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[jereboam]

My neighbour, who works in an Audi dealership, has just told me that they've had a part exchange car in which they want to shift quickly.  It's an Audi A6 1.8 manual petrol model on an 02 plate.  Not exactly what I'm looking for, but they're only asking £1200 for it, which, from what I can see on Autotrader, looks like a bargain.  No idea how long the MOT (if any) is for, but apparently it has extensive (full?) service history.  I'm going along to see it tomorrow morning early.

Anyone aware of any pitfalls with this model?

[05omegav6]

It's a Volkswagen

Seriously, might or might not have a turbo and may or may not be all wheel drive, but otherwise the usual things...

Make sure everything works as it should, when was cambelt/water pump last changed, condition of the tyres/oil/coolant etc

If he's any sort of mate, you should get a fresh MoT with it as well

[TheBoy]

Underpowered (even turbo ones), uneconomical, A6 is heavy car. Front suspension is an utter pain in the arse. Otherwise, generally OK.

Audi parts are dealer, and dealer labour is shocking price. Trouble is, some parts (front suspension) needs to be genuine, pattern doesn't last.

[jereboam]

Underpowered (even turbo ones), uneconomical, A6 is heavy car. Front suspension is an utter pain in the arse. Otherwise, generally OK.

Audi parts are dealer, and dealer labour is shocking price. Trouble is, some parts (front suspension) needs to be genuine, pattern doesn't last.

Leave us face it, anything I buy is likely to be underpowered compared with what I've got now.   

Not keen on Audis (or Volkswagens, for that matter), but at least they're not French.  I suspect that since this is an Audi with service history being traded in to an Audi garage, its probably been fitted with genuine parts, but without an inspection, I'm never going to be able to judge whether the suspension needs work. 

[jereboam]

If he's any sort of mate, you should get a fresh MoT with it as well

Not sure what he does there, but he's not a mechanic and he's not in sales, so I doubt if he could arrange an MOT.

[chrisgixer]

If the suspension knocks in any way, or the handling or tyre wear is odd, your probably looking at £400 worth of link rods and suspension parts to sort it. They have multi link suspension and are a nightmare to diagnose, so changing all suspension parts is best way.

They come as a kit. So check the history for any suspension work, if its been done, happy days, I guess? Provided its set up correctly.

[Rog]

I really am no expert.

BUT A6 is a big car, 1.8. Just doesn't seem right, turbo or not. I would want to see 2.4 or more. Anything less will have been overworked imo.

[Kevin Wood]

I really am no expert.

BUT A6 is a big car, 1.8. Just doesn't seem right, turbo or not. I would want to see 2.4 or more. Anything less will have been overworked imo.

The 2.7 BiTurbo is more like it. Especially if you happen to get loaned one in Germany.

[I_want_an_Omega]

I had an A4 1.8T for a while whilst waiting for a company car to be delivered. Bearing in mind that it would be a lot less weight than an A6 the fuel consumption was dire. It drove well enough but you had to wind it up to make it move. It was a nice car apart from that.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I wouldn't buy it without a full M.O.T.

Who knows what (expensive) nasties lurk just around the corner if you accept it with a short M.O.T.

[jereboam]

My neighbour warned me that the car was a bit grubby.  That was an understatement.  It was absolutely filthy - don't think I've ever seen a car that mucky, but, never mind, it could have been cleaned up.  Could have hoovered the straw out of the engine compartment, I suppose.

But the bashed in rear nearside corner would have required several hundred pounds worth of repairs.  My neighbour hadn't actually noticed - can't blame him - I didn't see it at first, either. 

But I reckon that If I'm going to have to shell out for repairs, I'd rather spend the money on my Omega  .

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

My neighbour warned me that the car was a bit grubby.  That was an understatement.  It was absolutely filthy - don't think I've ever seen a car that mucky, but, never mind, it could have been cleaned up.  Could have hoovered the straw out of the engine compartment, I suppose.

But the bashed in rear nearside corner would have required several hundred pounds worth of repairs.  My neighbour hadn't actually noticed - can't blame him - I didn't see it at first, either. 

But I reckon that If I'm going to have to shell out for repairs, I'd rather spend the money on my Omega  .

It still seems the most sensible and economical option to me, JB.


........unless, of course, it's totally donald.

[jereboam]

Went off to look at a Jaguar X-type and a Rover 75.  Very impressed with the Jag, Rover very well equipped but not very nice to drive.

So it's a 51-plate 2.5 auto, 75,000 miles, looks to be in good nick, engine a bit noisy starting up, but quietened significantly when warmed up.  Got all the necessary toys - cruise control, climate control, height adjustable seat, electric mirrors.  Strangely, no CD player or sun roof, but I can live without them.  He wants £1900, with 12-month MoT and 3-month warranty.  I've put a small holding deposit on it, which he'll refund if my wife says no when I take her to see it on Sunday. 

Strangely enough, I had a metallic blue Jaguar S-type when I first met my wife 40-odd years ago.  Don't know whether that's good or bad... 

The Rover engine was unbelievably quiet - pity it had a turning circle like a bus, dinky little mirrors set too high for me, no height adjustment on the seat, very fierce clutch and stiff gear change.  Perhaps it was only like that 'cos I drove the Jag first. 

[I_want_an_Omega]

Suggest you read up on cambelt changes for the R75 V6 - it seems they are complex and expensive 

[jereboam]

Suggest you read up on cambelt changes for the R75 V6 - it seems they are complex and expensive 

Don't think the Rover was a V6 - it was advertised as a 1.8l, so I assumed it was a 4-pot.  Didn't like it anyway.  And I think I read somewhere that the Jag V6 didn't have a cam belt - is that possible?

Edit - just looked it up - it has a timing chain, which shouldn't need to be replaced.  But it looks like it's easier to change the car than change the plugs.