Would you buy a used Audi?

[VeeDubb]

If I were buying a used VAG product, I want to see evidence of proper maintenance. That's what's going to make or break this car. Here is an example:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/665370898/overview/

I mean we are talking OCD levels of maintenance here. Synthetic oil every 3k? New cam follower every 10k? Are you kidding me? I would buy something like this in a heartbeat.

But in general, I would probably avoid.

 

[CT8]

Fine German engineering.

 

[ccap41]

Simply put.. no.

 

[Y_K]

It was actually in Mittelfranken decades ago, when I bought my first Audi (new), and my neighbour Helmut (who could go without uttering a word for months) educated me: "Audi? An expensive VW for foreigners".

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

*#@&$%! Audi new or used.

 

[rustypigeon]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Audi dealership mechanics I met said that buying the cam locking tools (a $400 set) was an absolute must. They knew my capabilities and still insisted I needed the locks to go ahead. "Half a tooth out will bend valves", they warned.

'Twas tempting. It was available for next to nothing but still I passed due mostly to busy times.
I have to live without knowing if I could have done the timing belt change successfully for the rest of my life.


I found the cam lock tools for about $100 on ebay. The owner is willing to let it go for $1500. If I new I could easily sell the thing for what I paid in purchase price and repairs I would be more willing, but it seems the vast majority of people are afraid to buy a high mileage Audi.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: rustypigeon
Originally Posted By: Kira
Audi dealership mechanics I met said that buying the cam locking tools (a $400 set) was an absolute must. They knew my capabilities and still insisted I needed the locks to go ahead. "Half a tooth out will bend valves", they warned.

'Twas tempting. It was available for next to nothing but still I passed due mostly to busy times.
I have to live without knowing if I could have done the timing belt change successfully for the rest of my life.


I found the cam lock tools for about $100 on ebay. The owner is willing to let it go for $1500. If I new I could easily sell the thing for what I paid in purchase price and repairs I would be more willing, but it seems the vast majority of people are afraid to buy a high mileage Audi.
It actually has nothing to do with it being high mileage. If it was driven to church on Sundays it's entire life and only had 10k miles on it, it still would be a steaming pile.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Noey
Nope. Audi= VW. Don't trust them, and the maintenance costs are ridiculous. There are other choices out there that are better, especially now that whatever prestige they had is gone.


I'd suggest Mercedes, but I know that the earlier 2003-2006 were bad years and the C class still had its share of problems after that. The E class started getting decent after 2007+, but parts are still 2-3x the normal price. Labor is about the same though as it sounds like the OP will DIY.

 

[threeputtpar]

As a former owner of a 2003 A6, I will echo all of the no answers you've received. The reason I say no is because of the 3.0 V6, which asanother said is known to eat exhaust cams.

The ZF transmissions up to the middle of the 2004MY also loved to destroy the torque converter oil seal, which would render lockup useless. Major slippage would ensue and if driven this way long enough would take out the rest of the trans. The fix is a rebuilt converter and dropping the trans, been there done that.

Then you have the fact that the 3.0 is underpowered and slow and has the fuel efficiency of a large V8. If you're set on an Audi of that vintage, get the A6 with the 2.7t as it's much more fun and still gets 23-25 highway mpg. There are even 2.7t A6s with a six-speed manual.

 

[VeeDubb]

In fairness though, buying any 10-15 year old car with 150k plus miles is a risky endeavor. For example even Toyota's of that generation have lots of coolant leakage some of which is catastrophic. I had to scrap a 2007 Sienna for a head gasket coolant leak which would cost $4-5000 to fix and is risky if not done right.

 

[Vikas]

Find few youtube videos on how to replace say drive belt on an Audi. Once you stopped laughing and rolling on the floor, your answer would be crystal clear.

Personally, in future I might end up with an Audi but then I would be making that decision knowing fully well how incredible stupid I would be.

 

[CBR.worm]

We bought an '04 A4 new. Great driving car. Worst car we've ever owned. Major mechanical issues before first oil change and it never got any better. The most pleasant part of the experience was how easy it was to change a CV axle when it failed at 47k miles.

For reference, we replaced it with a BMW in '08 which has required less work in its 90k miles than the Audi did in any 6 month period of the 4 years we owned it.

I would vote PASS

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Find few youtube videos on how to replace say drive belt on an Audi. Once you stopped laughing and rolling on the floor, your answer would be crystal clear.

Personally, in future I might end up with an Audi but then I would be making that decision knowing fully well how incredible stupid I would be.


I didn't look, but now that you mention it, I seem to recall some Audi's where you had to take the front bumper off along with the radiator in order to get at the timing belt. A very bad design.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
We bought an '04 A4 new. Great driving car. Worst car we've ever owned. Major mechanical issues before first oil change and it never got any better. The most pleasant part of the experience was how easy it was to change a CV axle when it failed at 47k miles.

For reference, we replaced it with a BMW in '08 which has required less work in its 90k miles than the Audi did in any 6 month period of the 4 years we owned it.

I would vote PASS

Everyone has a story. For every bad one, there is probably some good ones, too. But there is definitely some risk there. I bought an '01 a4 new. I owned it for 4 years and apart from coilpacks that were preventatively replaced under a service action and a failed hazards relay, there were no other issues. I was really sad to have to let it go. Fit and finish was light years ahead of my previous '00 accord.

My bmw has been a bit of a moneypit over the years, but I did not buy it new, so it's not exactly comparable.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Find few youtube videos on how to replace say drive belt on an Audi. Once you stopped laughing and rolling on the floor, your answer would be crystal clear.

Personally, in future I might end up with an Audi but then I would be making that decision knowing fully well how incredible stupid I would be.


I didn't look, but now that you mention it, I seem to recall some Audi's where you had to take the front bumper off along with the radiator in order to get at the timing belt. A very bad design.


You can do a timing belt change without putting the car into the "service position," but the whole thing comes off in a matter of minutes and then gives you all the room you need. Better to spend the 45 minutes to an hour for working room than fighting your self in a confined space.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Vikas]

Matter of minutes? "45 minutes" is matter of minutes to you? Does it involve draining coolant? Does it involve vacuuming freon? I hope at least A/C stays intact but knowing Audi, I can never be sure.

 

[Silverado12]

OP don't inflict this misery on yourself. A friend of mine had an Audi from the mid 2000's with under 100K miles and it left him broke all the time. Spend a little extra money/work some overtime or whatever it takes to buy something better.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Matter of minutes? "45 minutes" is matter of minutes to you? Does it involve draining coolant? Does it involve vacuuming freon? I hope at least A/C stays intact but knowing Audi, I can never be sure.


Yes. An hour to remove the bumper and core support saves you time and pain over working in the tight space between the engine and bumper. It also lets you put eyes on more of the car, which becomes more important as the car ages. It also eliminates going above/below/above/below the car for various parts; you just work right in front, looking straight at everything.

You drain the coolant, but you need to do this when changing the timing belt as the water pump should also be changed.

The refrigerant stays in the system, the condenser simply moves out of the way.

 

[KrisZ]

As a primary vehicle, NO.

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
As a primary vehicle, NO.
Exactly! As a fun car to tinker with and if you don't mind the expense and aggravation to go with, sure! But then choose something which will be worthwhile aka "S" or "R" models from Audi lineup. Of course the maintenance and repairs are then even worse but for some people, the fun factor would overcome it.

If your other choice is Toyota or Honda, don't even look at an Audi.