[CS VW]

1999 A6 Avant with 112,000 miles
Are they good buys? Or should I run away, and fast?

What type of inspection and reconditioning should I do before buying a car like this? And does anybody else own late model high mileage cars like this?
Once again, thanks.

 

[mr_mbuna]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Good question. In for the email replies.

 

[Ben.]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (mr_mbuna)

I suppose from a resale perspective it wouldn't hurt you too bad because it's already pretty cheap and piling a ton more miles on it won't make it go down too much more than what it already is. The only thing I would be concerned about is reliability and dumping a ton of $$ into it.

 

[tjl]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Probably a lot of highway miles.
The usual inspections / cautions apply -- does it have maintenance records, owner's manual, all keys, spare tire and tools, radio code, etc.? Do the tires have any interesting stories to tell? Does it have correct levels of the correct fluids? Does it have evidence of undocumented or severe crash damage, or title problems? Does a VIN check with an Audi dealer show anything unusual in its warranty history? Does your mechanic think it is in good condition? If it has no maintenance records, are you willing to risk it, and immediately do all of the possible maintenance listed in the book in order to "catch up" on possibly / probably not done maintenance?

 

[CS VW]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (tjl)

Thanks for the replies. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
The only problem is that there won't be a bank that would lend me the money on this car because of the mileage. Or is it? I doubt it.
The car doesn't look too bad, of course just from pictures. How long, with excellent maintenance, can a late model A6 go?

 

[tjl]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Quote, originally posted by CS VW »

How long, with excellent maintenance, can a late model A6 go?

I'd hope it can last as long as a 1994 Honda Accord, or a 1966 Volvo P1800.

 

[CS VW]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (tjl)

Quote, originally posted by tjl »

I'd hope it can last as long as a 1994 Honda Accord, or a 1966 Volvo P1800.

So, 200,000+? I'll be cool with that.

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Slump]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

You should drive one first.
We looked at probably 6 or 7 A6 Avants when we were "big wagon" shopping.
With the 2.8l (the only engine available for the Avant), that massively heavy car can barely get out of its own way.
Both my wife and I thought that highway merging in the A6 was potentially dangerous. It was fine around town, I guess, and highway cruise was fine, once you got up to speed.
I found it hard to believe, but all the Avants we tested were the same. It is really a shame, because I loved the looks and features of the car.
If there were a 2.7t Avant (not the allroad, too expensive) I'm sure that's what we would have ended up with.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Wander on over to the Audi A6/S6 forum and ask this question... there are plenty of people over there who drive these and would be very happy to tell you all about them!
I know I've been harping on about this lately, but we need the traffic over there!

-Tim

 

[tjl]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Quote, originally posted by CS VW »

So, 200,000+? I'll be cool with that. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Actually, those were references to cars that have gone 1.1 million and 2 million miles (search the web for Irv Gordon to get the story on his Volvo P1800).
Realistically, most cars these days should be capable of several hundred thousand miles with proper maintenance. But most people get tired of their cars long before then, or they don't do proper maintenance. A few get unlucky with lemon cars.


Modified by tjl at 7:10 AM 1-8-2004

 

[MEIN_VW]

Re: High mileage late model luxury cars... (CS VW)

Just keep in mind that regardless of reliability, you will probably need to replace a lot of wear-and-tear parts such as shocks, springs, rotors, wheel bearings, CV joints etc.
Also, the B5 cars (Audi A4, A6 and Passat) have that 4-link front suspension. On a high-mileage car, the ball joints will need to be replaced (if they haven't been replaced already) and there are 8 of them. That can be costly unless you do the work yourself or have it done by a good independent Audi specialist.