Discussion
Finally got my choice on the next car down to either an A4 or A6. Figure the A6 will probably get the nod, primarily down to price (they've dropped further) and space.
Looking at early A6's, doubly so after a friend recently picked up an early A6 2.4 for sub £3k with 50k on the clock and full dealer history.
Is there anything to look for on these? Choice is fairly wide - 1.9 or 2.5 diesel, or 2.4/2.8 petrol. Any specific issues to look for?
Ta!
Looking at early A6's, doubly so after a friend recently picked up an early A6 2.4 for sub £3k with 50k on the clock and full dealer history.
Is there anything to look for on these? Choice is fairly wide - 1.9 or 2.5 diesel, or 2.4/2.8 petrol. Any specific issues to look for?
Ta!
clonmult said:
Finally got my choice on the next car down to either an A4 or A6. Figure the A6 will probably get the nod, primarily down to price (they've dropped further) and space.
Looking at early A6's, doubly so after a friend recently picked up an early A6 2.4 for sub £3k with 50k on the clock and full dealer history.
Is there anything to look for on these? Choice is fairly wide - 1.9 or 2.5 diesel, or 2.4/2.8 petrol. Any specific issues to look for?
Ta!
you really should get a 3.0 quattro as a minimum. Looking at early A6's, doubly so after a friend recently picked up an early A6 2.4 for sub £3k with 50k on the clock and full dealer history.
Is there anything to look for on these? Choice is fairly wide - 1.9 or 2.5 diesel, or 2.4/2.8 petrol. Any specific issues to look for?
Ta!
(I dont think you'll save much fuel with a 2.6 or 2.8 so why not!)
check for knocking front and rear from wishbones, leaky cv gaitors, cup holders break, jerky driving might be a maf sensor (not much to swap out), check synchros on the box for smooth slick shifts and try to get the proper recaro leccy leather seats!
no other faults really
I had an A6 with the 1.9tdi engine. It was a nice car, the engine was frugal and quite punchy but was not very refined and often made heavy weather of hauling a big car around. It was a nice car. Bit dull to drive but ate the motorway miles with ease.
In terms of reliability, nothing needed doing outside servicing and wear and term. And mine did start having some occasional knocking sounds from the front suspension so have a good look around this area. Also, mine started to develop a few interior rattles and sqeaks so watch the wheel size - mine has 18s
In terms of reliability, nothing needed doing outside servicing and wear and term. And mine did start having some occasional knocking sounds from the front suspension so have a good look around this area. Also, mine started to develop a few interior rattles and sqeaks so watch the wheel size - mine has 18s
Ta; friend said that his felt absolutely rock solid, which is whats sold me on the prospect. Well, that and having lights in the back, cup holders, climate control, a poky engine (ie. V6)
So they're typically german in their build and reliability, and little more than just the regular consumables. Sounds pretty good.
So they're typically german in their build and reliability, and little more than just the regular consumables. Sounds pretty good.
3.0 cambelt change is expensive, but needs doing, replace tensioner and the water pump at the same time, regardless of how good the bearing feels. Water pumps can seize and shred the belt, I seen it twice and it was new engine both times. Same applies to 1.8T.
Get a manual, if you simply must have auto, must be quatro. The multi-tronic auto gearbox in the front wheel drive cars is terrible.
On the Avants, the pipe for the rear washer runs under the carpet under the passenger seat, can come adrift and fill the central locking control unit with water. Check the rear washer works, and the central locking + alarm is ok.
Apart from that and the for mentioned pretty solid and reliable.
Get a manual, if you simply must have auto, must be quatro. The multi-tronic auto gearbox in the front wheel drive cars is terrible.
On the Avants, the pipe for the rear washer runs under the carpet under the passenger seat, can come adrift and fill the central locking control unit with water. Check the rear washer works, and the central locking + alarm is ok.
Apart from that and the for mentioned pretty solid and reliable.
Tame Technician said:
3.0 cambelt change is expensive, but needs doing, replace tensioner and the water pump at the same time, regardless of how good the bearing feels. Water pumps can seize and shred the belt, I seen it twice and it was new engine both times. Same applies to 1.8T.
Get a manual, if you simply must have auto, must be quatro. The multi-tronic auto gearbox in the front wheel drive cars is terrible.
On the Avants, the pipe for the rear washer runs under the carpet under the passenger seat, can come adrift and fill the central locking control unit with water. Check the rear washer works, and the central locking + alarm is ok.
Apart from that and the for mentioned pretty solid and reliable.
At the age I'm looking at, its either 2.4 or 2.8 - the 3.0 came along later. I'm only figuring on spending 2-3k.Get a manual, if you simply must have auto, must be quatro. The multi-tronic auto gearbox in the front wheel drive cars is terrible.
On the Avants, the pipe for the rear washer runs under the carpet under the passenger seat, can come adrift and fill the central locking control unit with water. Check the rear washer works, and the central locking + alarm is ok.
Apart from that and the for mentioned pretty solid and reliable.
I realise that the 1.9D is a little underpowered, but that VAG diesel is one of the best around of that age? Standard output is either 110 or 130, and it easily chipped to give a little more power?
forgot to mention, there was a recall for blocked drain holes in the plenum under the scuttle panel which can lead to water getting in to the car and knackering the "convenience unit" which controils windows, c/l alarm etc.
Just check all the electrics work, to get to the drain holes i think you have to get the battery out so not something you can easily do on a test drive.
FYI: I had the cambelt changed on my 3.0 - only cost me £350 at stafford audi including the fitting of a metal impellor waterpump. I reckon that was pretty good value from a main dealer!!
Just check all the electrics work, to get to the drain holes i think you have to get the battery out so not something you can easily do on a test drive.
FYI: I had the cambelt changed on my 3.0 - only cost me £350 at stafford audi including the fitting of a metal impellor waterpump. I reckon that was pretty good value from a main dealer!!
Edited by hman on Friday 14th November 09:25
Just sold (or is that given away) my 1.8T Avant 1998. This was my second A6 1.8T the first being a saloon (120k miles in 3 years). If you get a 1.9Tdi or even the 1.8T petrol expect to work the gearbox hard if you want it to shift and you need to keep that turbo spinning. My 1.8s returned around 30mpg on mixed roads but a friend who picked up a cheap 2.4 V6 said he barely managed 24mpg . If you go for a V6 get the 2.8, I think it will be the same or better on MPG. The 2.4 has the same power as the 1.8T, it is just more refined ! Mine had a failed rear wipe washer , but it was in the trim in the boot that the pipe came undone. Overall the car was expensive to run , it ate front suspension arms (50-60K miles)and dealer service was crippling. Found a good independent but parts are still not cheap. The cars are beautiful, don't show mileage (check history)and all the lights etc. show attention to detail. Replaced mine with a 156 Sportswagon, faster, more economical, four years younger 100K fewer miles and only a grand ish more than I got for the Audi. 
Feels much cheaper especially the plastics and lack of extra lights 
Feels much cheaper especially the plastics and lack of extra lights Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff