Hi,
Great site here,glad i found it.
I've been offered the chance to buy an audi 225 quattro and after test driving the car i'd really like it as well but i really need some advice from people who know better than me so if somebody can kindly help please.
The car is an 03 model and has done around 35000 miles,it has service history but not done through an audi dealer .How important is this and is there anything that i should be aware of ie:- expensive service that may need to be done,cambelts etc ? i've no idea so any help would be great.

also is there anything i should be aware of,like problems or niggles etc ?

All the wheels are kerbed and the 2 front tyres need replacing,there's a dent in the sill that i've had a quote for fixing (about 300 pounds with new kick plate required).There are a few scratches on it.mostly surface.
One of the heating switches is broken and needs replacing,all in all it needs some care and as much as i'd like to give it a new home i really need some advice pleasde,so if anybody has some,fire away.

many thanks

 

Be sure to read through the "FAQ and basic TT info" topic at the top of the home page, lots of good info there. One post includes a "buyers guide" with a list of common problems and things to look for.

Sounds like this car was not exactly babied based on your description. Best to have a qualified, independant mechanic give it a complete look through. Make sure you know what additional mechanical repairs you will be looking at immediately and in the near term.

Timing belt, tensioner and water pump need change outs at 60,000 miles you should be OK for now with that.

There are plenty of lessor, irritating "niggles" with TTs, but once dealt with or accepted,they are great, fun cars.

Also, do a title search; is Carfax available in the UK? Look for mileage history, prior owners, salvage/accident history etc.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

 

thank you for the reply,i'll have a look at the buyers guide ,do you have any idea how much the 60000mile service will cost ?

 

Ballpark $850-1000 USD. Good kits to do the work yourself or have it performed at an independent garage are sold here:

ECS

Replacing the timing belt, tensioner, and waterpump (with steel impeller) is a good preventative measure at 60k even though the manual suggests replacement @ 100k, TT's are notorious for breaking them at any time past 60k and it is big $$$$ if it goes b/c it will be an engine rebuild.

 

sounds like a nice car, but im wondering why none of the maintenance was actually done at the audi dealer? a car with that low of miles most likely came with a warranty from new, and should have been taken to the dealer at least through the warranty period. that seems strange to me.

also if you search the FAQs here on AF there is a ton of info on this car. you can also check out:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=10

best of luck! you will love it.... =)