Hi All-
I'm extremely excited to be considering my first Audi purchase. Here are my options:

2002 A4 3.0 quattro v6 (6spd manual): "2002 AUDI A4, 3.0 Quattro, nav, 6 spd, traction control, cold weather pkg, sport pkg, moonroof, dual p/seats, full IPod integration, Xenons, great cond, 126K miles, motivated to sell, $12,300" 2002 3.0 quattro A4 picture

2003 A4 1.8T quattro v4 (6spd manual): "2003 AUDI A4, 50K mi, air bag, abs, ac, ps, cc, tilt, lthr, p/windows, tint, pdl, p/mirrors, sunroof, Loaded Audi ESC, new tires, Bose stereo, 1.8 turbo, $16,950" 2003 A4 1.8T

As you can all see, the 2002 has a much better package (options, engine) MINUS the high milage... plus it is cheaper. I dont' know much about Audi vehicles as I previously mentioned. Which is a better buy? Is high milage an issue? I have very litte mechanical knowledge. Thanks so much.

EDIT: summarized.

 

paraphrasing is a virtue, im not even going to read that.

 

Thanks for the helpful post [sm=smiley24.gif] - Any helpful forum members with some actual information I can use?

 

Looks like you answered your own question in your first post. You mentioned that the 3.0 has lots of miles, and that you're interested in "modding/performance upgrades". The 3.0 has very little in the way of modding potential... about the only thing you can do is buy a supercharger, and that will set you back around $5k. The 1.8t has much more modding potential, and can keep up with a stock 3.0 with only a chip. Do a search on this forum, and you'll find all your answers.

PS... check the stickies at the top of the A4 page

 

Thanks much for the reply. I am interested in modding - but I have zero mechanical experience, and would probably be having someone other than myself (a professional) doing such things as exhaust, chipping, etc. I also would not have the money for such mods until a later date (and living in Tucson, I'm worried about finding a reputable place to have the work done). Would you still recommend the 1.8T? I'm mainly concerned about its high milage, and have no clue as to how Audis hold up (and how higher milage affects them) as I'd be hoping to have this vehicle for a long time. Thanks again.

 

There ya go buddy, thats more like it.

I personally would reach for the 1.8T but that's quiet a difference in praice range, where are you looking?
Hopefuly you have considered all your options?

 

i have the 3.0 i love it but you cantmod it for anything, im doing all cosmetic mods, i bought it so i wouldnt mod it save me some dam money. i would stay away from the 02 with 126k tahts alot of driving for a 5 year old car. Plus the 1.8 is a really nice car, i would scoff it up PDQ

 

The mileage on the 1.8t is not bad at all (50k). I'm just a hair under that right now, and plan to keep my A4 for a long time as well. There's lots of people on this forum that have cars well over 100k, and know of a couple that have hit 200k. If you're still thinking about the 3.0, keep this in mind... the timing belt needs to be changed before 105k miles. This should've been done already by the previous owner, at least by 80k. If the TB snaps, you could be looking at a total engine rebuild, which can cost you a couple thousand $, and sounds like you don't have the extra cash to put into the car right away. Depending on where you take the car to get the TB changed, this procedure could run you $800-1200. This should be done by a mechanic who specialized in european cars.

 

Thanks so much everyone - I don't think the 3.0 owner has replaced the TB, which makes me nervous... Because I have no mechanical knowledge/training and little extra money to spend, it sounds like the 3.0 would be the way to go for me, however the miles/TB have me worried. I'm not positive what the KBB is for either of these cars either, but the price sounds reasonable. I'll continue to search around and will let y'all know what I come up with, thanks so much for the replies and continuing advice!

Another question - if I pick up the 1.8T, is it reasonable to go elsewhere for exhaust modifications/chipping etc...? Also, can an 03 A4 with stock lights be outfitted with xenons? Does anyone know how/how much/experience level needed for that kind of thing? Thanks again.

EDIT: My location is Tucson, Arizona. If I were to find (say...) an '03 3.0 with good milage, I might be willing to fly out somewhere else and drive the car back to the desert. I'll keep searching.

 

the 1.8T may already have xenons? stock they have halogen projectors. And yes you can do a xenon conversion if you wish for about $150 or so and it is apparently pretty easy to do. my car came with xenons stock, so maybe another member can chime in as to how easy it is to convert to xenon.
I would stray away from the 3.0 with that kind of mileage. it might have some nice options, but not even close to worth that price.