My brother in-Law is trying to sell me his 2003 A6 Avant 3.0 with 145k miles. He is wanting $5k for it, but it has had the timing belt service done recently, brake job, idler pullies and new tires, he says it is up to date on it's maintenance. Is this something I should jump on, or should I run away. Is there anything specific areas I should look at if I do pursue in purchasing said vehicle?

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Don't buy it...did say don't ? A 2003 is not a good year for any Audi, indeed for any VW !

I have worked on Audi for many years and not been impressed with durability. V6 especially.
They have a number of pattern failures Cooling system being very common.

Would I buy it ? No.

.

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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

This is what it looks like when you change a termostat on an A6.


And this is what it looks like when you change a serpentine belt on an A6.


And this is what it looks like when you change a radiator hose on the A6.


And this is what it looks like when you change a water pump on an A6.


Same for timing belt, belt tensioner, radiator, AC compressor etc. Get the picture?

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I am going to look the car over this weekend, and talk to him more about it more. I know there was some $4000 repair on it recently, and he got NAPA to pay for it because they sold wrong or defective part...

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Eric, what is the German word for "run!"?

''Lauf''...are you being cynical ?

and more automotive names in German : Downslammen. Panicgrabben. Wheelstinkin gummismellen.
.

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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

I was very close to purchasing car, but he wouldn't budge on price. The ABS light just came on, and it could be a $100 sensor, or the $600 control module. It needed a good detail and some small interior pieces fixed. It also only had one key, and I know they are expensive to purchase and get programed. He's had most of the suspension rebuilt recently, and very recent brake job. The $5k price was the family price, he is thinking he could get $6k for it, since there were not that many wagons produced in 2003. I told him if he can't sell it, and wants to drop the price, I would be interested.

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

some jobs can be tackled with the long service bolts that can hold the face of the car about 7 inches away - that way it gives you normal car room in front.

OR - just buy any other normal car.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I came to my senses, and I wound up buying a 2005 Subaru Forester LL Bean, from original owner, that had the head gaskets replaced 15,000 miles ago. I am in the process of trying to fix all the Subaru noises, which is mostly loose stuff...

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Good you stayed away from Audi.

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Jim

One problem I have found with the Subaru is that it has that painted leather seats, and while cleaning it, I rubbed some of the paint off, and am having the hardest time finding someone in my area that can touch it up.

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Welcome back! I have not seen you post in many years.

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Toyota is a leader only because their drivers block everyone behind them. Oh what a feeling.

So perhaps that means if any one of those problems occur you do them all?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If that's the "family price" he is going to be keeping that Audi car for a long time. I assume he still has it?

$4000 is all the money for that thing. Family price $3000-$3500???

Nice grab on the Subaru.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I think he sold Audi right after I looked at it, where he lives, people will pay stupid money for cars like that.

I paid $6000 for the Subaru, but in my area, nice ones like it can go for close to $9000-$10000, and people will pay those kinds of prices!

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1999 Toyota Corolla VE (Mine)
2006 Honda Odyssey (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)