Still shopping...

A6 All/ S6 All
#1

But from what I’ve learned on here and a couple crosslinked posts to AZ, I’ve decided to call off the search for a lower mileage S6 (50-70,000milesmax), and am looking at several that max out around 120k miles. My thinking is to take the difference in price and sink that into the maintenance that will have to be done; carbon, plugs, injectors, coils. If I get one really cheap, I’ll do the headers and JHM tune route alot earlier than I’d planned. Depending on the state of tires, I’ll put some fresh all seasons on the stock wheels and pickup a set of upbercheep sale wheels with summer tires.

Looks like all of this will have to be done on any S6 I buy regardless of miles, yeah? I’ve ruled out half a dozen already because of CEL lights that they can’t clear and/or title issues like lemon law buybacks and salvage titles. One listing had what looked like A6 seats in it - dealer says they’re “comfort package” seats - why the heck would you order that when the “normal” buckets are so darn good?!

I realize I won’t be able to really see the codes till I can hook it up on vagcom, but are there any other tips to help pickup a decent S6 sight unseen before I pull the trigger?

#2

Great questions and very smart. Your 100% right on getting the higher mileage car. Even if the car has less miles you still are going to have to go through all of the same steps and spend the money on the same maintentance.

One major thing I would have done and proof of is a compression test. All of the cylinders should be over 180psi in the tests. Any less and I would pass on the car.

Your right about the codes and checking things with vag com. Lots of us have vag com on here so let us know where you find a car and maybe one of us will be close enough to help look it over for you or at the very least run a vag scan

Thats crazy about the seats. I dont think you could even get different seats. That sounds like someone sold there seats or maybe the car was a repo or something that just sounds odd.

All in all that is some solid thinking. Between the nice performance maintenance parts that JHM sells and the JHM tune it is a good way to transform the car while really helping bring the car back to good health.

#3

The only alternative seats are a part of the ‘comfort’ seats option - they’re ventilated and similar to the S-Line seats in terms of shape, leather pattern and side bolsters.
Ventilated is not an option on the full S6 seats - you have to compromise and got the ‘comfort’ seats to have that option.

#4

Thats interesting good to know.

#5

yeah, these looked nothing like S6 seats at all; very bench like with minimal bolsters and vertical pleats - a lot like S class seats. Tried to link a pic, but the ad’s been pulled.

The one I’m currently negotiating on has had the intake and both high pressure pumps replaced (receipts were in the glovebox along with older invoices).

I can look at it two ways; previous owner was trying to chase all the demons away and gave up, or fixed all the issue so they could sell… No current CEL, no idea of recent codes, no idea of current compression. Could be a hopeless POS dollar evaporator or a really really good deal.

I’m praying.

#6

is there an upper limit to acceptable mileage? at some point it becomes more about the maintenance of the car than anything else. i’m just wondering if a 150k mile car would be any worse than say a 75k mile car, since there’s a substantial resale value difference (most of which you could use to restore the 150k mile car mechanically to just as good or better than the 75k one).

#7

acceptable? I’m not sure to be honest… I was initially hard set on one with sub 70,000 miles. ATM, those are selling in the 20’s. But after everything I’ve read about this platform, I’d say there’s probably very little difference between one with 80,000miles and one with 120,000miles.

You definitely want a one or 2 owner car on any high dollar vehicle (the assumption being no one spends this kind of cash and abuses it; it’s not a civic). Four or more owners; RUN. 120k-ish cars are going in the mid teens. If you’ve budgeted for a $20k car, buy the high mileage one and sink that $5k difference in maintenance and upgrades and you’ll end up with an arguably better car.

#8

Its hard to say because each car is going to be different so each case needs to be looked at.

for instance if a 150k car has a new intake carbon clean new hpfp units with new injectors in say the past few thousand miles than it could be cheaper and better off than a 70k mile car.

If you get a 70k car or a 150k car the maintenance will be a little different but overall the formula is going to be the same.

Due to the kinds of people who own these cars you do see some ricer past owners where they remove the airbox leaving an open elment filter. That shows propbably past ownership you want to avoid. General ownership that was a drive and not mess with is what your looking for.

when it comes to getting a used S6 or S8. Documention of past work and a good compression test will help tell you if the car is worth its price or not.

I wouldnt shy away from a 150 mile car depending on the price.

#9

whelp. Done deal…

2008 S6, black, carbon, no tech package : /
122,000 miles
2 prior owners - last sold in '13 @98,000mi
new intake, carbon clean, headgaskets, coilpacks 9860 miles ago :smiley:
no reported damage, but a couple of the pics look a bit off - missing v10 badge on driver’s side
wheels are rashed - not too badly, finish peeling in some spots
interior looks great. start/stop showing some cracking so leads me to believe it’s unreconditioned
No current CEL, couldn’t get him to pull codes but it did pass a full ready state emissions (had him take a vid of cold start and short drive to verify)
NFI what mods if any are on it
NFI what MMI version is loaded
NFI what nav version is loaded.
NFI of service history outside of carfax
NFI what kind of possible hot mess (or lucky gem) I just bought…
$13,200 OTD incl shipping.

…here on Friday, possibly Thursday.

#10

Congrats! You’ll love it. Give it some good love before you clock too many more miles - when these cars are in good shape, they’re very reliable. But if they’ve been neglected, problems can start to multiply exponentially until you get ahead of them.

You can call or email APR with your VIN number and they can tell you if it has their tune. It obviously doesn’t have the JHM tune since it’s only been out for a few months and nobody would want to sell their S6 after getting that done ;D Maybe you’ll luck out and discover some other mods, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much, since hardly anything was available until earlier this year. I got a lucky surprise when mine arrived, that it had the Miltek exhaust. I wouldn’t pay money for that upgrade, but since it was free, can’t complain.

Killer deal on the price, you really can’t go wrong… even if you need to put $10k in repairs into it (which would be an absolute shock cinsidering the work already done recently), you’d still be coming out ahead.

What is missing if you don’t have the tech package? Genuine question - I have no idea what the tech package is. I honestly thought all US C6 S6’s were configured exactly the same as each other, except the occasional warm weather package (solar sunroof) or adaptive cruise control.

#11

congrats! this is offically now a TTIWWP thread! ;D

#12

Welcome to the V10 owners club :slight_smile:

#13

Welcome to the group Compugeek5150. I hope that this car exceeds your expectations. issues will come so fond a good trust worthy mechanic that’s familiar with these German cars.

#14

Delivery window set; 4-6pm Sunday. Boo. Was hoping for today.

#15

When I ordered mine, the dealership dragged their feet for almost 3 months before they finally loaded it onto a truck. It wasn’t until I threatened to sue them that they finally decided to send it to me. So don’t feel too bad.

#16

holycrap! It was loaded Tuesday - but they wouldn’t tell me the route schedule…was frustrating! I couldn’t imagine 3months. I’d be bald.

#17

It should not be more than 5 days. So sunday sounds about right. It depends on how many other cars are on the trailer

#18

it’s a full transport. I was nervous they’d just show up and try to deliver; there’s NO way to get a full size trailer into my neighborhood. LOL. I’m glad they called Friday though - dropoff location at a nearby middle school. Plenty of room for the rig to turn around. :counting hours:

#19

ME too its always exciting to see the good guys getting there cars and the first impressions. Give us an update. Very excited for you to get the car.

#20

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/387700064.png