A6 TDI Quattro Buyers Guide?

[A6 Quattro]

Hi, looking to buy an A6 2.5 TDI Quattro Avant for trips to the Alps this winter. Ideally looking for an 02reg or similar age. Have had a good look through the forum, including the search function and can't seem to find a buyers guide anywhere.

Anyone know what I should be looking out for with this car? Any specific things that frequently go wrong and costly to fix?

Also anyone driven their quattro in the snow? How did you get on?

Any help appreciated.

[Yorky Col]

Hi, looking to buy an A6 2.5 TDI Quattro Avant for trips to the Alps this winter. Ideally looking for an 02reg or similar age. Have had a good look through the forum, including the search function and can't seem to find a buyers guide anywhere.

Anyone know what I should be looking out for with this car? Any specific things that frequently go wrong and costly to fix?

Also anyone driven their quattro in the snow? How did you get on?

Any help appreciated.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

Not too much, really. There have been some tales of niggling unreliability but nothing too serious. The quattro system is reliable and well proven but it's best not to allow a local spannerman to fiddle with it. The complexity of the car should be enough to ensure you insist on an A6 with a cast-iron service history.


I would choose a car with less than 100k mileage-but this is a personal preference. Mine is an autobox version and accelerates like nothing else I've ever owned.
There is some debate about the tyre life on this model but in my experience if you don't drive like you stole it you should see 20k plus. I rotate my wheels every 5,000 miles,a PIA but worth it IMO.


Check and double check the wiper linkage and elec.window mechanisms for noises and the DIS screen for missing pixels.


Timing belt kit change intervals. A6*


2.5l V6 TDI 110 kW From introduction Every 120,000 km Timing belt for camshaft and injector pump (75k)
2.5l V6 TDI 114/ 120/ 132 kW From introduction Every 120,000 km Timing belt for camshaft, timing belt and tensioning roller for injector pump drive.

Most people change these at 80k miles.
(* Or every 4 years.)

Have not driven mine in snow yet but there is info about this on the 'net that may help.

Good luck with your search.

Regards.
Col