Should I walk away from this car ?

[timba]

Rucial That it is exactly what I have been thinking as it's not showing up as an import on HPI check, christ knows how I will find out (as I guess it would have to be a minted army type guy to afford one new!!). I guess he might of ordered it direct and imported it to Cyprus to save but I also know that luxury cars in Cyprus attract 100% import duty !!

Guess I will have to wait till monday and phone Audi UK and see if they can shed any light on it (if it came with the standard 3 year manufacturers warranty and not the years one for an import)

And if Audi say it is'nt listed as a grey import then I will be ok on the insurance

Thanks for your help and will let you know how I get on

the car is a 2001 Y plate avus silver RS4, 50,637 miles, black leather and every toy on it apart from a sunroof original reg was GKZ 4377 from NI

[30mgs]

Why is nothing with cars ever easy???!!!!!!!!

Good luck

[timba]

Just also noticed it has an unusual VIN number WUAZZZ8DZ1N903*** (starred the last three digits) surely all Audi's worldwide have WAU at the start of their VIN number !?!

[timba]

Ignore the last question as found out all RS4's have that particular VIN maunfacturer's code (must be something to do with Quattro)

Another question tho !!!

If Audi UK say it is a parrallel import, am I covered on the 12 year corrosion warranty ? and also am I covered by the soft wheel issue ?

once again thx for your replies

[kcsun]

Hi Timba
Just my 4 pennyworth, but, if you are unsure of a vehicle - which you clearly are - then WALK AWAY you will never be happy with an "almost" car and I am sure with a little patience the right car will come along for you, with a known history etc.
Remember, what will happen when you come to sell the car - prospective buyers will be as careful as you and you will then struggle to get rid of the car - unless you give it away

Sorry to be Mr Doom but there is a car out there with your name on it - you just have not found it yet
kc

[simple1]

Importing cars from Northern Ireland is very simple, can be left on the original NI plate usually **z 1234 type number or you can elect to have a standard UK plate. Even though cars supplied by dealers in NI are through Audi UK, the log book will show it as imported and the date this was done. DVLA and DVLC are two seperate systems although both adminstered and paperwork issued from Swansea............... does make things interesting when stopped by plod, as their system only sees info held on DVLA database

[don]

Sounds like you've done your research to me.. I only have one key also.. prev owner simply lost it.. hounded him for months and he still couldn't find it

Finish doing your research and then if it all checks out and is at the right price then buy it

You will go through the same process with any other car and feel the same uncertainty. You can feel confident that you've checked every possible contingency, but you know you're not going to feel really happy until you start roaring down the motor ways and the twisties of your B back roads.

[timba]

Well I have phoned Audi Uk and it is an import but was imported brand new into Northern Ireland and registered as a brand new car there (under the certificate of newness scheme) DVLNA (NI) don't show it as an import as it is a UK spec car and was registered as brand new.

Belfast Audi serviced it from new and all the service history checks out, so it is a geniune car (just an import) it has a high spec (Sat nav +, dimming rear view mirror, armrest, full black leather, 6cd and sideguard airbags) and is in very good condition. Also spoke to QST to see if there are any problems with imports and Kim said there is no difference in the cars as they all were built at the same time.

So I think I am going to go for it hopefully meet up with some of you guys on one of the meets.

[SimonS4MTM]

Just looked at the dealers website, there are currently 2 RS4's there, both over priced in my opinion. Especially if one of them is an import.

[timba]

One of them is sold and the other one is Mine

Did'nt pay that price either ! and after doing research on this forum and speaking to Fontain the general opinion is Imports are the same price as Uk cars now anyhow (I have checked it is full uk spec) If you have a look on autotrader there is hardly anything available below 60k miles and I really don't have the time to sell my S3 privately at the moment so decided it would have to a dealer purchase.

Thanks for everyone's opinions and looking forward to driving a proper Quattro car now

[SimonS4MTM]

Congratulations on the purchase, enjoy