・Ex-dealer demonstrator - very high specification

・Timing chains replaced in 2014

・Desirable 4.2-litre V8 engine

Audi have long been champions of the fast wagon. The RS4 and RS6 are available as estate - or ‘Avant’ - models, the A6 Allroad makes a strong case as the ideal all-rounder, and even the not-so-high-performance wagons still pack an impressive punch and look fantastic in the process. 

But, if you turn the clock back a few years, the A6 Avant had a rather ‘undercover’ performance version too. Enter the A6 Avant 4.2, which packed a thumping great naturally aspirated V8 engine under the bonnet, offering impressive performance and practicality without needing to shout about it like the S and RS models did. 

Managing to push this behemoth from 0-62 in 6.1 seconds, the V8 engine provided a wonderful soundtrack and ample torque, while the tuned suspension supplied impressive high-speed cornering stability, with all the usual benefits of the Quattro system. In fact, it was so good that in their road review, Autocar said the A6 “devours B-roads at speeds a similarly-engineered Mercedes E-Class couldn’t get close to touching!”

Audis are known for their long-term reliability and appeal, but one-private-owner cars such as this are rare, with this A6 having been in the care of the vendor since 2006.

Originally registered as a dealer demonstrator vehicle, this 2005 A6 Avant has been loaded to the gunwales with optional extras, with the vendor stating that when new the car was worth over £50,000 due to the extras having been fitted. This includes the sat nav, BOSE surround sound system, independent electric heated seats front and rear and independant climate control for both front and rear passengers.

During their ownership, this A6 has proven to be a reliable and enjoyable daily driver for all the family, with the car being in regular use up until 2014, after which it became a weekend car for family trips, holidays, runs to France and the occasional home renovation run to the local tip, with the Avant showcasing its impressive flexibility and practicality on a very regular basis.

Included with this A6 is one of the most comprehensively-documented histories we’ve seen in a very, very long time. One of the benefits of being a two-owner car (the former being the Audi dealership themselves, with the vendor being the only private keeper of the vehicle) is that the history is traceable back to the original bill of sale to the vendor.

While there are enough invoices and documents to keep any potential buyers happy for a long time, highlights include the V5 showing one former keeper, the original bill of sale, VMC search certificate and HPI certificate, stamped service record and numerous big-ticket invoices from Audi official dealers and independent specialists, including replacement of the timing chains in 2014 to the tune of £2,160.

 

Inside, Audi’s legendary interior design and quality still feel fresh to this day, no doubt aided by the fact that this example is ‘fully loaded’ with optional extras. In fact, the only modification made to the vehicle is an upgraded stereo system in order to facilitate bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calls while driving. 

The interior presents very well for its age overall, though there are a few marks here-and-there due to its age and being used as a family car, exactly as Audi intended. There are a few light scuffs and marks on the seats dotted around the interior, along with the usual commensurate wear to the seat bases and bolsters. There are also indentations in the door cards, along with some minor marks to the inner door sills and headliner at the rear around the boot opening. 

The vendor notes that the rear parking sensors are not working, the tailgate can sometimes require a couple of presses on the key fob to open correctly, the offside rear electric window sometimes requires a helping hand to go up, and the air-conditioning system is due a re-gas.

On the outside, the paintwork hides its age with surprising ease, and the overall design of the A6 still looks impressively modern. 

The bodywork is generally straight minus a few minor ‘car park’ indentations, though these are very hard to notice unless you’re specifically looking for them. The vendor notes that in 2011 the car had a small rear-end impact, which has since been repaired and did not result in any form of insurance write-off.

The paintwork is in generally good condition all round, though there are the usual commensurate age-related marks, stone chips and minor scratches, the worst of which can be seen on the offside front corner, offside rear arch and rear bumper just in front of the tailgate, with the latter likely resulting from years of regular load-lugging. All four wheels would benefit from a refurbishment, though they are usable as they sit.

As previously mentioned, this 4.2-litre engine has had the timing chains replaced within the last 10 years, which ticks off the most major work that these cars usually need. In addition to this, the rear shock absorbers have been replaced numerous times when required, and the car has generally been left wanting for nothing, with scheduled maintenance being carried out when required by Audi dealers or independant specialist garages. 

Having owned numerous luxurious and high-end cars from Mercedes to Maseratis and more, the vendor states that this 4.2-litre V8-powered Avant is the best all-round car they have ever owned, doing everything from long-distance motorway runs to B-road blasts with apparent ease and a wonderful soundtrack to boot. 

The most recent MOT on 14 October 2020 resulted in a first-time pass, with advisories for the following items which the vendor has not addressed due to the vehicle no longer seeing regular use:

 • offside and nearside front suspension top arms inner bushes starting to split/ wear

 • front suspension lower rear arms bushes starting to crack/ perish

 • rear inner brake pads worn low

 • rear chassis and rear subframe starting to rust

 • both front headlamp lenses starting to discolour

 • front number plate cracked and starting to discolour

 • slight play in steering rack

Other than the above advisories, the vendor has reported no issues with the vehicle, and no warning lights are present on the dashboard.

It’s a V8 family wagon - what’s not to like? 

Offering immense practicality and flexibility with a sonorous soundtrack and extremely high specification to boot, this 2005 Audi A6 Avant 4.2 would make an excellent daily driver or long-distance GT car for the discerning motorist who is looking to bring this V8-powered beauty back to top condition whilst enjoying the benefits associated with Avant ownership.

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