2003 A6Q Avant Maintenance Costs

I was shocked and disappointed recently when I needed a new catalytic
converter at a bit over 80K miles and the cost was something like $1100! My
'95 and '98 A6Q wagons both went over 140K miles without needing a catalytic
converter. I am getting concerned about what it will cost to maintain this
car.

I should get the timing belt changed soon. What will that cost? And since
I needed one catalytic converter will I soon need to have the other one
replaced and will it also cost around $1100? What other major expenses am I
likely to encounter soon?

I've been buying used cars around two or three years old with low mileage so
that they are still under the factory warranty for a while. Is there any
source for what expected maintenance costs of such cars might be. When I
replace my current Audi I will have to look for something which is less
expensive to maintain.

Thanks, Bob

On Apr 12, 10:40*am, "eBob.com" > wrote:
> I was shocked and disappointed recently when I needed a new catalytic
> converter at a bit over 80K miles and the cost was something like $1100! *My
> '95 and '98 A6Q wagons both went over 140K miles without needing a catalytic
> converter. *I am getting concerned about what it will cost to maintain this
> car.
>
> I should get the timing belt changed soon. *What will that cost? *And since
> I needed one catalytic converter will I soon need to have the other one
> replaced and will it also cost around $1100? *What other major expenses am I
> likely to encounter soon?
>
> I've been buying used cars around two or three years old with low mileage so
> that they are still under the factory warranty for a while. *Is there any
> source for what expected maintenance costs of such cars might be. *When I
> replace my current Audi I will have to look for something which is less
> expensive to maintain.
>
> Thanks, *Bob

Lots of sites like edmunds.com have expected maintenance costs, I
believe. But these cars are expensive - to purchase and maintain. You
need to do all of the preventative maintenance for sure on them. The
timing belt and water pump cost about $900 to do on my A4 1.8T. More
than a 'normal' car because the entire front end has to come off -
bumper, radiator, etc.

As far as the second catcon going bad, who knows? Perhaps you had a
bad one but I would think that would be covered by the emissions
warranty, I believe they are required to cover them for 100k miles.
You should check that. I also know that there are codes that are
thrown that say catcon but are really O2 sensors. I hope you have a
mechanic that you trust.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA