New (to me) 2012 Avant Owner!!

[LGHT]

I needed something with a little more trunk space than normal cars and gets more than 12 mph so I can use my truck less. Never owned an audi, but I've always like the body style of the wagons. My bro who's huge into cars found a 2012 A4 Avant at the insurance auction with only 50k miles on and convinced me it was a diamond in the ruff because it was the last year made and with very low miles. Car was in great shape, but some minor damage to the front and rear bumper. The car started right up and sounds like a dream!! They wanted $6k, but took my $4500 offer even though I think I could have got it for $4k I didn't want to risk loosing it and I had a $7k budget.

My shop guy took quick look and confirmed it's almost all cosmetic dents and an easy fix. Total costs for dents was around $800 and $250 for a bumper and $200 for the new style RS grill. I plan on putting a few touches on it like some springs, new shoes since I have some $ to spend still.

I’ll post pics as I go!

[IMG][/IMG]

[Novarider]

Read the whole timing chain thread. Then when you're done having a heart attack have your mechanic check if it has the updated version of the tension. You could also check yourself it's very easy.

Other than that seems like a good purchase from what you've told us.

I'm jealous of the oem audi roof rack. Wish mine came with one.


Edit: Here is the timing chain thread. Seriously read it then have it checked.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...Failure-Thread

[Nano909]

Wow, great find. Congratulations.

[A4 Centaur]

Excellent! Keep us posted on the upgrades

[ians]

$4500 for a 2012 avant???? I am jealous! I paid $15k for my 2011 with also ~50k miles last year and which also has front & rear bumper damage and the whole body has no more shine!

[LGHT]

Read the whole timing chain thread. Then when you're done having a heart attack have your mechanic check if it has the updated version of the tension. You could also check yourself it's very easy.

Thanks for the tip. I knew about the issue before buying and figured "IF" I run into problems I could still part it out and make at least my money back since it's worth much more.

[LGHT]

$4500 for a 2012 avant???? I am jealous! I paid $15k for my 2011 with also ~50k miles last year and which also has front & rear bumper damage and the whole body has no more shine!

Bumpers are a quick and easy fix if you don't mind after market ones. In fact I prefer them since it now has a more aggressive look especially with the R grill. Try a color sand and buff for the paint. Surprisingly this one actually has very good paint and interior so it must have been garaged.

[Novarider]

Thanks for the tip. I knew about the issue before buying and figured "IF" I run into problems I could still part it out and make at least my money back since it's worth much more.

So you're not going to change the tensioner?

[LGHT]

So you're not going to change the tensioner?

Not sure. The shop I called said if it's the old one I probably have until 70k miles before I have to worry and if it's the new one it's 100k miles. To do the tensioner and the timing belt will run me $1500 and to be honest I don't want to spend that much on the car since I'm already around $5700 into it. If it is the old one I'll drive it around for a year and sale it for $6500-$7000

[AudiInMPLS]

Some have failed under 40k

[Walletclan]

Great project! Enjoy.

[LGHT]

Some have failed under 40k

Really? the shop said they have done over 100 and they said they typically fail around 70k. Also are you referring to models with the "OLD" tensioner or the new one? According to the shop they said only some 2012's have the old tensioner not all of them..

[Novarider]

Really? the shop said they have done over 100 and they said they typically fail around 70k. Also are you referring to models with the "OLD" tensioner or the new one? According to the shop they said only some 2012's have the old tensioner not all of them..

Yes, that's why I said to read the whole timing chain thread. At the very least have the shop pop the little cover off and see what tensioner you have.

In the end its up to you but even at $7200 IMO it's still a good good price. Plus if it's done it will sell for more later. Also if the class action lawsuit gets settled you'll get reimbursed $1100 if it's don't at an independent shop.

[prasamin]

Yes, that's why I said to read the whole timing chain thread. At the very least have the shop pop the little cover off and see what tensioner you have.

In the end its up to you but even at $7200 IMO it's still a good good price. Plus if it's done it will sell for more later. Also if the class action lawsuit gets settled you'll get reimbursed $1100 if it's don't at an independent shop.

Tell me more about this class action. I have a 2010 and the tensioner was replaced in 2015 with 72k miles on the car, before I purchased my car. I don't have access to the work order from the dealer to indicate which tensioner was installed, and I am too lazy to go under there and pop the cover...Is it true that the Audi dealer can't give you receipts/work orders completed by the previous owner due to privacy issues? If I could just get my hands on the receipt with parts replaced and part numbers, I could confirm what was done...

[Novarider]

Tell me more about this class action. I have a 2010 and the tensioner was replaced in 2015 with 72k miles on the car, before I purchased my car. I don't have access to the work order from the dealer to indicate which tensioner was installed, and I am too lazy to go under there and pop the cover...Is it true that the Audi dealer can't give you receipts/work orders completed by the previous owner due to privacy issues? If I could just get my hands on the receipt with parts replaced and part numbers, I could confirm what was done...

It's in the thread I linked above. The class action info is on the last couple pages.

If you didn't pay for the service in 2015 I don't see how you could get reimbursed for it.

[LGHT]

In the end its up to you but even at $7200 IMO it's still a good good price. Plus if it's done it will sell for more later. Also if the class action lawsuit gets settled you'll get reimbursed $1100 if it's don't at an independent shop.

Not sure I follow what's $7200? Plus I got the car from an insurance company not a dealer so I don't get anything from a suit.

[Novarider]

Not sure I follow what's $7200? Plus I got the car from an insurance company not a dealer so I don't get anything from a suit.

You said
"since I'm already around $5700 into it. If it is the old one I'll drive it around for a year and sale it for $6500-$7000"
So $5700 plus the quoted $1500 for the timing tension job =$7200

If you pay for the $1500 timing job and the class action suit gets settled you get reimbursed. Doesn't matter where you bought it.

[LGHT]

Ahh ok I didn't realize you where adding up cost. I haven't decided if I'll do the tensioner yet. I really don't want to dump $1500 to fix a problem that may not happen while I'm the owner if I don't have to. Plus it only has 55k miles so I think I can drive it for a year or 2 and let it go as is and just pocket that money when I go and sale it. Again if I don't fix it and it fails in 6 months I'm going to fill like an idiot lol... I honestly don't think I can get $8500 with a fixed tensioner opposed to $7000 without it. I just hate to get this project short and sale it now since it's looking nice and ready to roll...