Hey Everyone,

First, very cool forums. Definitely have been a lucker for a bit of time but i'm looking to join the Audi Family/Club. I originally posted this in the new member section but I figured I would post it again here.

I previously owned a beautiful 97M3 BMW which was totaled when my neighbor t-boned me while it was parked outside my house.

Since this time, i've been looking into getting an Audi and after doing some research I was wondering if I could get some unsolicited opinions/things to look out for while i'm shopping around.

I'm currently between 3 different Audi's, again this is not really my domain so I appreciate any hints or help you can provide including common issues., etc.

2002 - A4 - 118k 2002 Audi A4 Quatro

2003 - A4 - 133k 2003 Audi A4

2001 - A6 - 150k 2001 Audi A6- 1 owner

Thanks again for any help you can provide to a novice.

I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section or if this is against forum rules for duplicative posts.

Regards

Ziggy

 

get a vag-com to test the cars,

look for oil leaks, drive it on a test drive for 30 miles so if any codes were cleared they will re-trip

check and make sure every harness is plugged in to where it needs to be such as the mass airflow sensors

look for blue smoke out of the tail pipe

and when you check for the leaks get under the car with a flashlight.

find out when the last timing belt change was done and if they cant provide you with proof (like a receipt) assume it has not been done and tell them that it needs to be done or to lower the price.

look for any warning lights at all on the dash ANY AT ALL

take it up to at least 75 on the test drive and see how she holds up any misfiring at all could be realllllly bad

if an after market stereo is put in to any of them ask for proof that they got it professionally done because a lot of people **** up the wiring when they do it themselves.

if anything is hardwired such as a gps or radar detector ask for the same proof that they got it professionally done and if they don't have it use that to lover the price.

also make sure the key unlocks and locks all the doors

post on here after your test drives if you see any problems and what the sellers are asking and people will tell you if its a rip off.

myself id buy any Audi as long as it was the right price for whatever is wrong with it

 

That's awesome. Any advice for which type of car may be better? A4 v A6?

 

As well as what he said the most important thing to realize is that all 3 of these cars are probably in need of a timing belt (unless it was recently done and they can show proof. A timing belt change is going to cost you $1000 minimum. Call a local euro shop and get a quote on having it done.. Its easy to get a quote in that ad its a fairly common job for a euro shop..

Good luck talking them down on a non-professionally installed anything (unless it was a timing belt)

For me I think I would go with the 02 quattro. It has the least miles and its quattro (all wheel drive). But if you weren't aware; every quattro comes fully loaded (with all options)

If the 03 is a 1.8 automatic, its a CVT transmission which are rubbish..

I'm simply not a fan of the a6 body style personally..

 

Who let's you test drive a car for 30 miles??

 

Crypto.

Thanks for the opinion. Again, I have little experience with Audi's. I was very close to owning one then it just didn't happen but I loved how they drove.

Are the timing belts notorious for going out ? Are there any 'common' issues that these cars have or I should be on the look out for?

 

They're not notorious for going out because people change them.. You are supposed to change them every 80-90k. They CAN last the life of the car. But if it breaks you will wipe out your valves and basically crane the engine (easy $4k+ fix)..

The same goes for any vehicle that uses a timing belt..

 

all you gotta do is ask, some dealers make you pay for the gas tho.

 

Well, I have a 4th entry into the contest.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3780701678.html

Any bad years for these cars?

And this is the first Audi i've seen with Cloth seats. common? uncommon?