What to look for when buying a 3.0 TDI

[OVI82]

Good afternoon guys.I am after a bit of info about the 3.0 TDI engine as I'm looking to purchase a 5-6 year Old B8 with around 80000.It would be great if I could gather as much info as possibille about this type of engine before going to test drive one of these.So what are the weak points on this plant??
What exactly should I look out for when test driving one??
The car would be a manual as I can't really stretch to the tiptronic at the moment.Also is there anything in particular that I should pay more attention to during the test drive given the mileage and the fact that it will be a 5 or 6 year old car??.I'm coming from an B7 1.9 tdi so the B8 would be a completely new experience for me aswel as the 3.0 engine.
Any input guys no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.I am looking at keeping the car for at least 5 years so it would be great to know exactly what i'm getting myself into.Thanks in advance(but please be quick guys before my other half changes her mind!!)

[fat controller]

I can't offer any info about the engine, but you will love the B8; a friend of mine has a late B7, and while it is a lovely car, the B8 is streets ahead in almost every area.

I'll watch this thread with interest, as I have a notion for a 3.0 in the A4 or an A6 next time round.

[bigslope]

I got my 2009 A4 3.0 Tdi in August last year and love it. So far I have had to get the EGR Cooler changed under warranty and also an indicator stalk.
Apart from this I have had no problem with the car but mine is Tiptronic.
You will love it. I got mine Revo remapped a few months ago and it transforms the car into a bigger beast.
Fuel I get around 32-36 mpg depending how i drive it and mine is an Avant.

Sorry I can't help any more. Enjoy if you buy it

[Audi.Quattro]

Similar gas, 33 to 36mpg, fantastic engine, mines still standard

[OVI82]

Thanks for your input guys.Fat controller, I was going to buy a newer B8 but a 2.0 tdi at first but just could not deny myself an awd drive car with a bit of grunt.Still be nice to hear from those of you out there driving a manual 3.0 tdi.I could stretch to an automatic but I would have to give up on the s-line package,and I'm not prepared to do that.Also do any of you guys know what would be the best time in the year to buy one of these(the winter will surely see their prices go up).Bigslope I see you bought yours in August....do they tend to be cheaper that time of the year.I have been watching autotrader for the last 3-4 months but prices have stayed more or less the same(winter months and that's probably why..).Thanks once again for all those who took the time to reply...much appreciated.

[theskyfox]

Hi, I've got the 3.0TDi in manual. Got it in 2011 new and haven't done a remap (not going to bother). The fuel economy for the size of the engine is pretty good, and the amount you burn will depend on how heavy your right foot is. The V6 is a beautiful engine and will give you many years of faithful service.

Things I can think of to look out for...(not exhaustive, but this is off head)

-Make sure the fuel flap lock isn't broken. Its very common to go. Lock the car then try to open it. If it opens, its busted.
-Make sure its been serviced regularly. I've been told that a poor servicing regime can cause issues on the timing chain tension. How you would detect this though I do not know
-Make sure the wheel bearings are ok, drive it and it should feel smooth
-If you are buying private, make sure the DPF is still there. You shouldn't see any smoke coming out of the exhaust.
-Make sure the service regime has been followed (this is printed in the handbook)
-Switch the air con on when test driving and make sure it works (this is true on any car, not specifically to this one)
-Wind all the windows down/up (again..true on any car in case a window regulator is busted)
-When you first start the car, see if any warning lights are on (engine mangement light etc)

Other general points...if you have 19" wheels on it the tyres are roughly £200 each to buy. I expect that being a secondhand car the previous owner will probably leave you little tyre tread and/or put some cheap tyres on just to sell it, so be prepared to splash out for new boots all round if necessary. Road tax is around £200 a year on it. Thats all I can think of right now..but hope it helps as a starter for 10.

-Andrew

[OVI82]

Creat info there skyfox,thanks for taking the time.How are you finding the manual box expecially moving off in first gear??Is the first gear only there to get you going or doest it also have a bit of power if needed(especially at roundabouts).I ask this because all diesel Audis that I have driven have a very short 1st gear if you know what I mean.....just to get the car going and then quickly into second.
What mileage is yours if you don't mind me asking.

[theskyfox]

Creat info there skyfox,thanks for taking the time.How are you finding the manual box expecially moving off in first gear??Is the first gear only there to get you going or doest it also have a bit of power if needed(especially at roundabouts).I ask this because all diesel Audis that I have driven have a very short 1st gear if you know what I mean.....just to get the car going and then quickly into second.
What mileage is yours if you don't mind me asking.

No worries. I do like the manual box, I've always liked the ability to control the torque to the wheels with the left foot. Yes the first gear is pretty short and it can be a bit of a stoccato movement from 1st, 2nd to 3rd. To tell the truth there is so much torque in there that if you did a fast and hard pullaway at a roundabout you could go straight from 1st to 3rd without any difficulties. I've had it a few times when picking up speed for A-roads where I've got up to 50mph in 2nd before dropping straight into 4th or even 5th. You learn the natural feel of it after a while and it becomes a reflex. I've just hit 30,000 miles and did a major service for just under £400 last week which is about £250 cheaper than what Southend Audi had quoted me on their own. (I shopped around with main dealer and local independents). My definition of a major service in this example is air filter, pollen filter, oil, oil filter, brake fluid, air con regas and MOT.

-Andrew

[bigslope]

.Bigslope I see you bought yours in August....do they tend to be cheaper that time of the year.I have been watching autotrader for the last 3-4 months but prices have stayed more or less the same(winter months and that's probably why..).Thanks once again for all those who took the time to reply...much appreciated.

No I had been searching for one for a few months and I spotted this just traded in to our local dealer so went and bought it. It is a lovely car.

[OVI82]

Also after a bit of internet cruising it appears that one of the common problems on these engines are the intake manifold swirl flaps breaking away easily.They are apparently not cheap to replace and most people have gone for some sort of repair kit.Has any of you guys experienced this issue on their 3.0 tdi B8,as most of the info on the Internet was about the B7 or the same engine but in the Audi A6.
Could someone please tell me how would I go about checking these flaps are operating normally and that they're not on their way out.I've got a test drive booked for the weekend and could really do with some feedback on this issue.Thanks in advance guys.