Advice needed - buying a B6/B7 Audi S4
Discussion
OK guys, I need a bit of advice. I've been saving for a while now with a view to upgrading my current Leon Cupra R which has served me, absolutely faultlessly, for coming up to 4 years now, to something with a bit more of a real engine in it.
My original intention was to buy a 350Z and go down the coupe route, but having caught an old Top Gear episode where they reviewed the S4, it got me thinking. Long story short, I went and drove a new S4 today and holy shit, I'm in love! Unfortunately I only got to drive it around some crappy city roads in poor weather, but even then, the noise that thing made on the couple of occasions I got to boot it is out of this world.
So it has got to the stage where I have gotten what I feel is a pretty good deal out of the dealer (05-plate, full sat nav and DVD kit, 18k miles: £28000). I know I could probably get cheaper privately, but I really don't have the time at all to go through the horrible private sale/purchase route. I've been offered £9k for my existing car too, so that takes away so much of the effort I'm tempted to go for it. I even got an insurance quote for under £500 which has all but sealed the deal for me, since at 26 I expected it to be £1k plus!
So what I really need to know is what I should be looking out for when purchasing. I'm not sure if it's a B6 or B7 at this stage since I wasn't aware the crossover was in 2005 until I got back and checked it out this evening. Is there much of a difference between the two and would a B6 still be worth buying at this sort of money? Are there any common faults? Any tips on purchasing? Any owners here got any comments on the car after doing some real-life miles in it? Is the fuel consumption as scary as the figures make it look? Is Audi finance generally competitive and can you beat them down on the rates?
Sorry for the long rambling post but I've been told I could potentially have the car Monday if we get the paperwork sorted and I'm rushing around trying to talk myself out of it - my view is that if I can't, it's the right car to buy!
Thanks in advance folks.
My original intention was to buy a 350Z and go down the coupe route, but having caught an old Top Gear episode where they reviewed the S4, it got me thinking. Long story short, I went and drove a new S4 today and holy shit, I'm in love! Unfortunately I only got to drive it around some crappy city roads in poor weather, but even then, the noise that thing made on the couple of occasions I got to boot it is out of this world.
So it has got to the stage where I have gotten what I feel is a pretty good deal out of the dealer (05-plate, full sat nav and DVD kit, 18k miles: £28000). I know I could probably get cheaper privately, but I really don't have the time at all to go through the horrible private sale/purchase route. I've been offered £9k for my existing car too, so that takes away so much of the effort I'm tempted to go for it. I even got an insurance quote for under £500 which has all but sealed the deal for me, since at 26 I expected it to be £1k plus!
So what I really need to know is what I should be looking out for when purchasing. I'm not sure if it's a B6 or B7 at this stage since I wasn't aware the crossover was in 2005 until I got back and checked it out this evening. Is there much of a difference between the two and would a B6 still be worth buying at this sort of money? Are there any common faults? Any tips on purchasing? Any owners here got any comments on the car after doing some real-life miles in it? Is the fuel consumption as scary as the figures make it look? Is Audi finance generally competitive and can you beat them down on the rates?
Sorry for the long rambling post but I've been told I could potentially have the car Monday if we get the paperwork sorted and I'm rushing around trying to talk myself out of it - my view is that if I can't, it's the right car to buy!
Thanks in advance folks.
Well, the dealership are going to be giving me a shout about 10am so I need to make a decision really - I've since found out the car has a bundle of options (metallic paint, GSM phone thingy, black leather interior, DVD and sat-nav as above) all of which are pushing me towards a yes.
The only things I'm a bit worried about are if I should be concerned if it's a B6 or B7 and if the Audi finance is actually any good and if the sales guys have any give in the rates?
Plus I'd love to hear from an actual owner of one of these things, just to put my mind at ease if nothing else! Cheers.
The only things I'm a bit worried about are if I should be concerned if it's a B6 or B7 and if the Audi finance is actually any good and if the sales guys have any give in the rates?
Plus I'd love to hear from an actual owner of one of these things, just to put my mind at ease if nothing else! Cheers.
Fort Jefferson said:
Did you get my e-mail?
I did now, thanks mate, I may well give you a shout in a bit - sadly I said I'd take the car that was offered this morning (turned out to be a B7, but I understand there are reasonably few differences aside from costmetic changes and the change in split of the Quatro) and even gave all my details for the deposit, but it turned out another dealership had sold it this morning. So as it stands, I'm waiting to see what else is out there before I decide, looking at the Audi site though it doesn't look like there's much.
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