Possible S6 (V8) avant viewing.

Possible S6 (V8) avant viewing.

Author
Discussion

Earthboundmisfit

Original Poster:

467 posts

217 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
quotequote all
Good afternoon all,

I'm looking to get into the world of Audi Avants in the shape of an S4 or S6. Currntly a BMW owner (E39 525i and Z3M Coupe) but looking to change the E39 for one of the above for family lugging duties.

I have spotted a 2002 S6 avant on Ebay that looks nice to my amateur eye.(ebay item number 191253847509) 115k miles, cambelt, water pump, temsioners replaced about 20k ago. Is there anything that i should be looking out for with this car? I want to ask the owner as many questions as possible before i drive down/across to view its as i'm nr Newcastle and the car is in Knutsford, Cheshire. (300 mile round trip).

The car is priced at £5.5k, does this seam reasonable for this age and mileage. Having looked around, there are not many to compare it with.

I look forward to hearing any advice.

Thanks

David


Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
I'm so far out of touch on S6 prices I couldn't comment on that; maybe old ebay auctions could be used as a guide? CAP is probably going to say 25 quid so irrelevant.

Generally they're quite good old tanks; most of their faults are 'old car' stuff, they have a fairly complicated suspension setup and suffer from split/perished rubbers. When the suspension is worn they feel quite vague and baggy, the worst culprits are the top arm bushes (two each side). These fall apart and the bolts always seize too.

Timing belts are expensive to change on these (~1k with genuine parts) and the thermostat should be changed at the same time as they're prone to failure.

60k is too long for plugs on these, more like 40 sensible if not sooner with short journeys.

Of an age where the LCD between the dials can bleed/fade but they can be repaired rather than replaced.

Navigation of this vintage is pretty pants and not really worth fixing when it dies. Go aftermarket or fit a later Audi unit. Depending on which stereo is fitted (if not nav) then the volume knobs go a bit funky, again, not worth fixing. Fit a secondhand unit out of a later car.

The V8 does like a drink, both in fuel and oil terms. A lot of people switch the V8s to 5w40 rather than the original 30. They generate a lot of heat and oil consumption seems to improve with the 40.

Standard exhaust is pretty weedy. If you're going to have a V8 you want to hear it.

Used to see these cars every day but that's a fair while ago. There are at least a couple of owners around here and I'm sure someone will be able to add to the above.


Earthboundmisfit

Original Poster:

467 posts

217 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks Dr.G.
Thats exactly the sort of info i was after. Good call regarding the completed listings on ebay. Hadnt thought of that.

Thanks again

David