rebuilt title with low mileage or clean title with high mileage?

[engineerjet]

As some of you know I am in the market for an S4 so i've been looking everywhere and i found these two options that look very tempting, but i wanted to get some opinions on the matter.

Price being relatively the same, there is a rebuilt title with 33k miles or a clean title with 85k miles. the rebuilt title was due to a front collision but the frame is intact and cooling is intact. I had a previous prospect of a rebuilt title due to a flood but i learned quickly to not touch it with a ten foot pole. what do you guys think of rebuilt titles in this case?

[waxxonMTL]

always clean title lol

[Wreckm]

i would go with clean title

[kelseysautobody]

As with the flood car, you would want to know exactly what was done to get the rebuild title car back on the road. Do you have an estimate of the original damage? 33k and 85k is a huge difference in mileage. At 85k miles you might start getting into quite a bit more maintenance costs depending on the car's condition and service history. I see cars getting repaired every day and just because a car was totaled doesn't mean it will never be the same. What are the prices you are looking at?

[engineerjet]

around 20k

[JoshDub]

Clean title always.

[joe biker]

Rebuilt title vs your insurance co.
A lot of insurance co won’t touch rebuilt or salvage titles
Buyer beware !!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[VtotheJ]

Mileage does not matter in these cars. Just need to make sure water pump, t-stat, PCV, wheel bearings have been replaced, and if carbon cleaning has been done. If not, need to budget for them. Unfortunately resale values drop with higher mileage.

[engineerjet]

Mileage does not matter in these cars. Just need to make sure water pump, t-stat, PCV, wheel bearings have been replaced, and if carbon cleaning has been done. If not, need to budget for them. Unfortunately resale values drop with higher mileage.

that is comforting to hear. when do those items tend to go?

[kelseysautobody]

Mileage does not matter in these cars. Just need to make sure water pump, t-stat, PCV, wheel bearings have been replaced, and if carbon cleaning has been done. If not, need to budget for them. Unfortunately resale values drop with higher mileage.

How about the control arm bushings, engine/trans/diff mounts, tie rods, clutch or transmission etc. etc? Pretty sure mileage matters to those parts of the car. Around that mileage every Audi that I've ever owned those things become a maintenance consideration. I'd guess the B8 would be no different.

[GigiBoneS4]

I think it depends on your plans. The salvage title will never be resold for a decent price, so if you think this is a car that you are going to drive for many years without a chance of selling. It may be ok after doing EXTENSIVE checks. If you move through cars quickly this car will make you lose out dramatically regardless if it is reliable for you or not. Those two mileage numbers you gave are not a huge difference both being under 100k. I would think the salvage should be less than the clean title. I would consider it if you can score a great deal on a low mileage car that had moderate damage and good work done to it with the mindset of no resale value in it for you. Good advice from others about the insurance question. I don't have experience with a salvage but would consider it if the price made it easy, otherwise stick with what is safe. Good luck, by the way I waited 1-2 years for a low mileage,6MT, in color combination that I wanted, and I probably paid to much, but to each their own!

[VtotheJ]

that is comforting to hear. when do those items tend to go?

Varies from car to car

How about the control arm bushings, engine/trans/diff mounts, tie rods, clutch or transmission etc. etc? Pretty sure mileage matters to those parts of the car. Around that mileage every Audi that I've ever owned those things become a maintenance consideration. I'd guess the B8 would be no different.

Actually, you are right. Unless I am mistaken, the S4 owners I know with higher mileage have not had to replace these items (yet).