rocket455

Hey guys, I am new to this forum, and was directed here by one of my BMW friends. I am looking at buying a 2000 A6 Quattro with the 4.2. I have 2 questions about this car. My first, are there any issues that I should look for while looking this car over? Also, the transmission has an issue.

The issue with the transmission is that when put into drive, the car does not go. When you slowly accelerate the car does go but feels as if the clutch is slipping until it gets into 2nd gear where there are no issues at all. The current owner told me that he had taken the car into a transmission shop as soon as it happened. The shop informed him that the valve body seal is leaking and getting onto the neutral-1st gear shift solenoid causing it to have issues going into gear.

Is this a common occurance? what would it take, in your opinion with the information provided, to get this car in perfect driving condition? Input por favor. Thanks guys!

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Anywhere from 3-6k dinero. New transmission.
Plus another 1200 or so for tb service that's probably needed. Then there's brakes, tires, etc.

4Driver4

Agreed. Forward clutch basket is broken. Buy if clean, but expect a huge bill for a trans rebuild and fact the cost into the price.

rocket455

ok. during the test drive when i was rolling in 1st gear, there was a thunp under the hood and it went fine in first gear that once. would this still have all fingers pointing at a broken forward clutch basket?

rocket455

one more thing, there is a CEL in the car. does the trans throw codes in this car?

mithrilG60

Yes, the transmission wil throw codes however tranny issues are often displayed with the gear indicator in the LCD going solid. As the others have said, you will need a full tranny rebuild and that's a $4000-ish bill. The rebuild is pretty much standard maintanence on the 4.2L. Other than that the 4.2L is pretty bombproof with just the standard A6 issues of oil leaks from valve gaskets and cam seals, front control arms, pixelation in the LCD, etc.

What kind of maintenance records are there for the car?

4Driver4

That's still my best guess.

4Driver4

Trans control unit can also send a request to the ECU to turn on the CEL.

You need to pull codes with a VAG-COM to find out for sure.

L8braker50

Unless the car is a real deal, a $4000 investment equals the value of the car. Doing a rebuild that costs this much makes no sense.
Two options:

Buy a used trans in a car that can be tested or at least comes with a guarantee. Most dismantlers will warranty their product.

Second: do a 6speed conversion....transmission, clutch, trans ECU and rear diff from a 2.7 6 speed works. Not cheap to do but very possible and you will have a wonderful car, especially if you buy the A6 at a good price.

I would only pay $2500-4000 for a 2000 A6 4.2 that needs a transmission

4Driver4

Your math is off. Even high mileage good running A6 4.2 are doing $6k.