Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

I'm loooking to buy this 1999 A6 Avant that has 310K Km's on it. I was going to take it to a local Audi dealer to have them go through it to make sure that it is sound. It starts and sounds good, but the lower pass. control arm and tie rod ends have been done. Is there anything that I really should look at. I'm mechanically inclined but I don't want to pick something up that I'm constintly repairing.
I've been reading some real horror stories. But I figure that if it has lasted 310k it can't be all bad.

Please let me know and Merry Christmas to you all

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

yeah, look for a different car lol... It's one thing to have a car and run it up over 300k knowing you maintained it properly, it's quote another to buy an unknown quantity hoping for the best..... These are maintenance intensive cars, and parts are very expensive. I would look for one a few years newer and with half the km

that's my advice...

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

Thanks Jordon,
I will keep looking. I see that you had a Tip tranny. What are your thoughts on that unit. All of my cars are 5 speeds and most of the A6's that I see are Tip.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

Well, I can tell you that the a6's had the same tip as the passat I had, and that I will never get one again. I found it to be hesitant and unsure, slow to respond, plus it robs too much horsepower and gives far worse gas mileage than the manual. What engine are you looking for? The 2.8 may be a little underpowered for an a6 avant. If you are looking at a 2.7T, be sure it is 2002 or newer, as prior to '02 the turbo's oiling system was insufficient causing premature turbo failure. Not sure if the avants were available with the 4.2, but that is apparently a good engine. I think that the 3.0 is also an excellent choice, but I don't think they had them until 2003? Are you wanting an avant specifically?

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

I own a 2009 VW Jetta Wagon and I love the wagon part. I also have a '99 Mazda 626 v6 that I'm thinking of replacing with the Audi. I was looking at the 2.8 V6. I prefer the manual transmissions as well but they are hard to find. I have heard that the 2.7 biturbo is an excellent motor but that the turbos are weak. most of the info I have seen on that is that people swap them out for better ones. I'm not interested in blowing the doors off the competition. I'll buy something for that. I'm just looking for something to drive around with the family to the cottage and back.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

I bought a 97 Quattro Avant (4 spd auto) in late November. (127km) It looked and ran super until I brought it home after certification. The MFS switch went on it. What a nightmare. The switch is $480+tx new, and used Audi parts guys have a hard time finding this switch. Whoever has one holds you hostage for big bucks on a used switch.

It has been on jack stands in my garage since November 28th.

I finally found a used switch at a decent price, so it will be repaired as soon as I receive it.

They are a real PITA to work on as they require a special VAG tool to diagnose.
They are assembled by maniacal monkeys.
Everything is a secret at either Audi dealers or used parts dealers.

I will never again buy a used Audi.

If I were you, I'd buy something else... a Japanese or NA model.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

Thanks for the reply. But other than that issue everything was prefect, right? Haha. Sorry to hear about the issue you had. I'm trying to do as much homework on these before deciding. Like you I don't want to end up putting $1000's of dollars into it just to have the car. I
I own a 2009 Jetta and love it.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

Yup, I'm learning the hard way. A 1999 Audi is over 10 years old. The early tip-tronic transmissions were not the greatest. These cars also develop serious electrical issues over time. A 2009 Jetta is a much newer animal, and the electronics are much more reliable.

My 2 cents (or several $100)

Stay away from a 300,000km Audi.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

If you want reliability, don't get it, if you're willing to spend some dollars on it (more like thousands) go ahead.

Re: Looking to buy 1999 A6 Avant
 

Thanks to all the folks that responded. I took the car for a test drive just to see what I would be getting myself into and the instrument panel lit up like a Christmas tree. So I ran away.

But I have just picked up a 2001 A6 Avant with only 130,000 kms on it. The guy is going to change the timing belt and water pump (thanks to this forum for making me aware of this) and it has had the ball joints and tie rods changed. The thing is going to be cert and e-tested. I will post some pics as I get them.

Wish me luck