C7 S6 buying advice
Discussion
Thinking about getting a C7 S6 and wondering what the main things are to look out for.
Are higher mileage ones bad news, what needs to be done, do they suffer from the S4 pulley and mechatronics issues.
Spoke to a seller earlier that had an early 2012 model with 70k miles with a great spec but little put off by the fact it’s had 5 owners, am I being fussy by not even considering cars with that many owners. I’ve always tried to buy 1 or 2 previous owner cars.
I had a B8 S4 previously and the main pulley failed costing me a couple of k, then the mechatronics unit failed at 160k at which point I gave up and sold it as spares or repairs.
Are higher mileage ones bad news, what needs to be done, do they suffer from the S4 pulley and mechatronics issues.
Spoke to a seller earlier that had an early 2012 model with 70k miles with a great spec but little put off by the fact it’s had 5 owners, am I being fussy by not even considering cars with that many owners. I’ve always tried to buy 1 or 2 previous owner cars.
I had a B8 S4 previously and the main pulley failed costing me a couple of k, then the mechatronics unit failed at 160k at which point I gave up and sold it as spares or repairs.
5 owners in 10 years seems pretty low to me. Very few owners of performance cars keep them long term; take a nose around the Porsche and Ferrari sections where at least 1 per year is the norm.
The C7 A6 is generally a well-behaved model.
That gearbox is generally good, and has 40k mile oil intervals. Feel for a lurch when engaging reverse as an early sign of a mechatronic issue, although when well maintained with standard power they're normally fine. I've sold a couple over 100k miles the owner have had no trouble with.
Oil starvation to the turbos (Strainer in the V can clog with emulsified engine oil) can happen, although is rarer than the internet will have you believe. Redesigned parts are cheap but ~6 hours labour to fit them. Regular oil changes the best way to avoid problems. Coolant lines to the turbos can leak too but this is a cheap enough fix.
Front discs are S6/7/8 only, and Audi only, and very expensive. Allow just over £1k for fronts fitted. They last about 40k miles.
Sunroof (where fitted) does need servicing. Every 2 years the mechanism should be cleaned and greased, and the drains cleaned. They're expensive to replace when they break. If the drains are blocked and they fill with water this freezes in cold weather and cracks the casette. Wet/damp/stinky interior are to be avoided.
Like most Audis the standard specification isn't great.
The S6/7/8 trio are bloody good, largely unknown, and great to drive. Proper Q cars.
I know them well, ask away if there's anything else.
The C7 A6 is generally a well-behaved model.
That gearbox is generally good, and has 40k mile oil intervals. Feel for a lurch when engaging reverse as an early sign of a mechatronic issue, although when well maintained with standard power they're normally fine. I've sold a couple over 100k miles the owner have had no trouble with.
Oil starvation to the turbos (Strainer in the V can clog with emulsified engine oil) can happen, although is rarer than the internet will have you believe. Redesigned parts are cheap but ~6 hours labour to fit them. Regular oil changes the best way to avoid problems. Coolant lines to the turbos can leak too but this is a cheap enough fix.
Front discs are S6/7/8 only, and Audi only, and very expensive. Allow just over £1k for fronts fitted. They last about 40k miles.
Sunroof (where fitted) does need servicing. Every 2 years the mechanism should be cleaned and greased, and the drains cleaned. They're expensive to replace when they break. If the drains are blocked and they fill with water this freezes in cold weather and cracks the casette. Wet/damp/stinky interior are to be avoided.
Like most Audis the standard specification isn't great.
The S6/7/8 trio are bloody good, largely unknown, and great to drive. Proper Q cars.
RZ1 said:
I had a B8 S4 previously and the main pulley failed costing me a couple of k, then the mechatronics unit failed at 160k at which point I gave up and sold it as spares or repairs.
Pulley failure was probably bad luck, and at 160k the gearbox had I think proved itself reasonably durable.I know them well, ask away if there's anything else.
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