2005 A4 3.0tdi. Looking to buy, 92k on the clock. Few questions please!

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Lamberto

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Hello all!

I'm new to the forum after lurking about for an age. I'm looking at buying this A4: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509187023843?page=1&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&onesearchad=used,nearlynew,new&engine-size-cars=3l_to_3-9l&fuel-type=diesel&postcode=bd215ee&sort=default&transmission=manual&make=audi&logcode=p

Car seems okay from the advert, needs some TLC and the alloys are naff and would get replaced straight away. This is about the limit of my budget (5k) and is specced as I would be happy with. Going to have a look at it on Thursday however wont be buying straight away. Doesnt mention FSH so will look into that too.

Have scoured the forums and from what I can see this model is pretty bulletproof and doesn't seem to be much going wrong. Is there anything I need to be aware of or any red flags about this car other than the obvious. I'm taking my dad with me to view the car as he is a mechanic, any heads up prior would be great.

I've read mixed on the net - am I correct in thinking that this car is the model without a DPF filter? Also the engine power and acceleration don't seem to match up on the advert, as I believe this car came in either 201/230bhp v6 tdi models for its age, is there a way for me to correctly check which this is?

If there are threads like this, please direct me forwards to these, however I haven't found many!

Thanks
Chris :)
 
On a cold start up listen for timing chain clatter, lasts for about two or three seconds after it fires up, then after your test drive & it's good & warm start it up two or three times again, timing chains stretch there's three of the buggers at the back of the engine so it's engine out to replace & lots of money, also let it idle for two or three minuets then rev it up, any smoke/ fumes then your looking at replacing the injectors, again mega bucks.
 
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great thanks for letting me know. It does seem cheap compared to other models of similar spec and age so I'm trying to work out what (if anything) is amiss!
 
This car is a very basic spec. just the leather added, so no surprise it's price is low compared to others.
If the correct grade oil and regular oil changes have been done there shouldn't be a problem with the chains. Chattery noise is the obvious giveaway that something is amiss. As it's getting colder these days the engine takes quite sometime for oil to get to operating temperature, allow 20mins. After that just a very light hazy smoke should come out of the exhaust but not blue smoke. DPF's didn't arrive on Audis until 2006 so that's good thing, they're a pain in the neck. Check the service book for regular oil changes, hopefully all Audi but a known Audi/VAG specialist do just as good a job.
Steering racks are expensive so check that out as well, they are electric powered and if going bad they will make 'orrid noises when driving slowly on full lock.
Don't be alarmed if the service intervals are more than 12mths. apart, it may be on Long Life Service regime, quite normal if the car was business used in it's early years. You can just revert to 12mths. service intervals when it's in your care.

To check the power/torque figures have a look at the car specs on Pistonheads/Auto trader ads for the same year and engine as this one, also Wikipedia give a good accurate rundown of the specs.
Oh, last thing, listen to Dad as dads know best.
 
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Soot1 said:
This car is a very basic spec. just the leather added, so no surprise it's price is low compared to others.
If the correct grade oil and regular oil changes have been done there shouldn't be a problem with the chains. Chattery noise is the obvious giveaway that something is amiss. As it's getting colder these days the engine takes quite sometime for oil to get to operating temperature, allow 20mins. After that just a very light hazy smoke should come out of the exhaust but not blue smoke. DPF's didn't arrive on Audis until 2006 so that's good thing, they're a pain in the neck. Check the service book for regular oil changes, hopefully all Audi but a known Audi/VAG specialist do just as good a job.
Steering racks are expensive so check that out as well, they are electric powered and if going bad they will make 'orrid noises when driving slowly on full lock.
Don't be alarmed if the service intervals are more than 12mths. apart, it may be on Long Life Service regime, quite normal if the car was business used in it's early years. You can just revert to 12mths. service intervals when it's in your care.

To check the power/torque figures have a look at the car specs on Pistonheads/Auto trader ads for the same year and engine as this one, also Wikipedia give a good accurate rundown of the specs.
Oh, last thing, listen to Dad as dads know best.
Click to expand...
Amen to listening to dad!! He is a big audi fan himself so I think he may be jealous as he is looking for an s4 now I'm after this haha...

I don't mind the low spec as I'm only 21 and the insurance on this spec is pretty great. I'm planning on putting my own touch in and getting in lowered, remap, custom or milltek exhaust and a change of alloys to maybe some rotors.

Thanks for the detailed reply, all stuff to keep in mind when I go see and try the car.. very excited
 
As above make sure you get it fully up to temp and leave it idling for a few minutes. Make sure there is no white smoke coming from the exhausts. There are issues with these engines around 2005/2006 with duff injectors.

 
And it is very clear to spot so will look out for that too, thanks! I think they did do a recall on some of the injectors for that age of car, so if lucky they might have already been replaced by audi. Doubt they would still stand up to the recall if that is not the case.
 
Lamberto said:
And it is very clear to spot so will look out for that too, thanks! I think they did do a recall on some of the injectors for that age of car, so if lucky they might have already been replaced by audi. Doubt they would still stand up to the recall if that is not the case.
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter how many years have passed since the start of the recall, the fault will be fixed.
 
Ah right! That gives me a little more confidence with the injectors then
 
Does anybody know (just for confirmation) whether the 18" audi rotor alloys will fit with a 40mm drop all around? The arch gap is massive so I'm not too worried about any rubbing or scuffing
 
Lamberto said:
Does anybody know (just for confirmation) whether the 18" audi rotor alloys will fit with a 40mm drop all around? The arch gap is massive so I'm not too worried about any rubbing or scuffing
Click to expand...

:haha: that's funny, you haven't got the car yet and planning upgrades.
 
Soot1 said:
Doesn't matter how many years have passed since the start of the recall, the fault will be fixed.
Click to expand...
I stand to be corrected but I don't think there was a recall for these injectors to be changed. Some people got some good will payments from Audi but most have to foot the bill to change them.
 
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Well guys I went and had a look at the car today and straight away my dad started the car and said ''I'm not letting you buy that son". Loads of timing chain chatter and no service history. Thanks but no thanks! Also we went to look at a 4.2 S4 for for my dad and the dealership was closed! So all in all. Not a very good day looking at cars.
 
I'm curious why a young fella like you wants a Repmobile type of car such as an A4 , it's going to feel a bit heavy compared to your light and nimble Civic.
 
Soot1 said:
I'm curious why a young fella like you wants a Repmobile type of car such as an A4 , it's going to feel a bit heavy compared to your light and nimble Civic.
Click to expand...
I've always liked Audis and my dad has always had them. I really like how the a4s look and with a few changes they look a little less.. executive? Reason I want out of the civic is it doesn't have a soul, I don't really like it and it just doesn't have anything about it. Hard to explain! Went from a 1.0 micra to my civic and I preferred the micra after about 2 months of having the civic. Strange, I know.
 
audi upgrades
I know what you mean about Japanese cars, I had a Toyota Auris recently and hated it the day after I bought it, it lasted 4 months with the Mrs and I -----she hated it as well.
 
Don't get me wrong it's a great car but I just don't love it. Just waiting for an a4 to come along now :)
 
There's plenty of A4's for sale if you don't restrict models/engines/colour. Should keep you busy going through them all. There will be one that tells you buy it, good luck.
 
Yeah there is a lot of nice a4s and current I can't stop nosying... However I have got my heart set on the 3.0tdi. It will stop me from wanting a bigger faster car for a good few years. And even then I can just remap instead of changing car!
 
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