Spotted a derv I quite like the looks of but after the wisdom of crowds.

It's an 05 A6 Avant 2.7tdi S-Line with 95k. Going for just under £9k.

Not phoned yet so still to find out if it has FSH etc. If it was a good 'un and I could get 8k-ish for the octy I thought it might be worth a go.

It's a bit away so I'm going to get ballpark figures over the phone.

Obviously miles is a concern to me, never having had a car run to more than 80k but plenty are of the opinion that cars should do many more.

2.7 is a cam chain rather than belt. Nice and big so no issues with lack of space for the sprog's stuff. I like the A6, always been fond of a big motor and 'should' run a bit cheaper than the TFSI. They claim 'fully serviced' so it's probably had a quick oil change with some Tesco value stuff and a hoover out.

Any advice on high mile big barges?

Generally the big stuff will have been pretty well looked after. That said some people buy a nice car and then skimp on the important stuff! I'm a big fan of the a6 and that engine!

Spoke to them on the phone. 2 owners which isn't bad.

Followed up with an email for a few more questions rather than having the guy running back and forward.

Condition and stamps in the book. FWIW my Octy has just gone thro 100_000, and with servicing I think will keep going until bits start dropping off with rust.

Got the details through

Servicing

20/09/06 AUDI MAIN AGENT, 19893

16/11/07 AUDI MAIN AGENT, 41325

28/11/08 LOCAL INDEPENDENT GARAGE, 62438

06/01/10 LOCAL INDEPENDENT GARAGE, 80635

They MOT it for a year,give it a service (oil only I'm assuming). Taxed till July (VRS is incidentally exactly the same)

Offering 8k for my VRS over the phone. Hmmm I'll have to speak with the Mrs.

I could probably get more for the Octy in a private sale but that takes time and I can't do without a car for any length of time.

I've just swapped to an A6, lovely cars. Admittedly i have the older shape, but i was told to just make sure the service history was good, and that cam belt and water pump were done.

Not much shows up on honestjohn for the A6.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/a6-avant-2005/?section=bad

Personally, i got the 1.9tdi. Its nowhere near as slow as i was expecting. Its not exciting to drive, but its definitely enjoyable. Economy is fantastic for such a barge, driven sensibly i can get 50MPG+. I looked at the V6 diesels, and it seemed pointless to get a diesel, that wasn't that economical.

It sounds a very nice car (I love that shape) But boy, are you going to get a mouthful of stick from some peeps

4 services in 95k miles

not a fan of this longlife nonsense

Any Pics?

4 services in 95k miles

not a fan of this longlife nonsense

Saves money (on oil changes anway), saves resources and no evidence its doing the cars any undue harm.

Only real downside in my view is people without car knowledge will end up having parts changed prematurely as they won't make the next service.

I am on my 3rd Variable service car, my previous octavia had done 100K when I sold it, with only 5 services. drove perfectly, used no oil, passed every MOT with ease and took me from the UK to Costa Del Sol 3 times in my ownership. Variable servicing is common on prestige makes, BMW, Mercedes, Audi all have this service regime and have done for years. Even Skoda have had variable servicing for more than 10 years now, so it cant be bad.

If you like the A6 then go for it, price seems pretty good for what was a much more expensive car when new.

Going up to see it on Wednesday.

Can't add img tags so linky

http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1592511949

I want the detail of how they're going to 'service it'. If they're just going to fill it with cheap oil I might ask for some bucks off and stick it to my trusted independent as it is.

Would like some warranty with it even if it's just 3 months.

Pointed one out to SWMBO and she likes it, her Dad is an Audi devotee.

Edited 3 April, 201115 yr by Aspman

Looks good, it has the S-line interior not the exterior.

Looks like it also has the -30mm S-line setup which is

a bit hard.

Just look if it also has the S-line brake setup. You can spot

the difference at the rear. The bigger brakes have ventilated discs

at the rear and 347mm discs up front. Normally they will have solid

discs at the rear and smaller discs up front. (the bigger brakes were

part of the S-line package on a 3.0tdi. Mine has the bigger brakes

and the same -30mm spring/damper package).

Enginewise these lumps will do a lot of miles and this engine is just

broken in.

If it has a DPF it will need the VAG 507 00 spec oil, otherwise you could

destroy the DPF.

Waranty is always good, as these cars are full of electronics. See that

everything is working. A known problem could be the rear window washer,

the same problem the Octavia has. If a line breaks, the fluid will go all over

the entire electronics rack on the left in the boot. That means radio, amplifier,

navigation system. And if one of them dies of a shortcut, the whole system

will be dead. This is because all the components are connected by an optical lead.

Looks good, it has the S-line interior not the exterior.

Looks like it also has the -30mm S-line setup which is

a bit hard.

Just look if it also has the S-line brake setup. You can spot

the difference at the rear. The bigger brakes have ventilated discs

at the rear and 347mm discs up front. Normally they will have solid

discs at the rear and smaller discs up front. (the bigger brakes were

part of the S-line package on a 3.0tdi. Mine has the bigger brakes

and the same -30mm spring/damper package).

Enginewise these lumps will do a lot of miles and this engine is just

broken in.

If it has a DPF it will need the VAG 507 00 spec oil, otherwise you could

destroy the DPF.

Waranty is always good, as these cars are full of electronics. See that

everything is working. A known problem could be the rear window washer,

the same problem the Octavia has. If a line breaks, the fluid will go all over

the entire electronics rack on the left in the boot. That means radio, amplifier,

navigation system. And if one of them dies of a shortcut, the whole system

will be dead. This is because all the components are connected by an optical lead.

Cheers for that.

Yup knowing how picky VAG engines are with oil it's a concern that in their 'service' they'll put in any diesel oil and not the right stuff.

I'm hopeful it doesn't have the DPF, being an early one. Tailpipes point down which is sometimes a clue but otherwise I'm not sure how to tell.

You cannot see it on the outside. All the tdis have tailpipes that point down.

Only the facelifted A6 4F (or C6) with the newer diesels (and DPF) have the

straight chrome tailpipes. (build after end of 2008, IIRC)

You cannot see it on the outside. All the tdis have tailpipes that point down.

Only the facelifted A6 4F (or C6) with the newer diesels (and DPF) have the

straight chrome tailpipes. (build after end of 2008, IIRC)

That's a shame. Would be nice to know it doesn't have it. V6s seem (touch wood) to have fewer problems than the 4 pots but that could just be a numbers thing.

I think it's unlikely to come with warranty. Did a quick check on Warranty Direct and they'd want £750 a year! Sale of goods act will be as good as it gets I suppose.

<edit>

Father-in-law was working up that way today so he had a spin past. He reckons it needs 4x tyres but otherwise is very tidy considering age and mileage.

Tyres would be £500-600 (245-40-18) even on budget tyres like Maxxis or Falkens. Will see on Wed if dealer is willing to move at all.

Edited 4 April, 201115 yr by Aspman

Was up to look at it yesterday. Disappointing.

Exterior of the car was fine no scratches or dings. Interior had had a hard life. Every surface was badly scratched and felt loose.

Musty smell like someone had been having the odd ciggy in it.

Certainly needed tyres. Rears immediately and the fronts only had a couple of mm before they were on the indicators. Disks looked well worn too. Popped the bonnet and it had the engine cover from a 3.0 Quattro. Which was a bit odd.

I didn't bother to drive it, it didn't feel like a car that had been looked after. I wouldn't have called it reasonable for age and mileage. My VRS is nearly 4yr old with 44k and with a quick clean the interior looks like new.

Wend on and had a look at the Audi main dealer for a laugh, £19k for a 56 A4 avant diesel...

Edited 7 April, 201115 yr by Aspman

Sorry to hear that. But a good thing you left the car where it is

Parts are much more expensive as for the VRS and if everything is already worn, it will cost you

a lot more than just the asking price.

Just before I bought mine, I also looked at a 535d (and actually had the money with me to take buy the car).

Wonderfull car, not too much km and a superb interior. But something told me it wasnt right.

It didnt went "klick" and I didnt trust the seller. So I went away pretty frustrated and disappointed.

Looked at some car sites and found three different A6. Went to the first one and it immediately felt

right. Carwise and dealerwise (official dealer). So I bought the car and am still very happy with it.

Keep searching and if the right car comes, do it. :yes:

Looked at another A6 yesterday.

2007 A6 2.7tdi SE Man Saloon in black with 50k on the clock for £10500.

Offered £8000 for the Vrs and would service and MOT the A6, 2x tyres (rears are pretty new), and refurbish all 4 alloys which are kerbed.

Car is pretty clean and tidy, 3 previous services (2 audi and 1 VW). Drove nice plenty of power no squeaks rattles or anything that worried me.

Did the sums on £2.5k to change and I'd break even in 3yr probably with the car being worth more than the octy. Hmmm must fight the car buying fever, I feel like SWMBO in a shoe shop.

Have you checked the insurance/tax differences between cars.

I was amazed to find a 1.9tdi A6 cost more to insure than my Octavia vRS. Admittedly its worth more, but its a LOT slower, and therefore should make me far less of an insurance risk.

Have you checked the insurance/tax differences between cars.

I was amazed to find a 1.9tdi A6 cost more to insure than my Octavia vRS. Admittedly its worth more, but its a LOT slower, and therefore should make me far less of an insurance risk.

Did a quick quote on Swift cover and it came out £100 less than the vrs.

Did a quick quote on Swift cover and it came out £100 less than the vrs.

Buying it would require the use of SWMBO's holiday fund.

That's a hard sell even with her being a total badge snob.

Buying it would require the use of SWMBO's holiday fund.

That's a hard sell even with her being a total badge snob.

We're going on holiday. I'm not driving an Audi.

She's not called SWMBO for nothing.