Hi Steve, just wondering how this all played out and whether you were able to save your car? I was in a similar situation with mine but due to a rotted back axle MOT failure, my mechanic (who's a trusted friend) advised me that a decent axle would be difficult to find due to the age and the best course of action would be to scrap and/or break the car for spares. Anyway, I managed to find a remanufactured axle in Poland that'll probably outlive me and after about £1800 for the axle, shipping, front suspension rebuild (needed to be done) and labour the car is getting down the road well good for another few tours of duty. My mechanic mate tried to talk me out of it as he didn't think it made financial sense but the rest of the car is sound, the wife and kids love it, and it does everything I need it to do perfectly and in style. The point of all this is to say that if it makes you happy and you can afford to do it then just follow your heart, I'm glad I did.Audi A6 C5