CarMax B8.5 with bad cat, should I buy?

[sagaris87]

Hi everyone,

Need your advice! I recently test drove a 2016 S4 (DSG) with 42K. The car drove fine for the first part of the test drive but then after a few pulls, the check engine came on. I drove back to the dealer and let the sales guy know. Today he let me know that the code showed a bad catalytic converter and that the local Audi dealer would replace under warranty.

I did notice dirty exhaust tips, but no weird smells, rattles, or hesitation from the engine.

Other than this, the car seems perfect. No damage to the paint, stock, 1 owner, and it has the sports differential with tech package.

The question I have, should I buy it after the repair? What are the chances the bad cat caused engine damage? Should I have a compression test done first? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Ivan

[shortyolsen2017]

Have it replaced and you'll be fine. No harm done.

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[B4Audi]

If you can get a warranty from carmax I would get it carmax is pretty good with their warranty repairs

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[Low Flyer]

Hi everyone,

Need your advice! I recently test drove a 2016 S4 (DSG) with 42K. The car drove fine for the first part of the test drive but then after a few pulls, the check engine came on. I drove back to the dealer and let the sales guy know. Today he let me know that the code showed a bad catalytic converter and that the local Audi dealer would replace under warranty.

I did notice dirty exhaust tips, but no weird smells, rattles, or hesitation from the engine.

Other than this, the car seems perfect. No damage to the paint, stock, 1 owner, and it has the sports differential with tech package.

The question I have, should I buy it after the repair? What are the chances the bad cat caused engine damage? Should I have a compression test done first? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Ivan

Nice color. It should be a warranty repair. It would not impede me.

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[hellovaras]

Since it's used, though newish, I would still hey a PPI done. A reputable dealer would not balk at that.

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[sagaris87]

Thanks for the quick replies! I love the car, great to hear the feedback.

[wangshuo1989]

Only concern would be that with that low of a mileage, cats failure usually indicates the previous owner probably drove it pretty hard. But it's normal for any used sporty cars I guess.

[KAMP]

I have the same year/slightly lower miles. I was told that the stock cats are covered under warranty for 80k miles (correct me if I’m wrong on exact number)... regardless of factory warranty being up or not. Got this info from a local performance shop, which is reputable.

[jyim]

Also bought my 2016 S4 from CarMax in 2019. Bought it at 45k miles and driver side cat was blown out and was replaced at 55k under Audi’s 80k emission warranty. I also suggest buying CarMax’s warranty. My HPFP and driver side engine mount were replaced under CarMax’s warranty which is also accepted at my local Audi dealership with courtesy car provided.

[sagaris87]

Also bought my 2016 S4 from CarMax in 2019. Bought it at 45k miles and driver side cat was blown out and was replaced at 55k under Audi’s 80k emission warranty. I also suggest buying CarMax’s warranty. My HPFP and driver side engine mount were replaced under CarMax’s warranty which is also accepted at my local Audi dealership with courtesy car provided.

Jyim, thanks for the advice. I'll check out the warranty.

[oaybar007]

I feel obliged to chime in, since Carmax paid out of their corporate pocket, before any warranties even kicked in, thousands of dollars to sort out my S4 that I bought from them. Just check my post history. I'd say go for it, and take advantage of MaxCare as well. I bought my 2016 with 49.5k, still with 500 miles of Audi warranty, but also bought the 5year/100k MaxCare. Audi dealers work with MaxCare often and that's great for loaner cars, etc.

[oaybar007]

Also bought my 2016 S4 from CarMax in 2019. Bought it at 45k miles and driver side cat was blown out and was replaced at 55k under Audi’s 80k emission warranty. I also suggest buying CarMax’s warranty. My HPFP and driver side engine mount were replaced under CarMax’s warranty which is also accepted at my local Audi dealership with courtesy car provided.

This exactly. Definitely worth the MaxCare expense.

[Senseless]

Is/ was the car modded? I'm not sure if TD1 affects the emission warranty or not.

[sagaris87]

Thanks guys, car appears stock. Only modification I see are drilled and slotted rotors, unless those were stock? It will have the cats replaced tomorrow under the 80K mile Audi warranty.

[wangshuo1989]

Is/ was the car modded? I'm not sure if TD1 affects the emission warranty or not.

If it's TD1 you can say byebye to your emission warranty.

[sagaris87]

What's TD1?

[Neil F]

When Audi is notified by a dealer that certain modifications have been done to the vehicle ex. new/altered computer program, they will flag the car "TD1" in their system and various warranties will be voided on the vehicle.

[Neil F]

Is/ was the car modded? I'm not sure if TD1 affects the emission warranty or not.

If it's TD1 you can say byebye to your emission warranty.

80k emission warranty is a federal warranty on all US sold card. Audi TD1 may not apply

[wangshuo1989]

80k emission warranty is a federal warranty on all US sold card. Audi TD1 may not apply

Audi only has to cover if there's a defect, and a tune throws that out of the window.

From: https://www.epa.gov/transportation-a...sportation-air

The Design and Defect warranty covers repair of emission control or emission related parts which fail to function or function improperly because of a defect in materials or workmanship for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever first occurs), and the specified major emissions control components mentioned above for 8 years or 80,000 miles (whichever first occurs). The manufacturer can deny this warranty coverage if evidence shows that the emission component failure was caused by improper use or maintenance and not caused by a defect.

[sagaris87]

I found out today that the repair is covered and scheduled for Monday. No modding. :)