2.0 FSI A4 Avant - Keep and repair, or cut my losses and run?

[NathanA4Avant]

Hi all,

After some advice really.

Owned my 2.0 FSI A4 Avant for 2 years, and its had a few troubles but has been a brilliant car to drive. It recently went in for a service, and the complimentary inspection threw up some issues:

Rear wiper (fine on entering the garage) now has a mind of its own and changies between running all the time whether the switch os on or off, or random bursts of activity. new motor at £115 inc VAT
All rubber brake hoses need replacing within the next 3 months
Play starting in suspension arms (need replacing within 2 years)
Engine mounts weeping (only slightly but scope to get worse)
ARB needs replacing (RS4 upgrade if i do)

To top it off, I also need to:

Get the remaining 3 injectors changed (Misfire caused by fault on cylinder 1 - replaced, and re-scan showed misfires on 2-4 - have been putting it off as it only hesitates/struggles to start sometimes)
Replace the dash pod - Coolant temp gauge doesn't work so dash shows DEF warning (where the trip miles should be - annoying!)

So my question is, what would you do? Replace all the bits (spread out over a few years as and when things get bad) or chop it and start over. I REALLY want an B7 S-line Avant, but getting a good one will cost me £10,000+ and I cant see mine being worth loads in the state its in now.

Just looking for advice. I'm concerned that if i chop this one and start over, I could end up buying a really expensive also broken version of mine.

It drives alright (when not misfiring) and sees 30 ish MPG. I do less than 10,000 miles a year so not sure a diesel is worth the money.

I was also due to pick up some wheels for it, but not sure if I should spend the money on maintenance rather than bling.

Help appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

 

[Krew76]

If I was in your position, I would sit down work out what needs to be fixed. Some things you can probably do yourself(maybe). I would go to an audi specialist garage with the problems and get a quote. Then you can weigh the odds.

Is it worth spending 10k on a new car that might turn out to be a dog, when you can get your car all fixed up for a couple of thousand pound or whatever and you know that it is mechanically sound?

 

[hades-]

if you had it inspected at audi
i would have it re inspected at a good garage to start with
the wiper may only need drying out and prob a pipe in the boot fixing
but have it inspected NOT by audi.

 

[NathanA4Avant]

Should have said, this was done by a local independant specialist (VAS Motion) here in Guildford, and was not done at Audi. Would Audi have been 'looking for work' so to speak?

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Carry out the repairs over time. The wiper wont function without power, and power can only be supplied when switched, so doubt its the motor.

 

[hades-]

Carry out the repairs over time. The wiper wont function without power, and power can only be supplied when switched, so doubt its the motor.

thats not right my A3 and my avant went stupid when switched off
and it was a leak in the lid from the washer tube sending it daft
the avant did dry out but the A3 needed a new motor.

 

[murran]

id chop it in. it'd be really bad luck if you replaced all these things then the chain in the back of the head let go.

whatever the engine these b6's dont seem to age well without throwing lots of money at them. esp. the "awa" fsi engine.

 

[starnon]

Ach, these are all minor things, I was expecting a post about engine or gearbox failure! Rear wiper not working? Just leave it. Rubber brake hoses need replacing? Wait until it fails and mot first.

It's an old car so try not to be so anxious about these little things. B7 Slines are nice but are they really worth 5 times more than a B6 which is virtually an identical car but without the large "tailgater" front grill?

 

[NathanA4Avant]

Cheers for the input. I guess for now i'll hang on to it. Wiper sorted today with a new motor. Was driving me round the bend.

Ill keep an eye on it this winter, and see how it does me. The only reason for getting the B7 was i could still use my roof bars/winter wheels, and getting something 5 years old instead of 9.

Thanks again.

 

[swarcup]

new pod for a temp guage? I know audi dont sell them but get a second hand pod from ebay any b6 petrol or diesel and swap the temp guage over, I did it and it for 15 quid and will only take half an hour.make sure its a b6 as they changed the needles on the b7. found out the hard way lol

 

[bugwhizz]

I'd be keeping it, do the maintenance in dribs and drabs.

Brake hoses are consumables, i expect to replace them on mine this mot time, they aint expensive!

And as the guy above said, don't worry too much about it until it fails an MOT, fix what you need to!

 

[NathanA4Avant]

new pod for a temp guage? I know audi dont sell them but get a second hand pod from ebay any b6 petrol or diesel and swap the temp guage over, I did it and it for 15 quid and will only take half an hour.make sure its a b6 as they changed the needles on the b7. found out the hard way lol

PM coming your way.