Hey everyone.

I am new to the forums and I have never owned an Audi before. My friend is a HUGE audi buff and has owned them his whole life. He recently bought an a6 so now he wants to sell his old a4. He is the type to completely take care of his vehicles. From the top of the line fuel and oil, to only going to audi to get audi parts.

Now because we are friends, he wants to offer it to me for 1500. He said he can get more for it but I really do not know much about audis.

The issue is that the car has 198,000 miles!! The fuel pump has been changed in the past, as well as the transmission. Body is in great condition with no major problems besides some cracks in the leather. Recently put brand new tires on there also.

The problem is not how the good looks, it is more that I am scared of the fact that the miles are so damn high.

Realistically my main and most important question would be how many more miles could I get out of this?

Secondary ones would be..

Is the price good?

Is it worth more than 1500?

Is it possible that if something were to happen, that I can scrape it, or something along those lines to make back some money if it breaks down on me. If so, any estimates?

Thanks guys, and hopefully I will become a fellow audi owner soon. He rants and raves about Audis.

 

Id check NADA and KBB for the value of the car as it stands.

To me it sounds like your buddy took good care of it so its not like youre buying this from someone you dont know. Also any high mileage car is at risk of issues but its a newer car and I bet you could see 300K out of it if its taken care of.

 

To add for $1500 it kind of hard to go wrong. Especially when you are familier with the care the car has received.

 

As long as you keep oil in these cars and change the timing belt they will run for a really long time.

Other parts of the vehicle should also be serviced too such as tie rods and control arms.

Besides that you may run into an electrical gremlin or two but its usually never anything serious.

Coil packs like to blow randomly so I would advise you pick up a few just in case.

Is it an auto or manual transmission?

Jason

 

That's a good deal considering you know the care history. Guessing your buddy will help you work on it going forward too. Maintenance can be pricey on these cars as the timing belt service alone will set you back about $1000 every 65k-75k miles if you pay a shop to do it for you. Just parts you can plan on $300 if you wrench it out.

Worst case scenario you could part it out on this site and make back the $1500 you have into it.

Since you have never had Audi before just make sure you work with him about parts and fluids especially. Audi/VAG uses special fluids in places and mixing with standard fluids will cause problems. (Coolant and power steering fluids.)

As far as miles, I'm just shy of 180k on my 2003 and fully planning on hitting 300k.

Be sure you post in this thread about the details of the car. which engine, transmission etc and if he has made any mods to it. Those all add to age and longevity but I second the comments above. T-belt, control arms eventually and your standard electrical gremlin. But starting at $1500 you can't go wrong for a solid German vehicle that is fun to drive.

And from a personal standpoint, I wouldn't sell a car to my buddy that I didn't think was in good shape since I know it would just end up back in my garage if it had any problems. I would jump on it!