2002 Audi A4 1.8T - 70k miles - thoughts?

Mr. Larson

Hi folks, talked a mate [with a budget of 8-10k wanting a nice motor] into giving serious consideration to an Audi A4 1.8T, 2002 with 70k miles.

It's got a f.s.h. and we've negotiated a 6month warranty with the garage who are giving it a full service and a valet and replacing the timing belt. 2 owners, original was U.K. owner then it was imported to Ireland by owner #2.

All seems fine, we took it for a spin, he likes it, just wondering what ppl think about these in general. Any known issues with Turbo or other big jobs needed post 70k? Asking price was 8,995 with 3 month warranty, we knocked it to 8 even with a 6 month warranty (we had to walk away from the deal but got called back to get it).... did we do O.K. do you think or did we get shafted?

I think we did O.K. personally.

Would be interested in hearing thoughts on (a) the deal, (b) buying a 70k petrol turbo car in general, a high risk or not? (c) will it be troublesome / expensive to run from here on in?

Thanks in advance.

Mr. Larson

I should add it's taxed for next 6 months and NCT for next year is done.

Ferris

They're pretty reliable, known issues are the air flow meter and the coil packs. Both are easily diagnosed. The 1.8T engine is a great engine for power and driveability, its quite economical if driven easily too. Really for 6k its a nice comfortable car, low miles, service history and with a decent engine. Might be difficult to shift as its a petrol vs all the 1.9tdi's but for an A4 it would be the engine I would choose (bar the s4 obviously).

Another thing, if he buys it these need fully synthetic oil.

Neilw

As was stated already, the 1.8t is a good strong engine. Coilpacks do sometimes give problems but I'm of the opinion that if all 4 packs are replaced with genuine audi coil packs as soone as one fails they should not go agan for a long time.

Maf's are more of a problem on tdi's, not really an issue on the 1.8t.

Make sure the car is run on the right oil and change it every 6k, the logditudal orientated engine in the A4 has a small sump and therefor a smaller oil capacity and can be prone to sludge buildup. This can block the oil pickup and starve the engine of oil leading to failure.

Replace the waterpump and tensioner if the t-belt is being done, the original water pump has a plastic impellar and can crack over time leading to overheating. Some people replace the water pump with one fitted with a brass impellar.

If you do buy the car, get it remapped, transforms the car
Hope this helps.

Neil.

tossy

Neilw wrote: »

As was stated already, the 1.8t is a good strong engine. Coilpacks do sometimes give problems but I'm of the opinion that if all 4 packs are replaced with genuine audi coil packs as soone as one fails they should not go agan for a long time.

Maf's are more of a problem on tdi's, not really an issue on the 1.8t.

Make sure the car is run on the right oil and change it every 6k, the logditudal orientated engine in the A4 has a small sump and therefor a smaller oil capacity and can be prone to sludge buildup. This can block the oil pickup and starve the engine of oil leading to failure.

Replace the waterpump and tensioner if the t-belt is being done, the original water pump has a plastic impellar and can crack over time leading to overheating. Some people replace the water pump with one fitted with a brass impellar.

If you do buy the car, get it remapped, transforms the car
Hope this helps.

Neil.

+1 on all of that.

Lovely cars.

TestTransmission

Sorry for hijacking the thread but on the issue of the remap,is there anything that should be upgraded before a remap is done,such as the clutch,brakes,etc

tossy

Nope the TT comes with decent Brakes as standard i.e 312mm same as MK5 GTI,skoda VRS etc.

Depending on the mileage on the car and how it has been driven you might get some clutch slippage after a remap,i.e if there is 90k on the car and its had a hard life then a remap will just accelerate the clutch wear,and the clutch will give in but it was something that was going to happen anyway.Replacing with a OEM clutch will see you right as long as you aren't going looking for any more power.

9 out 10 cars i've seen remapped including my own cars have never experienced any clutch problems.

EDIT All of the above applies to the TT as for some reason i thought this thread was about a TT,the 1.8T brakes are not so hot as standard,and neither is the suspension,still a lovely car.

TestTransmission

Thanks,it is something that I will definitely look into and hopefully get done.

VolvoMan

If it's a UK import it would be worth finding out if the mileage is correct by getting the original UK reg and doing a HPI check. The Audi A4 is quite a commonly clocked car and if it's a UK import you should be doubly as vigilant.

tossy

Anyone with VAGcom will also be able to check if the mileage is correct.

Ferris

tossy wrote: »

+1 on all of that.

I would also add to make sure the Haldex oil and filter has been changer every 35-40k miles,this is the oil in haldex clutch assembly situated at the rear of the car that engages the 4wd when needed,if this oil has not been changed it can mean trouble,i say make sure it has been done as i have heard stories of Irish VW/Audi garages not even having the Haldex tool needed to change the Oil,which is shocking.

I don't think the car the OP is asking about is a quattro.

tossy

Did i mention the are lovely cars

Ferris

tossy wrote: »

If its an original UK car the its 4wd all UK spec TT's were.

Its an A4 1.8t

tossy

ha ha so it is! well i need to stop working so hard,i was in work when i wrote the original message and for some reason saw TT in the title!

Oops!

wba88

Would your friend be interested in a

2002 Audi A4
2.0L
41,000 miles with full service history
NCT till Aug 2010
Taxed till December 2009

PM me if you are interested

tossy

You'd make better progress on a donkey than the you would on a 2.0A4

TestTransmission

tossy wrote: »

ha ha so it is! well i need to stop working so hard,i was in work when i wrote the original message and for some reason saw TT in the title!

Oops!

ur not mad,I saw TT aswell

Neilw

jackncoke wrote: »

ur not mad,I saw TT aswell

Your all mad.....I saw audi 1.8t

Ferris

OP what about this, same(ish) engine for over 1k less for what looks like a really nice motor with the timing belt just done at 60k. The leather interior is lovely on these too.