Hello, could do with some advice please

[katie68]

Hi all, I'm Kate and I need a bit of advice if possible!

I'm very close to purchasing my 1st Audi an A6 estate either the 2.6 or 2.8 se model, around 98ish year. Currently I own a very battered BMW 525 estate and she needs a well earned rest having done me proud for 8 years.

I would like to know is if there are any problems I need to look out for when buying one, most people I have spoken to say they are bullet proof. The things I'd like to find out are like, should I stick to manual, do the auto's have any issues. Is there a particular engine that is better, and stuff like that.

I appreciate that you probably get asked these questions regularly, so if you don't have time could someone direct me to a previous thread.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Kate

[MikkiJayne]

Hi Kate,

Steer clear of the 2.6 - it's thirsty and gutless! Definitely go for with the 2.8 - its noticably more powerful so doesn't need as much boot to get going and hence is better on fuel. Or the 2.5TDI, but then I would say that Although that also has it's problems...

Stick to the manuals, because Audi can't make auto boxes for toffee. They use fluff and putty instead of gears I think, and so they rapidly disintegrate if driven enthusiastically, especially the tiptronics Replacement costs can be horrific, especially on Quattros.

The LCD dash in the display tends to go a bit strange on them - it loses horizontal lines and can be hard to read, but it's intermittant and temperature / time dependent on mine so I reckon its an easy fix when I get time to investigate. Every one I've seen has done that, so I wouldn't reject one because of it.

The Avants have a corrosion problem along the roof gutters. Start at the back and examine the paint where the roof dips in to the gutter just behind the roof rail. Any bubbling indicates water under the paint where the gutter strip has rubbed through it. The body is galvanised, so theoretically it shouldn't be rust - just the paint lifting. Its a known problem on this shape if you get an honest dealer, and Audi repainted the whole roof on my 2001 under the body warranty without question, and fitted an updated gutter strip with a rubber surround. You can see the black edges on the strip, so you can tell if the car has been fixed or not. I don't know if they'd sort out a '98 so easily though, and I walked away from a couple of cars that were really bad.

They also have a corrosion problem in the battery tray. If it vents any acid it will eat the paint and then can eat the metalwork under the battery. I believe the dealers may also fix this, but they might not be so forthcoming as for the roof. This is a little tricky to see as you have to lift the plastic cover on the plenum to see it, as the battery cover is too small. I wouldn't necessarily reject one for this though as its an easy DIY fix if you're so inclined.

Other than that I don't know of anything else major. Mine is fab

Good luck! Mikki x

[paul b]

I've replied to your similar post in the new members section.

Paul

[katie68]

thanks, thats a real help - I didn't want to go in blind and when I am looking for a new car I like to make sure I know what I'm talking about and like to be clued up 1st

Kate
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