Do's and don'ts
Discussion
Make sure it's had all the suspension mods (ESP button on the dash too). 99.9% have now though.
If you're planning on keeping it for some time to highish miles I'd go for a car that's had an oil change every 10k instead of the variable servicing every 20k. I'm sorry, but whatever oil they put in it, 20k on a turbo charged engine isn't good.
Also, if it's been a company/fleet car be careful - the dealers only put std mineral oil in at service time because it's cheaper (one of the biggest UK dealers confirmed this). If one of those cars was on variable servicing god help the engine.
Dash pods can pack up - any spurious messages = replacement required. If it 'honks like a goose' at around 3,000 revs that's the divertor valve (£80 for an aftermarket part which never goes wrong).
Also, find out if the car you're looking at is affected by the coil pack problem. If so, make sure all 4 have been replaced, not just 1 or 2. Otherwise it WILL let you down.
If the car you're looking at has Competition Alloys (the really shiny ones) make sure they're unmarked - they can't be refurbished. Also look for scrapes under the nose cone (it's quite low - ours gets more scrapes than the TVRs) and check the Xenons work (pricey).
Good hunting.
T/.
If you're planning on keeping it for some time to highish miles I'd go for a car that's had an oil change every 10k instead of the variable servicing every 20k. I'm sorry, but whatever oil they put in it, 20k on a turbo charged engine isn't good.
Also, if it's been a company/fleet car be careful - the dealers only put std mineral oil in at service time because it's cheaper (one of the biggest UK dealers confirmed this). If one of those cars was on variable servicing god help the engine.
Dash pods can pack up - any spurious messages = replacement required. If it 'honks like a goose' at around 3,000 revs that's the divertor valve (£80 for an aftermarket part which never goes wrong).
Also, find out if the car you're looking at is affected by the coil pack problem. If so, make sure all 4 have been replaced, not just 1 or 2. Otherwise it WILL let you down.
If the car you're looking at has Competition Alloys (the really shiny ones) make sure they're unmarked - they can't be refurbished. Also look for scrapes under the nose cone (it's quite low - ours gets more scrapes than the TVRs) and check the Xenons work (pricey).
Good hunting.
T/.
Agree with most of the above but I'm also sold on the long life servicing (many people do have an intermediate oil change done as well). The oil used is still only around £40 at time if you take your own so its not too bad anyway and can cost as little as £200 for the first one (no haldex oil and filter change).
Electrics are the problem - coil packs (if pre-2002), windows and dash pods being the usual culprits. Only had mine for 9 months and its been in for window switch (think it was the mechanic sorting out a buzzing speaker that did it) and an airbag recall so nothing too bad. Agree on the xenons headlines - scare stories abound of £1000 each as they are integral peices with the self levelling etc. Also about £50 plus for a bulb.
Electrics are the problem - coil packs (if pre-2002), windows and dash pods being the usual culprits. Only had mine for 9 months and its been in for window switch (think it was the mechanic sorting out a buzzing speaker that did it) and an airbag recall so nothing too bad. Agree on the xenons headlines - scare stories abound of £1000 each as they are integral peices with the self levelling etc. Also about £50 plus for a bulb.
Okay, if you want some money off take someone with you when you test drive. Close both doors at exactly the same time and the window should drop by about 2cm on one of them.
Electics are complex and can't cope with both door closing together. Audi have just fixed the issue but you may be able to shave a few quid off.
Not exactly ethical as they all do this but forewarned.......
Electics are complex and can't cope with both door closing together. Audi have just fixed the issue but you may be able to shave a few quid off.
Not exactly ethical as they all do this but forewarned.......
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