Reliability on 4.0TT

[slobdogg]

I am in the market for a 2016 S7. I apologize if this has been discussed but I did attempt a quick search for Reliability and found the following (I am not a gearhead so this may not all sound correct)

- Turbos fail. Seems to be a regular issue for the 2013 MY but fixed after that. But people with tunes seem to experience a higher failure rate.
- Turbo oil screen. Whatever it's supposed to do, it's not doing. Is it worth fixing this prior to failure?
- PCV valve. Not really sure what this does but everyone recommends to fix this when replacing the turbo oil screen.

All in all, that's about it right? With the turbo problems, the issue would be apparent when shopping around. Are there other hidden issues that are common? Things I should ask an inspector to keep watch for?

Thank you guys for your wealth of knowledge. I've got another few months before I make a purchase (if I can maintain some patience). I want to wait for the 2019 models to hit the dealerships, and for the PODS recall to be sorted out. I expect that once those two things happen the price of a 2016 S7 will drop 10%. Is that reasonable? Right now, one with driver assist and comfort package, <40k miles is $60-65k. I would like to get the deal for $55k or less.

[aFOURstance]

Skip the S7 and get an RS7, trust me

[brad281]

Motor mounts are problematic and expensive to replace.

Mine were replaced at 28k miles and I have another one giving a fault code at 48k miles.



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[brilliant_black]

Motor mounts are problematic and expensive to replace.

Mine were replaced at 28k miles and I have another one giving a fault code at 48k miles.



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Are there any stronger aftermarket ones?

034 motorsports makes high quality replacements for the B8 cars.




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[Audibot]

Turbos seem to be fail a lot due to oil starvation problems caused by the oil screens. Of course tuned cars would have it worse--the demands are higher.

I've heard control arms being replaced within 40k-50k on some of these vehicles too. Bushings seem to go early.

[slobdogg]

Skip the S7 and get an RS7, trust me

It's hard to justify the extra $15k for a car two years older, with power that I won't use. It's a bit *too* aggressive for having two kids under six years old. But, believe me, the internal debate rages on.

And - what's up Fairfax!

[brad281]

Are there any stronger aftermarket ones?

034 motorsports makes high quality replacements for the B8 cars.




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Not that I've seen.

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[wwhan]

....Turbos fail. Seems to be a regular issue for the 2013 MY but fixed after that. .....

The Audi TSB for failed turbos runs from 2013 through 2017 and includes all the 4.0T models.

There was one 2016 RS7 that had the turbos fail at around 18k miles on stock tune.

"18,XXX miles, 100% stock, never tracked/abused, 2016 RS7 Performance": https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13139207

[brilliant_black]

The Audi TSB for failed turbos runs from 2013 through 2017 and includes all the 4.0T models.

There was one 2016 RS7 that had the turbos fail at around 18k miles on stock tune.

Wow that is such a downer. Seeing these threads is really pushing me towards an RS3.
Yeah it's no where near as luxurious...not even close, but if anything does break it's a lot easier to work on.

I really do love the 4.0T cars still they're so badass. Hopefully the new revision for the oil screen solves the blockage problem.


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[slobdogg]

The Audi TSB for failed turbos runs from 2013 through 2017 and includes all the 4.0T models.

There was one 2016 RS7 that had the turbos fail at around 18k miles on stock tune.

"18,XXX miles, 100% stock, never tracked/abused, 2016 RS7 Performance": https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post13139207

I'd read that thread, but it wasn't until today that I considered how I would feel if I had to shell out $10k to repair a known issue. Given this information, I would 100% purchase an extended warranty for the car. I hope that would give me no issues if a claim were to arise from these turbos.

[Avned]

Yes. Don't buy this car without extended warranty. My extended warranty has paid out over 20k in repairs since I've hit the 50k mark. I love this car but damn the repairs.

[slobdogg]

Yes. Don't buy this car without extended warranty. My extended warranty has paid out over 20k in repairs since I've hit the 50k mark. I love this car but damn the repairs.

Would you risk buying Non-CPO with extended warranty, knowing that Audi is out of the picture as far as warranty claims go? I would feel more comfortable knowing Audi sold me an Extended Warranty, even if they aren't the ones to underwrite it.

[phaphaphooey]

It's hard to justify the extra $15k for a car two years older, with power that I won't use. It's a bit *too* aggressive for having two kids under six years old. But, believe me, the internal debate rages on.

And - what's up Fairfax!

I have a 3 month old and he thinks that the RS7 is just fast enough.

[Avned]

Would you risk buying Non-CPO with extended warranty, knowing that Audi is out of the picture as far as warranty claims go? I would feel more comfortable knowing Audi sold me an Extended Warranty, even if they aren't the ones to underwrite it.

Honestly, I bought mine non-cpo with CarMax extended warranty. They covered all repairs. The only one they didn't fully cover was both turbos since only one went out. Despite the recommendations from my shop they still only did one. Other than that, I've been really impressed with their warranty. I can't speak for other 3rd party warranties of course.

[OlyS6]

With an oil change interval of 5,000 miles, and changing out the oil return screen and oil separator prior to 40 or 50k miles, (as well as the lines to the turbos), I would expect that you'd be fine. kpriv just completed his turbo swap at 24k on his S7, and his oil screen had minimal buildup, and all of his lines were pretty clean as well. They were all replaced with new, but I think 24k miles may be a bit too early to swap out the screen and the lines just based on that one data point. WhiteWhiteS7's thread for the DIY for the oil separator is excellent, and also gives us another data point with a bit more build-up on the screen at 64k miles, but not completely clogged.

There are a few folks on here who've blown more than one turbo, but it appears their shops didn't change out the oil return screen or check valve, which just sets up the new turbos to be starved as well.

[slobdogg]

With an oil change interval of 5,000 miles, and changing out the oil return screen and oil separator prior to 40 or 50k miles, (as well as the lines to the turbos), I would expect that you'd be fine. kpriv just completed his turbo swap at 24k on his S7, and his oil screen had minimal buildup, and all of his lines were pretty clean as well. They were all replaced with new, but I think 24k miles may be a bit too early to swap out the screen and the lines just based on that one data point. WhiteWhiteS7's thread for the DIY for the oil separator is excellent, and also gives us another data point with a bit more build-up on the screen at 64k miles, but not completely clogged.

There are a few folks on here who've blown more than one turbo, but it appears their shops didn't change out the oil return screen or check valve, which just sets up the new turbos to be starved as well.

I saw that video and it's far above my comfort zone. Ballpark, how much would dealership charge to change the screen, separator, and PCV valve?

[OlyS6]

I saw that video and it's far above my comfort zone. Ballpark, how much would dealership charge to change the screen, separator, and PCV valve?

Don't go to a dealership- buy the parts yourself, and then take it to an independent shop. I'd expect 10-12hrs of labor. So depending on their hourly rate, somewhere between $1000-$1500 for labor, possibly more if they're slow.

[MadAboutCars]

What about back washing the screen through the appropriate turbo lines with an engine oil cleaner, at each oil change, rather than a complete strip down, to get to the screen? Is this possible?

[phaphaphooey]

Has anyone that has run a shorter OCI (5k miles or so) blown a turbo? I don't recall reading about anyone in that situation. If that is the case, if a car has short OCIs since new, it is possible that this could also prevent or at least significantly delay the build up of debris on the oil return screen.

[slobdogg]

Has anyone that has run a shorter OCI (5k miles or so) blown a turbo? I don't recall reading about anyone in that situation. If that is the case, if a car has short OCIs since new, it is possible that this could also prevent or at least significantly delay the build up of debris on the oil return screen.

I think in the main thread someone said they changed every 5k and still blew turbo.

[Hofahome]

Has anyone thought about deleting the factory screen (or taking the mesh out of it) and installing something like this X 2 along the turbo lines? Would be so much easier to check/clean with each oil change. I have no idea what micron filter we would need though, but to be fair, either does Audi lol.

http://www.turbosmartdirect.com/Prod...4AN-Black.html

[slobdogg]

Skip the S7 and get an RS7, trust me

Took your advice and test drove an RS7 today at Carmax. Holy sssss. I'm still grinning, but it was way too much power for me. I had a blast driving it.

[DocTJ]

Took your advice and test drove an RS7 today at Carmax. Holy sssss. I'm still grinning, but it was way too much power for me. I had a blast driving it.

hahahaha nice!

so s7?

[brian_216]

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[brian_216]

What about back washing the screen through the appropriate turbo lines with an engine oil cleaner, at each oil change, rather than a complete strip down, to get to the screen? Is this possible?

The oil flows through a check valve (one way valve) then the screen and then it heads into the turbo. The one way valve wont allow the system to be back washed. Only one way and that's to pull the screen.

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[MadAboutCars]

The oil flows through a check valve (one way valve) then the screen and then it heads into the turbo. The one way valve wont allow the system to be back washed. Only one way and that's to pull the screen.

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There goes that idea. Thanks for letting us know.

[3g_bishi]

2015 rs7
60k miles and no turbo issues “knock on wood”
But I do have a cyl #3 misfire as a lot is other 4.0t owners are experiencing.
1 bad lower control arm
That’s it. These are reliable cars. Oh mines flooded btw from Houston hurricane.


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[ryanlada]

2016 S6 52k miles, tuned ecu/tcu stage 2 since 20k miles
One wheel bearing under warranty.
One secondary 02 sensor
Have Audi extended warranty to 120k (Fidelity?)
Following 10k factory service interval.