255k Miles Appreication Post (Pic Heavy)

[njenks]

Just wanted to put up a post about how much I truly love my 2004 B6 Avant 1.8TQMT. It has been an awesome car and is about to turn over 256k miles. I did not know what I would be getting myself into purchasing a high mileage 1.8T B6. I come from driving Volvos with 200k+ so I have never been afraid of high mileage vehicle.

A few notes about the car:

-The car is 100% stock. As much as I would love to mod this car, I can't chance on making it unreliable. I rely on it a lot.
-I drive a lot on the highway as did the previous (original) owner who had an 80 mile round trip commute. I regularly take this car on 300-500 mile round trips.
-The ENTIRE drivetrain is original. Yes, engine, diffs, clutch, trans, driveshaft etc!
-Turbo is original
-The car gets regular (every 4.5k miles) oil changes with Pentosin 5W-40 full synthetic and a Mann filter. The car does not leak a drop, usually only down 0.25 quarts between changes. I do a Blackstone analysis every other oil change to check in on internal wear. All is well.
-Every oil change I replace the spark plugs with NGK Copper BK6URET
-Always 93 Octane Petrol
-In the last 30k miles the only non-maintenance items done included: Fuel Pump, 2 Rear Calipers, Sway Bar links, Snub Mount and passenger window regulator.
-What does show 250k+? The front and rear bumpers for sure, lots of stone ships from being on the highway/driving in winter. The struts/shocks seem a little tired so the handling is a little lazy, The clutch for sure! Grabs right up top. Turbo as well, whines under a second gear pull, seems to be holding boost.
-Next car? I'm thinking a '15 Volvo V60 T6 when I graduate. Yes, I'll keep the Audi!

I suppose if there is anything else anyone is curious about in regards to my car, feel free to ask! I'm curious to hear about anyone else high mileage experiences as well.

Here are some smartphone pictures taken throughout the last year or so of the car.

[njenks]

I hope the pictures show up for everyone...there is a little warning symbol above each when I view the page.

[evo_ski]

That is awesome! Pictures are working for me. I am aiming to take my car past 300k and am at 175 right now. Well done!

[Shortrun]

The pictures look great. Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering why the spark plugs get changed every 4500 miles, or did i misunderstand.

[Toronto5.5]

Coppers wear out quick, and cheap to replace, I support it.

Car looks fantastic! Great job on keeping her running, it's at a good home.

[njenks]

The pictures look great. Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering why the spark plugs get changed every 4500 miles, or did i misunderstand.

Thanks!

Copper plugs have a seemingly short life span however after a good amount of research it seems they are best for our cars. That being said, I'm sure they last way more than 4500 miles, perhaps 2-3X that. They cost about $12 for the set and take all of 15 min to replace so I do them if I remember to order them with my oil change kits.

[ruiz]

That's awesome man. I plan to get my S4 to that mileage eventually. Those MPG's though! I can't even get that in my little GTI 1.8t!

I get copper plugs as well for both my S4 and GTI. The lifespan on them is roughly 9-10k last I checked, so I change them every other oil change.

[123lilc]

Great car! still going strong!

[Gberg888]

I just got to 160k. Im still a far ways away from this number though!

[chad99]

Im at 170 on my wagon and 144 on my sedan right now.
I was hoping to push the wagon to at least 200 but I hardly drive it anymore, plus its tiptronic

[h_curtis]

Wow, and here I am worrying about having 150,000 miles on my car. Thanks for your post. I am looking for a newer car, but maybe I should take more time. I still love my '05 USP manual, but pretty set on going S4 new go around. Still, I have trouble thinking of letting go right now. My car just runs great and is so quiet.

[njenks]

Thanks guys for the kind words so far!

[njenks]

Those MPG's though! I can't even get that in my little GTI 1.8t!

This isn't the usual, I'll admit. Most of the time I'm at 27-29MPG average for my tanks with mixed driving. I can push 36MPGs out of my car on a relatively non-hilly back road doing between 50-60!

[Shortrun]

We changed plugs this spring so will have to check what kind we installed. They may be due. Thanks.