Maybe out with the old and maybe in with the new, advice and courage needed.

Hello you lot, this is odd, I own an 8L and I'm posting in the 8P section. There is a reason though.

Lets start at the start, My current car is A3 AUM 1.8t 3dr 2001 with most of the usual mods, I've had it for 3 years spent many hours in it as well as on it, I bought it at 126000 miles and its now at 181000 which is amazing and to be honest its been flawless apart from if I've done something wrong modding it.

When I bought the car I had no responsibilities really so all my time went on it (you know what its like having the bug). However now, I have loads including my 5 month old son which started a problem "the car seat" "the shopping" and "the pram" = practicality almost 0. My partner family and friends have been hinting to get rid and go for something more practical but I've been stubborn stood my ground. But then a couple of week back the clutch pedal clip snapped! This is the 1st time in 3 years and 55000 miles its had to be recovered, it was gutting, it let me down. With this and the practicality issue, I have been looking in to something new.

Soooo....Ive been looking at a 2005 8p2 2.0 TFSI Quattro Sportback 5door full leather with 130000 miles on. My partner made a deal that as long as I got a practical reliable car then I could choose it. I actually wanted an s-line sportback but they are rare and out of my budget so I gone for the next best thing down. Ive always wanted to say "fire up the Quattro" and have full leather, that's why I've chosen the above.

The car im looking at is cheap was up for £3410 I got him to £3350 but I want more off of it not because I'm greedy but there are a few issues :
1. No history at all apart from what I've checked online.
2. MOT Due in may so it's only 5 months although I have an MOT'r who's not anal about things.
3. The car lot had those things on top of the car with the for sale sign on it, during the winds recently the roof got scratched a fair bit as did a lot of the other cars in his yard, to be fair I would prob vinyl the roof instead of painting, I told the bloke it would need respraying
4. The belt looks like it hasn't had a change in a while, there's no cracking etc infact it looks like the engine has spent most time in the dark.
5. I've not taken it for a test drive as yet and the esp light is on, he said the battery had been disconnected and it should go out when its driven suppose ill find out on a test drive.
6. There is a little bit of oil on the right hand side at the top of the block not loads similar to my 1.8t looks like rocker cover gasket.
7. an online check shows it hasn't been taxed since 1st of sept 2014 so it may have been stood a while.

The good things are:

1. The engine starts no odd noises and stays at temp and ticks over smooth.
2. Dolphin grey looks immaculate apart from the roof issue, no dings or anything.
3. Aircon works.
4. All electrics work inc lights, radio etc
5. Interior is immaculate, leather has no signs of use although passenger side speaker grill has a crack and passenger window switch is worn a bit.
6. HPI is clear, no past insurance issues, not stolen etc (online check).
7. Wheels and tyres are all good.
8. Pads look new and discs look well too.

I know I still need to test drive it which will tell a lot more.

I'm going to be really optimistic and offer him £2500 lol and make a big thing of the issues above. I don't mind no history, I would have the belt changed anyway and do all the service 1st all the other bits are relatively easy to sort and as allways ill do it myself.

So, what do you think? am I fair in asking what I'm asking the trader? I know a lot of people would walk away but I have a budget and standards and I don't mind taking a risk did the same with the 8L and its turned out ok. The bits and bobs can be paid for from the sale of the 8L

Next for the future, is it an easy engine like the 1.8t i.e. to work on, mod etc is there any bits I can use from the 8l an the 8p such as forge dv?

Thanks for reading and maybe ill have a new car after reading your comments (maybe I wont)

Look forward to hearing your advice and comments

Cheers Sandra (as always) and shaun.
I have vagcom which I will be taking the next time I go down for the test drive its an ebay one BUT it will read and clear codes all I need to know is where is the odb port an an 8p2 lol

Thanks AudiA3JJ Mileage is checked and verified it has log book and MOT it may be worth mentioning it's only had one owner, it also has some private plate transfer documents with it, I checked the oil cap already and it was clean, oil was topped up to the max mark too. I will do the suspension check before I take her out for a test drive, is there any 8p specific problems I should be looking for. I've just emailed the seller and made the offer of £2500 which was rather low lol and he's come back with £3250 think I might be cheeky and do a final offer at £3000, I put the car in to we buy any car with all "problems mileage etc" and they offered me £4400 so I may be pushing it a bit, but hey I'm a determined person when I want something lol

nrm1969 said:

Just be aware that an 8p Sportback might not be the practical answer, we could only fit the pushchair in diagonally in the boot despite it fitting crossways in a MkV Golf.
By the age of two our Daughter was walking everywhere so we gave up on the pushchair and now there is loads of space for all our stuff when going on holiday.

Click to expand...

My 8L boot wasn't helped by a sub in the boot to be honest, the practicality issue wasn't just the boot, it was more the doors, getting in and out and putting a baby seat in the back was just a nightmare so we were using it in the front, but then adults would have to sit in the back so if I was dropping someone off it meant either me getting out to let them out or moving the baby seat to let them out and then putting it back in. It sounds daft but something as simple as kids and leather are better than kids and cloth too, I have done some thinking lol. and another thing insurance is £80 cheaper fully comp.

Will my 8L LED interior, numberplate and sidelight bulbs fit in the 8p?