just looking to tap into the collective experience here to confirm a decision I've made about buying an A6.

The '98 2.8 has just 101,000 km (60,000 miles), has virtually every option you could put on the car including Bose, 6CD, solar package, cold weather, 16" wheels, etc. It is in amazing condition, everything works and looks and drives perfectly. The first 3 years of its life and 35,000 miles were spent in the rust belt province of Quebec although the car shows no obvious signs of having spent time there. I'd have to spend $16,300 Cdn ($13,700 US) to buy it here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The other car, which is the one I intend to buy, is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, also a rust belt province, and this car doesn't show any obvious rust belt symptoms either.
It is a 2000 A6 4.2 with 180,000 km (112,000 miles) with very significant mods.
I'm sorry for not knowing how to provide the correct link, but, if you go to Ebay.com and type in "2000 Audi A6 4.2", you will only pull up a few cars and it is the lighter colored one located in Toronto (currently bid around $9100 US, but, isn't going to sell as its way below the reserve). It's a Melange metallic with creme leather.
My cost to fly to Toronto and drive it back will end up costing me, in total, about $20,000 Cdn ($16,800 US).

After having looked at the 4.2 and its mods, I'm just wondering if you guys agree with me that, even with the much higher mileage, it is still by far the better value.

And if anyone here has driven from Toronto to Winnipeg at this time of year, perhaps you could advise if my intended route via Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Winnipeg and back to Calgary is the best one in order to keep me on the good divided highways and away from the mountains in the western US.

 

you will apreciete the 4.2 much better the wider stance alot more power H.I.D's I would go the 4.2 route if I were you BTW Audi's don't rust they are built with galivenized steel look at the old Audi 5000 how many of those do u see with rust on them And I'm in Canada wha kind of mods does the 4.2 have ?

 

the seller has posted an exhaustive list with good pics on Ebay.com. That is why I suggested you look there and you can see the car with pics. He's claiming 340 hp now with 8 wheels & tires and suspension stuff.

just go to www.ebay.com and type into the white search box" 2000 audi a6 4.2 ". That will only pull up 2 cars I believe; one a dark colour and one in the gold melange metallic colour. It is the melange one.

 

UPDATE re timing belt:

I have just found out from the current owner and dealership servicing the car that it appears the car is on its original timing belt at 112,000 miles/ 180,000 km.
Given that I was planning to drive it back to Calgary from Toronto through the snow belt zone (distance of some 3500 km/ 2200 miles) is this a bad idea given that the car is still on its original timing belt?

 

That is a lot of k's on the original timing belt but it looks like a very clean car I would spend a extra day in Toronto (maybe even come see me in Whitby at Owasco Audi only 20 minutes from Toronto) to get the belt done that kinda k is risky you don't want to buy this car then drive it home the belt snaps the n your in for an engine and you don't want to know what one of those are worth. I will work out a great price for you give me some time to look and I will get back to you

 

hey that would be very helpful, thanks.
Actually, I've indicated to the owner that I'm unwilling to risk driving it back 3500 km in the wintertime with 180 km on its original belt. He's looking into what it would cost him to do so if you can give me a good deal, I'll certainly pass it along to him and perhaps he'll take it into your shop to do.

Unfortunately, my plans didn't include a longer stay in Toronto while doing the TB. My plan was always to fly in and drive it home and it was his responsibility to have it in ready condition to go. By the tone of the Ebay ad and talking to him I assumed that he would have certainly done the TB before it had gotten to 180 km, but, I guess it's a good thing I remembered to ask before climbing onto the plane.

 

Ok here we go Parts your looking at $965.00 that is including the Water pump which is always replaced when doing this job its just preventive maintance and the labour your looking at 11hours so that is $1011.00 Total is $1976.00 + taxes but this is going to be a lot cheaper than a new engine thats just to many k's to be taking a chance if you want to go ahead an do this I could probley do a better price on the parts BTW these are Canadian prices email me at neil.brands@owasco.com if you have any further questions

Thank You

 

yikes!!! I know he'll never go for that amount. The originating Audi dealer service dept (Richmond Motors) gave me a ball park quote for just the TB at around $800 parts & labour on this 4.2. Water pump would be on top of that if it showed any sign of seepage or leak. Here in Calgary I get quoted from $650 parts & labour at an Audi garage (but not a dealership) to $1200 depending on whether it's just the TB or if tensioners and water pump are on top of that. In fairness that was a quote on a 2.8, but, I hope that the 4.2 does not double the cost of the TB replacement. No wonder nobody does them. I've looked at a number of A6's here and not one of them have had the TB done yet and they all had 100 - 130 km.

 

On the 4.2 there are more parts required I also gave you a price on the water pump because its just preventive maintance it might not be leaking now but say 6 months down the road it starts leaking then you will have to take it all apart again

 

That Richmond Motors is that just the timing belt or is that including all the rollers & tensioners also just trying to come close to that price is way out of range right now