I've never owned an Audi, but am currently looking at several used A6.

I'm interested to know people's experience with these cars - specifically, what sort of service record might I expect with a 5-7 year old car with more than 100k miles. I only drive about 6000 miles a year.

A couple of the cars I'm looking at:

2006 A6 Avant 3.2 w/ 130k miles - seller asking $9500
2009 A6 Avant 3.0T w/ 124k mikes - seller asking $16000
2006 A6 S-Line (not Avant) w/ 130k - seller asking $10000

Are there specific models/years to avoid?

Any input appreciated. Thanks.

 

Those prices seem a little high for the amount of miles that are on each of those cars. I would try and talk them down based on what you notice with each car. I'm sure each one doesn't have a clean bill of health.

I would eye up the 3.2 and see how much the price could be moved. I say this because it isn't turbocharged, so there's less stuff to break or go wrong. Does that mean it'll be more reliable? No necessarily, but you won't have to worry about a turbo going shortly after buying the car.

Timing belt service as well as valve covers leaking at the biggest things to look for on our cars. Usually when an owner is given the "it's time for timing belt service" speech and they're hit with the price, they balk and sell the car. If you find the timing belt service to not yet be done, or the valve covers to be leaking you can probably safely offer $8200 and they will counter with $8500.

 

According to Consumers Reports, reliability seemed to improve with the second year of the C6 (2006+). Agree with Neb that turbos and superchargers put more strain on everything, so in the regard a 3.2 is a safer bet unless you want more power down the road. There really are no performance upgrades. The best bet is to narrow your choice, test drive it thoroughly, check every feature and accessory for proper operation, and then have it inspected by someone who knows Audis. That cost is easily outweighed by them finding a few maintenance items that you can use to negotiate down the price.

 

Just for information, the 3.0T is not turbocharged, it is supercharged. Based on all reports the 3.0T is a very reliable engine but 2009 was its first year in the US and it had a problem with the water pump. If that problem was addressed it should be a good car. I just don't think that $16,000 is a good price for a car with 124k miles.

 

Neb - that's really helpful - I'll definitely ask about timing belt and valve covers!

If anyone knows of an independent Audi mechanic in the NY metro area, please let me know.

 

Don't worry about the timing belt. The 3.2 has timing chains which do not need to be serviced. They are in the rear of the engine so if they do need service the engine needs to come out.

 

Test drove a 2006 A6 Avant today. 101k - asking $14,995. Car seemed very good to me.

Since >100k, car is "As Is" no warranty.

I have not had a 4WD since a Jeep many years ago, any concerns about expensive drive train maintenance over 100k? What about electronics, computer, power accessories?

Car is near Poughkeepsie and I'm from Manhattan, so I don't have an independent mechanic who can easily look at it.

Any suggestions I can use to try to negotiate the price down a bit?

Thanks.

 

Look up Edge Motorsport - they're not far away in NJ. Those guys do some crazy Audi power builds on the older A4/S4 platforms and could probably give you a good analysis of a particular car's condition, given how deeply they go into the cars they build. I've driven a car built by them, owned by forum member Dmaxn, and I can attest that they know their way around an Audi.