looking to buy a 2005 2.0 TSFI saloon - thing to look out for?

[paulczar]

as the title says i'm looking to buy a 05 plate 2.0 tsfi s-line saloon with 75k on the clock.
Are there any common faults to look out for?

I believe the Cam belt should have been changed at this point, is that correct?

I should be going to see the car tomorrow so any tips or links to other thread would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

 

[Mike.M]

A coked up head. The fsi engines suffer from it and just had the wife's engine stripped down and cleaned up as it lost power and had a lumpy idle

 

[paulczar]

Is that seeing gunk under the oil cap? Who much was that to fix?

 

[ben.w93]

Coil packs might have been changed due to a recall, the diverter valve can have a rip in them too meaning they loose power and don't feel as quick as they should. I had an 05 2.0TQ, those were the only issues it had, could do with a clutch soon too. Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[paulczar]

When to see the car yesterday in what turned out to be some sort of flash blizzard!!! So the car was under and inch of snow, which isn't ideal.

Anyway once I'd brushed the snow off the car looks good on the outside. Inside is full leather but I just felt there was something missing. I know its an 8 year old car but I dunno. Size wise its ideal for fitting the family in.

I think I'm just ruined with the condition of my current car, a y reg Toledo v5. 13 years old but only one owner and it looks like he hardly had any passengers as the seats are in great condition.

Back to the a4 and there is no service history past 2010 and 48k miles. Its currently got 77k on the clock and no info on any work being done. So I'd have to assume it needs cam belt and anything else done. Its had 4 owners. I did a data check on the car and its hardly moved since august. The dealer said he'd had it for 5 months. Which seems a long time for a dealer to hold onto a car.

Didn't get a test drive as it was behind 20 other cars plus the snow.

As I was leaving I noticed the rear drivers side skirt thing that's attached to the door was slightly away from the door. Moved it and its basically only hanging on with clips at the top. The drivers one was the same. There is no noticeable sign of it being hit on the side so does these things have a habit of unclipping themselves or coming loose?

Its possible I'm wanting too much for my money. I should probably got for a test drive tbh. Dunno how the dealer will feel with me wanting money off for the can belt plus the top level of trade in for my Toledo.

 

[rizzini7]

Is that seeing gunk under the oil cap? Who much was that to fix?

No, the fsi engines suffer from carbon build up on the intake manifold due to the way the injection works. Booking mine in when my mates free. Parts cost me about £3 per gasket. So should juts be time and labour.
Link is for a 3.2 v6 NA but you get the idea
3.2L FSI, How to inspect carbon deposit on intake valves and clean it - AudiWorld Forums

Ive also had the coil pack recall done. Its free and they changed all 6 of mine. So its just a case of ringing Audi and asking them if its been done.

 

[rizzini7]

A coked up head. The fsi engines suffer from it and just had the wife's engine stripped down and cleaned up as it lost power and had a lumpy idle

How bad was it mate? What sort of miles? Mines getting booked in soon and is on 91k so thinking it could be bad . And apparently the V6 and V8's are worse???

 

[Molnboman]

It's a buyer's market when it comes to A4 B7's in the Old Country. You were quite right to walk away...the missing service history and general nick doesn't sound good at all. There a 100's nae 1000's of A4's in the UK looking for good homes. Be patient and take your time and you'll bag yerself a good one. Do your homework for your next viewing. Audi A4 B7 2005 - Car Review | Honest John

Best of Luck,
A

 

[Mike.M]

The wifes was badly coked up at 87k miles and idled roughly. I could see cyl3 misfire with VCDS all the time.

We also got the head skimmed as it was a little suspect on just 1/3 of it while it was all off. The back of the valves were cones instead of being flat and it was generally a big mess.

I bought from TPS a full set of gaskets, valve stem seals, crankcase seal etc and it idles beautifully.......£750 later

CARS!!!!!!

 

[Molnboman]

A wise man once said "Two things in life will break your heart....one's a woman...another is a car!".....Wise words indeed.

A