1996 Audi S6 Avant

Highlights 

• Well-engineered '90s performance estate

• Excellent five cylinder turbocharged engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• 269bhp ECU chip

• Upgraded suspension and performance exhaust

• Recent rear brake overhaul plus new front discs and pads

• Advisory-free MOT

Overview

If you were a German executive saloon car manufacturer in the '90s it was de rigueur to release high performance variants of said saloons and it's a trend, thankfully, that continues to this day, with one of the most renowned of the bunch being Audi and its S6 range of sports sedans and estates. 

During the early to mid-nineties Audi was having a bit of a re-jig of its line-up and very much wanted to continue offering a sporty four/five seater and so the engineers tweaked the previous S4 model, kept the exquisite 227bhp, 2.2-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine and stuck an S6 badge on the boot, offering the new car as both a saloon and an estate.

With ample performance, tons of grip and room for a few kitchen sinks if you choose the Avant, the S6 still feels accomplished today and makes for an excellent modern classic buy. Despite its performance credentials the S6 doesn't get all shouty about it though and remains a subtly styled and dependable '90s hero.

This particular 1996 Avant has been tastefully upgraded from standard spec with a few choice parts, including Bilstein suspension and Eibach lowering springs and a Supersprint after market exhaust system, as well as a stage one chip and tune, increasing horsepower to a reported 269bhp, with the vendor informing us that the car sounds really strong and pulls exceptionally well as a result.

Complete with a decent service record (mainly Audi main dealer) and a ream of supporting invoices for servicing, parts and maintenance, the car presents well overall with only a few small issues in need of attention as listed below but suffice to say this is a nice, usable example that has been modified to improve performance and drive-ability over a factory example.

History and documentation

• 1996 model year

• V5C present 

• First registered 29 Nov 1996

• In current ownership since 13 Dec 2025

• Six former keepers

• Original Audi book pack and wallet

• Two keys

• Good service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: delivery inspection (1996 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 9,958 miles (1997 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 14,811 miles (1998 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 24,058 miles (1999 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 47,097 miles (2001 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 60,327 miles (2003 – main dealer), inspection (2005 – main dealer), inspection+oil service+cam belt+brake fluid at 76,411 miles (2006 – main dealer), inspection at 82,551 miles (2007 – main dealer), inspection at 88,205 miles (2008 – main dealer), inspection+oil service at 109,328 miles (2013), inspection+oil service+cam belt+water pump at 120,434 miles (2023 – main dealer)

• Numerous invoices for servicing, parts and maintenance

• Various old MOT certificates

• Advisory-free MOT until 19 Jun 2026

• HPI clear

• 128,000 indicated miles

Interior

• In excellent order throughout

• Minimal wear and tear, especially to the rear seats

• No signs of any damage

• Seats, door cards and carpets look to be in excellent shape

• Audi S6 floor mats

• Headlining remains intact and in place

• Carbon fibre trim pieces present well

• Factory Bose stereo with amp and sub woofer

• Heated seats but the driver's reportedly doesn't work

• Vendor reports that the sunroof is non-functional and has been temporarily sealed up so as to not leak

• The vendor informs us that there is an intermittent headlight warning light and a couple of the dashboard bulbs are out which makes reading a couple of small areas of the dash at night difficult

• Vendor reports that it takes approximately ten minutes for the cabin to get warm and that there is a leak in the air conditioning system

• Although the battery is new, the car has an after market alarm/immobiliser and as such needs to be kept on charge, with the seller stating a drain time of approximately two weeks otherwise

• Boot space is clean and tidy with the vendor reporting the presence of a standard spare wheel with good tyre

• Engine bay presents well overall

Exterior

• Exterior is in very good condition for the car's age and mileage

• No major damage to report but there is a stone dent on the front of the bonnet along with the usual stone chips to the front end

• No signs of significant corrosion, however there is a little bit of lacquer bubbling on the offside edge of bonnet

• All panel gaps appear to be uniform but the front bumper has a scuff and a small crack that the vendor explains was caused by an impact with a small deer

• All glasswork looks to be in good shape but there is a small crack in the rear reflective at the side of the number plate

• Roof bars look to be in good condition

• 18” six-spoke alloy wheels from an S8 present well with no signs of any kerb damage

• New Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres all round as reported by the vendor

• Additional set of original 17” Audi alloy wheels with tyres included that the vendor reports all have good tread (5-8mm) plus an extra spare with no tyre

• Underneath looks to be in good condition with no signs of damage or repairs

Mechanical

• 2.2-litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Four-wheel drive

• 296bhp Stage one chip (original supplied)

• Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach lowering springs fitted 19 Dec 2023

• Supersprint exhaust

• Rear brake overhaul plus new front discs and pads 20 Jun 2025

• Four-wheel alignment 5 Dec 2025

• Box of parts supplied, including dash lights and LCD strip plus several other original parts 

• Vendor reports a bit of wear in the steering (although not mentioned on the current MOT)

• The vendor informs us that the car starts first time and runs really well 

Summary

Big, boxy and brawny the Audi S6 Avant is a solid choice for those looking for a modern classic sporty estate that has plenty of get up and go yet can still fly under the radar. This particular car may have a few negligible niggles but these are minor foibles in the grand scheme of things and are arguably balanced out by the car's mechanical and performance enhancements. Chuck in the solid history, manual gearbox and decent overall condition and there's really a lot to like here.

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