Looking to buy a B7 avant

[WP4S4]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at buying a B7 avant with 89,xxx miles on it. It says the 75k maintenance done on it but im not sure what all was done at the time (waiting to hear back from the dealer). I know they havent done the expensive maintenance on it (timing belt, water pump). Is there any other maintenance I'd need to get done shortly after purchasing this car (if I did). They're ask $12,000 for it but there's no way im paying that much for a car thats going to require at least 1k in maintenance soon after buying it.

Is there anything I should be looking for or have a mechanic look for when I have one look at it? I've have a few audis before this (B6 S4, B7 A4) and know theres always something down the road thats gonna need some attention. Personally love the B7 look that's why i'm looking to get back into one.

Also, if anyone else knows of any well maintained B7 Avants for sale in California or surrounding states please feel free to throw them in the thread.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[67Twisty]

What model year is it? Factory recommended interval for timing belt was changed to 110,000 miles, but I wouldn't suggest waiting. I did mine at 93k because the belt was already 7 years old (from vehicle in-service date) and Continental lists the expected life at 6 years. I did the water pump, tensioners, and thermostat at the same time. If you're handy you can use the DIYs on this site and save a bundle, but if you're not it's a $1k -$1,200 job at most places. See if you can get them to cover it and factor that into your price.

75k service per dealer is pretty basic. Just oil change, engine/cabin filters, and inspection of brakes, joints, etc. They don't do much for what they charge you.

You're also getting close to the end of the useful life for control arms and other suspension bushings. And the motor mounts usually start leaking around 100,000k. Since you've owned audis before you know the drill. Check suspension over well, ask if the cam follower has been changed. If not, do it yourself as soon as you buy the car. Otherwise it's fluid changes (tranny, diff, brakes, etc.) and keeping a watchful eye on the PRV system, cam follower change intervals, and the notorious leaking valve cover gaskets.

I've bought my B7 avant four years ago and like driving it a lot, but B7s can be maintenance hogs. It drives nice, looks good in Avant form (imho) and the interior is nicer than other cars I've owned so I can't complain.

[ZERO FRAME GRAB]

"I've have a few audis before this (B6 S4, B7 A4) and know theres always something down the road thats gonna need some attention". You answered your own question, try to get them to do the timing belt & friends before you purchase it because like you said you know its 1k plus to get it done.

[WP4S4]

What model year is it? Factory recommended interval for timing belt was changed to 110,000 miles, but I wouldn't suggest waiting. I did mine at 93k because the belt was already 7 years old (from vehicle in-service date) and Continental lists the expected life at 6 years. I did the water pump, tensioners, and thermostat at the same time. If you're handy you can use the DIYs on this site and save a bundle, but if you're not it's a $1k -$1,200 job at most places. See if you can get them to cover it and factor that into your price.

75k service per dealer is pretty basic. Just oil change, engine/cabin filters, and inspection of brakes, joints, etc. They don't do much for what they charge you.

You're also getting close to the end of the useful life for control arms and other suspension bushings. And the motor mounts usually start leaking around 100,000k. Since you've owned audis before you know the drill. Check suspension over well, ask if the cam follower has been changed. If not, do it yourself as soon as you buy the car. Otherwise it's fluid changes (tranny, diff, brakes, etc.) and keeping a watchful eye on the PRV system, cam follower change intervals, and the notorious leaking valve cover gaskets.

I've bought my B7 avant four years ago and like driving it a lot, but B7s can be maintenance hogs. It drives nice, looks good in Avant form (imho) and the interior is nicer than other cars I've owned so I can't complain.

Its an 08. I'm gonna be factoring all this into the price of the car. Not as handy as I would like to be with these cars and trust a mechanic over myself.

My big thing is getting the Cam looked at along with getting the major stuff out of the way ASAP so I dont have to worry about it being 10 years old. Getting it mechanically sound and then doing some fun stuff with it.

I figured the 75k would be pretty basic stuff.

The avants look the best in B7 I agree with you on that. I made the mistake of getting rid of mine years ago and I've been missing it ever since.

[67Twisty]

'08's reportedly have the least amount of issues. They got the revised cam but we're not covered by the extended warranty. The first time I changed my follower it was at 50k. The black coating had worn off but no metal damage. I'm not modified so I tend to change it in 20-25k intervals. It's a relatively easy process on the '08s because we don't have the banjo bolt. It's less than an hour of labor for a tech so if you don't have the tools I would just pay to get it swapped out for peace of mind.

[WP4S4]

'08's reportedly have the least amount of issues. They got the revised cam but we're not covered by the extended warranty. The first time I changed my follower it was at 50k. The black coating had worn off but no metal damage. I'm not modified so I tend to change it in 20-25k intervals. It's a relatively easy process on the '08s because we don't have the banjo bolt. It's less than an hour of labor for a tech so if you don't have the tools I would just pay to get it swapped out for peace of mind.

Good to know! Thanks for all your help! If I can get these guys to either do the maintenance for it or come down off the price along with finding no glaring issues hopefully itll be in my garage in the next week or two.

[WP4S4]

"I've have a few audis before this (B6 S4, B7 A4) and know theres always something down the road thats gonna need some attention". You answered your own question, try to get them to do the timing belt & friends before you purchase it because like you said you know its 1k plus to get it done.

Just making sure im getting everything covered before I sit down at the table with these guys.