Audi A4 - buying used audi

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Thu 25 Aug 2011 23:54
Audi A4 - buying used audi - sam87

Hi all, was looking for a bit of advice of your good selves. Ive found an audi a4 2002 (in my opinion the best looking shape) and its mint condition and has been well looked after with full service history. its a 1.8t four wheel drive model with 65k on the clock.

This will be the first vag car i will have owned and would like to know any potential down falls. bit concerned about running costs as well, so if any body has this engine id like to hear your thoughts.

Thank you in advance for your time

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Fri 26 Aug 2011 00:35
Audi A4 - buying used audi - SteveLee

Change the cambelt/waterpump/tensioner when you get it - other than that they are pretty sound - assuming it's a manual. This car fails into the era where VAG were learning how to make automated manuals and got it horribly wrong a few times.

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Fri 26 Aug 2011 12:59
Audi A4 - buying used audi - Roly93

Change the cambelt/waterpump/tensioner when you get it - other than that they are pretty sound - assuming it's a manual. This car fails into the era where VAG were learning how to make automated manuals and got it horribly wrong a few times.

I second this, I had one of these on an 04 plate, and the only problem I ever had was a front wheel bearing failed. If you service them sensibly they are robust cars, the only problem with the 1.8T is in fact that they can suffer from sludge if not serviced regularly, but this would be fairly extreme.

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Fri 26 Aug 2011 13:34
Audi A4 - buying used audi - 659FBE

Water ingress - Google "wierd little biscuit" for details of the fix on the Passat which is the same car.

Front suspension wear made very expensive to fix due to seized pinch bolts.

Split CV joint boots.

Seized wiper spindle bearings.

Broken window lift clips, electric locking failure due to broken soldered joints on lock microswitches.

Any usage of incorrect or neglected engine oil will cause damage. The 1.8T needs fully synthetic oil.

You cannot and should not try to run these cars on a shoestring - fix the design faults and maintain them properly (which is not cheap) and they will give good service with the odd electrical gremlin to bite you.

659.

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Fri 26 Aug 2011 14:21
Audi A4 - buying used audi - madf

I agree with 659. I had a 1999 A4 TDI - a nice car - and took it from 70k to 100k miles in two years, Budget for £500- £1000 a year for repairs once they grow older.

Check the aircon works: condensors can fail for a variety of reasons. Check for suspension clunks.

Any electrical faults may mean water ingress.. (see 659) run away as the wiring may never be the same agin in my view.

Check all warning lights work before starting engine...

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