Buying 2005 A6 4.2 HELP!!

[AdamChach]

Hi all,

I'm looking to pick up a 2005 A6 4.2 this weekend and need some buying advice. I have a C7 and am looking to have something for the winter months in the northeast.

The car has 161k miles and has a surge in rpms in the 2-3 rpm range. Fluctuates a hundred rpms or so in that range when cruising. I hear it could either be a throttle body or torque converter. He said he checked for codes and there is a misfire in cylinders 6 & 8. Front left wheel bearing also needs to replaced. The e-brake light is flashing as well on the dash. Took it for a drive and nothing catastrophic seemed obvious to me.

Asking 4000, but verbally agreed to 3500. I looked at the carfax and it was serviced regularly, but the services listed are vague, eg engine serviced, brakes serviced, etc. No talk on timing chain replacement etc.

Should I pull the trigger if I can get him down to 3k, or is 3,500 fair, or just pass outright? My c7 is my daily and this would be used during the winter months in the northeast.

Thanks!

[sepheroth86]

I had a 2006 A6 4.2 many years ago. I bought it with chain rattle on startup and an oil leak, car had approximately 160k. I paid $1000.

It was a good car overall. I fixed the oil leak but never did the chains. Hit a deer with it at 195k.

The RPM surge is common. The 6 speed auto's seem to do that once they get up in mileage.

Get a full VCDS scan before buying to see if there are any "hidden" codes.

[Kevin1]

I was the original owner of a 2005 4.2 many years ago. I kept it for 140k miles. I had the fluctuating rpm issue, which was resolved with replacing the torque converter. Prior to changing the torque converter we tried cleaning the throttle body but that did not resolve the issue. Despite changing the oil every 5k miles for the life of the car, the timing chain guide/tensioner issue arose in the 130k mile range. After having the timing chain done, many of the plastic/rubber parts on the car started to fail and I decided that it was cheaper to buy a brand new A6 for cash. With all of that said, the 4.2 was a great engine with a wonderful exhaust note when you got on it.

[sepheroth86]

I was the original owner of a 2005 4.2 many years ago. I kept it for 140k miles. I had the fluctuating rpm issue, which was resolved with replacing the torque converter. Prior to changing the torque converter we tried cleaning the throttle body but that did not resolve the issue. Despite changing the oil every 5k miles for the life of the car, the timing chain guide/tensioner issue arose in the 130k mile range. After having the timing chain done, many of the plastic/rubber parts on the car started to fail and I decided that it was cheaper to buy a brand new A6 for cash. With all of that said, the 4.2 was a great engine with a wonderful exhaust note when you got on it.

I LOVED the 4.2 sound. Both the induction (intake) and exhaust note of the v8 was intoxicating. The 3.0t is light years faster, but has an awful soulless sound from the exhaust. Opening up the intake side of the 3.0t helped some by allowing the blower whine to be more pronounced.

[G-Can]

Hi all,

I'm looking to pick up a 2005 A6 4.2 this weekend and need some buying advice. I have a C7 and am looking to have something for the winter months in the northeast.

The car has 161k miles and has a surge in rpms in the 2-3 rpm range. Fluctuates a hundred rpms or so in that range when cruising. I hear it could either be a throttle body or torque converter. He said he checked for codes and there is a misfire in cylinders 6 & 8. Front left wheel bearing also needs to replaced. The e-brake light is flashing as well on the dash. Took it for a drive and nothing catastrophic seemed obvious to me.

Asking 4000, but verbally agreed to 3500. I looked at the carfax and it was serviced regularly, but the services listed are vague, eg engine serviced, brakes serviced, etc. No talk on timing chain replacement etc.

Should I pull the trigger if I can get him down to 3k, or is 3,500 fair, or just pass outright? My c7 is my daily and this would be used during the winter months in the northeast.

Thanks!

3500 is about 2000 more then its worth.
If timing wasnt done, and need torque converter, those two items alone are gonna be easy 4-5k to do.

[AdamChach]

Update: so I just brought the car home. Around a 40 mile trip, got it up to 100mph and cruises just fine. So far all seems okay, didn't hear any chain rattle or anything like that during the cold start. Ran for codes while I was there and will upload if anyone is interested. I did see that it was running lean according to codes. Headlights suck, but I hear HIDs degrade over time. There's a muffler delete on it do it has a nice deep tone which I'm into. There is a slight burning smell, which I'm currently chalking up to a small oil leak. I'm going to keep an eye on oil levels. The technology in the car takes some getting used to after being in a C7 so long lol. Need to figure out an elegant bluetooth solution or use an FM transmitter, cause I'm already tired of the radio lol...

Final price was 3,200. I'm aware I probably overpaid, but I have no intention of getting chains replaced or the TC, maybe try a throttle body to see if it will alleviate the rpm surge. But in all, it's just a beater for the winter months until it decides it wants to give out. So far no buyers remorse. Time will tell.

[AdamChach]

00-Steering Angle Sensor -- Status: OK 0000
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
02-Auto Trans -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
05-Acc/Start Auth. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
07-Control Head -- Status: Malfunction 0010
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
0E-Media Player 1 -- Status: OK 0000
0F-Digital Radio -- Status: Malfunction 0010
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: Malfunction 0010
25-Immobilizer -- Status: Malfunction 0010
36-Seat Mem. Drvr -- Status: OK 0000
37-Navigation -- Status: Malfunction 0010
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
47-Sound System -- Status: OK 0000
4F-Centr. Electr. II -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
53-Parking Brake -- Status: Malfunction 0010
55-Headlight Range -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
61-Battery Regul. -- Status: OK 0000
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000
76-Park Assist -- Status: Malfunction 0010
77-Telephone -- Status: OK 0000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 4F0 910 560 A HW: 4F0 907 559
Component: 4.2L V8/5V G 0010
Revision: -------- Serial number:
Coding: 0007772
Shop #: WSC 02325 785 00200
VCID: 2019E8A946C9264BEFF-8074
VINID: 9D19547071162457800C700400450B9B08

4 Faults Found:
17831 - Secondary Air Injection System; Bank 1
P1423 - 002 - Insufficient Flow - MIL ON
17538 - Fuel Trim; Bank 2 (Mult)
P1130 - 001 - System too Lean
16558 - Fuel Trim; Bank 2
P0174 - 001 - System Too Lean
17819 - Secondary Air Injection System; Bank 2
P1411 - 002 - Insufficient Flow
Readiness: 0000 1000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 05: Acc/Start Auth. Labels:. 4F0-910-852.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 852 HW: 4F0 905 852 B
Component: FBSAUDIC6 ELV H30 0180
Revision: 30070501 Serial number: 10600300052243
Coding: 0000015
Shop #: WSC 01107 444 70096
VCID: 6393A7A5175F7D53B2D-8036

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4F0 910 131 L
Component: FBSAUDIC6 EZS H43 0070

Subsystem 2 - Part No: 4F0 910 335
Component: FBSAUDIC6 KSG H25 0070

2 Faults Found:
01049 - Supply Voltage Term 50
006 - Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100110
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 65
Mileage: 258800 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.03
Time: 10:21:15

00193 - Rear Right Door Handle Touch Sensor (G418)
011 - Open Circuit
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01111011
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 66
Mileage: 258811 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.04
Time: 12:35:11


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 07: Control Head Labels: 4F0-910-7xx-07-H.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 729 B HW: 4E0 035 729
Component: Interfacebox H43 0750
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 360HB047503030
Coding: 0000003
Shop #: WSC 02335 785 00200
VCID: 2809F0892EF9DE0BA7F-807C

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4F0 910 609
Component: Bedienteil MMIC6H07 0870

Subsystem 2 - Serial number: 00000000040884

Subsystem 3 - Serial number: 0111.08.040000000100010190ÿ

Subsystem 4 - Serial number: 010190ÿ

1 Fault Found:
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 39
Mileage: 258800 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.03
Time: 10:21:28

Freeze Frame:
Bin. Bits: 10


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels:. 4F0-910-468.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 468 A HW: 4F0 907 468 B
Component: Gateway H09 0030
Revision: 09 Serial number: 0800804725001D
Coding: ECFE73CC1B3904
Shop #: WSC 01107 444 59075
VCID: 270BF3B523E7D173AE5-8072

1 Fault Found:
00470 - Company Comfort Databus in Single Wire
011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101011
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 129
Mileage: 259490 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.11.05
Time: 11:50:15

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation Labels: 4E0-910-88x-37.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 888 M HW: 4E0 919 887 C
Component: MNS US H43 1100
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 378JT047505116
Shop #: WSC 01107 444 52994
VCID: 382920C9FE594E8B37F-806C

2 Faults Found:
02261 - Data Medium
014 - Defective - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101110
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 129
Mileage: 259490 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.30
Time: 13:25:08

Freeze Frame:
Hex Value: 0x635E
Hex Value: 0x7B34
Hex Value: 0x0500
Hex Value: 0xFA4C

02927 - DVD Read Error
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 113
Mileage: 259027 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.08
Time: 10:11:02

Freeze Frame:
Hex Value: 0x6341
Hex Value: 0x4CF2
Hex Value: 0x0401
Hex Value: 0x0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv. Labels:. 4F0-910-289.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 289 E HW: 4F0 907 289 E
Component: Komfortgeraet H14 0090
Revision: 00900014 Serial number: 01000540320000
Coding: 0423997
Shop #: WSC 02335 785 00200
VCID: 2C010C993A01F22B437-8078

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1K0 951 605 A
Component: LIN BACKUP HORN H01 1201

3 Faults Found:
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 92
Mileage: 176241 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2004.07.02
Time: 10:36:40

01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 126
Mileage: 259456 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.20
Time: 10:52:59

01502 - Bulb for Rear Fog; Left (L46)
009 - Open or Short to Ground
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 15
Reset counter: 145
Mileage: 191851 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2019.08.18
Time: 17:06:49

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 53: Parking Brake Labels: 4F0-910-801.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 801 C HW: 4F0 907 801 A
Component: EPB CDEC0080 H04 0080
Revision: --H04---
Coding: 0006022
Shop #: WSC 02830 444 83878
VCID: 2019E8A946C9264BEFF-8074

2 Faults Found:
00446 - Function Limitation due to Under-Voltage
002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100010
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 10
Reset counter: 131
Mileage: 258800 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.03
Time: 10:20:59

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 7.35 V
Count: 202

02443 - Control Head
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11111100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 79
Time Indication: 0

Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 10.66 V
Count: 40
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 76: Park Assist Labels: 4Fx-910-283.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 283 HW: 4F0 919 283
Component: Parkhilfe 4-Kan H09 0020
Revision: --.--.-- Serial number: 11730420500366
Coding: 0001206
Shop #: WSC 131071 1023 2097151
VCID: 619FADAD0D436F43A01-8034

2 Faults Found:
01548 - Sensor for Parking Aid; Rear Right (G206)
009 - Open or Short to Ground
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 66
Mileage: 258800 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.03
Time: 10:28:00

01543 - Parking Aid Warning Chime (H15)
009 - Open or Short to Ground
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 65
Mileage: 258800 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2022.10.03
Time: 10:20:44
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------