The 'Do's' and 'Don't' when buying a 2nd hand VRS

[Andy Grob73]

Morning Guys!

I am currently running a 53plate A6 BiTdi and frankly speaking, its a lovely car but I don't 'love the car'. Its boring, and its like a barge!

I've had a few Octavia's in the past and for various reasons loved each one of them, with the last one being a vrs Tdi on an 07 plate. So I am thinking of giving a Vrs another whirl. Since 2007 I am sure that quite a few things have changed, face lifts, engine upgrades etc etc. So I would appreciate a bit of honest, down to earth advice about the 'do's' and 'don'ts' when choosing a Vrs.

So here are the requirements and the budget, I can't justify the new car money loss, so I'm thinking of something between 2013 to a current ex-demo, £10k to £15k ish

Not sure if to go petrol or diesel.
Not sure if to go for a 2013 Blackline or a facelift 2014 onwards.
Not sure estate or hatchback.
Are the Xenon's any good these days?, on most cars I've been less than impressed.
DSG or manual? DSG is an easy drive, but manual is more driver involving?
Colour...white, black, red, green,blue? Red is generally my favored colour for all cars.
Do they all come with Sat Nav? If not is it any good anyway.
Diesel CR170 or 184,
Petrol 197 or 220?
What are the big money things that can go wrong and to look for?

So any advice that you can offer guys would be much appreciated. Please give me your input about the options to genuinely look for and also the 'hype and tripe' that's not really worth having.


Cheers for any advice!

[Gazwould]

Wouldn't a more athletic B8 A4 3.0 tdi suit you ?

[Guest 2]

The 184 TDI MQB chassis car is a sharp car. I considered one when changing the A6 and only chose the A4 as I needed a car sooner rather than later.

[Andy Grob73]

Wouldn't a more athletic B8 A4 3.0 tdi suit you ?

Yes it might and it is still an option. I've also considered an A5 3.0tdi, because even some years on to me they are one of the best looking cars on the road. I had an A5 2.0tdi Black Edition Quattro and loved it

I came so close to buying an RS5 last week, but only fell at the last hurdle because it could not take a tow bar, for my mountain bike holder at the back of the car. (Same for all Audi RS models and the Golf R too). Lifting them onto the roof is ok, but is an accident waiting to happen or a belt buckle, stud waiting to scratch up the car. Otherwise an RS4 or RS5 would have been just the ticket for me.

[Gazwould]

RS4 and 5 are eclipsed in tuning and performance because of S4 and 5's forced induction supercharger potential .

Stage 1 remap equals performance whereas adding the Stage 2 smaller supercharger pulley abliterates it !

[zollaf]

Yes it might and it is still an option. I've also considered an A5 3.0tdi, because even some years on to me they are one of the best looking cars on the road. I had an A5 2.0tdi Black Edition Quattro and loved it

I came so close to buying an RS5 last week, but only fell at the last hurdle because it could not take a tow bar, for my mountain bike holder at the back of the car. (Same for all Audi RS models and the Golf R too). Lifting them onto the roof is ok, but is an accident waiting to happen or a belt buckle, stud waiting to scratch up the car. Otherwise an RS4 or RS5 would have been just the ticket for me.

wheels come off mountain bikes really easy and they will fit in the boot if you try hard enough

[rowdy-999]

Or a Thule clip on bike carrier?

[Andy Grob73]

wheels come off mountain bikes really easy and they will fit in the boot if you try hard enough

It's a very valid point for when I'm by myself , but when I've got the kids with me its a bit too much messing around for 3 or 4 bikes.

[zollaf]

fairy nuff.