx. 60,000 miles
Spark Plug Replacement 2.8L 30V:
Approx. 100,000 miles
Timing Belt Replacement:
Required for 2.8L V6 30V (ACK, AHL) engines: Approx. 70,000-90,000 miles. 2.8L V6 12V (AAH, AFC) and 2.7T use timing chains.
Engine Oil Capacity 2.8L:
Approx. 5.8 liters (6.1 US quarts)
Engine Oil Spec:
SAE 5W-40 or 0W-40 Synthetic (VW 502 00 / 505 00 compliant)
Coolant Type:
G 12 (Purple) or G 12+ (Pink) Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze (50/50 mix with distilled water)
Common Issue Ignition Coils:
Failure of ignition coils leading to misfires, particularly on the 30V V6 engines.
Common Issue ABS Sensors:
Wheel speed sensor failures can trigger ABS/Traction Control warning lights.
Common Issue Climate Control:
HVAC blower motor resistor failure and climate control unit malfunctions.
Common Issue Window Regulators:
Failure of power window regulators and motors.
Common Issue Oil Leaks:
Valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket leaks can occur with age.
Common Issue Cv Joints:
Wear on front CV joint boots can lead to joint failure, especially on Quattro models.
Brand Focus:
Audi AG, a German luxury automobile manufacturer, known for its quattro all-wheel-drive system and sophisticated engineering.
Generation:
Second Generation (C5 Platform)
Release Year Generation:
Introduced in 1997 (for the 1998 model year)
Design Philosophy:
Sleek, aerodynamic design with a focus on interior comfort and build quality.
Production Locations:
Germany (primarily Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm)
Production Years Model:
1997-2004 (for C5 generation)
Car And Driver Ten Best:
The Audi A6 was a consistent contender and often featured on Car and Driver's Ten Best lists in the late 1990s, praising its blend of performance and luxury.
Consumer Reports Reliability:
Varied reliability ratings for this generation, often dependent on specific engine and drivetrain choices. Manual transmission generally more reliable than early automatic transmissions.