Purchasing 2011 A4 Wagon

[vladz]

I'm about to buy an old 2011 A4 Avant from my mechanic (who got it at an auction).

The car has 155K miles on it, no leaks, seems to be in a good shape after an extensive test drive. He wants about $7K for it and will make sure oils are changed, rear rotors and breaks are done (need replacement), and spark plugs are replaced as well.

He also says he'll be responsible for any "big" near-term failures (like engine or transmission break, etc.)

I know very little about cars mechanically and limited by a budget to the above price. I had just been told by a "technical" person to "run" from old audi's because I'll be spending much of my time in the shops, and another person quoted their mechanic with similar sentiments.

My own research does not show many particular issues with this model and I'm curious if anyone here can tell me (understanding that without knowing car's full history and some luck it's not possible to be sure of anything):

1. How reliable is 2011 model in terms of needing frequent repairs?
2. Assuming the engine was "not abused" so far, what reasonable life expectancy should I anticipate for it?
3. Any ways out there to pick up some red flags before paying for the car?

Thanks in advance!

[19birel]

2011 is a good model year since you'll be getting the 8-speed auto transmission rather than the 6-speed and the it's unlikely that the engine was effected by the oil consumption issues that plagued most 2009 and many 2010 model year vehicles.

at 155k miles my two main concerns would be

1) Carbon build up- because these are direct injection engines carbon tends to build up on the intake valves. It's labor intensive to remove the buildup, but at that mileage it may have somewhat recently and be fine. I'd ask your mechanic to look into this.

2) Timing chain tensioner- the timing chain tensioners in these cars (model years 2009-2012) are known to be a weakness as some are faulty and fail prematurely. At that mileage it is possible that it was already replaced, but I would try to get some confirmation that the timing chain is in good order. If the tensioner fails you'll likely be looking for a new engine. Since the car came from auction and likely has no service history I would try to have the replacement of that tensioner included in the price.

In regards to high mileage Audis (and german cars in general) being reliable, they can be just as dependable as anything else on the road, the key is maintenance. If you defer maintenance, which many people do, then things will go wrong in a very expensive fashion. Yes parts for an Audi are more expensive than that of a Toyota or Hyundai, but remember, while this car might cost you $7k to buy now, it was probably $45k new and costs the same to maintain as a car that expensive. Hope that helps!

[LGHT]

Nothing personal, but I would never buy a car with 155k miles on it ever. Even if it had all the required and suggested repairs done and proof that many miles will almost mean a lot more work ahead needed. I'm not a mechanic and I don't even change my own oil, but I know how to sign up online at an auction and get cars for 25% of value. If he got it at auction he probably paid around $2k for it if that and just fixed the problems needed. I got a 2012 with 55k miles on it for $4500 at auction so you can see it's no where near the going rate for an "auction car".

[CBAspirated]

I'm about to buy an old 2011 A4 Avant from my mechanic (who got it at an auction).

The car has 155K miles on it, no leaks, seems to be in a good shape after an extensive test drive. He wants about $7K for it and will make sure oils are changed, rear rotors and breaks are done (need replacement), and spark plugs are replaced as well.

He also says he'll be responsible for any "big" near-term failures (like engine or transmission break, etc.)

I know very little about cars mechanically and limited by a budget to the above price. I had just been told by a "technical" person to "run" from old audi's because I'll be spending much of my time in the shops, and another person quoted their mechanic with similar sentiments.

My own research does not show many particular issues with this model and I'm curious if anyone here can tell me (understanding that without knowing car's full history and some luck it's not possible to be sure of anything):

1. How reliable is 2011 model in terms of needing frequent repairs?
2. Assuming the engine was "not abused" so far, what reasonable life expectancy should I anticipate for it?
3. Any ways out there to pick up some red flags before paying for the car?

Thanks in advance!

Make sure you read through this forum. I have a 2011 A4 2.0T Quattro and I love it. Research in this forum the following...

1- Oil Consumption
2- Timing Chain Tensioner Failures
3- Cam Followers
4- Turbo Failure

To my knowledge, the 4 biggest issues w the B8’s. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. Get a car fax on it for sure to see if it has had Stage 1 or 2 of the Oil Consumption issue completed. This engine is notorious for oil blow by on the piston rings, a class action law suit was filed against Audi of America for this. It is covered under warranty until 80K mile of 8 years after production date, which you would not qualify for. As for Tensioners, I literally just got a Letter from VAG regarding my VW GTI MK6 that they are reimbursing owners of the EA888 2.0T for repair/replacement of the tensioners.

In short, the car you are looking at has potential issues. Tread lightly and do your research. With the high mileage and you inability to DIY your repairs it could be a real problem. That said I love mine. When my engine goes, which I have replaced tensioners and had stage 2 Consumption done, I will be putting a B8.5 engine in it.

Good Luck!!


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[vladz]

Thanks for good advice, folks.

[Novarider]

Make sure you read through this forum. I have a 2011 A4 2.0T Quattro and I love it. Research in this forum the following...

1- Oil Consumption
2- Timing Chain Tensioner Failures
3- Cam Followers
4- Turbo Failure

To my knowledge, the 4 biggest issues w the B8’s. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. Get a car fax on it for sure to see if it has had Stage 1 or 2 of the Oil Consumption issue completed. This engine is notorious for oil blow by on the piston rings, a class action law suit was filed against Audi of America for this. It is covered under warranty until 80K mile of 8 years after production date, which you would not qualify for. As for Tensioners, I literally just got a Letter from VAG regarding my VW GTI MK6 that they are reimbursing owners of the EA888 2.0T for repair/replacement of the tensioners.

In short, the car you are looking at has potential issues. Tread lightly and do your research. With the high mileage and you inability to DIY your repairs it could be a real problem. That said I love mine. When my engine goes, which I have replaced tensioners and had stage 2 Consumption done, I will be putting a B8.5 engine in it.

Good Luck!!


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Cam follower was an issue for the b7 not the b8.

[ducati]

Mechanic responsible for big thing failures?.LOL.......yeah after you pay him.

[JD23]

Is his warranty for "big" failures in writing? If not, you can buy the car, but realize your $7k could evaporate at any time.

[Project Quattro]

If the timing chain tensioner was done at some point, and if the oil consumption was addressed or isn't an issue (i.e. if it's a unicorn that issue didn't appear for) it should be fine. If my memory is accurate the turbo failure issues were resolved after 2010. The ZF8 is a stout trans and the internals of the 2.0T are solid. Carbon cleanout would be recommended at that mileage but that isn't a dealbreaker.

Call an Audi dealership with the VIN and see what they say about the oil consumption and timing repairs.


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[cuda2000]

No offense but you should have about $5,000 sitting in the bank for repairs if you buy it. You are not a mechanic, so if it needs the tensioner, that's $900 if you do it now, $4500 if it blows. If it burns oil, thats going to really suck for you. If it needs front control arms, which I'm sure it does, that's $2,000. A/c goes out, thats $2,000. I would not pay $7,000 for it. $5000 at most, unless it had a replacement engine in it with paperwork. At that mileage the transmission fluid and front, center and rear gear oil should be changed. Nobody does that because it's not in the manual. What oils exactly is he changing? Brake fluid should be flushed, coolant replaced, probably spark plugs. Seeing as it needed brakes, and was at auction probably means it didn't have regular maintenance. I own a 2010 Quattro that I bought brand new and I do all my own work on it. But I also have money in the bank. Just saying, this is not a toyota and shouldn't be thought of in the same way.