how to check car before buy??? (is it 100bhp or 130bhp???)

flatpack

sorry if this question is answered already.

i m looking at different adds on different sites and I found this advertised at carzone Audi A4 1.9 TDI 130bhp but when i enter car reg on cartell web site it says 100bhp. Its false advertisement or something else??????

By taking advantage of this post can some one please through some light on coz I m trying to find car I can have for next 5 to 6 years,
Traction Control
Climate Control
Immobiliser
Sports Suspension
Cruise Control

Gregor Samsa

It could be remapped to 130bhp, which is fairly legitimate (assuming it's been done correctly)

I assume you're looking for definitions of the items in the list?

Here's very quick ones, there's whole articles dedicated to each if you do a web search if you want more information...

• Traction Control: safety feature to stop wheels spinning in wet conditions, etc.
  
• Climate Control: air conditioning that you can set at a specific temperature.
  
• Immobiliser: security feature which prevents engine from running unless the correct key is present
  
• Sports Suspension: stiffer suspension, that improved holding and reduces "roll" when cornering
  
• Cruise Control: allows you to set the car at a given speed, so you don't need to leave your foot on the accelerator

Edit: Apologies if you're looking for a car with these features, and you know what they are already, just your post isn't clear...

flatpack

phutyle thanks for reply
sorry! i was looking for info how to verify about all these technologies as most seller's add all these things so i wanted to know is there anyway to verify these things for people like me (who don't have much knowledge in cars). or i need some expert beside me when i m buying???
if some car is remapped then that car must be heavy on fuel???? and off course you have to explain to your insurance company its non standard car and modified which again heavy on insurance, am i right???

Stevie Dakota

Best way to verify the spec is to get the chassis number and phone Audi, they may tell you exactly what is on the car. I know Mercedes and BMW do this in the UK.

seasam

I think a 130bhp should be a 6 speed

Gregor Samsa

Ah, I see...

One way to confirm the car has them is to go look at the car, but you don't need an expert.

As far as I know, Audi call their Traction Control "ASR", so it should have a button saying that. Other manufactures have other names for it, and so other things written on the button.

Climate control should have an air condition system where you can set a temperature to a specific degree or half a degree (and not just a cold -> hot dial)

Most cars with an Immobiliser have a light in the dash with an icon of a car with a little key in it

Cruise Control: there should be buttons on the steering wheel (or on a stalk beside it) that obviously aren't for the radio, but different cars will have different icons or words on them. Ask the seller to demonstrate the Cruise Control if you're suspicious - they should be able to drive the car at a constant speed with their foot off the accelerator after pressing a few buttons.

Ferris

From memory a quick way of finding the original engine power in any VAG car is to look for 1 of two stickers. 1 should be in the boot beside the spare wheel well and another should be in the back of the owners manual. This sticker will have the kilowatt output of the engine. 130hp == 96KW. (The sticker also has the paint code of the car and its vin number if I remember correctly).

Tip: If the sticker is not in the spare wheel well then the car might have been rear ended and refinished. Look for overspray and lumps and bumps in the wheel well to confirm this.

Number Nine

seasam wrote: »

I think a 130bhp should be a 6 speed

UK spec Audi A4 130bhp comes standard in 5 speed with 6 speed been an option .

The 5 or 6 letters before the chassis number will show what BHP the car is . If you ring Audi service dept and ask them what letters equate to a 130bhp , it will save you having to check chassis numbers with a audi dealer every time you look at a car.

Moanin

Drive it and you will know whether it's a 130bhp or not. There is a big difference between the 2 engines.

Number Nine

Moanin wrote: »

Drive it and you will know whether it's a 130bhp or not. There is a big difference between the 2 engines.

Moanin has a point .

But I have seen 100bhp remapped to 130 and its hard to tell the difference with a original 130bhp.

Try to get a 5 speed , it a better car to drive .

flatpack

phutyle wrote: »

As far as I know, Audi call their Traction Control "ASR", so it should have a button saying that. Other manufactures have other names for it, and so other things written on the button

i thought thats automatic

* Retard or suppress the spark to one or more cylinders
* Reduce fuel supply to one or more cylinders
* Brake one or more wheels
* Close the throttle, if the vehicle is fitted with drive by wire throttle.
* In turbo-charged vehicles, the boost control solenoid can be actuated to reduce boost and therefore engine power.
Wikipedia.

Number Nine wrote: »

Moanin has a point .
But I have seen 100bhp remapped to 130 and its hard to tell the difference with a original 130bhp. Try to get a 5 speed , it a better car to drive.

i do 100miles every day that mean i don't want anything heavy on fuel so 100bhp or 130bhp? (so about remapped i don't really like that idea)

sorry adding another question here,
what about uk reg for sale in Irish web sites? can i buy one and pay vrt myself (what risks or +/- are on those ones?)

Gregor Samsa

flatpack wrote: »

i thought thats automatic

Traction Control does kick in automatically when needed, but most cars have a button to turn it off.

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/tools/glossary/chassis_body/traction_control__ASR_.html

"ASR can be deactivated with the ESP switch."

- so look for a switch with ESP on it (not ASR)

mickdw

Find the engine kw rating on the stickers as described above and you will at least know what the engine is supposed to put out in terms of power. Multiply the Kw figure by 1.35 approx. to get the bhp.
so 96 kw = 130 bhp
73 kw = 100 bhp

so stick to cars with the 96kw sticker. The service book that came with the car from new (the book with the service stamps) should have the very same sticker attached to the front cover. Check this to be sure everything adds up.

ever d student

Hi does anyone know where to buy second hand/ new cars up north? I'm looking for a BMW or a Honda.

Thanks

Gregor Samsa

ever d student wrote: »

Hi does anyone know where to buy second hand/ new cars up north? I'm looking for a BMW or a Honda.

Maybe try posting in this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055568844

DivX

I have an Audi same as that, it was originally imported from the uk and when i checked it on cartell, the site specifies that its the 100bhp model, when in fact its the 130bhp version (i checked it up on a uk site using the original reg).

You can also tell from the engine code, if it starts with AWX then its the 130bhp version.

Rear TDI badge is also a give away, the i on the tdi badge signifies the 130bhp version, whereas a friend with an identical car but a silver i, has the 100bhp version of the engine.

Gumbo

DivX wrote: »

I have an Audi same as that, it was originally imported from the uk and when i checked it on cartell, the site specifies that its the 100bhp model, when in fact its the 130bhp version (i checked it up on a uk site using the original reg).

You can also tell from the engine code, if it starts with AWX then its the 130bhp version.

Rear TDI badge is also a give away, the i on the tdi badge signifies the 130bhp version, whereas a friend with an identical car but a silver i, has the 100bhp version of the engine

best not to use this in your test as the badges are only a fiver in most shops and ebay. loads of people have rebadged their 90bhp cars as the 130bhp ones.

but the chassis number will help alot and also ths boot and service book stickers.

DivX

I agree on the badges, also engine number should be on the top of the timing belt cover (label with barcode), easily spotted and read when the bonnet is raised.

flatpack

thanks guys for help, i'll let u know if i fine something new.