I currently have a 1997 A6 Quattro Sedan. Some jerk decided to break out the back door window last night. I've been searching for used windows and while I know that the 95-97 windows are compatible, I do believe that I found out that the 1998 A6 windows will fit in my 1997 as long as the 8th digit of my VIN# is 'A' and the 8th digit of the VIN# from the 1998 is 'A'.....which DOES happen to be the case. Reason? They switched styles of the A6 midway through 1998.

Reason I'm asking if anybody knows if this is true or not is because the 1998 window that I found is significantly cheaper than any 1997 window I can find. I look at pictures of the two and they look exactly the same. When the car styles changed in 1998, that 8th digit on the VIN changed to 'B'. Does anybody know if the above is true for sure? Will that 1998 fit my 1997 since both have 'A' as the 8th VIN#? Normally I would not care, but I have been out of work and recently started chemotherapy treatments, so my money situation is very tight right now.

Thanks!

 

I have no idea about the vin # or stuff like that. I was just wondering what the cost difference was?

sorry to hear about your difficulties.

 

The cost difference is about $60 or so. I am having serious difficulties finding a used window. I called the dealership and they want $185.00 for a new one, which is just crazy. I had another place quote me $105.00 for a used one. But I found one on Ebay that is a 1998 piece of glass for just $29.95 and it's in good used condition. I have seen one place claim that it should fit in a 1997 A6 since both 8th digits in the VIN are 'A'.....which means it was before Audi updated the 1998 A6. They look like the same piece of glass, but I want to make sure. I emailed the dude from Ebay but have gotten no response. I'm hoping this is actually true because it will save me quite a bit of money under my circumstances. This was NOT a good time for some a-hole to bust out a window for fun!

I also need a new passenger side headlight and I cannot believe how much those things are! Some old lady tapped me one day and busted the headlight. I figure "It's can't be that expensive." and I told her not to worry about it and let her go. I find out the Audi dealership wants nearly $500 for on damn headlight! I can get a set of the black halo lights for cheaper than that! But I've been driving with a broken glass headlight for awhile because I can't afford to spend the freaking $200+ for even the used ones off of ebay. I knew I should have just upgraded from my Eclipse to a new Eclipse! LOL. (I actually love my audi)

 

I'm pretty sure a 98 A6 Avant is a C4 (94-97). I believe the C5 A6 (98-04) came out in 98 as a sedan, but the Avant remained a C4 until 1999 when it was released as a the 1999 C5 A6 Avant.

With all that said, the Avant should share the same rear window as the sedan. So if the ebay 98 rear window is from an Avant, then it should fit no matter the vin # (of course I could be completely wrong, and probably am). I've never heard of the year slit in the 98 sedan. I've only heard of the 98 Avant remaining a C4 while the 98 sedan became the C5.

There are a bunch of guys on here that know the C4's 100x better than I do, just can't think of any of their names off hand. But Auditech probably will know the answer. Just private message him.

EDIT:

I've done some searching of ebay, I'm pretty sure this is the auction you are talking about :removed

If so, then just verify with Shokan or Force5 that a C4 A6 sedan and Avant share the same rear window. If they do, then the ebay window would work.
http://shokan.com/
http://www.force5auto.com/

 

Jeffla, you are smarter than you give yourself credit for! Ha. That is EXACTLY the window that I am talking about! Hopefully nobody goes and grabs it! Actually, I may just say 'screw it' and order it now. I have a feeling that it will fit, and what you said makes sense as well. I also found another rear window piece on ebay from like 92-98 or some odd years like that, says it will fit a 1997 A6 and both of the windows look EXACTLY the same. The reason I just don't order the other one that I know will fit is because it looks like it's in pretty bad shape. The one listed here looks as if it's in pretty decent shape. It's a great price, but I have no idea why the damn S&H costs as much as the window!?

Anyway, good work with your google / ebay skills. I happen to think we are right and this should fit the 1997 A6 sedan. I will attempt to PM the guys you suggest anyway and get the info.

Thanks, man!