I am thinking to buy 2002 a4 3.0 at 74k miles from a private sale. One owner, garaged. Looks great from the outside. But the high mileage worries me (don't know if it is all highway mileage). Spark plug/air cleaner (40k), brake fluid (every 20k), oil change, tiptronic ATF (40k, what is ATF by the way) are things I can think of. Are there any other known potential problems I should be aware at this mileage? 2002 a4 1.8 at 35k miles is also an option although it is not kept as well as the first one.
Thanks.

 

well by 80k you should do a timing belt change. and at the same time get the other belts (ac/serpentine), the water pump, and all pulleys changed. I paid $900 for it, should be a bit cheaper than that though. if your t-belt or water pump breaks your in for some serious repair $...so make sure they get done voluntarily, on time.

spark plugs are easy and cheap to change, like $30. Air filter, Coolant Temp. Sensor, cleaning injectors is cheap. 02 Sensors are like $115-140 apiece and will need to be done before 100K. Make sure all oil changes have been done with synthetic, at the desired intervals. At the least make sure they're on time!

The 2002 @ 35k should have all oil changes and other maintenance done on time for you to buy it. Otherwise there could be sludge in the engine...causing you to have to actually replace the engine before 100k miles, or at least replace the oil pump and filter screen. Honestly if you have the money stay away from higher mileage vehicles...ie. maybe around 50,000+ miles. They require more maintanence and you're going to need to sink more money overall into them.

Also make sure there isn't squeaking in the suspension (bad bushings, tie rods, etc.) on the lower mileage vehicle, audi and vw had problems with this around 30k in some years. it'll cost you around $150-200 to replace the bushings in a wheel...

good luck. if you can, have a travelling mechanic/auto diganostics company come and do an inspection on the car you want to purchase. probably the best $150 I've ever spent! It came with a 300 item checklist/rating system for everything on the car!

just my .02 cents.

LampyB.

 

i bought a 02 3.0 with 76k and its fine, small things have gone wrong, wheel bearing is it. changed oil, filters and so forth, if the car is in taht good condition i would say you shouldnt have any problems with the car for a while but i would say that you need to do the TB around 90k IMO other then that ive had no problems so neither should you.

 

great advice! thanks guys. About oil change interval, audi suggests 1yr/10k miles. But my allroad dealer tells me 6 month/5k miles. Being used to 3mo/3k miles of Honda cars, I am still not convinced about 1yr/10k. So, if a used car has 1yr/10k oil serviced, is that an ok audi (eg against sludge)?