Buying a Daytona Avant, Advice please!

[silent-gerbil]

Hi,
I'm new to the site, I'm looking at an '07 Daytona Avant on Monday, I've been searching for the right one for a long time and my local dealer called me yesterday to tell me he has one coming in as a p/x next week.
I've had a few fast audis before ('05 A3 3.2, '55 B7 S4 Avant) and I'm desparate to get hold of an RS4.
Its going to be the most expensive car I've ever bought, so I dont want to let me heart rule my head and overlook any important issues.
Any advice on what to look out for would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[dominic1]

spend as much time as you need,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i took 8 months to find the right one and looked at about 6 cars , the one i bought in the end i went to look at 3 times before i jumped in and got it

[silent-gerbil]

You are right about taking my time, I've asked the salesman to call me as soon as it arrives so that I can have a look at it before it is valeted/polished etc.

[PetrolDave]

Check the shock absorbers , especially the front ones, for leaking or weeping - that's the first signs of a DRC problem.

Check the list of service campaigns that have been carried out on the vehicle and those outstanding - any Audi dealer can call up this information.

When driving check that the Sport button operates correctly - louder exhaust note at idle when pressed is the eaiest check.

Check that you get the power increase at about 5000rpm, this checks the power flap.

[neckarsulm]

Check the seat bolsters hold pressure when inflated fully

Check the brake discs don't have big lips on their outer edges by running your finger over the surface from centre out (careful they aren't hot or that car can move).

Carefully inspect the seat bolsters for wear to the leather

Check the tyres for wear and chunks missing, they aren't cheap

Check the glovebox lid isn't broken at its hinge

Check for excessive stonechipping

Check for loose outer door handle covers (the painted bit)

Check the expiry date on the tyre foam in the boot

Check for excessively long gaps between services, 2 years or 19000 miles is absolute max.

Surprised how little there is really though with VAG COM you can really go to town

[silent-gerbil]

Thanks for the info, having had a good read over some old posts it looks like the issue over leaking shocks has been fairly common, I'll have a good check of the struts, its got around 20k on the clock so I'm guessing it may be time for new front brakes,
Whats the going rate for a new set of front discs and pads?

[Bradders109]

I will second Daves comments about power higher up the rev range - I drove one with 46k and it was very linear in power delivery - if I hadn't driven another before I wouldn't have known it was not quite right.

I bought from a audi dealer in the end so I personally didn't check the shocks - I did check it had full Audi service history as there are posts about some hassles with drc warranty if it doesn't have fash.

I've read disks/pads are 800-1200 or so but I'm new so could be quoting incorrectly ( Audi dealer prices)

[neckarsulm]

I will second Daves comments about power higher up the rev range - I drove one with 46k and it was very linear in power delivery - if I hadn't driven another before I wouldn't have known it was not quite right.

Me too, thanks to this forum I found and fixed a defective power flap on my 32k miler for no cost at all.

I think it's quite hard to check the shocks thoroughly unless the car is lifted.

[Nib]

Hi,
I'm new to the site, I'm looking at an '07 Daytona Avant on Monday, I've been searching for the right one for a long time and my local dealer called me yesterday to tell me he has one coming in as a p/x next week.
I've had a few fast audis before ('05 A3 3.2, '55 B7 S4 Avant) and I'm desparate to get hold of an RS4.
Its going to be the most expensive car I've ever bought, so I dont want to let me heart rule my head and overlook any important issues.
Any advice on what to look out for would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

You have PM

[drcarrera]

I've read disks/pads are 800-1200 or so but I'm new so could be quoting incorrectly ( Audi dealer prices)

You're not incorrect - had my fronts replaced at an Audi dealer and it was £1200. But only needed doing after 40K miles. Depends a lot on driving style, though.

Just one point with the exhaust note/sport button test mentioned above. If the vacuum disconnect mod has been done to keep the flaps open all the time, you won't hear any difference in sound.

If possible, I'd also check for corrosion in the oil cooler pipes. and leaks in the steering rack.

[PetrolDave]

Just one point with the exhaust note/sport button test mentioned above. If the vacuum disconnect mod has been done to keep the flaps open all the time, you won't hear any difference in sound.

If the vacuum disconnect mod has been done then the 5000rpm "kick" test is all the more important, since if the vacuum pipes haven't been properly plugged it usually affects the operation of the power flap and the inlet flaps.

[silent-gerbil]

Had a call from the dealer this morning to say that the car had arrived if I was interested in having a look/drive!! I went straight round (its only 5 mins from where I live)
They hadn't even valeted it yet which was fine as it meant the car was as it was from the previous owner.
Over all the car is in great condition, just a few minor chips on the front bumper, easily repairable.
I checked the exhaust flaps it tick over, and the seat inflates and holds pressure.
Two of the wheels were slightly scuffed which will be reburbed and its having 2 new tyres on the back, the fronts are almost new.
Took it for a test drive once it was warmed up and checked that the airbox flap worked over 5000rpm, it gave a noticeable kick which was great.
It was only serviced 2 months ago and its still got a fair amount of tax on.
Decided to go for it, after looking around for ages for the right car, I pleased this is the one!

The front struts are going to be replaced as a preventative measure, so fingers crossed it will be ready to collect next weekend.!!
Cant Wait.
Thanks for your help and info on what to look for.

[neckarsulm]

Can you give us a hint on current market values and tell us how much it was?