Talk me out of buying a high mileage '07 A4 Avant

[George Todd]

Hello everyone,

This is my first posting here, so please forgive me if I break any rules.

I'm looking at purchasing a '07 A4 Avant 2.0 TDi S-Line with 169k miles. It's got the BRE engine and a full service history including two cambelt changes @ 80k & 140k.

It's listed for around £2,500 (I don't think it's worth that much. Possibly £2,200 at most considering the service history, Bose stereo and interior package)

I haven't been for a test drive yet so that will be the deciding factor but I wanted your opinion on the price / if I'm out of my mind even considering it.

Thanks very much!

George

 

[Damian_S]

Open ended question, what's the history like? Has it have regular servicing, cambelt done? Clutch and flywheel?, oil pump balance shaft? Etc etc you could be buying a heap or your could be buying a well maintain bargain that will do another 100k.

 

[Pie-eyedpiper]

I echo that, buying any used car is a lottery.
My particular one (08 same model) on 156k has been my most reliable Audi.
You'll need the factor in at least another £500, fitted, for the oil pump balance shaft.

 

[George Todd]

Open ended question, what's the history like? Has it have regular servicing, cambelt done? Clutch and flywheel?, oil pump balance shaft? Etc etc you could be buying a heap or your could be buying a well maintain bargain that will do another 100k.

Afaik its had regular services with a FSH to go with it. It’s had two cambelt changes: one at 80k and another 140k Miles. It’s also had a new MAF recently I think. Not sure about the balance shaft. It’s the BRE engine though, so it doesn’t suffer from the major problems as the BLB does afaik.

 

[Damian_S]

As I said luck of the draw, I'm not a fan of long life services, 10k is plenty for oil, 20k causes issues, so for the £30 genuine filter and quantum oil costs change it frequently . If the body is good and tidy, the history adds up go for it, just have some cash in reserve for emergency repairs, it is after all an old car.

 

[Charlie Farley]

To be honest chap only you can be the judge to buy or avoid.
It sounds like you have albut sold it to yourself really, so why not take it for a test drive and let that experience guide your decision.
Ultimately your decision really, if it feels right to you then that's all that really matters, if you need someone else to talk you out of buying it then it's not the car for you.
best of luck with it.

 

[Gazwould]

£30 genuine filter ??

BRE the 77mm oil pump drive timebomb.

 

[Gazwould]

As I said luck of the draw, I'm not a fan of long life services, 10k is plenty for oil, 20k causes issues, so for the £30 genuine filter and quantum oil costs change it frequently . If the body is good and tidy, the history adds up go for it, just have some cash in reserve for emergency repairs, it is after all an old car.

Not that a B7 is going to get main dealer serviced these days .

 

[George Todd]

£30 genuine filter ??

BRE the 77mm oil pump drive timebomb.

That’s sort of what I wanted to hear. So the BRE engine still has balance shaft / oil pump problems?

This particular car has made it to 170k on the original pump. Does that mean it’s one of the few good ones or does that mean it’s just about hanging in there? Most pump / shafts go well before 100k.

 

[Gazwould]

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...e-definitive-guide-audi-vw-skoda-seat.140949/

 

[Pie-eyedpiper]

That’s sort of what I wanted to hear. So the BRE engine still has balance shaft / oil pump problems?

This particular car has made it to 170k on the original pump. Does that mean it’s one of the few good ones or does that mean it’s just about hanging in there? Most pump / shafts go well before 100k.

I had mine changed at 150k and the hex key was rounding off.
There probably really isn't a good one, just varying degrees of bad
As soon as I was made aware of it I had the parts on order. You really don't want to risk an engineer me rebuild.

 

[Pie-eyedpiper]

for the £30 genuine filter

What do you class as s genuine oil filter?
Quality ones are Bosch, Mann and Purfilter that I always use. About a fiver each. I do mine every 6k.

 

[tr7]

It's about £38 in total for oil and filter for genuine parts from TPS

 

[Damian_S]

I think genuine filters a Mann if I recall, I'll check next time I buy one as its printed on them.

My £30 referred to what I pay for 5ltr longlife 3 oil and an oil filter, not just the filter!

 

[Damian_S]

I think genuine filters a Mann if I recall, I'll check next time I buy one as its printed on them.

My £30 referred to what I pay for 5ltr longlife 3 oil and an oil filter, not just the filter!

 

[Gazwould]

They are but still a mixture .

Having had most I prefer the build quality of Hengst and Bosch .

 

[tr7]

Gaz, what car and with what engine do you drive?

 

[Gazwould]

3B6 Passat with 1.9 AVF and S204 C250 CDI 2.1 OM651 .