Buying a leggy Audi A6 3.0 TDi - false economy?

[The jag man]

Dr G said:

It's the same as not spending 500 quid on maintenance for a car that's only worth 2 grand because it's "not worth it" - it is, because buying another 2 grand car will likely buy you the need to spend more on repairs, and a "better" car will be many times more again.

Better the devil you know.

Exactly this. I recently bought a volvo s60 d5 auto. It had the dreaded oil leak from the core plug in between the block and gearbox. The car otherwise was in VERY good condition, very well maintained and only £650 because of the leak. I bought the car and will be spending £500 or so to be getting it fixed. I am doing this because I know I'm not spending more than I have to on a car that has a fundamental weak spot and instead buying one where its cheaper because its failed and then just fixing it. I suspect because of this it will give me lots of relatively trouble free and economical miles but I imagine to most people spending £500 or so on a car that I bought for £650 is lunacy. There's method to my madness though I appreciate it could just be madness.

Eta - s60 is for my better half. A6 is for me!

[youngsyr]

Dr G said:

youngsyr said:

Very nice, but if it drives well as it is, why bother fixing non existant problems?

It only owes you £2,500, I don't see much point spending £hundreds on it when another problem might crop up that actually needs to be fixed?

There are two ways of looking at this, one I understand but disagree with, and another that from a position of experience makes a lot more sense.

If you're happy flitting between cars, and buying another if anything goes wrong or is looming, then fine. If we're talking cheap cars most are poorly maintained or being sold for a reason, and problems will be common.

If you buy a fundamentally sound cheap car it is absolutely worth keeping it that way, both because it will be hard to replace and very considerably cheaper than a better/newer car.

It's the same as not spending 500 quid on maintenance for a car that's only worth 2 grand because it's "not worth it" - it is, because buying another 2 grand car will likely buy you the need to spend more on repairs, and a "better" car will be many times more again.

Better the devil you know.

My point was more that there were no indications that the car actually needed the work doing, these items aren't regular maintenance and the car has reportedly been looked after very well. It was just Internet rumours that had spooked the buyer.

Seems pointless to me to start taking apart a perfectly functioning car, especially when it's a cheap run around, but that's just me, I guess.

[The jag man]

youngsyr said:

My point was more that there were no indications that the car actually needed the work doing, these items aren't regular maintenance and the car has reportedly been looked after very well. It was just Internet rumours that had spooked the buyer.

Seems pointless to me to start taking apart a perfectly functioning car, especially when it's a cheap run around, but that's just me, I guess.

I think either way it's right. It's preventative maintenance or "ain't broke don't fix it". I'll have a proper look under it and see if I can see any wear on the crank pulley and the fuel pump belt and make a more informed decision then. I will be getting the gearbox serviced though as that is something that just gets neglected all the time. I haven't got record of it being done and even though it changes smoothly a service is a must in my view.

[youngsyr]

So, after nearly 5 years and 40k miles in our ownership, the 2008 C6 A6 3.0 Tdi has developed a few niggling faults that are probably uneconomical to fix. Still, good going for 205k miles.

Nonetheless, the time has come for a replacement. Seems like a 2012 C7 A6 3.0 Tdi S-Line with 150k odd miles can be had for around £10k.

The question is, are the C7 models as reliable at high miles as the C6?

I'm particularly concerned about the DPF, but are there other expensive gremlins to be concerned about?

Edited by youngsyr on Sunday 1st January 14:42