Hi, a friend is interested in buying an Audi A3, 2003, 100,000kms. 4 door in very good cosmetic condition, very clean, tidy, no dents, scratches etc, drives very well $ 6,000.
I haven't seen or driven it, and it will be checked by a mechanic later today.
Not sure if it is auto or manual.
Any advice welcome. Cheers
poppy62,
May 12, 9:13pm
VW Golf with a different party dress. Like all cars if it has been well looked after then there should be no real issues. Parts/ consumables are plentiful and relatively cheap if you shop around.
brapbrap8,
May 12, 9:53pm
One of the important things to check is what colour the coolant is. It must be pink, not the green coolant that most cars use. If the car has green coolant is then its a very good sign that the previous owner didn't have a clue about maintainence and who knows what else has been done wrong (or not done at all).
intrade,
May 12, 9:56pm
it will be difficult to advise you but you need a volkswagen groupe specialise mechanic , all service hystory must be present as these vehicles never ever can not be correct serviced, not like 80s and 90s toyota who can do 320,0000km on just oil and filter changes also notice it stops on toyota also from early to mid 2000
intrade,
May 12, 10:06pm
a professional will tell you you can not guess things and he will do a full system scan with his tool , the only aftermarket 99% factory level tool i know of is rosstech vcds, so if the mechanic tells you otherwise your best to find a other guy as he will cost you money and not fix hidden problems before they are doing destruction of systems.
medcare,
May 12, 10:28pm
Cheers guys :-)
jeremy_74,
May 12, 10:33pm
My experience with a 2001 A3 auto that would stall randomly, regular mechanics/garages didn't want to even look at it, so had to try specialist European outfits who could source cheap parts from Singapore where these things are assembled, although charged like a wounded bull for labour but neither were able to fix the fault after a lot of money spent.
medcare,
May 12, 10:41pm
Apparently the cam belt hasn't been done, can someone advise if this model needs it (has an East/West motor) and a rough cost, a figure of $1,200 to $1,500 has been suggested. Water pump at the same time.?
tamarillo,
May 12, 10:42pm
All of above. Must be checked with scan tool and best with marque expert. Must be serviced with correct fluids. Do that and it will last a long time and drive very nicely indeed.
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