Push Me Over The Edge - Noob alert

[jobbys]

Over anxious Noob looking for confidence building to push me to commit.

Have just put down a deposit on an 07 Avant and wil be pulling together finance this week, with intention of picking up next weekend.

Car in question is through independent dealer (R&W Motors near Uxbridge) has 45k miles on it, has FSH and is at £23,725. The full details are over here.

What with all the DRC talk, I can't help getting bit nervous especially as it's just about to go over 5 years old. Was thinking off getting an RAC inspection for peace of mind, but not sure if it's worth it (£305).

Being that it's has had 5 previous owners in the time was wondering if anyone still lurking here used to own it ( was on private plate N13 DD0).

This is towards top end of my budget, so apologies for coming across all girl's blouse, but any comments/advice gratefully received.

[adsgreen]

I'd say when you look it again take a decent torch with you. DRC Leakage is easy to spot as you are looking for fluid on the shiny metal piston (not misting on the outside).
Fin your local friendly dealer and ask if you can have the history and ask if it's had any replacements yet.
An AA inspection might not find anything extra. If you want more detail then ask if you can have the DRC pressure checked at a dealer. It would be at your cost and figure 100-200 quid to do.
Finally if you are going for an independent warranty make sure it covers shock absorbers and Audi labour rates.

Oh - with cars like these even with warranty cover it is worth having an emergency slush find of 1k/year for anything. For example, a manifold vac leak is a cheap part but buckets of labour. Also a complete suspension swap dumping DRC would be circa 2k fitted.

[Borgelite]

Loooks like it has ceramic brakes... nice..

[TimDogg]

Oooo, missed that - the website has removed it - so you bought it right?

[jobbys]

Doh, it's been taken from their site, which makes sense with my deposit being down. The brakes aren't ceramics (think it was just the lighting in one of the shots they used).

Not fully comitted yet until the final money is sorted.

Here's the spec and a pic...

AUDI RS4 RS4 QUATTRO 5DR SATNAV/BOSE/CARBON BUCKET SEAT/FSH

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 45,000 miles, Metallic PHANTOM BLACK, MOT-07-2012. Full Service History, 2 KEYS, JUST BEEN SERVICED BY AUDI MAIN DEALER, AUDI NAVIGATION PLUS, Navigation system, BOSE SOUND SYSTEM UPGRADE, XENON HEADLAMPS, FACTORY 19" RS4 BLACK OPTIC ALLOYS, ALL 4 BRAND NEW TYRES, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, PRIVACY GLASS, FLAT BOTTOM STEERING WHEEL, BLACK RECARO BUCKET NAPPA LEATHER, EXTENDED LEATHER PACK, Heated seats, CREST EMBOSSED HEADRESTS, CARBON PACK, Cruise control, Radio/CD Multichanger, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DRL, 'S' BUTTON, Climate Control, Isofix child seat anchor points, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Front armrest, Anti theft system, Remote central locking, Computer, Colour coding - Interior, Colour coding - Body, Child locks, Alarm, Immobiliser, Foglights, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Traction control, Heated door mirrors, Multi function steering wheel

Cheers for input thus far.

[R5OTV]

Do some research on this dealer before you commit.... I have some experience with them (not positive) and so have others.

I would have the car independently inspected and mileage verified, before buying anything from them.

[TimDogg]

Yep, verify the mileage bro - when theses cars go over 60k some idiot puts it back 20k - Can we not VCDS (Vagcom) this - the ECU can be interogated for mileage on some modern cars, does this apply to the RS4?

[adsgreen]

Possibly - certainly reference to this on Ross tech site but no idea ith rs4.

Wonder what a salesperson would make of punter turning up with VCDS

[bam_bam]

Possibly - certainly reference to this on Ross tech site but no idea ith rs4.

Wonder what a salesperson would make of punter turning up with vcds

Why, because the punter would strangle him with the cable once he discovered the mileage wind back?

[HYFR]

5 previous ? so you will be the 7th ?

[PetrolDave]

Possibly - certainly reference to this on Ross tech site but no idea ith rs4.

Wonder what a salesperson would make of punter turning up with vcds

Why, because the punter would strangle him with the cable once he discovered the mileage wind back?

No, because many salesmen don't know what VCDS is and would jump to the (wrong) conclusion that you'll "generate" some faults on the car to use as bargaining points.

Don't mock - I've actually had a salesman say that to me...

[bam_bam]

Don't mock - I've actually had a salesman say that to me...

...and then did you strangle him with the cable?

[TimDogg]

lol - brilliant!

[ShaneyB]

I nearly bought a car from them years ago but decided against it but that was nothing to do with the dealer himself. The fella I spoke to from memory seemed a nice bloke but I just found a better deal.

Let me know how you get on mate as this place is only a 10 minute drive from me.

Good luck.

[jobbys]

So have booked in the RAC vehicle check (peace of mind and all that) and provided there are no surprises, will pick up car at weekend.

I've also done some ringing round of dealers and apparently at last service (mid 2011 - Audi Hatfield) it had 3 shocks replaced. So that leaves one original (one of the rears) that I might have to cough up for in near future.

Does retaining one original, put more risk of needing a central valve replacement or would issues with this be completely independent?

**Edit** What has come up in the preliminary checks is that as well as the private plate I knew about (N13DDO), three other different plates have been on it (DXI422, X1GOE & H15AAN). That's almost enough letters for a game of Scrabble.

Cheers.