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I'll leave the subject of the asking price out of this thread, as it seems to be a bit of a hot bed. But, I've found an Avant that ticks all the spec/colour boxes so I'm in discussions about it with the seller. He's given me the following information about it's history, which is detailed enough, but the expert opinions on here would be welcomed to spot any holes that may not ring true. Given what he says I'm also trying to work out the likely bills in the next 12-24 months so I can build it into my negotiations on the price....

- 07 plate car (4 owners in total), currently on 59k miles with full Audi dealer stamped service history.
- Last serviced in June 2011 at 50k miles. He says he took it to his Audi dealer in June 2012 and they turned him away as there was still 10k to go. The next service he says is due in June 2013 which will be an inspection. He says an inspection service is c£350 and it's c£650 for a full.
- Tyres were changed all round at the service so have done less than 10k miles
- Pads were changed all round at same time as the tyres
- At the point of service the 12mth used car warranty (supplied by Audi dealer when he bought it) expired. The owner took out a Warranty Direct warranty (£750 for the year apparently), for which he says their mechanic went to his house and did a couple of hour's inspection which found no issues.
- The front shocks were replaced by Audi when about a year old, receipt is in the history. No other DRC issues known.

So given what he says, the car has covered 10k on the tyres and pads and will need servicing in 6 months time. I've made it clear that the service price will have to be built into the price, but given it's done 10k on the same tyres and pads, I'm wondering how long they will last given I only do about 3-5k miles a years. Also the likelihood of other things needing doing in June given it's not been serviced since June 2011 (even though it's only done 9k miles)

Any thoughts or opinions from the experts here?

I'm surprised a dealer turned it away for a service. Mine is on the longlife but always goes in once a year. It shows up as being due anyway after a year due to the way it is being driven. If it has done 9000 miles and still says it is not due for another 10k means it is probably being driven by a girl. Not sure whether that appeals to you or not? Some prefer the car to have never seen 6000 rpm whereas others prefer their cars to have had a regular italian tuning.

Also and the next serivce will be a big one with spark plugs changes due.

This may help

10k on tyres isnt realky a selling point as you can do a set in not alot more depending on brand and driving,so inspection yourself would be best.
Pads allround isnt a sign of not needing expensive brakes as the discs are were the money is.59k the rears will be scabby as probably origonals,fronts need looking at as could of had a set or two or need them who knows.

Oil cooler pipes are hard to inspect but worth asking if its had em

Same with aux rad but these can be inspected from intake scoop

Warranty is handy but rarely offer the comfort zone you think you have,rads and oil coolers etc can fall in grey area aswell as clutches.

Hope this helps someway into its mechanical status but the biggie is the actual cars overall condition,seat bolsters and paintwork etc etc

Nope plugs should of been done at 40k im pretty sure,but best to confirm with service booklet.Driven by a girl is ok but it will need a carbon clean im sure.

While we are on the subject of Aux rads, I couldnt see the damage on mine, but if you leave the engine running for a long time without moving the car, you will see steam coming out from the front fog lights if you have any problems with the aux rads. Dont rely on the temperature gauge as this never moves once it has got to normal running temp. Theres one on either side and you need to rmeove the front bumper to replace. They are about £150 each but you can easily double that for labour.

I'm pretty sure plugs are 60k as i just had my 50k service and no plugs still.

Just had plugs done on mine as part of a service along with filters. Service came to £700 and the car has done 67000 miles.

Check your service book as im pretty sure its 60k or 40,000 miles and thats were the confusion starts,you will get a different story from every service advisor you speak to,they usually dont know the front from the back of a car!

Thanks all, great advice! I agree, there's always going to be an element of risk buying one of these cars due to the 'unexpected', so I want to eliminate it as much as possible. Your tips re oil cooler etc are good, I'll ask him.

lengster1 wrote:Hope this helps someway into its mechanical status but the biggie is the actual cars overall condition,seat bolsters and paintwork etc etc

He's sent me lots of hi-res pics and the condition of the car looks excellent/immaculate. The bodywork is unmarked and the seat bolsters on the buckets are near perfect. He says he had one wheel refurbed with the service at Audi making them all perfect. There's one tiny scuff on the bottom lower front spoiler which he's sent me picture of and it's nothing major (to be honest I probably wouldn't have seen it if he hadn't have pointed it out)

So all in all the history seems to stack up and the mileage backs up the condition. It's starting to sound like a contender.

If I budget into the price for a £1k service in June, I think that should suffice. When I get to view the car I can check tyre treads and disc/pad wear and negotiate further if required.

Thanks again, keep it coming.

Just be warned though, that date of June could come forward if you drive it harder than Miss Daisy. I'd be tempted to stick in for a serice now anyway as it has not had an oil change in nearly 18 months ,even if all you do is get the oil changed and nothing else. If you supply the oil yourself it wont cost much. You can it cheap off here from a site sponser (the oil man) or get yourself down to Costco quickly!

For cheap oil check out this thread:
http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... co#p558815

These cars are very good in general for this league of motor,the bigger bills that can come are few compared to many cars other similar cars,my b5 RS4 had a much bigger maintanance file!!!
Seeing in the flesh and driving is the biggie,the only way to check for resprays accident repairs etc is with the eye.

Check how much the audi alloy re furb was as im pretty sure it wont of been sent away and done properly,most dealers do smart repairs and they soon start to flake and look <beep>.

Longlife service would scare me on this type of motor,its designed for cars that cover higher than average miles in a short time,its set by the selling dealer and often never changed,oil in these starts to lose its performance after 5k so by 20k and 2 years must be hangin,a 6 year old car thats had two oil changes in 59k would have me pondering for sure,if its done annual average mileage imo it should have had annual servicing too,25 quid a gallon qauntum in my 8500rpm RS4 for 20k no no no.

Check air con as mine needed re gas last year,brake fluid change,pollen,fuel filter,etc all seem to fall in the "only if you ask" bracket.

The kick at 5500rpm is something defo to check as if not driven hard in 4th gear upwards you wont establish vacuam leaks etc

lengster1 wrote: Longlife service would scare me on this type of motor,its designed for cars that cover higher than average miles in a short time,its set by the selling dealer and often never changed,oil in these starts to lose its performance after 5k so by 20k and 2 years must be hangin,a 6 year old car thats had two oil changes in 59k would have me pondering for sure,if its done annual average mileage imo it should have had annual servicing too,25 quid a gallon qauntum in my 8500rpm RS4 for 20k no no no

yep this would scare me too, i agree oil in these motors should be changed every 5-6k. two oil changes in 59k is mental.

I would say it will need a service sooner than June 2013.

I bought mine in July 2011 on 50k miles - now on 58k and service is due next month - i dont drive it hard all the time - just the same way everyone else does.

Long life service is maximum 2 years - the little spanner button on the dash will tell you when its next due - but i will be gob smacked if it is next June.

Lots of people finding issues with clutch around the 50k - 60k mark.

At 59k i would have though the front discs woul dhave needed replacing by now - so check them.

Only way to tell all this is really to see the car in the flesh

lengster1 wrote:Check your service book as im pretty sure its 60k or 40,000 miles and thats were the confusion starts,you will get a different story from every service advisor you speak to,they usually dont know the front from the back of a car!

Just checked the book; for the RS4 the spark plugs are changed at 90,000km / 60,000miles / 6 years.