Buying an A6 avant... HOpefully

[grinnel27]

Hey everyone,

Im looking to puchase my first Audi this sunday A6 avant 2.0tdi (56).
Previous car history, in order-

Vauxhall Corsa
Ford Focus
Skoda Octavia
Leon FR
Vauxhall Insignia (current)

Wont be buying vauxhall again. loved the leon.

Ive been looking through these threads and now im a little concerned about a few things...

Like oil changes every 10k or less.... What if this hasnt been done? Should I avaoid completley? Dont want to have to fork out a ton of money for a timing chain.

It says it has FSH, Id like to think that the owner is genuine about this and the book is stamped from a garage, the car has done 96k miles... I wanted less but cant really afford it right now. Logically at that age that would average out at: 10.6k a year... So if its serviced yearly then an oild change might be part of that right?

Is there anything else I should really watch for?

Few pics:





It looks in good condition (hard to tell by pics) so im hoping its been well mainintained too.

Thanks everyone.

[Scott K]

Its a 2.0 tdi so cambelt not chain. It's a multitronic so should have had 2 gearbox oil changes by now.

[grinnel27]

Its a 2.0 tdi so cambelt not chain. It's a multitronic so should have had 2 gearbox oil changes by now.

Awesome. Thanks for the reply man, is it a biggie if it's only had one, or none? As in should I avoid it all together?

How much does it cost roughly for a change?

I'm guessing this would be changed with a big service?

[Scott K]

I'm sure someone can give you a better answer but the general consensus is that it can be a really expensive repair and getting the oil changes done helps a lot. The cambelt might not be due yet. It's done on mileage and age. Not sure on your model but about 4 years or 75000 miles but some later models had longer intervals.
Gearbox oil service is £169 through audi
Did I see this car on Detailing World?

[grinnel27]

I'm sure someone can give you a better answer but the general consensus is that it can be a really expensive repair and getting the oil changes done helps a lot. The cambelt might not be due yet. It's done on mileage and age. Not sure on your model but about 4 years or 75000 miles but some later models had longer intervals.
Gearbox oil service is £169 through audi
Did I see this car on Detailing World?

Haha yes you did see it there! Not too hefty for an oil change then. Still rather not pay lol, let's hope the cam belt has been done.

[MarkTM]

Defo avoid if it's not had the two multitronic fluid changes.

I would never buy a car that's been on a detailing website as they know how to hide a multitude of sins and you may be dealing with someone who values the 'look' of their ride over the mechanical considerations.

Don't get me wrong as have been clay barring cars for over 20 years and can take a long weekend to prep a ride for a car show...would I buy a car from such an event that has had a spotty service history. ..nope.

[grinnel27]

Defo avoid if it's not had the two multitronic fluid changes.

I would never buy a car that's been on a detailing website as they k ow how to hide a multitude of sins and you may be dealing with someone who values the 'look' of their ride over the mechanical considerations.

Don't get me wrong as have been clay barring cars for over 20 ure and can take a long weekend to prep a ride for a car show...would I buy a car from such an event that has had a spotty service history. ..nope.

Thanks for the advice, when it was seen on a detailing website... I posted it there saying I was thinking of buying it and was asking some questions about leather care etc.

i detail my cars so like you say it's easy to hide sins, so the guy may be a detailed but that's not how I found him... So I can always quiz him as I'm also a detailer, that way I could catch him out if he was.

yeah FSH is very important and like you said if it hasn't had 2 changes I'll stay away.

[MarkTM]

My car didn't have FSH but as previous owner said that an oil change took 20 mins and supplied me with 2 full bottles of quantum longlife and spare oil filters I was pretty assured it had been done.

Mine was on 78k miles and as tiptronics have an Audi warranty until 80k it was a risk I was willing to take...only after a faulty (non OEM) brake hose last week did I discover that the previous owner had skimped a little on the non-service parts.

Ask the seller if he's amenable to his car being scanned with VCDS..if he is hesistant or refuses similarly walk away.

My neighbour with a Insignia refers to it as 'a poor mans Audi A6' and shares that he only chose as it Audi was not on his company car list...I've driven a 2012 eco something 2.0 for a week and found it gets nowhere near the economy I get on my 07 3.0 tiptronic quattro!

[grinnel27]

My car didn't have FSH but as previous owner said that an oil change took 20 mins and supplied me with 2 full bottles of quantum longlife and spare oil filters I was pretty assured it had been done.

Mine was on 78k miles and as tiptronics have an Audi warranty until 80k it was a risk I was willing to take...only after a faulty (non OEM) brake hose last week did I discover that the previous owner had skimped a little on the non-service parts.

Ask the seller if he's amenable to his car being scanned with VCDS..if he is hesistant or refuses similarly walk away.

My neighbour with a Insignia refers to it as 'a poor mans Audi A6' and shares that he only chose as it Audi was not on his company car list...I've driven a 2012 eco something 2.0 for a week and found it gets nowhere near the economy I get on my 07 3.0 tiptronic quattro!

yeah I'm really not a fan of the insignia after owning it only a 18months. Not comfortable on long journeys... Anything over 30mins feels like a chore. How would I scan with VCDS? I don't have a cable or the program which is a shame.

and as far as economy Most of my driving at the moment is round town.. About 6mile round trip, so it's getting maybe 450-460miles to a tank. Max.

on a long run it's obviously better but still only around 550. I'm hoping for more from the A6, people say they are great for it.

[micheal balbrig]

Find out the engine code and ask further questions here before purchase.
The Insignia may possibly have an issue with power steering pipe fracturing and spraying oil on hot exhaust,possible hazard.
If you ever have steering whine or heavy steering,STOP, and investigate,do not drive while hot.