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High Mileage A4 Avant


pingpongpo
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Hello chaps,

I'm in the market for a replacement vehicle for the wifes Focus.

I've seen an 2008 plate A4 Avant 2.0Tdi with 157k on the clock, full audi service history etc; for £6495

The idea is that she only does about 3-4k a year so this would bring the average down 'eventually'

I was hoping for some constructive advice in terms of what I should look out for (aside from usual milage related things) that might be specific to this brand/model of car?

Many thanks,

Simon.

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Does an '08 2.0 TDI have a DPF? If so, I'd be concerned that with such a low annual mileage it might get clogged fairly easily. Other than that, on a more general B7 Audi A4 front ours (albeit a petrol convertible) has been almost faultless over the last 4.5 years. It has quite an appetite for front tyres and the iPod adapter threw a wobbly, but other than that its been perfect. It doesn't rattle, and the paintwork and interior (leather) is virtually unmarked too!

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With that sort of mileage, stuff to check on any car is things like bushes, ball joints, shock absorbers etc - they all wear.

The 2.0 TDI lump is fairly bulletproof - early models suffered from oil pump failure, but as yours is an 08 model, it should be fine.

I'd question buying a diesel to only cover that sort of annual mileage - you'll get a 2.0T for less money and have more fun with it - balanced out with the fuel thing, but it's your call, of course +++

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Buying high milers, doing low mileage and selling when it's more 'average' works on cars that are sub 100k, but at over 150k it's not going to work, it'll always be a high mileage car and it's never going to have much value.

However, if you don't mind high mileage, then of course it gets you into a newer car.

Personally, I'd buy something older with lower miles, particularly on a 4 cylinder engine, as reliability is always going to be an issue at over 150k, but that's just me.

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Because 4 cylinder engines are generally more stressed than 6 or 8 cylinder ones.

Do you have many high mileage cars? I do.

There is always going to be point where engines become less reliable, wear and tear takes it toll, and even with full history parts still wear out.

I'm not saying a 150k car will be unreliable, but we find that once over this point, they require a lot more maintenance, most cars are good for 200k these days, but expect to get more bills from 150k onwards, especially if the car is going from high motorway miles, to stop start town driving.

The only exception to the rule, is Luxus (not the 4 cylinder ones), who's engines just go on and on, a 400k Lexus will still be reliable.

Edited by Tipex
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Must say, I am more reluctant to buy a high miler 4 cylinder engine.

More cylinders than that, no problems! Or should I say, a combination of low number of owners + high mileage for the year + service history & reciepts = a good buy!!!!

Diesel for 4K miles a year is not worth the premium over a petrol. You could move up a spec or 2 instead of the diesel option!

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Thanks for the input guys. Apparantly this has had one owner (I assume a company car) and has all the recipts to go with it.

There doesn't seem to be many petrol avants about near me, how far would you be prepared to travel to view a car? I putting in a search on Autotrader of a 40 mile radius. Bearing in mind I'd have the 2 kids and missus in tow at the same time...

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Thanks for the input guys. Apparantly this has had one owner (I assume a company car) and has all the recipts to go with it.

There doesn't seem to be many petrol avants about near me, how far would you be prepared to travel to view a car? I putting in a search on Autotrader of a 40 mile radius. Bearing in mind I'd have the 2 kids and missus in tow at the same time...

Not the question to ask me, as I have been all over!

When in Dunstable I travelled to Reading, Camberley, Dartford, Bromley, Loughborough to buy cars.

Now in P'Bro, I have been to Norwich, Chorley (Lancs) and oh, Norwich again for a different car!

It's never really bothered me.

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There doesn't seem to be many petrol avants about near me,

I know a very well looked after, 1 owner from new, full Audi history, low mileage one that should be coming up for sale shortly, with the 220PS 2.0TFSI engine, xenons, quattro, RNS-E etc etc.

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I rarely take the bikes anywhere these days, it's usually only mine, which I can dismantle and stick in the boot of the the new car if need be. I might take a look at roof bars as some point but not in any rush.

Anyway, back on topic. Why buy a slightly newer, low spec, intergalactic mileage soot chucker when you can waft along in a mint condition, high spec, quattro shod, low mileage car which uses proper fuel? :D

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It's a 2006(56) 2.0TFSI quattro special edition s-line avant.

Avus silver

Currently on 47k miles, owned by me from new and always fuelled on 98/99RON petrol

Serviced by the supplying dealer annually, rather than on variable (getting serviced and MOTed next week)

It had the timing belt/tensioners etc done last year so that expense is out the way.

It's been a superb car, I was only going to keep it for 3 years and it's ended up being 6+. The only problem I've had is a coil pack failure and all were subsequently replaced under the VAG recall.

As well as the usual stuff that came with the SE s-line, it's got:

quattro

Xenons

RNS-E Nav

Bluetooth with voice control

Black silk nappa leather (rather than the 2-tone stuff they came with)

Heated seats

It's been well cared for since new (as people how know me would vouch for) and as a result there are no parking dinks or battered alloys (the full size spare is new and unused). It comes with a thick layer of wax :)

I've had a bit of interest but until I know when the new one is due, I can't really commit to anything +++

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Has it got cruise? ;)

Aye, in a box in my office, never did get round to fitting it :D

Anyway, as per Facebook, the longest negotiations ever were finally concluded this morning. The new car is ordered with a provisional delivery of 30th Nov (which means nothing really).

So the avant will be available in 12 weeks hopefully, just in time for the winter, so someone will benefit from the quattro.

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It's a 2006(56) 2.0TFSI quattro special edition s-line avant.

Avus silver

Currently on 47k miles, owned by me from new and always fuelled on 98/99RON petrol

Serviced by the supplying dealer annually, rather than on variable (getting serviced and MOTed next week)

It had the timing belt/tensioners etc done last year so that expense is out the way.

It's been a superb car, I was only going to keep it for 3 years and it's ended up being 6+. The only problem I've had is a coil pack failure and all were subsequently replaced under the VAG recall.

As well as the usual stuff that came with the SE s-line, it's got:

quattro

Xenons

RNS-E Nav

Bluetooth with voice control

Black silk nappa leather (rather than the 2-tone stuff they came with)

Heated seats

It's been well cared for since new (as people how know me would vouch for) and as a result there are no parking dinks or battered alloys (the full size spare is new and unused). It comes with a thick layer of wax :)

I've had a bit of interest but until I know when the new one is due, I can't really commit to anything +++

+1 on the interest here :)

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