new to audi's - I'm looking for an A4 Avant

[thecount]

Hi, I'm new here so bear with me. Also, I'm new to Audi's.

I recently sod my alfa 156 and I am after something that is better quality and with better residual value.

I noticed a few A4 Avant's around, especially the S line ones as I like the sportyness.

I'm looking for a model which is pretty good on mpg and co2 emissions if possible?

Oh, and I might consider an estate as I think they are the nicest looking estates on the road.

Unfortunately, my budget will really only stretch from £10 - £13k max, so after looking on Autotrader, it looks like I'll be heading for one with high mileage, say 90K - 120K?

Am I running a huge risk do you think? I have no idea of how much this would cost me to service.

And if anyone has any pointers about buying such a car/spec, I would much appreciate any help you can give.

Ideally, I'd like leather ( I have a baby daughter so its easier to clean ) and sat nav would be nice.

thanks in advance

[elPaulio]

If you are going to go for one that has high mileage try to soure one that has been a company car as these tend to have been serviced on time and most important of all, make sure that the cam belt has been changed if applicable!! From what I remember, certainly for the 2.0 TDi 140, that's every 70,000 miles!!

That brings me onto the 140 TDi, good consumption, nice smooth drive but got enough oomph when you need it. I saw quite a few in your price bracket when I was loking for my car, granted nearer the 13k mark but definately worth it if you ask me :)

Hope that helps

Paul :D

[thecount]

thanks for that.

140? what is that referring to by the way?

Thanks for the pointer about the cam belt. how much does that normally cost on this type of vehicle?

I'm always a bit worried about 100k + cars, the thought of it does concern me.


I did find this one here, but it looks like its gone for now, seemed to tick all the boxes I mentioned - and is this a 140? :

http://www.taillights.net/

[RickT]

They do 2 engines on the A4 - B6 - 1.9TDI which is 115BHP and a 2.0TDI 140BHP - also they do a 170 bHP


The car above is the 1.9 tdi which is a little under powered if you ask me..


I have just had a look on the trader and there are some fine examples for you money you have with less than 100k miles..

see below..

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/AUDI+A4/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-43-51-89-144-170-4294966653-4294966997/search.action

WHEN YOU OPEN THE ABOVE LINK... ENTER 2.0 IN THE KEYWORD SECTION TO RETURN THE CORRECT RESULTS.


Rick

[thecount]

thanks Rick,

Yes, there seems to be a lot available. I'm really after one with leather and sat nav, s line too.
I think I will stick to 1.9TDi as I want it to be good on fuel ideally, but I take your point about the power though. Then I guess colour will come into it, I love them in black, they look really nice I think.

Any other pointers I should consider?

[jb1999]

Audi build cars to last as long as they're looked after, so remember to check out the service history and cambelt changes. If the car is just a few years old, high miles usually means a company car so should be well serviced (as Paul pointed out). Also means lots of motorway miles instead of town driving so less wear-and-tear.

I bought a 1.8 turbo change petrol on 71k miles about five years ago and it drives today as it did the day I got it. I did some research at the time and discovered several professional reviews saying the 4 cyclinder engines should be good for around 200k miles, the six cyliners can go on forever, especially diesels, if the oil changes are done routinely.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[thecount]

thanks for that advice.

I've found a 2006 06 Reg AUDI A4 1.9 TDi TDV S Line but has 111k and no sat nav - has leather though which is good.:


http://www.tudormotorcompany.co.uk/60746/tudormotorco_stock.htm

ideally, what should I expect to pay for this with Sat Nav?

[thecount]

does anyone know how much a cam belt / timing belt change would cost?

[stormneil]

I believe a main Audi dealer will charge around £350 for a cam belt on a s-line 140. I think they said to replaced it at 80,000 miles. Hope that helps.

[thecount]

that helps a lot thanks. gives me an idea of what to expect on a high mileage model I'm thinking of purchasing.

I didn't realise that parking sensors didn't come as standard on the Avant? has anyone fitted any afterwards? and are there any in-particular to look out for - typically, whats the price fitted for half decent ones?

[thecount]

ok, I'm going to view an A4 Avant 2.0 TDI s line tomorrow. Anyone know what I have to look out for in particular whilst viewing the car? are there any known areas that I need to particularly check?

its got 79k on the clock, they say it needs servicing in 10k and the cambelt needs doing at 80k?

[stormneil]

Is the car being sold by a private seller or at a dealer? If the cam belt has not been done yet then it's a good bargaining tool to get some extra money off. Remember to check the tyre tread as 4 new 235/40/18's will cost £500.00+. Interior on the S-line seems to wear very well, so if it looks tatty at 79k I would walk away. Hope you find a good one.

[thecount]

ok, I will do. I'll haggle like mad. Apparently it does not have a spare key and there is no boot cover sleeve thingy? how much are these on their own?

[stormneil]

A spare key will cost about £30.00 on ebay plus you will need to have it cut. If you go to Audi i'm sure you will pay 3 times that price, so again a good haggling point.

[elPaulio]

Remember though, you'll still need to go to Audi to get the key programmed, at about an hours labour, so budget for another £60-70 for that :(

[thecount]

many thanks, I'll bear that all in mind! thanks for your pointers.

Anything else I need to consider before venturing out and viewing this car?