A6 Avant quattro under £4000, which is best/ most reliable?
A6 Avant quattro under £4000, which is best/ most reliable?
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Discussion

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

229 months

Tuesday 29th December 2009
quotequote all
I'm going to get one in the next few weeks and basically want the most reliable version. I was pointed here to ask, has anyone any input?

Fuel consumption isn't a concern as its going to be a low mileage non-daily driver. Basically I want to run it with minimal cost, so want one that isn't known too break. I'd also be servicing it myself, it needs to replace a Honda Accord thats been cost and fault free for 4 years of abuse smile

It's be a tow car / dog cart type thing.


LeoSayer

7,850 posts

275 months

Tuesday 29th December 2009
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I would choose a manual, non-turbo model which probably leaves the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 petrol models.

Pablo16v

2,962 posts

228 months

Tuesday 29th December 2009
quotequote all
For a low mileage non-daily driver I'd also consider the 4.2 V8. No idea how reliable they are but I'd love one myself. I used to have an '02 A6 3.0 quattro which was reliable for the two years I had it. It was reasonably economical (25-26mpg average), very comfortable and ace for carrying my bikes. It's pretty rare though.

Dr G

15,994 posts

273 months

Tuesday 29th December 2009
quotequote all
6 cylinders like to leak oil and 4.2s cost a LOT to get the belts changed - but generally they're sound.

There isn't a perfect model of that vintage and self-servicing will probably only get you as far as the basics; buy on history and condition smile

istoo

2,365 posts

233 months

Tuesday 29th December 2009
quotequote all
the sixes can/do leak oil but doesn't make them unreliable. had a few over 100k and one over 200k.
They arent the most powerful/economic compared to the opposition but they are smooth and reliable.

I agree with avoiding the turbo's, I had a 1.8T in A6 avant form, strong punchy engine but christ did it cost a lot to maintain. Many big bills even with mates rates garage servicing. The 2.5tdi i would not recommend. The 1.9tdi to my knowledge never made it in quattro form in the C5 A6.

If it was me, i would be looking for a well specced late 2.8 quattro sport manual.

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

229 months

Wednesday 30th December 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice smile

2.8 or 4.2 look good choices then.

Tame Technician

2,467 posts

235 months

Wednesday 30th December 2009
quotequote all
!Keep the Accord!
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....................
Or buy another one.
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...................
....................

Or a Vauxhall

Edited by Tame Technician on Wednesday 30th December 18:54

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

229 months

Sunday 3rd January 2010
quotequote all
Tame Technician said:
!Keep the Accord!
....................
....................
Or buy another one.
...................
...................
....................

Or a Vauxhall

Edited by Tame Technician on Wednesday 30th December 18:54
Need a heavy car though to be able to tow, so the A6 really fits the bill in that respect, also needs to be an Estate for the dogs.

Are the A6's really not reliable cars then?

Tame Technician

2,467 posts

235 months

Sunday 3rd January 2010
quotequote all
They never really brake down, so nothing to "really" worry about.

But I cant imagine you having to never spend any money on it in 4 years, that just wouldnt happen with an old Audi.

Just normal consumable stuff, brakes, C.V joints, suspention ball joints, shocks, etc etc. CAn be expensive and all likely to be worn, close to failure at that sort of age/budget.

If you really want one, dont be put off as I said very really brake down, only the odd imobiliser or fuel pump problem has them recovered in.

But if you had a honda for 4 yeasr and had to spend no money on it in that time, then you could be disapointed with the Audi.


Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

229 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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I see, yes the Hondas been amazingly reliable. Its a '99 I bought in 2006 for £3000 with 54,000 miles on it, it now has 90,000 on it and its flown though every MOT and the only non consumable (brake pads/ discs, filters) part it's ever needed has been a back box.

hman

7,497 posts

225 months

Monday 4th January 2010
quotequote all
Dr G said:
6 cylinders like to leak oil and 4.2s cost a LOT to get the belts changed - but generally they're sound.

There isn't a perfect model of that vintage and self-servicing will probably only get you as far as the basics; buy on history and condition smile
I have a 3.0 quattro A6 manual on an 02, no oil leaks, returns 25-30 mpg, now on 60,000 smooth as silk.

Owned it for nearly three years, only needed a cv gaitor and standard service bits so far.


Where do they leak oil from?

Dr G

15,994 posts

273 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
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Cam cover gaskets chuck oil onto the exhaust manifolds usually - yours is very low mileage mind.

Seez

656 posts

211 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
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Is this a bad time to mention C4 A6?, a lot less than £4000, but it has to be the most reliable!!!!

hman

7,497 posts

225 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
Seez said:
Is this a bad time to mention C4 A6?, a lot less than £4000, but it has to be the most reliable!!!!
Anything to substantiate your clame of most reliable?

istoo

2,365 posts

233 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
a ur S4/S6 might be an option here as well.
I have a 187k one with a tow bar and for its age and mileage has done erm 7k in 3 months with only a boost hose popping off in heavy snow (my driving)

The C5 is good, I loved mine very utilitarian car. The C4 is every bit as good. I feel it was better detailed and finished than the equivalent A4.

Only negative on the A6 avant is size, wife found it a pain to park, so maybe find one with parking sensors, if thats an issue.

Seez

656 posts

211 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
istoo said:
Only negative on the A6 avant is size, wife found it a pain to park, so maybe find one with parking sensors, if thats an issue.
Or get one with a tow bar wink

Seez

656 posts

211 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
hman said:
Seez said:
Is this a bad time to mention C4 A6?, a lot less than £4000, but it has to be the most reliable!!!!
Anything to substantiate your clame of most reliable?
My experiences of both directly and directly.

hman

7,497 posts

225 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
Seez said:
hman said:
Seez said:
Is this a bad time to mention C4 A6?, a lot less than £4000, but it has to be the most reliable!!!!
Anything to substantiate your clame of most reliable?
My experiences of both directly and directly.
so your original post should include the words "in my experience"

Seez

656 posts

211 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
Shut up you bum, everything everyone writes is in their experience!

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

229 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
quotequote all
Seez said:
Is this a bad time to mention C4 A6?, a lot less than £4000, but it has to be the most reliable!!!!
Is that the older A6 that looked like a slightly swollen 80E ? I had a 1992 80 2.0E Avant and it was a good car in its time, I'd be worried it'd feel very dated now though..