Higher mileage a6 c6
Discussion
Due to an unfortunate change of circumstances I've had to put my caravelle up for sale to free up some money.
I'll be looking for a cheaper car and the cheaper tye better really. Seeing as 500-1000 old bangers aren't really a thing anymore they're now all 2k ish. I've been looking at high mileage examples of the A6 C6 avant.
I had an old b7 A4 up until about 4 years ago so pretty sure I'll like the A6 and could benifit from the extra space with the kiddies.
Really I'd like to get 2 years atleast out of what I buy and do about 12k a year.
Is buying a high mileage A6 a bad idea? Most in the lower price range seem to be between 170-250k miles, which says to me they're reliable.
Is a 200k + car a better buy because likely hood is you will only rack up those miles on a mway?
What are you're thoughts?
I'd have a superb also but there's let about than the audis.
I'll be looking for a cheaper car and the cheaper tye better really. Seeing as 500-1000 old bangers aren't really a thing anymore they're now all 2k ish. I've been looking at high mileage examples of the A6 C6 avant.
I had an old b7 A4 up until about 4 years ago so pretty sure I'll like the A6 and could benifit from the extra space with the kiddies.
Really I'd like to get 2 years atleast out of what I buy and do about 12k a year.
Is buying a high mileage A6 a bad idea? Most in the lower price range seem to be between 170-250k miles, which says to me they're reliable.
Is a 200k + car a better buy because likely hood is you will only rack up those miles on a mway?
What are you're thoughts?
I'd have a superb also but there's let about than the audis.
Dont know about the C6, but my '99 C5 A6 (2.7 petrol turbo) lasted to 235k miles (and drove very well- far quicker than an anonymous silver 1.8 tonne estate should have been -but that wound be the v6biturbo), until I sold it earlier this year after 100k+ miles or so of use
Bear in mind at mileages 100-200k and beyond stuff does wear out, so you either apy banger economics, or budget and prepare for regular preventative maintenance , eg suspension, brakes, etc. Mine ate brakes, and drivers side cam/rocker cover gaskets on a regular basis.
Bear in mind at mileages 100-200k and beyond stuff does wear out, so you either apy banger economics, or budget and prepare for regular preventative maintenance , eg suspension, brakes, etc. Mine ate brakes, and drivers side cam/rocker cover gaskets on a regular basis.
I have one of these right now - an A6 Avant, 3.0 TDI Le Mans edition with about 140k miles.
It’s great for filling with family and soaking up the miles.
It’s not “fast” as it’s so big but it is great at high-speed cruising.
During its most recent service I also had the rear wiper motor replaced. I also have two door lock mechanisms to replace in both front door as they won’t unlock via the central locking.
One of the DRLs also failed following the cold weather. However than came to life in the car park of Majestic last night. Not sure if that was specific to that particular branch or if any would fix electrical gremlins.
Things I like:
- motorway pace.
- comfort.
- load size.
- quattro.
Things I don’t like:
- not a hot hatch or even sporting saloon.
- size and handling.
- the sense that at this age and mileage, things are going to keep failing.
If such a car suits your needs AND you’re willing to stay on top of the preventative maintenance then they are a good car.
Cheers, Steve.
It’s great for filling with family and soaking up the miles.
It’s not “fast” as it’s so big but it is great at high-speed cruising.
During its most recent service I also had the rear wiper motor replaced. I also have two door lock mechanisms to replace in both front door as they won’t unlock via the central locking.
One of the DRLs also failed following the cold weather. However than came to life in the car park of Majestic last night. Not sure if that was specific to that particular branch or if any would fix electrical gremlins.
Things I like:
- motorway pace.
- comfort.
- load size.
- quattro.
Things I don’t like:
- not a hot hatch or even sporting saloon.
- size and handling.
- the sense that at this age and mileage, things are going to keep failing.
If such a car suits your needs AND you’re willing to stay on top of the preventative maintenance then they are a good car.
Cheers, Steve.
Thanks for the replies guys, it's the 2.0tdi I'd be looking at, after owning the caravelle and becoming very good friends with the local petrol station I'm hoping to spend less time on the forecourt....
I'm going into it with my eyes open regarding potential issues, unfortunately there's not much about of a similar size for around 3k that's nice obviously i'm on here because I like my cars, but ultimately trying to take some of the sting out of having to part ways with my caravelle.
I think after driving a caravelle for the past 2.5 years anything will feel engaging to drive... I get into the mrs' golf with comfort suspension and it feels sporty in comparison!
I'm also really liking the idea of owning a car that's not got lots of money tied up in it, however much I like my van at the moment it's a constant source of worry that what's going to go wrong with a 12yr old van when there's so much equity in it to lose.
The a6's look a lovely car for the money, worryingly so, it leaves you wondering why the prices are where they are when people are asking similar money for old renaults and peugeots etc
I'm going into it with my eyes open regarding potential issues, unfortunately there's not much about of a similar size for around 3k that's nice obviously i'm on here because I like my cars, but ultimately trying to take some of the sting out of having to part ways with my caravelle.
I think after driving a caravelle for the past 2.5 years anything will feel engaging to drive... I get into the mrs' golf with comfort suspension and it feels sporty in comparison!
I'm also really liking the idea of owning a car that's not got lots of money tied up in it, however much I like my van at the moment it's a constant source of worry that what's going to go wrong with a 12yr old van when there's so much equity in it to lose.
The a6's look a lovely car for the money, worryingly so, it leaves you wondering why the prices are where they are when people are asking similar money for old renaults and peugeots etc
Hi, as you were so kind as to comment on my car buying post, I thought I'd return the favour.
My 2010 Superb estate 2.0tdi (170bhp) is on 153k - either or both versions of this engine (140 and 170) are the same ones as in the A6 you're looking at, and they're depressingly dependable. Some of my experience may be helpful to you - in the 12k miles I've had mine I've replaced all four shocks (£100 a corner fitted I recall), the aircon condenser replaced (£500-600?) and it's eating a wheel speed indicator once a year (very cheap). Other than that I refurbed the wheels as they were in a shocking state and at the same time they were all straightened, which made it drive much better.
It's not an exciting car to drive (at all), but it is very good at what it does. I suspect if you can find the right A6 you'll have a similar experience.
Good luck!
PS - if you can live with the mpg of a petrol, take a look at Honda Accord estates - I had a 2003 2.4 petrol one before the Skoda and I wish I hadn't got rid of it. Great cars, both the 2003-2007 and the 2007-2012 (?). Much more fun to drive.
My 2010 Superb estate 2.0tdi (170bhp) is on 153k - either or both versions of this engine (140 and 170) are the same ones as in the A6 you're looking at, and they're depressingly dependable. Some of my experience may be helpful to you - in the 12k miles I've had mine I've replaced all four shocks (£100 a corner fitted I recall), the aircon condenser replaced (£500-600?) and it's eating a wheel speed indicator once a year (very cheap). Other than that I refurbed the wheels as they were in a shocking state and at the same time they were all straightened, which made it drive much better.
It's not an exciting car to drive (at all), but it is very good at what it does. I suspect if you can find the right A6 you'll have a similar experience.
Good luck!
PS - if you can live with the mpg of a petrol, take a look at Honda Accord estates - I had a 2003 2.4 petrol one before the Skoda and I wish I hadn't got rid of it. Great cars, both the 2003-2007 and the 2007-2012 (?). Much more fun to drive.
A6 C6 Avant owner , dont do the big miles anymore but occasional long trips. I have 2.7 TDI Quattro on 122K miles and has been faultless, the only issues I've had is a rear wiper failure, water ingress and front wiper linkage failure and its a commonish issue and a central locking issue, thats in 5 years of ownership.
It's a great car to swallow up ppl and luggage and waft along to your destination, I have an odd spec in my car, its a SE but with many features specified but the 1st owner. My car was not built with a DPF, so one less headache so if you go for a diesel it will be worth noting what year DPF's were introduced. I would also go for a quattro.
It's a great car to swallow up ppl and luggage and waft along to your destination, I have an odd spec in my car, its a SE but with many features specified but the 1st owner. My car was not built with a DPF, so one less headache so if you go for a diesel it will be worth noting what year DPF's were introduced. I would also go for a quattro.
Edited by Harji on Saturday 24th December 21:36
Thanks for all the replies guys, it's pretty much as I'd hoped to hear.
Out of intrest how much is the fix roughly on the central locking? I've seen a few for sale with this problem and it would give me some haggling room if it's not a fortune to fix.
Pre DPF would be an advantage so I'll research tye years that was introduced. EGR isn't an issue really as there's a local tuner than can switch them off reasonably cheaply for use on private roads....
Out of intrest how much is the fix roughly on the central locking? I've seen a few for sale with this problem and it would give me some haggling room if it's not a fortune to fix.
Pre DPF would be an advantage so I'll research tye years that was introduced. EGR isn't an issue really as there's a local tuner than can switch them off reasonably cheaply for use on private roads....
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