Should I replace my S6 Avant with another one.

[GR42AI]

I just got word from the mechanic that the cam adjusters failed on my S6 and that caused the chain to jump resulting in valve to piston contact. It's the best car I have ever owned and am thinking about replacing with another on, mine had 203k miles. What is the expected life of the adjusters, I haven't seen much info on them posted here. I have located 2 cars, one with 177k asking $9900 the other with 104k asking $12k, I don't want to wind up in the same position I'm in now in a couple of years.


Guy

[a4kamila6]

You can always find a used motor or rebuild yours.


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[esporque]

Wow for that kind of coin, ship mine out from the east coast. If it was me, before I spent $10K on another S6, I'd drop $20K from an RS6 engine swap :-) But that's me, my s6 is a fun car and snowmobile (I've got another audi under warranty for getting to work).

I've learned the hard way you want the devil that you know in the C5 chassis. There are so many known issues on these that happen due to age or mileage that you need to be prepared.

I picked mine up off auction from a reputable seller at ~90K miles a few years back. In hind site it was a silly amount to pay to get everything running again and working, and this was likely a 'good' one with nothing 'major' and multiple PPI. If I bought another Audi of early 2000s vintage, I'd either get a no $$$ spared version from enthusiast moving on or one dirt cheap and expect tons of my time OR $$$ to get it how I want it. If you're paying someone else to do work for you (as I have to do more an more due to work), I'd say just go get a lease payment on a Cayman S or Focus RS for fun and call it a day.

Since I haven't written it down.. for grins I've done the following some typical maintenance, plus lot's of C5 fun from ~90K to ~108K in 3+ years

-Flexible Brake Lines (starting to rot)
-All control Arms front and rear (uppers, lowers, etc)
-Turn Signal Relay
-Timing Belt / Water pump (original @ 95K)
-Rear driveshaft gasket (leaking)
-Struts (I went coilovers and adjustable UCA however the originals were done @ ~90K)
-Front and Rear Strut Mounts (dry rot)
-All Vacuum Lines (CEL - leaks, poor idle)
-Air oil separator (The pancake / honker)
-Y Pipe (clogged)
-Coolant Temp Sensor
-Alternator
-Front Engine Torque Mount
-Front CV Joint/Axles
-Front Rotors (Vibration)
-Fuel Filter ( looked original)
-All 8 Spark Plugs, air filter, cabin, etc
-New Battery (shockingly was an audi OEM)
-Full fluid change to get baseline (Differentials, Gear oil, steering, coolant)
-Replace peeling soft touch controls on climate and door (not functional but a must do)
-Valve cover gaskets (oil leak)
-Clean out water drains (sunroof, battery tray)
-RNS-E / OEM Bluetooth ('needed' modernish electronics)
-RS6 OEM wheels and real performance tires (garbage all seasons on the OEM rims using in winter)
-Aero windshield wipers

To Be Done:
- Bose Speakers (just started buzzing)
- Replace antenna mount gasket starting to crack
- Replace air quality sensor
- Repair/Replace headlight level sensor
- Refinish/replace headlights
- Rear Interior Light repair (doesn't always come on, re-solder)
- Minor cluster fade in heat of summer
- New Rear cargo cover (plastic cracked)
- Rear hatch trim (triangle Cover broken and sunshade mounts)

To fail next- :-)
- Front Wheel Bearings (replacement ready)
- Plastic Coolant Pipe (buffkin replacement ready)
- Catalytic Converters ( 14+ years...)
- O2 Sensors
- N80 valve, SAI, and other emission garbage
- Cam Adjusters
- HP2 Caliper rebuild or 17z replacement
- Not least.. Triptronic failure

But damn that widebody avant is sexy

[Eurylo]

I say you keep the car and put the 10K+ into an engine/ upgrades.

For that kind of money you could make the car way better than one you'd buy.

Good luck!

[rollerton]

I have two S6's, I'd consider selling either one honestly for less than you're talking for just an engine.
Silver/ Black higher miles ~ 163k, a little beat up but (kid hauler/ driver) mechanically awesome *new* Audi trans @ 146k for $8k.
OR Atlas Grey, 112k miles, Mechanically perfect, interior perfect, few usual exterior scratches, mods a mile long and 6 speed; $12k.
I'm in Washington state, wouldn't hesitate to drive either one across the country.

But for the money you're talking you can easily fix a few bent valves or find a used replacement engine, or even just a pair of heads.

[GR42AI]

I have two S6's, I'd consider selling either one honestly for less than you're talking for just an engine.
Silver/ Black higher miles ~ 163k, a little beat up but (kid hauler/ driver) mechanically awesome *new* Audi trans @ 146k for $8k.
OR Atlas Grey, 112k miles, Mechanically perfect, interior perfect, few usual exterior scratches, mods a mile long and 6 speed; $12k.
I'm in Washington state, wouldn't hesitate to drive either one across the country.

But for the money you're talking you can easily fix a few bent valves or find a used replacement engine, or even just a pair of heads.

I may be interested in the Atlas Grey with the 6sp, can you send me pictures and a list of mods. [email protected]

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[bpark1210]

To answer your questions most of the time CCT's themselves usually don't go bad, it's the fragile plastic pads on the tensioners that wear out, crack, and break off over time causing chain slack. It's a common problem on all the VAG engines to have the plastic pieces deteriorate. I think VW claims they never need to be replaced but should be checked at regualr service intervals. I guess if you had an engine always in tip top shape w/ zero oil leaks the heads would have proper oil levels to keep everything in temp and lubricated but plastic is always bound to break at some point w/ hot temps. 203k is lifetime of driving for an engine. Surprised to see you got even that much out of it.

If I were you, I'd start by looking at the pistons if they look okay just buy some used heads and call it good. Or go the more expensive route of rebuilding your head w/ new valves but sounds like a huge money pit w/ all the machining and man hours to charge for a professional rebuild.

There is a BBD engine on ebay right now for $1700 + shipping http://www.ebay.com/itm/291624101453...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT. Almost wish I bought this after starting up my timing belt job.

Also there was a couple factory assembled crate BBD engines for sale on ebay.uk They were brand spankin new and built by Audi in Germany. Guy was selling them for roughly $4k USD. Can't seem to find it right now, maybe he sold them all.

[SteelyS6]

I would drive mine right to your doorstep for $9000. 175,000 kms, hotchkiss sways, Milltek and magnaflow exhaust, and RS6 side skirts. The only part that you wouldn't like is it' a Canadian car and I don't know what the importation rules are.

[A Stupid Turtle]

I'll join in... I'll sell you mine as well!

[Grizz]

Well, how much do you love it?

The timing belt (Gates) on my V6t Saab shredded and jumped some teeth around 155k miles. I had previously replaced the timing belt at the factory recommended interval of 120k. I lucked out that only valves bent. There was some light marks on a couple pistons but nothing that would affect anything. I love that car enough that it was worth it to me to pull the heads and do the valve job and a water pump and thermostat while I was in there. Even if I would have had to pay to get the job done, I would have. Around 165k on it now and no issues with the car aside from auto-leveling xenon issues.

With our high mileage cars there's always the teeter-totter of love (keep it, repair it, slap on some duct tape) and frustration (had enough of the issues and repairs, time for it to go). Write out a list of the pros and cons of keeping it or replacing it.

No matter what you choose, wishing you the best of luck with it.

[GR42AI]

I would drive mine right to your doorstep for $9000. 175,000 kms, hotchkiss sways, Milltek and magnaflow exhaust, and RS6 side skirts. The only part that you wouldn't like is it' a Canadian car and I don't know what the importation rules are.

If you're serious I can look into the importation laws, Please send me some pics and more info

Thanks
Guy

[carmudgeon]

I'm pretty sure the 25 year American import ban applies to Canada too.

[rollerton]

I'm pretty sure the 25 year American import ban applies to Canada too.

But the S6 was a car that was actually imported to the US, so with some paperwork there's no reason you can't bring one in.

[carmudgeon]

True, but even if you assume the Canadian version of the car is 100% identical to the U.S. version, it still has to be federalized. It would be simpler to find one in the U.S.

There's a beautiful Amulet Red S6 on craigslist in Portland, mmmmm red.

[GR42AI]

I just talked to a dealer friend and he said it's not very difficult to import one from Canada since they were sold here already

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[8520]

There's a beautiful Amulet Red S6 on craigslist in Portland, mmmmm red.

15 grand though? That's a bit ridiculous considering average mileage, fading headlights and original transmission.

[4rings2turbos]

15 grand though? That's a bit ridiculous considering average mileage, fading headlights and original transmission.

How long have you been lurking?

[jdyno718]

I just talked to a dealer friend and he said it's not very difficult to import one from Canada since they were sold here already

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True, if I remember correctly it must be sold as a mileage unknown vehicle. My family purchased a civic in Colorado that was from Canada for dirt cheap for this reason. Super easy to bring in.

[8520]

How long have you been lurking?

Since my join date, you?

[4rings2turbos]

Lol.


Still need to make a fb account to check out the C5 group.

You should post more often.

[8520]

Lol.


Still need to make a fb account to check out the C5 group.

You should post more often.

You're right, I should. This forum is one of the only things that motivates me to work on my own project.

[Black-Forest]

I'm pretty sure the 25 year American import ban applies to Canada too.

Nope 15 Years for Canada