Audi A6 2.5tdi avant tiptronic (1998) ??

[chrisby]

hi guys, this is my first post on the site.
i am currently looking into buying an audi A6 but im not exactly sure what im looking at. i currently own (sorry) an r33 gtst skyline and want to purchase an audi a6 for my runaround.
someone i know has one for sale but with 160000 miles on the clock im abit put off by it, should i be?
it has a few uprated parts suspention wise and an uprated garret bb turbo.
he will take 2k for it.. is this a good price?
most A6's of the same spec have around the same mileage but more money so im really not sure whether to purchase one or not
will the tiptronic box be ok for the mileage?
will the engine?

please can u give me some of your wisdom to make me buy it..lol as im really keen on an Audi :0)

thanks in advance guys

chris

[Mudplugger]

Hi Chris,

I'm new here too - also looking to buy an Audi (though not my first) - and posted a similar question seeking advice at https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=93032 ...unfortunately I've had no response.

You don't say if you are looking at petrol or diesel, or what capacity, but I can tell you than an acquaintance of mine has an A6 2.0 diesel that he bought with 30k miles on the clock; it now has 175k+ and has never once let him down.

I've seen problems reported with the tip box in various owner reviews, especially after high mileage and/or when subjected to extra power, and also suggestions that a preventative oil change by a specialist might help prevent them (despite the 'box being "sealed for life"). Personally I'll be buying a manual though.

I can't comment on your proposed price as you don't give anywhere near enough info!

Having run many cars to very high mileages myself (at one point I was covering more than 50k miles/annum and doing all my own maintenance) I can tell you that I would personally rather drive a high-miler that has been "over maintained" than a low mileage car where the service has been skimped on. Rarely have I seen a turbo worn out by chaning teh comparatively cheap engine oil more often than a manufacturer recommended (they're mostly keen to keep the ownership costs looking lower when new to reduce TCO and attract fleet buyers).

HTH

Andrew

[freddyuk]

Maybe i can help here as i just bought an A6 Avant 2.5 TDI 1998 with 148000 on the clock. It has the Eibach suspension mod. Short MOT.
Good all round condition. Full service history. Bills for work done.
Asking £2800 Offered £2200 as i was taking a risk on the MOT.
Bought for £2250

The MOT found rear tyres worn inside(taken off the front?) hard to see with suspension mods so get underneath.
Steering gaiter split.
Nut missing off front drop link.

Other advisories:
The pads and discs were worn.
Weeping CV joint.

One rear window did not work.
The revs wavered at 1800 rpm
Difficult cold starting.
Missing pixels on dash display
Rear wiper erratic.
Rear hatch strut bodged fixing (captive nut problem)

MOT was done and all discs and pads replaced, suspension secured and new gaiter fitted for £400.

Wavering revs repaired via the forums - free!
Pixel display can be repaired - via the forums.
Cold start probably glow plugs £8 each.
Two new tyres say £100

Fingers crossed i got a resonable deal as it drives fine.
Check all the gears work including tiptronic
Check the belts have been replaced.
Check for actual bills for work done (not just garage stamps)
Try all the electrics
Drive it up to 80 mph

Good luck

[philfingers]

My 1999T 2.5 TDI had 160k on the clock when i got it 5 years ago, now 232k

I've done all the work myself with the exception of the front to back fuel lines, which it really helps if you've got a proper full height ramp

all belts and bits x 2
water pump and stat
battery
discs & pads all around x 2
top arms x 3
bottom arms x 4 or 5
water temp sender
rear wiper fixed once, now bust again
rear brake hoses (corrode, bare alloy and salt don't mix) x 2 (1 lh and 1 rh)
front to back fuel lines
oil & filters every 10k (even at 232k, in 10k the oil level never moves on the dipstick!)
glowplugs changed once 2k miles ago. Starts on the button in Scotland at -15c the other week
Two front road spings (common issue- they break)
tyres x 6 (in 80k, not bad really)
wiper blades, few bulbs etc etc

Only problem was it wouldn't start a year ago, fuel was draining back to the tank and the mechanical pump could pull it through. So fitted a auxilary lift pump pressure regulator set to 1psi, now works fine. Later (post 2001) cars pump the fuel to the filter, earlier cars like mine do not, the pump just fill a sort of swirl pot.

Tiptronic boxes are fine, same as fitted to the RS6 I'm led to believe, borderline on the 450bhp RS6 but fine on the TDI, mine changes perfectly well. The multitronic is the one to avoid, different to the tiptronic. Glowplugs known to seize in the block tho mine were fine. Cams prone to wear and expensive to fix if that's the case

Tow's well, even 1700kg trailer does 32mpg on the motorway!