Buying a new car (well, new to us), is a big decision and we have really appreciated the input of you guys. So far we have considered a Passat (not the best model according to Jazz), a Honda Inspire (good but a tad boring maybe) and a Toyota Mark X (great looking car, we'll test drive at the weekend.) However, we have now seen this Audi S-line 2003 and I have the distinct feeling that the husband has almost lost his heart to it (I think it's the leather seats!). The kms are low at 37,000 and it really is a nice looking car. Not driven it yet, just seen it on the website. it might still be in transit for all I know. Anyway, if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your comments on this one. It's at the top end of what we can really afford, but to be honest my heart says if he loves it and it's not a really daft choice, we should get it. we've had years of being restrained, cash-strapped and sensible!
martin11,
Feb 25, 4:44pm
What ever you do make sure the servicing is up to date especially the Cam belt it well over due for one on time . I have an A6 Quattro and have found it a very good car and not that expensive to get anything done , found that the agents in Chch were the best to deal with on servicing and advise .
brapbrap8,
Feb 25, 4:45pm
Is that the 3L petrol or diesel? Either way it would be a very nice car.
beetle18,
Feb 25, 5:00pm
It's petrol Brapbrap. Would it really be needing a new cambelt at only 37000? Not doubting you Martin, just a bit surprised. As far as the servicing goes, I know the dealer services them before selling them, but I will certainly ask about its previous service history. There's an A6 Quatrro available too, for a couple of thousand less, same vintage and very similar kms, but, as I said, I think he fancies the S- line.
martin11,
Feb 25, 5:27pm
My 2004 A6 had 55,000 km and I had it checked by Archibalds and the 3.0 litre engine in mine has a time of 5 years or 80,000km on the cam belt , I got it done and saw the old one and it had cracking on the inside , the mechanic told me he thought it would have not lasted much longer . Then the cost would have been a complete engine rebuild . yours may be the same engine . Have 80,000 km on mine now and still love it , beautiful car to drive and economical if you use a light foot . great tow vehicle but loves petrol with 1.8 ton boat behind up to 14.0 l per100km then normally around 10.0 or less
monsieurl,
Feb 25, 5:37pm
I have an RS4 and have had a couple of newer Audi's and find that they are SOB's to work on (if that's your thing) DO be prepared for something along the way to fail, get an independent PPI by a specialist, I don't know about the 3.0 but if it's FSI make sure you have a really good look over the service history esp around the fluid and oil intervals and what was being put in.
brapbrap8,
Feb 25, 5:53pm
Yes it definetly would, as would any other car of that age and mileage. Recomended cambelt changes for most cars are a maximum of every 100,000km or 10 years, whatever comes FIRST. Many cars need their cambelts done more often than that too, 5 years is more normal. If this car hasn't had it done then I would be having it done ASAP.
beetle18,
Feb 25, 5:59pm
Thanks for that, will certainly keep it in mind. I was considering only the kms, not the age. Thanks again.
martin11,
Feb 25, 6:08pm
Audi,s have a low time and km for the cambelt for some reason the are a fairly high preforming motor and go well and lovely to drive very comfortable .
tamarillo,
Feb 25, 6:47pm
Just onto my first audi after bmw's, a Honda accord, a Calais , and others. Mine is v6 Quattro of model before the B6 your looking at but seems common mechanicals. Love it so far. Timing belts are a bugger, bmw uses chains, as later audis do, so it is an expense to consider, but so many cars used belts unfair to be too harsh. It's beautifully built, real solid feel to everything you touch. Nice. I find it hard to believe a 8-9 year old car has so few miles. I know some disagree but the audi specialist is quite clear they can be wound back with a computer and right software. So, assuming it's an import, ask for Japanese documentation and somehow get a basic translation. Must be a student somewhere who for $20 will look and note down basic main points and milages. These are well built cars that can do a lot of miles, so taking off some wouldn't be very noticeable to us ameteurs. I'm probably being anal, again, but if I was putting good money into a new import I'd do it, why not!
I believe S line is on the firm side of things in suspension. Certainly tests I read confirmed that. You might like that of course so not negative.
Is it front wheel drive only, in which case I THINK it is a CVT box rather than conventional auto, though I read audi CVT used chains and was very sturdy.
Jazz and other experts will comment on mechanicals, but I'm happy with mine and did fair bit of homework and didn't find any negatives.
tamarillo,
Feb 25, 6:49pm
To be fair the rs4 is a very different animal than an A4, I mean the S4 was a hot A4, RS4 was extreme with very different mechanicals. Don't think comments on rs4 apply.
beetle18,
Feb 25, 7:03pm
It's a 2003 a4, Tamarillo, not really such a youngster! Yes, the kms seem low. I read something that I can't quite remember exactly, but it was an explanation of low kms from a Japanese socio-economic viewpoint, rather than as a result of fiddling with the mileage. I have the impression that the S line is really just a tarted up version of the A4 for those whose pockets don't stretch to the S series. Is that right? Once again really helpful comments; thank you. Good to know you've got something similar and like it.
tamarillo,
Feb 25, 7:34pm
Yes, S line is cosmetic, firmer suspension, bigger spec wheels (I think) but is same mechanical drive chain as regular version, whereas S4 is quicker mechanically and RS4 ballistic. So reliability wise S line exact same. Even '03 is a B6 model rather than B5 of mine, though look very similar. A good car is one you like.
monsieurl,
Feb 25, 8:33pm
Maybe you missed the part where i said
"I have an RS4 and have had a couple of newer Audi's"
Hence, i have seen and worked under the bonnets of more than just one, which qualifies me too give my opinion that they are SOB's to work on.
I never made any comment about the RS4! Maybe clean your reading glasses before piping up!
beetle18,
Feb 25, 9:03pm
Sois sage, Monsieur!
martin11,
Feb 25, 9:44pm
=beetle18
To change the timing belt on an A6 is actually a very simple job if it is done by the book . I was suprised how easy it was when told and shown pictures by the mechanic who did mine . You do need a person who knows what they are doing to maintain these cars .
beetle18,
Feb 25, 10:03pm
Thanks Martin. I think we would be getting an expert to do any work that was necessary (I mean, not necessarily the local mechanic). I know they come with a pre purchase check and service so hopefully wouldn't need anything too major. I think we would probably go with the A4 rather than the A6. those leather seats are seductively whispering Mr beetle's name.
tamarillo,
Feb 25, 11:21pm
Manners please! 2003 model is neither RS4 or a 'newer' one, and I was only offering help not making personal comments about you. Lighten up please.
unclejake,
Feb 25, 11:53pm
Beetle18 - A dealer fitted cambelt and waterpump on the 3.0 is about $2k from memory.
Is the car a Quattro? If not it'll probably have the more troublesome multitronic gearbox
You will find that the interior wears very quickly on the 2003 A4. The black coating wears off every switch and button, making them unsightly, white and illegible. The black leather doesn't wear well either and can easily be scratched (showing white). The throttle is 'fly by wire' and about $3k to replace the throttle body. They eat tyres fairly fast and are easy to curb the rims, but they are really wonderful to drive - if a little on the small side
If you proceed I'd buy a mechanical warranty too
beetle18,
Feb 26, 12:24am
Uncle jake, definite yes to the extra warranty. we tend to keep our cars for around 10 years so it makes sense. If it makes any difference, it's 2003 not 2004. Thanks for the heads up about costs. Look, I don't know if it's a multitronic gear box. it's not a quattro. I've been doing a bit of googling, and I think the specs are that it is a CVT transmission, but I don't know if that's the same as multitronic, or even whether that's a good or a bad thing (or neither!) Thanks again for your thoughts.
beetle18,
Feb 26, 12:27am
Oh, i think I just leant that a timing belt is the same thing as a cambelt.
unclejake,
Feb 26, 2:36am
IMO the CVT/Multitronic is a bad thing. The Quattro system is AWD. The CVT is front wheel drive, and evidently prone to issues and expensive to fix.
I say 'evidently' as that's what my Audi mechanic friend has told me. We have a Quattro and it's fantastic to drive, but not all that cheap to operate
beetle18,
Feb 26, 2:54am
Just been doing some more reading about the CVT. sounds as though some of those issues can be avoided if it's serviced properly, particularly the oil change with the proper fluid.
tamarillo,
Feb 26, 4:06am
Uncle jake, can that black coating you mention wearing off dash parts be replaced? You're right and I have now scrapped it off hand brake as it was so horrible but don't know what to do next? Paint it? Op sorry to hi jake thread.
unclejake,
Feb 26, 5:40am
^ Not to my knowledge. It seems the VW Touraegs do it too, but I don't know if it's common to all the VAG vehicles
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