C5 S6 Avant buying; what should I be looking for?

[TroubledSoul]

I need a fast tow car, so I've won an auction on eBay for one of these at a reasonable price. It's done 130k and claims to have full service history but I'm a bit wary so would like some pointers on what to check for specifically.

Off the top of my head I'm thinking:
*Check the gearbox doesn't go into limp mode on a test drive
*Check the timing belt was changed within the correct time frame, anyone able to confirm the proper interval?

Is there anything else specific to these cars that I should look for?

Edited by TroubledSoul on Sunday 24th December 15:49

[Andy665]

So you have won the auction and are now asking about things you should look out for - isn't that a bit of a cock eyed way of doing things.

Gearbox is known to give problems but I'm sure others more knowledgeable than me on these will provide more poinbters

Good choice though :-)

[TroubledSoul]

Andy665 said:

So you have won the auction and are now asking about things you should look out for - isn't that a bit of a cock eyed way of doing things.

Gearbox is known to give problems but I'm sure others more knowledgeable than me on these will provide more poinbters

Good choice though :-)

Not really. We've had one before, albeit just the V8 A6. I'm aware of the gearbox issues but the car is described as being immaculate. I'll be checking that it is as described, that's all. Immaculate to me on a car that age is decent bodywork, no mechanical faults. There's going to be wear and tear and things will inevitably need replacing but it should drive well and not have anything alarming lurking.

[Atmospheric]

I've had one of these..until the gearbox failed to go into reverse.

Anyway common issues are:

- water drainage and buildup in passenger footwell (they all do that Sir), can be expensive if not caught, i had mine done.
- LCD display on dash known to fail
- Cambelt
- Gearbox

They do understeer characteristically, but you can drive around it. Utterly ruthlessly efficient otherwise

[TroubledSoul]

I actually went ahead and bought the car and have been quite impressed by it. It did, however, decide to dump its coolant on Saturday.... It's now at my tame specialist who have told me it's actually in pretty good condition overall, which is very reassuring.

Just waiting now on a pipe coming tomorrow and I will pick it up and continue enjoying it, all being well.

In the coming weeks I will get it serviced, cambelt done and gearbox oil changed I think.

[Yertis]

Atmospheric said:

I've had one of these..until the gearbox failed to go into reverse.

Anyway common issues are:

- water drainage and buildup in passenger footwell (they all do that Sir), can be expensive if not caught, i had mine done.

That's a very easy fix though, you just remove the battery (which admittedly weighs a ton) poke the leafy sludge through the plenum drain hole, and watch a few gallons of water run away down the drive.

[Atmospheric]

Yertis said:

Atmospheric said:

I've had one of these..until the gearbox failed to go into reverse.

Anyway common issues are:

- water drainage and buildup in passenger footwell (they all do that Sir), can be expensive if not caught, i had mine done.

That's a very easy fix though, you just remove the battery (which admittedly weighs a ton) poke the leafy sludge through the plenum drain hole, and watch a few gallons of water run away down the drive.

Mine was particular bad and nearly needed a new ECU