I'm looking at a 2001 Audi A6 2.9 Quattro with 130k miles on it. The price is reasonable enough but I don't want to spend twice that much on repairs. Is there anything in particular I should look for besides the normal leaks/noise, or should I just pass completely on one with this many miles? I don't want to set myself up to pay $6k cash for the car so I don't have payments and financing charges, only to end up paying an equal amount in shop bills.

 

The milage is not too bad but the price is. You should do some reading in this forum to learn about all the things that could and will go wrong.

I NEVER pay more than $3,500 for an older Audi because there are so many thing that can bite you.

 

The car never came with a 2.9. Do you mean 2.8? Or 2.7?

Bob

 

Sorry, it's a 2.8.

I'm really leaning away from this car....I do a lot of my own work but I'm hearing some real horror stories about part availablility and costs.

 

Unless you have access to service records or previous owner(s), you are taking some significant risk with a 9 year old, high mileage car. I don't care what brand. It could run fine for another 70k, or it can have a bunch of hidden faults that will nickel and dime you, or worse. Your best insurance is to find a shop that specializes in Audis and have then check it out and test drive it. It may cost you a $100 but it could save you fifty times that.

 

It depends upon where you live... I use Force Five in Concord NH for most of my new and used parts (they ship) and others have good luck with Blauparts or Shokan. Having a good Indy close by also helps for those times the project gets too big.

In anycase $6K is way too much for a 2001 with 130K

 

Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaass.......... at that mileage.

if that car was on my lift i'd see nothing but dollar signs................. and i would never sell you something you didn't need.

Cause i bet it needs alot of work..... and unless you know what your looking for by either knowing the car or knowing cars.... your gonna get bit

 

RUN, RUN, RUN and RUN some more. I have a 2000 A6 with 89,000 miles and its nothing but problems. At that millage you will be in the shop all the time.

 

mines got 146k on it. i bought it from a audi repair shop owner. It was his wifes and he had rediculous records. He did the timing belt, water pump, cam cover gasket, exhaust flex joints, replaced an axle, and put new tires and inspection on it for me. I bought it for 4k and it has been a joy to drive. It rides nicer than my 07 s40. I suggest getting one that has very detailed records.

 

Bought a 2001 a6 2.8 in early Feb and besides having no get up and go whatsoever, I have had:

-2 ball joints replaced (total of $400ish)
-coolant reservoir and lines replaced due to massive leaking ($150)
-4 new tires (popped one+AWD=4 new tires)

It has 149,000 miles on it so I'm not that surprised (these problems were not audi-specific though). These things can definitely nickel and dime you. Great car otherwise!!!