jeandelli

Folks,
Return Audi owner (previous A5 then an S5) looking at an 01 A6 for $6995.
What's with the 4.2 engine. That seems pretty big. Did Audi make much of these for the A6?
What should I be looking for? What services should have been done by now? Any tips? Should I get an A4 instead? Is there a particular make/year to stay away from?Only need it to drive in the winter.
TIA

jeandelli

link to the car...

2001 AUDI A6 4.2 QUATTRO

Just Me

Too many questions with too few facts on you and what you want, but the 4.2 was a very solid motor. Awful fuel economy. Some issues with the auto tranny connected to all of them. Timing belt service (much ore than the belt) every 75k is very costly. Front control arms wear regularly. Like any old audi, costly to repair, but long lastng. Good service records are a must. Nice, comfy, powerful, smooth car.

G

Mangler969

That was a Minneapolis listing. If you are in the Minneapolis area try ucarconnect. They sell alot of Euro Cars.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Could it be that the later 4.2 with the timing chain vice belt was even worse? I was reading about the VW VR6 engine (used since 1990 and even @3.8L on the Q5) timing chain that wears/stretches such that it's noisy around 150-175K miles. THAT chain you have to pull the engine because the timing chain is on the back of the engine! Same with the later 4.2 engines that had the timing chain in the back (although probably not C5). As for audi timing chains, maybe it's the tensioners/slack adjusters those @%% plastic bits that wear. They're a lousy system on the cam timing chains that's for sure!

Just Me

a bit off topic since his is a belt, but my take is that i'd rather have zero maint for 175k than $2000 or more every 75k - or in a car that is driven 5-6k/yr like mine, sooner ( every 8 years is only 40-50k).

But you make a good point.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

YOurs is even more valid and I should have said it.

Just Me

Well, the link provides no material info. Its pretty, its clean, at 20 feet. Medium/high mileage. So its back to maintenance. If the timing belt service ( the entire thing) was recently done, good. Suspension? Ball joints and rubber bushings are maint items. I pretty much guarantee the shocks are weak if not replaced. CV boots? Wheel bearings? Brakes? Tranny been serviced? Shift smoothly? How about oil maint over the years? What do you know about it? All are expensive. A poorly maintaned car could cost you another $6k to get in really good shape.

So go do your homework, and get a good per-purchase inspection, on lift.

G

SloopJohnB@mac.com

If it chatters on startup it's likely the cam chain tensioner(s) shoe(s) if not the tensioners themselves. Car will run ok but may set a code above 4K rpm full throttle.
Check the intake manifold changeover arms…they should be capable of being moved by hand and spring loaded back. The vacuum motors (two) and the links should be good.
Others comments on the tb service and shocks, etc. are all good.