What are the best years? Looking to spend less than 8k. Are the electronics good? I plan on running 19" wheels and lowering the car. TIA!

 

Avants rule. Less than 8K puts you in C5 category. (Pre 2005) 2002 and up had 3.0 liter V6. Although they are great motors, they are really complicated to work on compared to 2.8L. Another option is finding a C5 Allroad. These came with 2.7L twin turbo and some even came with 6 speed manual transmission. The look of an Allroad can be odd, but it performs really well.

 

If he can save his pennies..go for the C6, it's always been considered the "überlegen" of wagons..if bentley built a wagon, this would be close. But then the A6/A8 all fit this distinction IMHO.

 

Just got an 06 C6 Avant and I could not be happier.

There are a few squeaks and rattles that I need to get rid of in the luggage compartment coming from the cargo net partition and the cargo cover but other than that the car is amazing!

 

Love to get a C6, but its out of my current budget. This will be my very first Audi and I thought going with a clean C5 Avant would be a great starter Wagen. What are the differences between all the engines?

 

The sweetest was the 2000 and 2001 A4-based RS4--Cosworth 2.8, pound for pound! but I'm not sure you could even get that engine in the US.

IMO, the C5's Avant (which I really liked but still have my older MB TDI Wagon) best was the 4.2 with the 2.8 V6 next and I think that's your only options in the C5 Avant, the 4.2 and heavier Avant would be my combo...4.2's might be harder to find

 

4.2 only came in 2002 and up S6 Avant. You won't be able to find one for less than $13K on average.

 

Thanks for the 4.2 info. Looks like 2.8 is the only option?

 

What about the 3.0?