Rare manual

[CErsser]

I have an A6 Avant Estate Les Mans 3.0 TDV6 Quattro with the apparently very rare MANUAL gearbox. The car has under 160K and has been well maintained mechanically. The bodywork shows the signs of age with surface rust and the usual VW/AUDI niggles like a  broken window mechanism, faulty door lock and broken rear window washer. 

I literally cannot find another one with the manual gearbox. The question is, should I put money into restoring the bodywork and fixing the snags as a future classic investment or is this worth selling for someone else to appreciate? 

[Steve Q]

Now you've asked the age old question. Part of it will come down to how much sentiment you have with it. 

I've got a A6 c5 which isn't a classic yet. Going to do an engine rebuild on mine after it blew up at 344k. My dad bought it new so it's sentimental to me. So I'll be getting it all sorted. But looking at bills of 7k all in once you consider engine rebuild, turbo, clutch and duel mass flywheel etc. 

[Magnet]

Hello Chris,

I very much agree with Steve’s view. If there isn’t any sentiment attached to it, then I’d forget about any potential for making money out of it as a future investment. Yes, you can spend on it now and store it, but you will be investing today’s good money in the hope that in 5 to 10 years, that investment will reap you a reward in real terms. Questionable in my mind. 
Re. Only one with manual gearbox. Yes, it could be rare, but unlikely to be unique.
If it were mine and I wasn’t sentimentally attached to it, then I’d be cashing it in now, and let someone else spend the money on it. 
Perhaps I’ve got it all wrong, but it sounds as if there’s a fair amount of money and time for you to invest in it. Obviously others may have a different view on it.
Kind regards,

Gareth.