Thank you all for the input. Having a CPO would be a nice extra, but not required. I am somewhat mechaniclly (spl?) inclined (as in I have biult and raced dirt track cars and worked on most my own in the past). Will something go wrong with the car? Yes, eventually something will go out or break.

As for a first model year if the car was a complete redesign or a new model I would probably rule it out as well. So far I have not read anything about it having the first model year gremlins.

I really appreciate all the feedback and will be thinking this over. Still leaning to the 5.5 based on cost and miles. I will update if and when I make a decision (which at the pace I go could still be weeks away and by then the cars may be gone, but others will take their place )

 

A CPO warranty does not transfer to a new owner.

 

I'm glad you pointed that out! I just checked the CPO packet and you are correct. We will probably keep the car for quite a while so hopefully, this senario will not come into play. The warranties on two other CPO cars we have purchased were transfered so I thought this one was also. Oh well....

 

Well mine paid for it's self and that's why I would not touch a german car without one. Don't get me wrong the car was perfect until about 70K miles. Thats when I started using it though.

A couple PCV valves before the BSH
A couple DV's until the Revised D valve.
Brake light switch
Cams and new Head.

It has been in a couple more times just can't think exactly what for right now and this is my wifes car who drives nicely as well. Most of these miles probably 70K out of my 85K are highway driven.

To each their own. Get it if you can afford it. If you can't afford it now you probably can't afford a major repair either.

 

That's pretty cynical. I could have afforded it, but I decided it wasn't a requirement and wasn't worth passing up the car I got to get one. I'm still learning Audis, but it seems the only thing that pushed your repair cost over what the CPO added to the cost was probably your recent timing belt issue. Like I said above, to each their own, but most people land on the losing end of extended warranties. If you think you need it, get it. If you don't, you'll likely be fine as well. It's like insurance--you're paying someone else to assume a portion of your risk.

 

The S-Line is pretty much an S4 without the 4.2 V8

I actually prefer an S-Line model over any standard or and S4 model.

An A4 with a 3.2 V6 S-Line with the 6spd manual is probably the best Audi you can own.

For sport, handling, reliability and cost of ownership.

So go S-line..... Just cause the 2008 is a more reliable model year. Not cause its newer but the 2005 was the first year of the the 2.0T in the A4 and had many many problems.

 

I wasn't trying to come off cynical. I just meant if it is a couple thousand now tied into your payments vs a $5,000 disaster in a couple years, i'd bet on the insurance. I am actually trading in mine today because the warranty is about out. I just personally cannot afford that kind of money in one pop. My wife loves the car. You are right, to each their own.

 

I think your posts are a reaction to your situation. Some people own German cars and run the heck out of them and don't complain about not having a warranty. Some have major repairs, some don't. They just pay for the repairs and move on. Currently, our cars don't have any warranty left, but are running well and I feel I know them fairly well and plan on keeping them. Our daughter's A4 has warranty because we are 500 miles apart and the security of taking it to a dealer was worth the small premium we paid for it. IMO, extended warranties are nice but not a necessity. Others view it AS a necessity.

 

Thought I would revive my first ever post on the forum. I have had my A4 for almost 3 years now. I did end up buying the 2008 even though I was leaning toward the 5.5 for so long. In the end the small updates to the 2008 along with it being a true S-line did it for me. I am now sitting at 130k miles and have had no major issues with the car. I did replace the timing belt at 105k for $900, a PCV for $30, N80 Valve for $25, and the direrter value for just under $200 (installed). As I look back I still wished it had been a CPO as that peace of mind would have been nice. With the benefit of hindsight I am now glad I did spend an extra couple grand on a warrenty I wouldn't have used.

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide. Your input was invaluable.