1.6 audi A4. 2011. 166k miles

yellow hen

Money is tight so like alot of people we need our money to go far. We're on the market for a second car and just locally saw a 2011 a4 estate on sale for €8500 and 166k miles on the clock. I like the car, I like the practicality of the estate. Is it a bad buy?

(Not sure about timing belt changed etc yet).

yellow hen

Should comment that our mechanic hates them. My dad keeps warning me off. Expensive to maintain, they'll.break your heart etc..... is that actually true though?

Viscount Aggro

Yes. I owned one, and was surprised how many mechanical problems I had. You would think it's a solid German car. Also, Audis of this age, a lot of skangers drive them.

yellow hen

Not bothered about the skangers to be honest. But the cost of repairs, yes. What sort of problems and how costly are you talking?

User1998

In my experience these cars usually fall into the hands of people who have no desire to spend money on their cars. People who would rather delete an engine light than fix the problem, people who will defer servicing, let their NCT’s expire, use second hand parts, buy mix and match tyres. God forbid they change a timing belt. And then the next owner is left to clean up the mess.

Unless your buying something with low owners, a fresh NCT, and a good service record I would stay clear. And even at that €8,500 is crazy money for what your getting.

If I was in your position, I would buy a freshly imported VW Golf estate. Low mileage, well taken care of, petrol automatics. I’d pick these any day over a tired and battered A4

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/32889463

bazz26

There was no 1.6 engine available in the Audi A4 back in 2011. They were either 1.8 petrol or 2.0 diesel in that model.

Spending all your limited budget on just the purchase price of a 12 year old car is nuts. Cars of that age will naturally always need money spent on them either through routine maintenance where components approach the end of their natural life or fail. You always need money in reserve for that. Blowing all your budget on buying the car itself is not a good idea. Clutch/flywheel, timing belt replacement could well be on the horizon and none of them are cheap repairs. If I had a limited budget then spending it all on a 12 year old German car would not be what I'd do, your father and mechanic cannot both be wrong.

road_high

I’d be more looking at the condition of the individual car and take it on its merits as an older car

goochy

If money is tight ..u need to go for newer jap or Korean car

yellow hen

Thanks. I also think €8500 is crazy money but second hand cars are at a premium right now. We had intended on also changing our main car but we were quote dire quotes for a 4year old hyundai i40.

yellow hen

Apologies, my error on the 1.6 part. It wouldn't be spending all our money as such. It would be as much as I'm prepared to spend on a second car though.

At 160,000km I'd have thought the timings belt would already be done? Have yet to go see it but not sure we'll bother now. The No's are very resounding.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120536851#Comment_120536851

You said 166k miles? Sure it will be due its 3rd timing belt soon if the other two were replaced on time. Or the second timing belt could be well overdue. Who knows?

Richard tea

So with these high milage premium cars would a back up budget of 1.5-2k cover most of the likely expensive issues? Timing chain etc?

I had a 2013 A4 2L estate it was the B8.5 so the facelift of the 2011, lovely car to drive and extremely comfortable, it wasn't the best on diesel but offered loads of space for the dogs. I bought it at 160km, it had a full audi service history with main dealers. At 173k (when I traded it in) it needed a new AC compressor as this one had just failed, new injectors and a full service, I was quoted over 1500 euro for the work at an independent incl. parts and labour and decided to trade it in for a 1.6 130 bhp 2017 Megane GT Line Tourer.

My advice would be to stay well away from an Audi or BMW at that age and mileage as you are guarenteed for something to go and repairs are not cheap if you don't have money to put by.

At your budget, if you need a diesel I'd be looking at a Megane, Kia Ceed, i30 etc. If you can stretch the budget I would be looking at a Hyundai i40 2015+ as that's when the clutch issue was resolved with them, they do serious mileage, repairs are fairly cheap and there's a good amount to choose from.

GavPJ

€8500. Mental money.

yellow hen

Thanks all. Decision made so!