Hey everyone, this is probably in the wrong category, but the other places don't seem to get much traffic. I'm in the market for a used sporty car, and have always loved BMW's and Audi's. I found and test drove one at my local dealer today, but I haven't researched audi's much, because they were too pricey.

This was a 2008 Audi A4 2.0t S-line, auto, 46k miles. I don't know what the S-line adds. It was nice, but they're asking for $20k, which is $3k less than NADA. It's a little sketchy. The center console was broken off, one of the seat backs was coming off, the back bumper was dented and scratched pretty bad, and the rear rotors were really warped. I drove it and it drove great, nothing wrong that my step dad or I could tell. I think I could knock a few grand off.

Should I run away? What are the known problems with 2008 A4's? I read the FAQ and all, didn't necessarily say what to look out for when buying. Basically I want to know what you would do in this situation?

Flame shield on

 

Are you sure it is an S Line? '08s have S line badging on them, but not the S line components. For what you say is wrong with it, I think you can do better.

 

It's just about out of warranty, unless they're including CPO. You'd want to get the HPFP cam follower checked, because if that's gone out you could have some expensive damage done. That's the biggest common point of failure on these cars.

From the description you've given, though, $20k is way too high.

 

Yes, too good to be true. Walk away.

 

Personally, I don't think it's too good at all. The OP could probably do just as well spending the same money on a better cared for car. This car sounds as if it were abused. I'd definitely pass and keep on looking.

 

-try lease return agencies,(depends on your budget as well)
thats where i got mine,you can get low miles well taken car of vehicles for dirt cheap, but be aware that when you buy through agencies like this, they definetly aint CPO, and if I Could go back in time, i wouldnt have even bought mine, i would have spent an extra 3500-5000 grand for the extended warranty and CPO at an actual audi dealership, because most other agencies are about making the sell and dont know squat-nothing about these cars.... live and learn.

-and as far as the the whole "s-line" thing, to my understanding didnt audi do the audi sline exterior package on all 08 audi b7/avant/sedans because it was their last year of production, it didnt add anything to suspension or engine just side skirt(s), rear diffuser(same color as car), and front s4/sline bumper .......

it looks nice though

 

Curious, did you have $3500 - 5000 in repairs that would have been covered by a CPO and what were they?

 

-i actually had $12,000 in repairs,: my engine blew up, my tranny would only go in reverse... lol no man im kidding

-no (major) repairs yet thankfully, all is good in my car, from what all i have read, getting CPO is the way to go. i.e: "rigorous inspection" 120 or 160 point, full service, tranny service, motor service, tires, brakes, fluids flush and filled,new tires, ...and they finance an extended warranty up to 100k., ... i CAN BE WRONG , but i believe thats what the service rep. at audi told me a CPO car comes with

-although when i bought my car, it did need brakes, tires, 35,000k service from audi, and that has cost me about 470.00 for audi service, 240.00 for all four rotors and pads, and 650.00 for pirelli p6 all season 235/45/17 . ,

 

[QUOTE=bringamac92;1307921]-i actually had $12,000 in repairs,: my engine blew up, my tranny would only go in reverse... lol no man im kidding
QUOTE]

Made my heart skip a beat there! That is what I hope doesn't happen to me. I bought a high mileage car, but saved close to $7k over a CPO car. Barring a huge failure I should come out ahead. Of course, that piece of mind would have been nice as well and there is the possiblity that my engine will blow up and the trans will only go it reverse

I did have my car checked out along with me being somewhat mechaniclly inclined and all looked really good. Those good deals can exist, but do you due dilegance before buying.

 

[QUOTE=rhodes991;1307963]lol sorry bro, you always have to be careful when buying a car, i have learned alot about buying cars in the past few purchases, carfax is where its at , and forums tell you lots, a CPO is like an insurance policy it basically reasures you that vehicle is bueno ill definetly go that route next car purchase if i cant afford new (-my next car is either a subaru wrx STI 2011 or a Audi a4 B8 2011 , Both start around $35,000)