buying 2005 Audi a3: advice needed!

luvinit

Hi guys,
I need some advice about buying a car! I don't really know anything about engines etc. but I have put a deposit on what i think is a lovely 2005 Audi A3. The price is 10k so I think thats reasonable. There is 64,000 miles on the clock. They advertised it as having a full service history but when I looked at the service book, it has 2 audi dealers services listed, one in 2007, one in 2008. The garage I am buying from is not an audi dealer but they said they would give it a full service before I get it (the service indicator light is on) Is the fact there has only been 2 services on it something to worry about?
I also asked them about changing the timing belt, they said they would do it at 80,000 miles, is this right? my bf was saying it shud have been done at 60000 miles. They are offering a 6 month warranty for engine, parts and labour but the timing belt is not covered in it. Should I get them to do the timing belt now?
Is there anything else that I should be looking out for?

Any advice appreciated!

EPM

If it's a 1.6 I have the same engine in my car and I was advised at the last service that the timing belt changes have been revised to 90k km (about 55k miles) from 100k km on these so it's due a belt change.

People say it's not the best engine in the world and while it is noisy when you rev it (and can be thirsty too) it's fine for what it is and pulls ok. Driven sinsibley 40 to the gallon is possible.

With the service history, ring the garages in question. It's possible long-life servicing was used on the car (doubles the intervals by using very good oil) or the box simply wasn't ticked. Ring them to be sure and if you feel the need get your own mechanic to give it the once over

bazz26

-Chris- knows his Audis and maybe be able to advice when the timing belt is recommended to be changed on the A3 but my guess is that it is close to being due at 60k miles. If they are unwilling to to include it under the warranty on the engine then I would either insist on them replacing it as a condition of the sale or walk away.

Given the large choice of cars out there for sale at the moment it is a buyer's market so you can afford to fussy in what you buy.

mikedragon32

If the car is an 05 reg, shouldn't it have a KM only speedo/milometer? If so, then there's only 64000KM on the clock, so nothing to worry about there.

A3s had an updated grille in 2005 too, so a later 05 one should have that, but it's purely cosmetic.

I got an 05 A3 new and it only required annual servicing (although it did need a top up of the oil after 6 months), so it might be possible that a) the service just wasn't stamped, but that would be unusual or b) the car was bought in late 2005 and service was held over until the start of 07.

WRT the warranty they're offering, I'd push for a year to include everything. 6 months is pretty crap for a car that's only 4 years old.

Does it have its NCT?

luvinit

it had something like 98000km on it. They said the timing belt wouldn't be covered in the 6 month warranty. I had a look at some other 05 A3's and they were all a couple of grand dearer...which i can't stretch to :-( Do you think this is a too good to be true deal? I tried my hardest to get them to extend the guarantee but no luck. I know it might be just sales talk but he said there was another girl wanted it. I'm finding it hard to walk away from
What is the norm for guarantee on second hand cars?
It was first registered in may 05 so NCT is due on it. They said they would guarantee it for that.

nesa_2007

go with the 10k cash put it in front of him and say i want a years guarentee and the timing belt changed and a warranty 4 the nct he will do it if he sees the cash. and if he dont theres so much cars out there 4 such good prices at the moment maybe condsider bringin in 1 from the uk

bazz26

So the car is being sold without the timing belt changed and is due it's NCT?

From what you have said so far it seems to me that the car is priced cheaper than nearest one because of the above items that need doing.

So add up the difference between the cost of this one and the cost of the next cheapest similar model. Then take into account that you will have to budget for changing the timing belt (not changing it might cost you a whole new engine, its a gamble). Also I would expect a 4 year old car to pass it's first NCT but again don't take it for granted that it will.

BTW did you take a look at this one:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1383326

AWD

luvinit wrote: »

it had something like 98000km on it. They said the timing belt wouldn't be covered in the 6 month warranty. I had a look at some other 05 A3's and they were all a couple of grand dearer...which i can't stretch to :-( Do you think this is a too good to be true deal? I tried my hardest to get them to extend the guarantee but no luck. I know it might be just sales talk but he said there was another girl wanted it. I'm finding it hard to walk away from
What is the norm for guarantee on second hand cars?
It was first registered in may 05 so NCT is due on it. They said they would guarantee it for that.

Cool -It... before you part with 10k cash.... which every dealer wants just now. Stop. I remember thinking that this car, the only one there will ever be ....and so on so forth.... take at least a month out , sus out as many people as you can who are in the know. The're are loads of A3's out there.. Get to know The Market value of Car you wish to buy... read reviews, Specs, insurance, resale... spare parts costs... search for problems with it on the web (subjective I know). 10 K cash is a lot of money.... If you have saved this much.... you should think twice as long before spending it.

colm_mcm

10k gets a lot of car these days, IMO a 1.6 A3 isn't a lot of car, especially when it needs money spent on it as a matter of urgency.

BeepBeep

So luvinit did you buy the 05 A3 in the end?

i'm in the same position at the mo. I'm looking at cars and I'm thinking the A3 or a Honda Civic. I can get the Civic in the 06 model for 10k but I struggle to get an A3 for 10k.

There's lots of talk about there being great deals out there, but I'm not seeing it. I don't think I trust a private sale so maybe I'm just not bargaining enough with the dealers?

Any advice or thoughts between the two car options?

BeepBeep!

mini mouse

I just got a 04 a3 2litre tdi sport last week and im loving it!!!!
power, fuel efficiency, comfort and looks!!
and yeah it is tough to find them at 10k but if you've got cash ready and a good eye on the sites you'll find one for 10k ( i did! it was on the net 2hours when i called about it.....by the time i went up the next day to collect it she had to turn off her phone she had gotten so many calls....and no it wasnt just sales talk .....!!!

have you been looking @ usedcarsni.com?? and also ulstertrader.com??? well worth keeping an eye out!!! also donedeal.ie is great!!

good luck with you're search....let us know what ya find

BeepBeep

Thanks for the sites mini mouse! I hadn't seen all of them so I'll take a look today.

I was hoping to the the 2005 with the single grill on the front for 10k but that dream is slipping! Will probably stick to the 04 myself now too.

mini mouse

yeah i was kinda hoping for the new front grill too but the one i got was so clean and such a good price i couldnt say no!!!
are you hoping for petrol or diesel??

BeepBeep

Ideally diesel but that would be a bonus, I saw a nice 2003 the first weekend I was looking "new shape" for the 03 version and all. I nearly bought it but I'm glad i held off now as I reckon I can get the 04 like yourself for the same money.

mini mouse

yeah def if you can hold out a week or so im sure somethin 'll come up!!