Lewis Butler

Thanks for the excellent forum, I've searched through and read up on a few topics. Sorry if what I'm asking is in a thread I haven't found yet (I did use the search function!).

I'm in the market for a station wagon. I currently drive a 2003 BMW 330xi. So it has a little zip to it, AWD, mid 20s gas mileage, and I like the styling.

I recently got a dog and would just like more cargo space. I don't think the lines of some of the BMWs looks good when stretched. Thus I started looking at Audis in general.

I was considering the A4 Avant, but from what I've read on here, the A6 has a lot more room all around (driver, passenger, and cargo). So it sounds like the A6 is where I want to be.

I've found a few C5 2002 A6 Avants with low miles (50-60k miles) in the $10k-$12k range that seem to be well maintained/single owners.

I'm also finding a few C6 A6 Avants with either similar miles or a slightly higher price tag, or more miles and a similar price tag.

Is there any strong reason to prefer the C5 or the C6? Should I just budget in $1k for a timing belt/pump on the C5 and make a straight up price/miles comparison?

Thanks for replies in advance!

BillBoost37

A big seller for me on a C6 was the 3.0TFSI engine. Chains, no belt. I'm biased to supercharged and so far I'm getting around 27-28mpg in the quattro A6 sedan. Believe me, I'm not being gentle all the time either. Afterall, Boost is in my username lol.

2002 is the 2.8L? Nice solid motor there. Another thing I"d consider is age of bushings etc. Time is time no matter how we look at it.

Lewis Butler

I believe the 2002 motor is the 3.0, but I could be mistaken.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

wow-10-12K for a c5 avant that isn't an S6? And 50-60K miles on a non-S6? Get the S6 02/03 avant if you want zip. Also budget about $2K for TB/WP service as well as transmission service on that puppy. Budget or save up another $4-6K for a new transmission around 100-110K.

The S6s are good to 200K miles if they're serviced regularly and taken care of. Worst problem is the cats, but they were warranted to 10/100K miles after some early problems (Mine has had both cats replaced with OEM cats, one warranty, one me-pay, with over 130K on my car and it has a new transmission at 107K!).

I'd probably sell mine for $10-12K but then I'd have to get another and I still like mine!!!

Lewis Butler

$10k-$12k too much for an A6? I'm slowly trying to figure out pricing for various models/options. How likely is the transmission to go at around 100k? Am I just better off going with the C6 A6 (I apologize if I'm butchering the naming conventions)?

The S6 is off the table for me, I do want to be able to fold down the back seat or just put the dog in the cargo area and go to the park without worrying about the back seats etc.

rxpclb

I believe the 2002 3.0 is non-supercharged and uses timing belts (like my 1999's 2.8). The 2008 or '09 models started using timing chains. I've serviced the belt twice in my A6 quattro and she has 207,000 miles on the odometer. Control arm and suspension wear is the main reason I'll eventually go to the 2009+ Audis.

Gerry

Sloop John B is correct....Dogs prefer an S6...

http://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.audi...a6e0428e53.jpg

SloopJohnB@mac.com

AND, you can put down the rear seat although, as with all leather seat interiors, the dog could scratch the back of the front seats.

raj99

+1 on the person who stated going for the 3.0T C6 Avant. That specific model offers the modification akin to the 2.7T, but the reliability and the modern amenities of the newer Audi's.

jcman

Your right, in 2002 to 2004 the base C5 engine was the naturally aspirated 3.0 then the C6 3.0 supercharged version (based on the 3.2) engine with timing chains from 09 on.