Questions Before Buying

[Mikal]

Alright ladies and gents.

I've decided on getting a 2004 2.0 A3 TDi Sport and it'll be my play thing for the next 2 years I'd imagine.

Basically, I have a budget of around £4k, not much I know, but enough to get me something. I have been scouring the web the past couple days and been in touch with a few sellers. One I have come across looked nice and had 125k on the clock, which is the ball-park mileage I'm expecting for the price, but after some questioning turns out that the cam belt, tensioners nor water pump have been changed at all, but apparently regular servicing has been taken place.

So a couple questions I have which I'm hoping someone can advise me on are:

1) Due to these not being changed, what price would I be expected to pay to get these replaced? I did a bit of research and seen some threads in various forums which state around £350-400, but they were oldish threads and I'm not sure how things have changed since then.

2) Is there likely to be any additional problems I should be expecting due to the above?

3) Would a motor like this be worth purchasing for around the £3,000 mark (bit of a vague question I know, but see what you can come up with)

4) Should I stay clear anyway and look for another?

Finally... 5) What is the max mileage I should realistically be looking at for an '04 model and within my price range? Because 125k seems pretty top end to me, but what do I know!

Anyway, thanks in advance!!

 

[Ironborn]

Go with your gut, I would stay well clear. Definitely need to get it inspected. Has the turbo been changed? Are you not able to save up a bit? 2 years is a long time.

 

[Mikal]

My gut does say stay clear, and I think I will. Possibly be me being impatient and driving around in my current car has got me wanting a new car asap.

I do have more funds but I didn't want to put it all into a car as I will only be working for the next 4 months or so. Up until then it will just be doing short journeys to work, and then come September I am back at University doing my final year, when it'll be mostly used for motorway miles. And for rolling down the window and doing that Mr Bean look at the ladies.

I could possibly push to £5k, but again, I don't really want to be eating too much into my savings which I'll need for over-priced course books, beer and STI checks.

 

[Rom]

Thats pretty low end of the price scale imo.
Ive been looking lately. I bought a trade in at work, and the closest example i could find, spec and mileage wise, was 5.5k.

Thats Leather / Alcantara, Cruise, Bose, and loads of stuff Im not sure if its normal spec for a sport or still extra. Leather armrest etc etc. Full Audi history, cambelt etc changed.

You could always buy my E46 330d Sport lol

 

[crunchie]

Personally I'd be going for something like this.
Far too much to go wrong with the early 2.0 TDi's including the porous cylinder head, turbo etc.

2005 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GT FSI 3dr

 

[_G_]

1. Just because a cam belt service costs around £300 does not mean they will knock 300 off... more like meet you half way and knock off 150 or so. Cam belt, tensioner and water pump are essential. The way to play it would be... if the car has official Audi service history and it has the cam belt change indicated clearly at a relevant mileage then that is fine. If it is private/no invoices for the claimed cam belt then I would budget for a cam belt. So yes, £300 for the belt and pulley/tensioner kit and then £100 or so for the water pump as well.

2. Check this thread for a start: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3...is/56442-buying-a3-tdi-2-0-common-faults.html and you can search on here too as its a good resource from people who own/have owned a 2.0 TDi or similar...

3. Parker's guide is useful if you are stuck with this. It costs a few quid for 24 hours use.. punch in the mileage and what extras the car has and it gives you a pretty good idea of how much you should be looking to pay. Otherwise, it is hard to say without looking at the car... test driving it... inspecting the panels/paint etc. because condition can vary from poor, average to good.

4. Follow your gut and here is some more advice: Buying a used car | AA I was looking at a BMW 320d (2008) today and the guy said to me: "Someone has their eye on it and took a look at it today, they were going to come in later and put a deposit down but I can sell it to you now for XXXXX." I'm blunt and told the guy to cut the salesman talk. He didn't and it went from one ear to the other and out... by that time I had lost interest and walked away...

5. Possible inspiration: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/general-chat/155625-high-mileage-club.html

 

[jayorme]

I own a 2003 Audi 2.0TDI Sport with 135K

Cars had a FULL Service every 10k from new but since Xmas its still had to have a new Clutch, Turbo and I've replaced the Cam Belt and Water Pump.

At the mileage your talking about they will all need doing soon.

My Costs were:
CamBelt and Water Pump - £300
Turbo and Fitting - £500
Clutch - £650

Cheers
Jay

 

[Mikal]

I know it's the low end and I understand you get what you pay for, which is why I am only interested in keeping it for a year or 2. May fall in love with it and get a better model at the end of that time. It's something I want to get for the moment rather than a long term investment and I can't really bring myself to getting and 'ordinary' day-to-day car.

 

[Mikal]

I own a 2003 Audi 2.0TDI Sport with 135K

Cars had a FULL Service every 10k from new but since Xmas its still had to have a new Clutch, Turbo and I've replaced the Cam Belt and Water Pump.

At the mileage your talking about they will all need doing soon.

My Costs were:
CamBelt and Water Pump - £300
Turbo and Fitting - £500
Clutch - £650

Cheers
Jay

Thanks for the reply, very helpful! I think I'll be staying clear if the turbo and clutch haven't been looked at.

 

[Mikal]

Missed these posts.

Personally I'd be going for something like this.
Far too much to go wrong with the early 2.0 TDi's including the porous cylinder head, turbo etc.

2005 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 GT FSI 3dr

Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into those Golf's as well (Golf was my other alternative).

1. Just because a cam belt service costs around £300 does not mean they will knock 300 off... more like meet you half way and knock off 150 or so. Cam belt, tensioner and water pump are essential. The way to play it would be... if the car has official Audi service history and it has the cam belt change indicated clearly at a relevant mileage then that is fine. If it is private/no invoices for the claimed cam belt then I would budget for a cam belt. So yes, £300 for the belt and pulley/tensioner kit and then £100 or so for the water pump as well.

2. Check this thread for a start: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3...is/56442-buying-a3-tdi-2-0-common-faults.html and you can search on here too as its a good resource from people who own/have owned a 2.0 TDi or similar...

3. Parker's guide is useful if you are stuck with this. It costs a few quid for 24 hours use.. punch in the mileage and what extras the car has and it gives you a pretty good idea of how much you should be looking to pay. Otherwise, it is hard to say without looking at the car... test driving it... inspecting the panels/paint etc. because condition can vary from poor, average to good.

4. Follow your gut and here is some more advice: Buying a used car | AA I was looking at a BMW 320d (2008) today and the guy said to me: "Someone has their eye on it and took a look at it today, they were going to come in later and put a deposit down but I can sell it to you now for XXXXX." I'm blunt and told the guy to cut the salesman talk. He didn't and it went from one ear to the other and out... by that time I had lost interest and walked away...

5. Possible inspiration: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/general-chat/155625-high-mileage-club.html

Appreciate this reply as well. Informative and constructive, cheers.