Thanks in advance for the help!

I'm looking at switching over to the import side and picking up an upgraded Audi A6.

I've previously owned and built muscle cars, but my knowledge of imports, as far as turbos and programming, is limited.

Looking at the following car:

2002 Audi A6 2.7 bi-turbo
120,000 miles
30,000 on an automatic transmission
New KO4 upgrade with stage 3 minus soft ware
New oil return lines for turbos
New bar fuel pressure regulator
New timingchain
New thermostat
New plugs
value cover gasket
New chain tensioner
New EGR and breather pipe assembley
New transmission tourque converter
New pusher cooling fan
New puller cooling fans
New air intake and filter
New water pump
New cooling sensor
New oil level sensor
Replaced all ignition coils.
New battery

He's asking $10,000 for it. Is this a fair price? Anything I should watch out for as far as issues with the K04 turbos and the software upgrade? He has receipts for all the items listed, so hopefully there aren't any issues there.

 

You really can't base your value decision on the current owner's "claims". Make sure you see the receipts for EVERYTHING on the list. Check to make sure that those things that the receipts are for actually found their way onto the car (it happens). Find out what shop was used and give them a call, see if they will dish on their opinion of the car. Why is the owner selling this gem (what is wrong with it) after having invested, based on the list, a considerable amount of money?

All that said, I would consider $10K to be on the high side of a fair asking price. A lot will depend on what you can find out.

 

Well the nice thing about it is the car is at the shop at the moment having the tensioner put on. So before he pulls it out he'll give me a call and I'll be able to come down and talk to the mechanic who's done all of the work.

Apparently he does have all the receipts, and in talking with him he's just done throwing money at it. From what it sounds like, he's just got alot of money invested in it and wants to get a truck.

I'm actually trading my truck for it, but just want to make sure I'm not getting myself into any issues.

So if everything is legit as far as the work and maintenance on the car, it would be a decent value for everything in your opinion?

Thanks again

 

As I said, $10K seems fair, but definitely at the upper limit of fair. I'm still skeptical of why the guy is selling after putting a substantial amount of money into fixing it. What else might be wrong?

Some things to keep in mind are that you are buying a nine year old car with over 100K miles. These cars are well built and this one probably has a lot of life left in it if it has been properly cared for. Routine maintenance costs are a bit higher than with a typical American or Japanese car. Premium fuel (min 91 octane) is a must. Synthetic oil is a must. High dollar oil filter is a must. Repair costs are prohibitive as these things are a major PITA to work on. You can save considerably by DIYing and the folks on this, and other, forums are a huge asset.

Finally, you said you are coming from the muscle car arena. You really have to determine what you are looking for out of this vehicle. Even with the mods it is going to be a BIG, COMFY, highway CRUISER that will confidently transport you where you need to go in almost any conditions. It is not going to be a 1/4 mile monster, stoplight to stoplight racer.

-this represents my personal opinion. please don't take offense to anything here as none was intended. hopefully, someone else will offer their opinion here as well. I have been known to be an idiot in the past

 

I agree with 02A6Beau it is at the upper range of a fair deal for this car. Sure all the mentioned upgrades (if really done recently and properly) are worth some serious bucks however there is one thing that strikes me right away:
The Transmission was replaced at a maximum 30k miles ago (he could have bought it used and replaced maybe only 20k ago). Anyhow looking at the total mileage this car has got a maximum of 60k-80k miles left before you have to rebuild or get a new/used one again.
All these upgrades put a lot of strain on the transmission and some other components, so make sure you have enough money to pay for some unusual repairs (that other 2.7t cars without mods to not have to worry about).

 

First, these things have timing BELTS, not chains. They need to be replaced every ~80k miles. Secondly, this statement "New KO4 upgrade with stage 3 minus soft ware" confuses me. A K04 setup can cost upwards of $5k with parts and installation. Why just do it and walk away? Why does he mean "minus software"? I'm also not seeing anything in here about what chip he used to get to stage3.

If he's been throwinng money at it is a red flag. Either he is bored or he is broke. These things can be very reliable if well maintained and not abused (I have 188k on mine with stage 1) but if it has been beat on, then drivetrain esp tip tranny is suspect. The mechanic's candor will be real important to your decision.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate the input.

So here's what's happened so far:

I'm moving to FL in May. So I got rid of my 2000 Trans Am (slightly built, had about $4k in suspension, bolt on, and tuning work) in an even trade for the truck I own now. Turns out the truck is way too soft of a ride for a cross country trip (6" lift and 37" tires don't make for a soft nor economic drive)

So as it stands now, I'm looking at a straight trade for the A6 mentioned above for the truck. I'm honestly looking to just sell the A6 for $9k and get something better for the move with the money. Trading up if you will.

I still haven't figured out what stage 3 minus software is exactly. When I asked him about it he said it was the software that came with the K04 turbo upgrade.

Meeting him at the shop that did all the work on it tomorrow afternoon and I'll be able to pick the tech's brain about the work that has been done to it. As well as look at all the paperwork for the work that's been done. I researched the shop he's been taking it to, and it seems pretty reputable. 0 BBB complaints and good reviews from everybody that's written something.

I'm getting the feeling, based on talking with the guy and the research I've done online, that the guy I'm buying it from doesn't know much about cars, but drove it a little too hard for his budget. So I'm sure he just can't stand having a car he has to drop this much money into for as hard as he drives it. So with the maintenance records and everything the car has, I feel like it's something I can sell for $9,000 or trade up again for.

Any thoughts or specific questions I should ask the tech aside from the usual, timing belts, tie rods, etc.?

 

So the guy has K04 turbos with all the goodies but no tune to go with it? You are asking for trouble. If air/fuel mixture is not properly dealt with, then you may be looking into serious issues.

FYI... the term stage 3 is really a joke. Although similar, different tuners define their "stages" differently. So if I were you, I would really ask some serious questions.

1. When were the turbos were done?
2. Who did the work?
3. Were related hoses replaced?
4. Were the injectors replaced?
5. Fuel pump?
6. Who rebuilt the tranny? Torque converter?
7. Why were the cam chain tensioner(s) replaced?

And before anything, wait until the car is done at the mechanic. Just because the mechanic has the car, doesn't mean that it runs nicely. I would actually question why was the car in the shop in the first place.

Price seems not outrageous, but I would be really careful about buying a significantly tuned car (as is being claimed) from a guy who really doesn't (or claims doesn't) know about the cars in general.

 

Note card prepared with those questions on it. Thanks.

What lines typically need to be replaced on the turbo build? I know the oil return lines were done. Turbos are new to me, consider me a 5 year old when it comes to explanations.

 

And what are the basic guidelines for Stage 2/Stage 3? The only item I've dealt with that have stage 2/3 classifications is my old clutch in my Trans Am.

Other than that, just kinda sounded like something from fast and the curious.