Looking to buy a 2017 S6. Is there a buyer's guide of things to know or look for?

[Silence]

FIgured there would be a sticky, but don't see anything listed. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Pstahl]

#1 did a dealer perform the turbo oil screen recall. Its fairly extensive and you should not get a car that has not been "fixed"
#2 maintence is expensive. I am sure others have better prices but you are looking at hundreds for oil changes and thousands to replace brakes and rotors
#3 my 2017 S6 is my most expensive and most favorite toy. After almost 5 years with it, It brings smiles every time i drive.

[MattyMarkey]

FIgured there would be a sticky, but don't see anything listed. Any guidance would be appreciated.

May not be a sticky, but plenty of similar questions asked over the years if you search for it.

Control Arms - inspect the bushings. $1500-$2k repair
Motor Mounts - can be tested with VCDS. $800-$1500 repair
Oil screen recall - Obvious one. Has it been performed already? $$$$
PCV/Oil Separator (oil consumption) - has it been replaced before? Many cars have aged out, or will soon, from the Extended Warranty. Cannot really inspect, other than if you hear a loud whistle, or potential suction on oil cap when removing. $$$
Depending on mileage, will need brake fluid flush, Sport Diff (if it has it) flush, spark plugs, and other wear items.

Maintenance records are best for these, and setting aside funds for regular/emergent needs

[Blackcoog]

If it is over 70K, as noted above, you are very likely to need new engine mounts and new control arms. Mounts should throw a code if they are bad enough, not always though, so you can scan the car with VCDS. Another way to check them is to run the vibration test through VCDS so you can verify each mount can still vibrate. They vibrate loudly during that test. I changed my the mounts and control arms this year and it was a huge pain. I have done a lot of car work and this was not a fun job. I installed solid filled mounts and control arms from 034. Don't buy the cheap ebay/amazon mounts, I tried them, they do not vibrate and will not communicate. Shop rates for mounts and control arms is going to be a lot of money, maybe $5k+.

[Burkeomatic]

Motor mounts can be shot and not throw a code. Mine were gone... no code. It failed the visual, and when I swapped em... well they were completely blown out.

Oil screen is a safety recall, easily checked.

Another thing folks are looking over is the air suspension, and that can be a bear too.

Lots of the stuff listed is DIY if you're handy, and can save you thousands on labor. I don't know your skill or willingness to turn your own wrenches. That's a skill that pays dividends, especially on these cars.

[Audisthesia]

Motor mounts can be shot and not throw a code. Mine were gone... no code. It failed the visual, and when I swapped em... well they were completely blown out.

Oil screen is a safety recall, easily checked.

Another thing folks are looking over is the air suspension, and that can be a bear too.

Lots of the stuff listed is DIY if you're handy, and can save you thousands on labor. I don't know your skill or willingness to turn your own wrenches. That's a skill that pays dividends, especially on these cars.

If they are shot and you run the test in VCDS it's very obvious, code or no code.