Used Audi Questions
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I recall the turbos being ticking time bombs. I'd go for a N/A engine.
Originally Posted By: Brybo86
I recall the turbos being ticking time bombs. I'd go for a N/A engine.
Only if not cared for properly which really goes with any car. You have a BMW so you know or should the consequences of a lack of maintenance.
Make sure synthetic oil was used and at the correct oil change interval.
Look for someone with VCDS is your area on *gulp* VWVortex or TDIClub to scan the car in case any codes are stored.
What year range as well? That makes a big difference in engine & transmission.
I recall the turbos being ticking time bombs. I'd go for a N/A engine.
Only if not cared for properly which really goes with any car. You have a BMW so you know or should the consequences of a lack of maintenance.
Make sure synthetic oil was used and at the correct oil change interval.
Look for someone with VCDS is your area on *gulp* VWVortex or TDIClub to scan the car in case any codes are stored.
What year range as well? That makes a big difference in engine & transmission.
I'd advise against it. Just doesn't seem like a good car to pick up with that kind of mileage.
04-08 Acura TL?
04-08 Acura TL?
Originally Posted By: surfstar
I'd advise against it. Just doesn't seem like a good car to pick up with that kind of mileage.
I love Audis, but I have to agree... from a reliability perspective, you have better chances with something Japanese at that kind of mileage.
Not sure what the timing belt interval is on these VW engines these days, but it may be around 100K, so if you do end up buying one, make sure that job has been done or factor it into the purchase price.
I'd advise against it. Just doesn't seem like a good car to pick up with that kind of mileage.
I love Audis, but I have to agree... from a reliability perspective, you have better chances with something Japanese at that kind of mileage.
Not sure what the timing belt interval is on these VW engines these days, but it may be around 100K, so if you do end up buying one, make sure that job has been done or factor it into the purchase price.
These cars can be great for someone that knows how to wrench on their own cars, otherwise they can be very expensive just to maintain, never mind repairs.
I would also advise against.
I would also advise against.
Originally Posted By: edvanp
Thanks for the info everyone! I'd like to persuade her into buying a Subaru.
Subies are great where you're located. I suggested the TL, as maybe she wanted a 'luxury' car/brand and those years are great cars. Would do fine in snow with good tires, also.
Ex-g/f's TL would return 30+ mpg on 75mph road trips in comfort, 26 mpg mixed daily driving.
good luck in the search
Thanks for the info everyone! I'd like to persuade her into buying a Subaru.
Subies are great where you're located. I suggested the TL, as maybe she wanted a 'luxury' car/brand and those years are great cars. Would do fine in snow with good tires, also.
Ex-g/f's TL would return 30+ mpg on 75mph road trips in comfort, 26 mpg mixed daily driving.
good luck in the search
Keep in mind that Subaru timing belts are due at 105K. Factor that cost in before you decide.
I would not want a turbo Subaru with high mileage either.
my audi a4 (1.8t) cost me more in the year and a half to own than ANY of my other cars combined. (2 BMWs a Subaru and a Mustang on that list) I did my due diligence and bought it off the original owner who kept every record. My conclusion overall is, that it is a flawed design. Nice interior, nice exterior but mechanically complicated and flawed.
I sold it back in 2006 and I was still receiving recall notices as of 2010...
I sold it back in 2006 and I was still receiving recall notices as of 2010...
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I turned down a used, older (2002,) high-mileage A4 with a flat tire. Even then, they wanted $4000 for it.
I know I could get a better car, but, man, does it look sharp in that dark rich cranberry reddish color.
Much like how i turned away that black 2003 A6. 2.7T, quattro. NICE car, but.. Cost to buy? $1700. Cost to FIX? $5000+....
If I had a lot of money and wanted it perfect, I'd do it. I DO like the cars, and they get GREAT reviews. (A6 and M5 got highest reviews Car and Driver ever tested.)
Otherwise, I would not...
I know I could get a better car, but, man, does it look sharp in that dark rich cranberry reddish color.
Much like how i turned away that black 2003 A6. 2.7T, quattro. NICE car, but.. Cost to buy? $1700. Cost to FIX? $5000+....
If I had a lot of money and wanted it perfect, I'd do it. I DO like the cars, and they get GREAT reviews. (A6 and M5 got highest reviews Car and Driver ever tested.)
Otherwise, I would not...
Originally Posted By: edvanp
My daughter would like to buy a used Audi. I know nothing about Audis. It would likely be a higher mileage A4 (75-100K). Anything to look for or avoid? Common problems or are they pretty reliable? Any information is appreciated. Thanks
IME it's a bit of a [censored]. A well maintained model could be relatively trouble free. But the Net is littered with tales of the unbelievably expensive repairs and ridiculously complicated procedures required to perform them.
Not for me, and I'm "wrench intensive"! I don't need a fragile and expensive to fix car.
My daughter would like to buy a used Audi. I know nothing about Audis. It would likely be a higher mileage A4 (75-100K). Anything to look for or avoid? Common problems or are they pretty reliable? Any information is appreciated. Thanks
IME it's a bit of a [censored]. A well maintained model could be relatively trouble free. But the Net is littered with tales of the unbelievably expensive repairs and ridiculously complicated procedures required to perform them.
Not for me, and I'm "wrench intensive"! I don't need a fragile and expensive to fix car.
If she really wants to ge an A4, steer her away from the 1.8t and the 3.0 V6. The engine to get if she really wants one is the 2.8. It's not the fastest, but it is the most reliable one of the 3 I listed.
They all have timing belts, and the service interval is now 75k miles. Usually they are leaking oil at that time frame, so the upper engine seals are done with the belt job as much of the labor is duplicated.
Only buy one with a complete service record history.
Or you could get here a nice twin turbo A6.
They are a blast to drive, especially after the ECU is tuned.
They all have timing belts, and the service interval is now 75k miles. Usually they are leaking oil at that time frame, so the upper engine seals are done with the belt job as much of the labor is duplicated.
Only buy one with a complete service record history.
Or you could get here a nice twin turbo A6.
Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
I would not want a turbo Subaru with high mileage either.
Depends on the body style...at least in regards to maintenance.
I would not want a turbo Subaru with high mileage either.
Depends on the body style...at least in regards to maintenance.
Originally Posted By: edvanp
My daughter would like to buy a used Audi. I know nothing about Audis. It would likely be a higher mileage A4 (75-100K). Anything to look for or avoid? Common problems or are they pretty reliable? Any information is appreciated. Thanks
I would only suggest trying to avoid a used Audi.
My daughter would like to buy a used Audi. I know nothing about Audis. It would likely be a higher mileage A4 (75-100K). Anything to look for or avoid? Common problems or are they pretty reliable? Any information is appreciated. Thanks
I would only suggest trying to avoid a used Audi.
Audi's especially older ones have never really impressed me with their long term build quality. They use lots of plastic in the cooling systems, have timing belts and do some really stupid things once in awhile in their design like VW.
I'd stay clear from an older example.
A base V6 powered E class is a much better buy. Mercedes uses less plastic in their cooling systems for example so unlike BMW and Audi you don't have a bunch of plastic fittings cracking from age.
A 2002 E320/430 in good shape is about as good as it gets.
I'd stay clear from an older example.
A base V6 powered E class is a much better buy. Mercedes uses less plastic in their cooling systems for example so unlike BMW and Audi you don't have a bunch of plastic fittings cracking from age.
A 2002 E320/430 in good shape is about as good as it gets.
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I would suggest to your daughter to stay away from Audi's. Unless you can do your own maintainance and most repairs and have the Ross-Tech VCDS software and a Bently manual, you will spend too much to keep it on the road. At this mileage an A4 will probably need a timing belt change,cam seals, water pump and tie rod ends.
There is nothing wrong with used Audis. Like anything else, make sure the previous owner took care of it. I've owned two used Audis and neither one gave me any problems (B6 S4, B8 S4).
The 1.8T is not a ticking time-bomb, nor is the 2.0T. The 1.8s did indeed have sludging issues but that was largely remedied by the time the motor was used in the A4. The 2.0 is a very strong engine too.
My advice would be to grab a B7 (2005.5-2009). Styling has aged well and the platform sharing means tons of spare parts.
The 1.8T is not a ticking time-bomb, nor is the 2.0T. The 1.8s did indeed have sludging issues but that was largely remedied by the time the motor was used in the A4. The 2.0 is a very strong engine too.
My advice would be to grab a B7 (2005.5-2009). Styling has aged well and the platform sharing means tons of spare parts.
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