2002 A6 2.5 tdi V6 buying advise please :)

[fred t]

Hi All :)

I'm very close to buying said model and would like some advise. The car in question is the SE Avant model with automatic gearbox.

It drives / brakes straight and the engine/gearbox feels smooth.

The car has done 150,000 miles. its got full audi service history.

The cv joint are creaking a bit and cambelt need replacing. The gearbox has been replaced by audi about 70k miles ago. there is also a bit of a rattle in the back when going over rough surface sound a bit like the rear door isnt shut properly but it is..

Are these gearboxes prone to problems / how many miles would you expect from them?

What else should i be aware about with a car with these many miles?
Would you expect a car with this high a mileage beeing reliable?

The guy wants 6500 for the car, i was gonna offer him that IF he relaced cambelt and cv joint prior to purchase. The interior reflects the mileage, the bodywork is tidy. from what i see advertised its in the ballpark, but what do you guys recon?

Any advise would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks // Fred

[RobDob]

I just bought a 1999 model with 107K on the clock. As can be seen from other posts I'm having trouble with the front NS suspension arms but more importantly the steering rack. Give that a good test when driving, full lock, rough ground etc, see what noises you can hear from the front.

Might be worth getting an independant mechanic to take a look for you.

[fred t]

thanks. there doesnt seem to be any noise from the front except for a slight knocking when pulling away and turning at the same time, wich i suspect is the cv joints?

[RobDob]

I'm not an expert but I believe you are correct.

[fred t]

anyone else care to comment? i need to make my mind up the next few hours..

thanx // fred

[RobDob]

If you can get him to do the work you suggest I'd go for it. If he won't do all, I'd certainly try and haggle for the cambelt. Depends if you want to buy the car and spend a few hundred on it straight away, should he not budge. Ultimately it's your call. Everyone I've spoken to says those engines will go on a long time if looked after........

[RobDob]

Did you take the plunge?!:confused:

[Lex Luthor]

Make sure this CCV breather is serviced :
http://tinyurl.com/37ngqb

[fred t]

Did you take the plunge?!:confused:

still thinking.. the best he will do is 6000 wich i think might be a bit toppy taking in to account the work needs doing and a mileage... gonna have a think over the weekend

cheers

[shabazmo]

Be very carefull because parts can be very expensive. I am aware that thse engines can have severe camshaft wear after 100,000 miles, the turbo can go as could the fuel injection pump. I think £5K maximum, because any of the above will cost well over £1500. The cambelt change will cost you £700 from audi and a gearbox oil change about £250. Don't get a backstreet garage to do these jobs as tere is a strict procedures with special tools that are needed.

I have a 2002 and I assume that your gearbox is a multitronic. Changes in oil is a must every 40,000 miles. Keep in touch.

[RobDob]

Camshaft wear? How major is that to fix? Is it an engine replace job? Mine has 107K on the clock, you got me worried now!

[shabazmo]

The cost of 4 camshafts, followers and fingers are £900 pluus add labour. Now I change my oil every 11K miles with 506.00 spec long life oil and the garage said that my engine was very clean so we couldn't understand the wear. I read in Audi driver magazine that pre 2001 cars had a problem with wear but thereafter there should be no problem.
Please realise that my car was in the garage because of a brocken timing belt pulley tensioner bolt and in establishing whether the valves were bent a rocker cover was taken off, hence the camshaft wear was noticed. I could probably have gone 10-20K miles before engine performance was affected, but as I am a keen diy mechanic and very particular how my cars are treated, especially this one as I have had it from new, I am certian that bthe cam problem has not been solved. I can feel a definite ridge on te can lobe. You might be able to do the same through the oil filler cap without any dismantling. Let me know how you get on.

[onzarob]

thanks. there doesnt seem to be any noise from the front except for a slight knocking when pulling away and turning at the same time, wich i suspect is the cv joints?

Sounds like one to me or it could be suspension as its notorously fickle on the A6/A4 and Passat.

The cambelt change an be pricey an a 2.5 so get a quote before you buy, good haggling point on purchase price.

[sweepdream]

Hi Fred....think carefully...offer the guy 5k and walk away.If he is that keen to sell then he'll contact you...let him work for his money...you cannot guarantee that any work that he has done will be done with the same commitment that you would have...is this a private sale..if so then he will be struggling to get any more than that from a dealer.Does the general condition of the car suggest that it has been cared for...the reason I ask is that you could have an average looking 5 yr old car that has cost you £8000 plus...not a good deal.You do need to take a mechanic with you..preferably Audi trained.Good luck.

[fred t]

cheers guys i really appreciate all the answers :)

its a private sell, but its a family friend whos had it from new so i know all the history is 100% genuine. however, the man wont go under 6k and is convinced he'll get it. good luck to him, i will be looking for something else.