Worth considering higher mileage cars?

[BrothaChromatid]

I have a 2010 B8 A4 6spd that is on its deathbed for the second time with timing chain issues, and a host of other issues. I'd love to just move on and upgrade to a B9, but the whole discontinuation-of-the-manuals-in-the-US thing is making this a harrowing process. I know I don't have to spend much time explaining how hard it is to find manual B9 A4s these days. Most of what's left over have higher mileages (70-80k). I'd much rather buy one with 40k or less, but if I'm even able to find one with that low of a mileage, there's a $4-5k markup.

So, my question is to all of you who happen to have 100,000+ on your B9 A4. Do they tend to wear well? I have a line on one that looks pretty good, has 70k on it and looks to have had oil changes every 7000 miles or so. Should I not let the high mileage (assuming the car was adequately maintained) deter me, especially given how rare these 6 speeds are becoming?

I have two main contenders

'18 A4 Premium Plus, 40k mi $36k
'18 A4 Premium Plus, 70k mi, $28k

Is it worth spending 8k more to get a comparable unit (condition, trim) with nearly half the mileage on it? My main hang-up with the cheaper one is the mileage.


Thanks for any ideas.

[Spawne32]

So I just bought a 19 P+ w/ Cold weather package (sline) for 24.6k with 60k on it. I think higher mileage is fine IF you consider the background of the car. I always look for personal lease vehicles because they tend to be much better maintained as you HAVE to follow the maintenance requirements for the lease unless you plan to get raped at the end of the lease term.

[SaqLocke]

I know it’s not what you’re looking for but for what it’s worth, if you haven’t test driven an auto b9, give it a try and see what you think. It’s definitely not the same experience as manual, but for enthusiast driving it is a very very good automatic.

[SNice]

So I just bought a 19 P+ w/ Cold weather package (sline) for 24.6k with 60k on it. I think higher mileage is fine IF you consider the background of the car. I always look for personal lease vehicles because they tend to be much better maintained as you HAVE to follow the maintenance requirements for the lease unless you plan to get raped at the end of the lease term.

Noooooooo!!!! Gonna miss you, bro! Guess it’s time to move on…congrats. When will the tinkering begin?????


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[SJorge3442]

Id say in the grand scheme of things, these cars are pretty reliable, and they should be considering its the 3rd gen of the EA888 and this motor is in so many VAG cars. That said, someone in Jersey from this forum is selling a manual!

[Spawne32]

Noooooooo!!!! Gonna miss you, bro! Guess it’s time to move on…congrats. When will the tinkering begin?????


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After brown soil is sold im gonna start looking at tuning options. Been making some calls already to see whats available for the DSG and stage 2. I don't want to get too aggressive at first as this is a classy car to begin with. Don't need it smelling like shit at idle with HFC's or sounding like a 97 honda civic. Right now I am still trying to learn how everything works. LOL

[B9quantum]

Not an A4 but my 19 q5 has 75k miles. Mostly highway and power train wise the car is healthy. I’d say as long as their is maintenance records you should be good to go!


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[mishka97]

manual B9 A4s

Still looking?

[Millzy32]

I've got nearly 70k miles on my 2018 that I purchased new. It runs like a top. I just got a TCU Tune on it yesterday. It's full Stage 2 and never any mechanical issues whatsoever and I sometimes drive it like I stole it. I better knock on wood. I bought the A4 because of the experience I had with a 2013 GLI that I also bought new and put 110k miles on before selling it. That was a stage 1 Tune and also ran like a top until the day I sold it. VAG just makes good cars in my opinion. I prefer lower mileage but I'd have no problem recommending a car with 70k miles as I figure you probably have another 100k plus miles with relatively minor servicing to go. Like I said I'm stage 2 ECU and TCU and no issues with almost 70k miles. Just get regular oil changes around 5k miles and the normal brakes/tires and I like to replace coil packs every so often but not even necessary.

[Millzy32]

After brown soil is sold im gonna start looking at tuning options. Been making some calls already to see whats available for the DSG and stage 2. I don't want to get too aggressive at first as this is a classy car to begin with. Don't need it smelling like shit at idle with HFC's or sounding like a 97 honda civic. Right now I am still trying to learn how everything works. LOL

Stage 2 IE with IE high flow catted downpipe really has very little smell if any. Non-catted downpipes have the smell. As for sound you're going to have a lot more sound if you go stage 2. I'd recommend the Unitronics TCU Tune which actually helps even out the gear shifts so that you don't create sound by revving out too much in a lower gear. I haven't done it yet but I also want to improve the sound with an AWE Tuning Touring Exhaust. Will be louder than stock but more mellow than my current setup of stock exhaust with IE HF catted downpipe.

Currently the sound only annoys me when the engine is not fully warmed up and I'm in a low gear leaving a parking lot or heading out of the driveway. When you get on it though the sound is pretty great.

[Spawne32]

Stage 2 IE with IE high flow catted downpipe really has very little smell if any. Non-catted downpipes have the smell. As for sound you're going to have a lot more sound if you go stage 2. I'd recommend the Unitronics TCU Tune which actually helps even out the gear shifts so that you don't create sound by revving out too much in a lower gear. I haven't done it yet but I also want to improve the sound with an AWE Tuning Touring Exhaust. Will be louder than stock but more mellow than my current setup of stock exhaust with IE HF catted downpipe.

Currently the sound only annoys me when the engine is not fully warmed up and I'm in a low gear leaving a parking lot or heading out of the driveway. When you get on it though the sound is pretty great.

I have a MY19 so Uni doesn't support that year for the trans tune unfortunately.

[Millzy32]

I have a MY19 so Uni doesn't support that year for the trans tune unfortunately.

That is strange. I remember that it said it didn't work on all B9's. I knew the Catback Exhaust was different. The transmission is different too?

[Spawne32]

That is strange. I remember that it said it didn't work on all B9's. I knew the Catback Exhaust was different. The transmission is different too?

From what I understand no company has been able to unlock the bootloader on the TCU for the 19 model year or later.

[eljay]

Bumping this as I have a similar question...
I've been having crazy thoughts of switching from my 2016 Allroad into a B9 Allroad.
The main appeal is to get a better tech in what is a daily driver and I guess to get ahead of the inevitable oil consumption on the B8.5.
My Allroad has only 60k miles. To make this switch work financially, I'd be likely looking at 2017-2018 B8 Allroad with around 100k miles.
So, the question is whether a 100k mile B9 is a maintenance disaster coming up or have they been pretty solid?
It may still be early, but has the oil consumption been sorted on this Gen 3 engine?
I hear of water pump and thermostat and engine mounts being an issue.
Anything else?

TIA

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[djapeA4]

Bumping this as I have a similar question...
I've been having crazy thoughts of switching from my 2016 Allroad into a B9 Allroad.
The main appeal is to get a better tech in what is a daily driver and I guess to get ahead of the inevitable oil consumption on the B8.5.
My Allroad has only 60k miles. To make this switch work financially, I'd be likely looking at 2017-2018 B8 Allroad with around 100k miles.
So, the question is whether a 100k mile B9 is a maintenance disaster coming up or have they been pretty solid?
It may still be early, but has the oil consumption been sorted on this Gen 3 engine?
I hear of water pump and thermostat and engine mounts being an issue.
Anything else?

I have 2018 B9 Allroad for 1 year now with 115k km (or 71k miles) and zero issues, feels like a new car. No oil consumption with B9, that's been fixed with B8.5's which I also owned prior to B9.

[eljay]

I have 2018 B9 Allroad for 1 year now with 115k km (or 71k miles) and zero issues, feels like a new car. No oil consumption with B9, that's been fixed with B8.5's which I also owned prior to B9.

Good to hear. Thank you!
I am likely looking at cars over 150k kms, which is usually the time for refreshed suspension, etc., but that's with any car. As long as there are no known issues that crop up, I can handle maintenance of wear items.

Also, unfortunately, Audi never fixed the rings on Gen 2 EA888 engine, so yes, B8.5s still have consumption issues. You just don't hear about it... yet. But as mileage creeps up, more reports of 2013, 2015 etc. 2.0TFSI are coming in with oil consumption issues.

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[HartzMts]

Yes, eljay, just as djapeA4 said, the oil consumption is a non-issue for all four-cylinder allroads. (Just now read your post, eljay. I thought 2013 allroads, as I once owned, and newer were all good. Thanks for informing us.) Also, just as you heard, on my B9 allroad, I have replaced the WP-thermo assembly AND motor mounts (at 66K miles) and upper control arm bushings (at 76K mi.) Now, I am at 95K miles and still lovin' my high-mileage allroad. Good luck on your final choice. All allroads rule!

[eljay]

Yes, eljay, just as djapeA4 said, the oil consumption is a non-issue for all four-cylinder allroads. (Just now read your post, eljay. I thought 2013 allroads, as I once owned, and newer were all good. Thanks for informing us.) Also, just as you heard, on my B9 allroad, I have replaced the WP-thermo assembly AND motor mounts (at 66K miles) and upper control arm bushings (at 76K mi.) Now, I am at 95K miles and still lovin' my high-mileage allroad. Good luck on your final choice. All allroads rule!

Thank you. Encouraging.
Yes, I am a huge wagon fan and had B6 Avant Ultrasport before the B8.5 Allroad.
The virtual cockpit, updated MMI and all the other safety gadgets are luring me into a B9. Haha
I think I need to see what I can get for my Allroad before I start dreaming, but if a nice example pops up, I'd like to be ready and armed with info.

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[Millzy32]

Thank you. Encouraging.
Yes, I am a huge wagon fan and had B6 Avant Ultrasport before the B8.5 Allroad.
The virtual cockpit, updated MMI and all the other safety gadgets are luring me into a B9. Haha
I think I need to see what I can get for my Allroad before I start dreaming, but if a nice example pops up, I'd like to be ready and armed with info.

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So Bummed the US doesn't get the S4 or RS4 Wagons or even the S3/RS3 wagons/hatchback. There is definitely demand.

[Thumper3]

So Bummed the US doesn't get the S4 or RS4 Wagons or even the S3/RS3 wagons/hatchback. There is definitely demand.

The only reason I have the TTRS is because I was first in line with my dealer for an RS3 Sportback and then they decided not to bring it over afterall, but I had already worked myself up to wanting that 5 cylinder so they talked me into the TTRS. No regrets, it's an amazing car and while not a wagon it IS a hatchback, sortof...LOL

But yeah, I love how they say there's no demand for the RS4 Avant, look at the RS6 Avant, people still on waitlist for a 120k+ car after 3 years of production, they think they wouldn't sell just as many if not more $80k+ cars? Still, it's actually the government's fault with all their power hungry regulations and requirements for crash and safety tests. Yup, the EU is awash with deadly accidents and their laissez faire approach to safety, RS4 is safe enough for Belgium but not good enough for us.

Heck, I would be happy with just an A4 Avant, I'm glad they at least paint the flares on the Allroad now but still not liking them being there at all.