found a car to buy, advice?

[golovemd]

I have been searching for either a B5 S4 or a A6 2.7T. I like the sporty look of the S4 plus I used to have one. I like the room and classy look of the A6. So either way I'd be thrilled to have one. I found one that is in the next state, probably a 2-3 hour drive away. It's a 2002 A6 2.7T with 6 speed manual (a must for me), silver with black leather. He said it has all options, such as rear heated seats, backup sensors and electric folding mirrors. Not sure if any of that makes a difference, but i do like the idea of the rear heated seats. Anyway, the car has 105,000 miles and he said he'd take $7800. I have not yet gotten a maintenance history. All I know right now is he used to drive to Canada once a month for work. That is from Mass up to Canada, so quite a few miles there. He said it was garaged in a heated garage the rest of the time. Is this a deal I shouldn't pass up or should I really wait for some records?

[oc-drop]

i think you'll be fine so long that you have money to upgrade to stage 3 once the turbos go out ~ just be sure he has been keeping regular maintenance and that the timing belt job is done

[golovemd]

i think you'll be fine so long that you have money to upgrade to stage 3 once the turbos go out ~ just be sure he has been keeping regular maintenance and that the timing belt job is done

Is the price too high if the timing hasn't been done? I know it can run upwards of $1500 depending on where I take the car. Not sure I would go stage three or just keep it closer to stock form. Really haven't decided that much yet.

[skiroad'r]

Timing belt would have to be done immediately and there is a good chance, if those are the original turbos, that those could be on their way out. Only other thing about a 2.7 motor is the cam tensioners tend to leak. This is no big deal especially if you are doing the timing belt. And if you ar doing the timing belt, make sure you are getting a new waterpump and make sure your mechanic has a trusted source for the timing belt kit.

There are several cases of defective bolts on the tensioner shearing off and destroying the motor.

Personally I'd wait for the maintenance records and would have an Indy look over the car.

While the price is attractive for such a great car, when these things break, it gets expensive real quickly.

[golovemd]

Timing belt would have to be done immediately and there is a good chance, if those are the original turbos, that those could be on their way out. Only other thing about a 2.7 motor is the cam tensioners tend to leak. This is no big deal especially if you are doing the timing belt. And if you ar doing the timing belt, make sure you are getting a new waterpump and make sure your mechanic has a trusted source for the timing belt kit.

There are several cases of defective bolts on the tensioner shearing off and destroying the motor.

Personally I'd wait for the maintenance records and would have an Indy look over the car.

While the price is attractive for such a great car, when these things break, it gets expensive real quickly.

Well my issue with having the car checked out is that it's over a 100 miles away from me. Unless I find someone through this site in the area to help me out, I have no way to get this car checked out.

[African2.7T]

its a gamble i'm in jersey and i got my a6 2.7t in NH. i checked the history, had my friend who is a tech at a audi dealership run the carfax and check for the maintainance record that was performed on the car everything looked good and i took a chance and purchased that car back in december that only thing the car needed was brakes and rotors. i say take a chance but hey that just me

[skiroad'r]

100 miles away? That is not far at all -- 2 hour drive? You need to have someone look it over. How detailed are the pictures of it's condition?

Original Clutch?
Condition of brakes?
Mileage on Tires?

all those items are several hundred dollars each.

[golovemd]

100 miles away? That is not far at all -- 2 hour drive? You need to have someone look it over. How detailed are the pictures of it's condition?

Original Clutch?
Condition of brakes?
Mileage on Tires?

all those items are several hundred dollars each.

It's not that far away as far as going to look at it myself and buying it. It is far however as far as having a mechanic that I trust check the car out.

[golovemd]

Well i got some additional info. The car was purchased as a CPO. The warranty of course was up at 100K miles. The timing belt has not been done, but he does have maintenance records and it was dealer serviced.

[skiroad'r]

If dealer serviced, have AoA or you local dealer run the VIN to see what was done. Also find a good Indy shop in your area and get a quote on the timing belt and factor that into your offer. If you do buy it, get that timing belt done Immediately. If that waterpump goes (life is about 75K miles), that engine is toast !!!!

[oc-drop]

Is the price too high if the timing hasn't been done? I know it can run upwards of $1500 depending on where I take the car. Not sure I would go stage three or just keep it closer to stock form. Really haven't decided that much yet.

$7800 seems like a great deal regardless... and i was just bringin up stage 3 since you might as well if the turbos ever need to be replaced

[golovemd]

$7800 seems like a great deal regardless... and i was just bringin up stage 3 since you might as well if the turbos ever need to be replaced

Oh trust me, I'd love to. I am not sure i want to go that route or not, money wise. I am working out a time to go see it this weekend. If I can get a few hundred more off the price, I'd be pretty happy. Even if I can't find an Indy shop to do the TB for under a grand, it would still come out to a good deal I think. In comparison, there is a S4 in my town for sale, same color scheme in fact, that has around the same miles that is selling for 12 grand.

[wofman]

Having recently acquired, watched "market" for a while prior to doing so, I'd suggest that with belt, pump, presumably a few related matters required, the $7800 is good price for 6sp 2.7 A6. Throw in a chip, piggies and voila great car under $11K. Tires, brakes, rims?

wofman

[golovemd]

Having recently acquired, watched "market" for a while prior to doing so, I'd suggest that with belt, pump, presumably a few related matters required, the $7800 is good price for 6sp 2.7 A6. Throw in a chip, piggies and voila great car under $11K. Tires, brakes, rims?

wofman

Please excuse my ignorance, but what are piggies? What can I say, I am a newb.

[golovemd]

How detailed are the pictures of it's condition?

These are the pictures I have. The picture of the instrument cluster shows the screen being off. Should that be on while the odometer and clock are both on? I asked him and he said it works.

[skiroad'r]

the A6 displays are known for having dead pixels -- replacement is a few hundred plus labor. My display looks like that when I remove the key, but I do not think it is unreasonable to ask for a picture with the display on. Other than that cosmetically it looks good for that mileage.

[festerfm]

if u'r taking a loan for it, see if you cant take out an extra couple grand.... the price looks nice if you find out after you get it that it is just fine, take that extra couple grand and start moddin!! or, start payin it off... i got my b6 off ebay about 150 miles away and first day i saw it was the day i bought it... had 67k, 1.8t, quattro, 5 spd, heated leather, bose, sport package, cold weather, looked excellent. i carfaxed it and no accidents came up, only 1 other owner besides me, but timing belt and waterpump and clutch were still original.. they only wanted 13,500 for it and it was worth 18k, so i took out lil extra just in case and it still runs like a champ at 96k miles and i still have that money put aside just in case...



i say, go for it.... you could luck out... and if not, u've got a good platform to work with for not much $$$$...

[slee22]

The picture of the instrument cluster shows the screen being off. Should that be on while the odometer and clock are both on? I asked him and he said it works.

The odometer and clock come on when you open the door, which is what's going on in that pic. As for dead pixels, that does happen but the entire display doesn't die...I'm sure it works fine.

[wofman]

Go drive it -- 17" wheels? Looks very clean, I have same miles on mine (but 2 yrs older) and after the 75K - 90K mile maintenance already discussed.... By the way, looks like sound cont'ls for the BOSE on the steering wheel (which I like a lot - sport suspension version does not have that steering wheel, but can always add shocks, sways).
I'll leave better answer to mechs on forum but piggies are initial section of exhaust where catalytics should be gutted to allow chip's power to be utilized and not choked -- cheap mod.
Now I'm starting to get pumped -- go buy it. 6 sp is fun.

wofman

[skiroad'r]

[QUOTE=festerfm;2473431]if u'r taking a loan for it, see if you cant take out an extra couple grand.... the price looks nice if you find out after you get it that it is just fine, take that extra couple grand and start moddin!! or, start payin it off...

That could be expensive money depending on what the interest rate is.

Car looks like it's in good shape, just make sure you have some $$$ saved for unforseen items beyond the timing belt (beating dead horse here, make sure waterpump is changed). There is nothing worse than paying for a car that you can't afford to repair.

I don't want to see this thing on the next episode of Pimp My Ride.

[festerfm]

that is true... make sure that not only can ya afford the insurance and what not, but check around and find common problems w/ the 2.7t... i thought about trading my b6a4 for a b5 s4 but a buddy of mine explained to me how expensive maintaining the car is... good luck!

[golovemd]

Well I originally was looking at cars in upwards of 12 grand. I will be paying cash, no loans. The only way anyone will say any car of mine on pimp my ride is if you see it in the backround when X is driving the car to the shop. Anyway, the reason I like this car is that I can afford to do the regular maintenance and have piece of mind that it's been done, without going over my original budget. I did email a place about a warranty that a member on here pointed me towards. I will research it, but if the price is right and they are a good warranty company, then the plan is to buy that, do the waterpump and timing belt, and have a car that is covered. We'll see and I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the responses.

[wofman]

pure and simple: price is at low end in market

[Kievskiy]

face lift for 78oo, take it...:) make sure clutch is ok!

[wofman]

100 miles away? Geez, looks like Canada. Sure isn't Hartford.

[golovemd]

100 miles away? Geez, looks like Canada. Sure isn't Hartford.

It's in Mass.

[golovemd]

Ok guys, just pulled the trigger. Drove up today, took her for a spin, everything was great, an paid cash. Just drove her home. There is a scratch on the passanger side rear door I have to get fixed, and the rims are a little scratched too, otherwise, it's in great shape. Inside is flawless. I have all the records, it was an off-lease, and then a certified pre-owned. So I am either the second owner or third if you include the leasee. I am going to give her a wash as she is pretty dirty and then I'll take higher quality pics then the ones i posted before. He didn't want to come down from the $7800 (He was trying to sell it locally for $8300), but I thought it was still a good deal. I am a member of the Audi Family again.

[wofman]

congrats -- good deal

[golovemd]

congrats -- good deal

Thanks. I cleaned it and waxed it today, but it got dark before I was finished. I still have to condition the leather tomorrow. I'll take some pics then.

[golovemd]

Unfortunately the weather has been crappy today, so I couldn't get great pictures. These are what I got:















This is the only blemish, a scratch that looks like it maybe from a key or something similar