Audi A3 TDi Sport advice please
Discussion
I have been offered an R-reg/1998 96k Audi A3 TDi Sport for £3200 by a mechanic mate of mine – it’s his car and refers to it as his pride and joy. He’s selling it because he and his wife have just split, he has a works van and a big tax bill coming up. Appears to be perfect condition inside and out and is chipped to 150bhp (or so he says). Drives beautifully, goes like stink and handles like a clichéd dream BUT:
Service history is stamped, but not by an Audi dealer.
Engine was rebuilt at 76k (pistons and con rods) but reason isn’t clear.
He replaced the clutch/flywheel at 86k.
Bonnet has been resprayed (again, no clear reason – doesn’t state whether this was at the same time as the engine rebuild and may have been totally unconnected but you’ve got to wonder).
Engine management light comes on unless engine is started once, turned off and re-started – apparently has always done this and is because of the chip.
Otherwise all sound
Should I leave it or is it a bargain? Or is that a stupid question
Service history is stamped, but not by an Audi dealer.
Engine was rebuilt at 76k (pistons and con rods) but reason isn’t clear.
He replaced the clutch/flywheel at 86k.
Bonnet has been resprayed (again, no clear reason – doesn’t state whether this was at the same time as the engine rebuild and may have been totally unconnected but you’ve got to wonder).
Engine management light comes on unless engine is started once, turned off and re-started – apparently has always done this and is because of the chip.
Otherwise all sound
Should I leave it or is it a bargain? Or is that a stupid question
IMHO i'd steer clear.
they are great cars - i have one and at 66k in 4 yrs it's not missed a beat.
so i can only assume (ahem) his has been thrashed to need the engine doing at 70-oddk.
also that engine warning light would worry me - not sure what it means.
lack of dealer stamps is not *neccesarily* a bad thing. i've had my last few at an independant specialist and i think they do superior work for half the price.
bonnet re-spray - no problem as long as it matches and it wasn't because of a smash.
mine's a 2003 though, so his is considerably older. if it's a good 'un, it's a lot of car for £3200
HTH
they are great cars - i have one and at 66k in 4 yrs it's not missed a beat.
so i can only assume (ahem) his has been thrashed to need the engine doing at 70-oddk.
also that engine warning light would worry me - not sure what it means.
lack of dealer stamps is not *neccesarily* a bad thing. i've had my last few at an independant specialist and i think they do superior work for half the price.
bonnet re-spray - no problem as long as it matches and it wasn't because of a smash.
mine's a 2003 though, so his is considerably older. if it's a good 'un, it's a lot of car for £3200
HTH
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