2006 Audi A6 3.2 Avant? An experience?

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My 535xi wagon is gone due to iDrive complexity and an uninterested driver.





Im looking for some input on an 06 A6 3.2 Avant.



Are there any sore/strong spots a potential buyer should be aware of?



I have found one that I am comparing to an 06 E350 4matic wagon and an E500 4matic wagon



Both are similarly equipped, CPO, and have extended coverage to 2012. Audi is $4k less than the cheapest MB. (Nav, Xenon, etc)





What I find most amazing is that all cars have some paint work here and there. I have seen 6 cars this weekend and each has no less than 2 panels repainted. CPO cars all seem like auction cars. I thought these dealers kept the good ones? What bullsht...





 
No input on the A6 in particular, but the 3.2 is a sweet motor in the A4. Gets pretty damn good gas mileage and has some nice pull. There are really no mods for it though.



As far as CPO, I think they aren't supposed to put cars out with significant damage, but I have never seen a written policy on what is what, and did see my fair share of painted cars. What is even worse is how much other damage the cars have, like curbing, interior scrapes, etc.



That said, make sure you cast a WIDE net, use the CPO site and look around, there are some really good deals to be had now.
 
Shoot, between not being able to see out of today's cars in the first place, and everybody looking at their cell phones, crackberry, nav system or satellite radio, it's no wonder every CPO has a couple refinished panels.
 
I read the BMW CPO - it will not back a car IF a panel has ben REPLACED. Repaired is not a concern.



Audi and Benzo werent interested in figuring it out for me. They were all conveinced that the cars were immaculate F1 rated diamonds.



After I took off my sheep costume, I pointed out to the Benz salesguy that I highly doubt there were any survivors in the TRAIN that hit the E500 wagon he wanted to sell me.



3 panels clearly repaired and refinished

Visible 100 grit sanding marks in body filler

Sink mark in read door jamb I could fit my nail in

Tape lines in every jamb

Over-spray on every adjacent panel

Rear interior finish panel was loose on the side that was pulverized as someone wanted to see what the rattle in there was



But then again, I dont know what Im talking about.......
 
Plenty of Audi CPO cars are real horror shows too. They're just used cars that meet certain (pretty undemanding) criteria...the kind of criteria that leaves one thinking "gee, I should *hope* so..".



Audi stuff I'd worry about:



Cosmetic: Make sure the clear anodized aluminum trim is OK.



Mechanical: Make sure the drive-by-wire works OK.



The above issues often can *NOT* be fixed satisfactorily.



Also, make sure you'd have a *GOOD* Audi dealer. Between that and the Benz (I'd probably like driving the E500 a *whole lot* more), that'd mean as much to me as the cars themselves. I've often posted that I switched from Benz to Audi in large part because I found the perfect Audi dealer and can't find a remotely decent Benz one.
 
Being an ex-VW/Audi mechanic, here's what you should be looking for.



When out on a test drive, check for play in the front suspension and steering rack when you turn sharply or in a long, fast, sweeping corner, like an entrance or exit ramp. If you get a small clunk or excessive play, the ball joints need to be replaced. It's an easy job, but it's time consuming because they're tucked in there pretty well. This has been a problem since the B5 generation Passats and A4s. Audi have never issued a TSB for it because they're considered 'wear-items.'



3.2Ls are stout engines and don't really suffer from many issues. The gearbox is well matched to it and is able to deal with the power easily. However, I would replace the transmission and any differential fluids because the quattro system does have a tendency to break down the OEM gear oil very easily over a few years. Audi will tell you that the gear fluid doesn't need to be replaced, but do it simply for insurance. Amsoil FTW on this one.



Check windows to make sure there is no hesitation when you roll them up or down, same for the sunroof. VW/Audi have been doing better with their window regulartors, but it's in your best interest to be proactive about it.



Accumulator hit the nail on the head. Find a good dealership. There are 3 dealerships in Cincinnati and none of them are close. Coincidentally, all 3 of them are terrible. There's a great little place near me that does fantastic work on german cars and if there was something I wasn't able to do on my S4, they got the work.
 
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