About To Buy an A4 (Questions about service history)

[Resophy]

Hi,

I am about to buy a 2009 2.0T Quattro automatic. It has 74,000 KM (46,000 miles), and it includes the Audi Certified Pre-Owned Warranty of 2 more years/80,000 KM more (50,000 miles) warranty through Audi Canada.

It is a black on black with the Technology Package, Navigation Package, Audi Drive Select & Bang & Olufsen. I am getting it for $35,000 + tax. I want to make sure that this is a good vehicle and that it has been serviced well and hasn't had major issues that I should be worried about. I am allowed to call the previous owners and I want to discuss the vehicle he owned with him. Any particular questions that I should ask him? It has had only 1 owner, and it was in Ontario, Canada.

Also, I really want LED tail lights and the 2009 don't include them - instead they have the Incandescent Tail Lights. I want to replace them with LED tail lights, should I purchase the OEM ones from Audi Canada/Germany or should I purchase aftermarket ones? I found these aftermarket LED tail lights on eBay what do you think of them?


Ultimately, is this a good vehicle to buy? It is everything I have been looking for, so I want to make sure I am making the right decision here. Should I be worried about the high mileage? The rear brakes were replaced when it went through Audi's 300-point inspect during the recertification process. I'm going to do a poll, so please consider the price, features, mileage, and let me know if you think it's worth itAny comments and advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!


Here is the service history:

Repair Date: Mileage: Description:
11/25/2008 33 Radio remote control sender removed & reinstalled

03/14/2009 8260 Test drive
03/14/2009 8260 Driver comf sys cntl module removed & reinstalled
03/14/2009 8260 Front door trim panel removed & reinstalled
03/14/2009 8260 GFF/Guided Functions
03/14/2009 8260 Technical check
03/14/2009 8260 Maintenance 8000 KM

10/15/2009 23229 GFF/Guided Functions
10/15/2009 23229 Door handle removed & reinstalled
10/15/2009 23229 Lock cylinder removed & reinstalled
10/15/2009 23229 Perform Oil Consumption Test #1
10/15/2009 23229 Perform Recall Campaign 23D6

04/21/2010 35282 GFF/Guided Functions
04/21/2010 35282 Door handle removed & reinstalled
04/21/2010 35282 Lock cylinder removed & reinstalled
04/21/2010 35282 Performed Oil Consumption Test #1

04/23/2010 35364 Test drive
04/23/2010 35364 GFF/Guided Functions
04/23/2010 35364 Lock cylinder removed & reinstalled
04/23/2010 35364 Fuel filler flap replaced
04/23/2010 35364 Fuel door positioning motor removed & reinstalled
04/23/2010 35364 Technical check

05/13/2010 36318 Fuel filler flap replaced
05/13/2010 36318 Fuel door positioning motor removed & reinstalled
05/13/2010 36318 Technical check
05/13/2010 36318 Cylinder compression checked
05/13/2010 36318 Perform Oil Consumption Test #2
05/13/2010 36318 Test drive
05/13/2010 36318 Test drive
05/13/2010 36318 Door handle removed & reinstalled
05/13/2010 36318 GFF/Guided Functions

07/27/2010 41183 Test drive
07/27/2010 41183 Readiness code US
07/27/2010 41183 Cylinder compression checked
07/27/2010 41183 Pistons removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Connecting rods checked
07/27/2010 41183 Crankshaft checked
07/27/2010 41183 Sprocket for camshaft removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Camshafts removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Upper oil pan removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Cooling system checked
07/27/2010 41183 Transmission mount removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Technical check
07/27/2010 41183 GFF/Guided Functions
07/27/2010 41183 Engine complete removed & reinstalled
07/27/2010 41183 Pistons checked
07/27/2010 41183 Manual cleaning of the intake valve
07/27/2010 41183 60 mile test drive
07/27/2010 41183 A-time for extensive insp assisted

09/02/2010 45190 Heated washer jets removed & reinstalled
09/02/2010 45190 Technical check
09/02/2010 45190 Power-assisted steering hose removed & reinstalled
09/02/2010 45190 Test drive
09/02/2010 45190 Test drive

03/08/2011 58213 Door handle removed & reinstalled
03/08/2011 58213 Lock cylinder removed & reinstalled
03/08/2011 58213 GFF/Guided functions
03/08/2011 58213 Technical check

08/11/2011 69817 Replace camshaft adjuster as per RE
08/11/2011 69817 Fuel
08/11/2011 69817 Compressor/condenser line removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Compressor removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Transmission removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Power steering pump removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Performed extensive road test
08/11/2011 69817 Refrigerant drained & filled
08/11/2011 69817 Front wheel track adjusted
08/11/2011 69817 Vehicle front & read measured
08/11/2011 69817 Subframe removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Front wheel camber adjuster
08/11/2011 69817 Compressor evaporator line removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Test drive
08/11/2011 69817 GFF/Guided Functions
08/11/2011 69817 Readiness code US
08/11/2011 69817 Technical check
08/11/2011 69817 Engine complete removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Engine carrier removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Cylinder compression check
08/11/2011 69817 Camshaft adjuster removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Cylinder head removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Test drive
08/11/2011 69817 Bonded rubber mounting removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Exchange engine completed
08/11/2011 69817 Long block completed
08/11/2011 69817 Door handle removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Technical check
08/11/2011 69817 Front seat removed & reinstalled
08/11/2011 69817 Technical check
08/11/2011 69817 Test drive

[audisline08]

If you say its everything you are looking for then get it, its your car your money?! IMO I wouldnt get an automatic, and the miles arent that bad with that service record...........my .02!!!

[bmc333]

Go with the OEM LED tails if you get the car, please thanks.

[bigblue]

Holy work done to it, what happen? the previous owner blow it up multiple times? and break into his gas door mad times?

[Crucible35]

This car has had the oil consumption test done for excessive oil consumption.
I'd be a bit leary of that but at least the original owner was getting this car looked after.
Looks like the final entry relates to the CPO process.
Regardless, With the extended warranty at least you're protected and if it has everything you want, go for it......just hope that the oil consumption didn't continue (ask the owner) so that you;re not spending a ton of time at the dealership getting it looked.

[{PMS}fishy]

This car has had the oil consumption test done for excessive oil consumption.
I'd be a bit leary of that but at least the original owner was getting this car looked after.
Looks like the final entry relates to the CPO process.
Regardless, With the extended warranty at least you're protected and if it has everything you want, go for it......just hope that the oil consumption didn't continue (ask the owner) so that you;re not spending a ton of time at the dealership getting it looked.

I'd say its fixed:

08/11/2011 69817 Exchange engine completed
08/11/2011 69817 Long block completed

[nvr_follow_a4]

That A4 sounds like a horrible deal. The service history is horrendous for a '09. I bought my 2008 A4 Quattro S-Line Titanium edition, fully-loaded w/navi certified pre-owned from Audi about a year ago with 38,000 miles for $21,000. My service history was half a page if that. Just my .02 but I'd pass as there are plenty of A4s out there to choose from. Good luck!

[STA4]

So much work done that the car has been probably been completely disassembled...haha. I bet you the original owner got sick and tired of having their car in the shop. Looks like they finally fixed the oil consumption issue, but I question why so many of the others repeat. If you're lucky, all the problems have been fixed for good, but I have a feeling that these problems are going to come back (the door handle showed up many times).

[jrod80]

Seems way overpriced for a 2009. You could get into a brand new 2012 P+ for not too much more than that. I would pass as well, much better deals out there.

[A4 Centaur]

Way too expensive for an '09. And considering the service history that car is a rolling time bomb! I would think that car would sell for closer to 30k tops.

I bought a brand new 2012 Avant Prestige for a little over 39k.

Way better deals out there!

[STA4]

Keep in mind that he's in Canada where we get screwed for everything! I'd say the price is high considering mileage.

[DrnknCamel]

I would be skeptical of a car with that much service history no matter what brand it was. I love Audi's but i made a mistake a long time ago in buying a 99.5 A4 that had a sketchy service history and I paid for it, over and over again. Cost me 4 Grand in repairs over the course of a year. Back when i didnt make much money so it hurt bad. Some cars no matter the brand are lemons and it is best to stay away from those.

However i know you are getting the warranty, but what happens in 50k miles, (which is about 1.5 years for me with how much i drive) when you run out of warranty. There are a ton of Audi's out there. It would be worth it to travel a couple of hours to get one in great condition.

Also if you look through the service history, it is a bunch of removal and re-install. Almost as if there is an issue with the car that they just cannot find. Who removes Transmissions, Engines, Sub frames, cam shafts, etc just to re-install the old one right back in the same day. It looks like they did solve it. But i bet it comes back at a later date.

[dracolnyte]

Keep in mind that he's in Canada where we get screwed for everything! I'd say the price is high considering mileage.

+1, you guys dont notice that he is in Canada, where base A4 starts at 37k, and a premium plus equivalent here is around 45k

[Resophy]

Thank you all so very much for your input. I will definitely be calling the owner and asking him about the service history and why these were performed (especially repeatedly) and why he finally decided to sell.

Regarding the LED tail lights: I'm doing research to see if I can retrofit OEM LED tail lights, as I would much prefer those even if they cost more.

As for those questioning the price, please remember I live in Canada where it is substantially more. I have been shopping around across all 40 Audi dealerships in Canada for the last few months and this seems to be the average price for an Audi CPO A4 with these specs. I also looked into purchasing in the USA where it's a faction of the price, but I would not receive the extra 2 years/80,000 KM warranty which is important to me as I want to avoid as much maintenance costs as possible. Plus after shipping, fuel, flights and miscellaneous charges, the extra work is not worth the savings for me.

Pricing aside, is this car not a good one? It looks like so far the consensus is don't buy this car due to the extensive service history. I was wondering what the removed & reinstalled were from (is it because they are removing the part to try and find the problem, and they could not find a solution so they reinstalled it?).

I appreciate all of your help as I am eager to purchase an A4 but don't want to rush it and purchase the wrong one. I want to be one of the forum members that are spending their money on modding their car and not repairing it! All input is greatly appreciated!

[cory_can]

+1, you guys dont notice that he is in Canada, where base A4 starts at 37k, and a premium plus equivalent here is around 45k

In Canada that particular car with Auto, NAV, Tech, B&O and Drive Select would have been high 50's when new.

[jrod80]

Pricing aside, I still would not buy the car. I probably wouldn't even consider it at a really good price. To me there are way too many things that have been fixed, many of them major. I would be nervous about ongoing issues after I purchased it and do not want a car that could potentially be in the shop all the time, even if it's covered by warranty. This is why I usually steer clear of first year model releases when there are major changes...can't stand to be back and forth to the dealer all the time and deal with all the BS that usually comes with it.

[STA4]

Thank you all so very much for your input. I will definitely be calling the owner and asking him about the service history and why these were performed (especially repeatedly) and why he finally decided to sell.

Regarding the LED tail lights: I'm doing research to see if I can retrofit OEM LED tail lights, as I would much prefer those even if they cost more.

As for those questioning the price, please remember I live in Canada where it is substantially more. I have been shopping around across all 40 Audi dealerships in Canada for the last few months and this seems to be the average price for an Audi CPO A4 with these specs. I also looked into purchasing in the USA where it's a faction of the price, but I would not receive the extra 2 years/80,000 KM warranty which is important to me as I want to avoid as much maintenance costs as possible. Plus after shipping, fuel, flights and miscellaneous charges, the extra work is not worth the savings for me.

Pricing aside, is this car not a good one? It looks like so far the consensus is don't buy this car due to the extensive service history. I was wondering what the removed & reinstalled were from (is it because they are removing the part to try and find the problem, and they could not find a solution so they reinstalled it?).

I appreciate all of your help as I am eager to purchase an A4 but don't want to rush it and purchase the wrong one. I want to be one of the forum members that are spending their money on modding their car and not repairing it! All input is greatly appreciated!

Do you know when the original warranty expires? Does the 2 years/80k start immediately or does it make your warranty 6 years/160k?

[Resophy]

Do you know when the original warranty expires? Does the 2 years/80k start immediately or does it make your warranty 6 years/160k?

I believe it starts in 6000 KM, and has 2 years/80,000 KM remaining.

[STA4]

I believe it starts in 6000 KM, and has 2 years/80,000 KM remaining.

Depending on when the original warranty ends, it may not be such a great bonus. For example, I just purchased my 2009 with 37k kms and a warranty that ends June 30, 2013, which is about 1.5 years. So, if I was in your position, I would only gain 1/2 year (mileage not a factor in my scenario).

EDIT: Oh, and don't bother with those eBay tails, they look cheap. OEM is the only way to go...and it's not cheap (over 1g I believe). Maybe worth getting a 2010 with less technology and less mileage?

[AWDLover]

That's a long laundry list of repairs. If the only thing holding you back from buying in the States is the 2 year CPO warranty, buy a newer non CPO version with much of the original warranty left.

I just picked up a 2010 A4 quattro premium with the sport package and 15000 miles for less than 30k out the door (price+taxes+fees).

[lyijj]

I would find the other A4

[Resophy]

What is everyone's opinions or experiences with buying from an Audi dealership in USA and shipping it to a state close to the Canadian border? I will be sending $30K-$40K without even seeing the vehicle in person, also is it risky?

[maga4]

What is everyone's opinions or experiences with buying from an Audi dealership in USA and shipping it to a state close to the Canadian border? I will be sending $30K-$40K without even seeing the vehicle in person, also is it risky?

I would imagine some of the Audi dealerships near the border have experience with this, but would expect it to be a bit more complicated than that. Good luck either way...

[englishbay]

What is everyone's opinions or experiences with buying from an Audi dealership in USA and shipping it to a state close to the Canadian border? I will be sending $30K-$40K without even seeing the vehicle in person, also is it risky?

You can buy from most dealers in Washington state and they are all ready setup to do all the import stuff for you. Also CPO warranties can be transferred to Canada despite what you may have heard

[Resophy]

You can buy from most dealers in Washington state and they are all ready setup to do all the import stuff for you. Also CPO warranties can be transferred to Canada despite what you may have heard

I've called several Audi dealerships in USA and they all confirm that the CPO warranty does not carry over into Canada. Some dealers recommend buying the vehicle and then purchasing warranty through a third party in Canada.