Buying a 2015 from non-Audi dealer?

[chrisd0729]

Found a beautiful 2015 S4 with 8k miles and all options I want. Asking 45k and negotiable, but it's a Subaru dealer. Because it has 4 yrs and 50k warranty (inception date is may 2015), I'll have a few years of Audi warranty left. Any concerns buying this from a non-Audi dealer?

[14S4GWM]

You don't know if it's been tuned already. Need to get it scanned at Audi to make sure the powertrain warranty is still good. Might want to look for some CPO models too.

[pdqgp]

You don't know if it's been tuned already. Need to get it scanned at Audi to make sure the powertrain warranty is still good. Might want to look for some CPO models too.

This. Also, find out what it's previous history is through CarFax. I bought mine at a large dealership with Audi but mine came from their VW Franchise. In my case it was an Audi Program car they bought from California and brought to their dealership. They spread around the Audi's to other franchises vs keeping them all in one place. Makes sense as anyone really interested can go see it but the real catch is if someone doesn't find say a VW then the Audi is there to catch their eye.

Good luck. Check the VIN and insure it was well cared for. Likely was. Most people care for their cars well during the first 5,000 miles. It's really after that when the mods and abuse happens.

[DannyDeez]

Yup your biggest concern would be if it was tuned and flagged TD1.
Another thought, why not pick up a 2013 and save yourself like $10k? These cars have been pretty reliable so mileage isn't the biggest worry anymore.

[whts4]

Ask dealer if they will allow you to take it to an Audi dealer for a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). If planning to keep it for a while you could get pretty favorable rates on an extended warranty since it is under 12 mo old and less than 15k mi. Also find out if it has AudiCare, which could have been purchased by previous owner and is transferrable....would save you $1k on service costs.

[golfinz]

I bought my 13 at a Nissan dealership all the way in Ohio (I'm in TX). Since I was buying sight unseen, I probably went above and beyond, but here is what I did:

1) I called Audi USA to make sure it wasn't tdi flagged. I also confirmed with them the options and if audi care was attached to the car since non-audi dealers might get these things wrong.
2) I called the Audi dealer that the car was serviced at (found out by the carfax) and had them run the service history of the car. I was able to track down not only the service advisor that helped the previous owner but the service tech that worked on the car.
3) Had a PPI done by the Audi dealer to make sure everything looked good, recalls taken care of, etc
4) Had a member of AZ check the car out for me

The car passed all of these tests so I flew up and drove it home. Long story short, as long as you do your homework on the car, I wouldn't hesitate buying from a non Audi dealer.

[Dr GP]

I bought my 13 at a Nissan dealership all the way in Ohio (I'm in TX). Since I was buying sight unseen, I probably went above and beyond, but here is what I did:

1) I called Audi USA to make sure it wasn't tdi flagged. I also confirmed with them the options and if audi care was attached to the car since non-audi dealers might get these things wrong.
2) I called the Audi dealer that the car was serviced at (found out by the carfax) and had them run the service history of the car. I was able to track down not only the service advisor that helped the previous owner but the service tech that worked on the car.
3) Had a PPI done by the Audi dealer to make sure everything looked good, recalls taken care of, etc
4) Had a member of AZ check the car out for me

The car passed all of these tests so I flew up and drove it home. Long story short, as long as you do your homework on the car, I wouldn't hesitate buying from a non Audi dealer.

This ^^^^^

[taythecoug]

Congrats! Pics?

[BillyG]

I bought my 13 at a Nissan dealership all the way in Ohio (I'm in TX). Since I was buying sight unseen, I probably went above and beyond, but here is what I did:

1) I called Audi USA to make sure it wasn't tdi flagged. I also confirmed with them the options and if audi care was attached to the car since non-audi dealers might get these things wrong.
2) I called the Audi dealer that the car was serviced at (found out by the carfax) and had them run the service history of the car. I was able to track down not only the service advisor that helped the previous owner but the service tech that worked on the car.
3) Had a PPI done by the Audi dealer to make sure everything looked good, recalls taken care of, etc
4) Had a member of AZ check the car out for me

The car passed all of these tests so I flew up and drove it home. Long story short, as long as you do your homework on the car, I wouldn't hesitate buying from a non Audi dealer.

Now that is doing your due diligence, nice work! This is the correct way to make sure that you don't run into unpleasant surprises.

[casualalfredo]

I bought my 13 at a Nissan dealership all the way in Ohio (I'm in TX). Since I was buying sight unseen, I probably went above and beyond, but here is what I did:

1) I called Audi USA to make sure it wasn't tdi flagged. I also confirmed with them the options and if audi care was attached to the car since non-audi dealers might get these things wrong.
2) I called the Audi dealer that the car was serviced at (found out by the carfax) and had them run the service history of the car. I was able to track down not only the service advisor that helped the previous owner but the service tech that worked on the car.
3) Had a PPI done by the Audi dealer to make sure everything looked good, recalls taken care of, etc
4) Had a member of AZ check the car out for me

The car passed all of these tests so I flew up and drove it home. Long story short, as long as you do your homework on the car, I wouldn't hesitate buying from a non Audi dealer.

nice.....i think I'm going to look for a 2013 s4 also

i don't want to spend too much

[johnstah]

nice.....i think I'm going to look for a 2013 s4 also

i don't want to spend too much

the 13 had steering issues... so test drive on highway and see if you would enjoy it... I recently got rid of mine because i simply didnt enjoy the steering.

[DannyDeez]

the 13 had steering issues... so test drive on highway and see if you would enjoy it... I recently got rid of mine because i simply didnt enjoy the steering.

Hated the steering on my 2013 as well, that's why I picked up a 2012 this time around.

[CrownSeven]

the 13 had steering issues... so test drive on highway and see if you would enjoy it... I recently got rid of mine because i simply didnt enjoy the steering.

All b8.5's have steering issues.

[johnstah]

All b8.5's have steering issues.

yep. the car was great/fun with a stage 2 tune but the steering feel was so bad and I couldn't stand it overtime. I ended up with going back to Benz and getting a 16' E550.

[casualalfredo]

wow.......this forum is amazing.

thanks for the info.

[Dr GP]

All b8.5's have steering issues.

Since when?