Advice on Audi Avants...paging Automatch.

"liquid_popcorn" (liquid-popcorn)
01/04/2014 at 14:16 • Filed to: audi, avant, automatchbait

*car not identical to the one pictured. It's gray.

Looking at selling the 240DL for a down payment on a 2008 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T Special Edition, gray on black, 45k miles, all options, for my wife. Price doesn't factor in because we took it in on trade and I get employee pricing. Single owner, very clean, never wrecked etc.

How bad is maintenance on these after the 40k service is already done? I already have my GTI, so as long as maintenance is comparable I'm comfortable with that, but I wanted oppo's opinion on whether this is a good car. I love the look of it, I like the drive, and my wife loves it. Your thoughts plz?

DISCUSSION (14)

Tom McParland > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 14:22

To be honest I'm not terribly knowledgeable about the long term maintenance is on these things I know the 1.8Ts where a headache but I haven't heard much about that gen.

Spaceball-Two > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 15:07

If the 2.0 is anything like my 1.8t you'll want to check the timing belt, j-plug, and tstat right away.

liquid_popcorn > Tom McParland
01/04/2014 at 16:51

Yeah, I've heard bad stuff about the 1.8, but the 2.0FSI is supposedly similar/nearly the same as the VW version, so I'm hoping it won't be too bad.

liquid_popcorn > Spaceball-Two
01/04/2014 at 16:52

Oh, that'll definitely be checked - it's being inspected Monday morning, so I'll have a full report on what's been done and when once my tech gets back to me. I'll make sure those items are listed.

Tom McParland > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 18:07

That is my understanding as well that it's basically a MKV GTI motor in a wagon

Tom McParland > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 18:12

Oh I tweeted Audi For Life he doesn't come to Oppo often but might provide further insight.

Audi For Life > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 18:16

Carbon build up is something to get checked on. It's nothing like the sludge issue that the 1.8T had nor the same amount of carbon build up that the direct-injected 2.0TFSI can get. Timing belt, water pump and thermostat as Spaceball-Two mentioned.

Audi For Life > Tom McParland
01/04/2014 at 18:17

Yeah, I need to get in a habit of checking in to Oppo more often. That's one of my New Year's resolutions :)

liquid_popcorn > Audi For Life
01/04/2014 at 19:42

Good to know; thanks! Is that something I can check myself, or more of something I should specifically ask the tech who will be examining it Monday? He's in the service dept. at the VW dealer where I work, but we take in Audis pretty regularly on trade since we're next door to VW's and Audi's HQ buildings, so it's not his first time looking at one or anything.

liquid_popcorn > Tom McParland
01/04/2014 at 19:43

Thanks!

Also, @Audi For Life, that's a solid resolution. I approve.

Audi For Life > liquid_popcorn
01/04/2014 at 19:55

Some use a borescope and look at the back of the valves in the head. I haven't done it personally, but it was something I had checked after 50K on my A4 3.0 and there wasn't much.

Usually not a significant problem in non-direct injected engines, but evidence of it can show how well the engine has been taken care of and what-not. Too much build up will cause either mis-fires or mis-fire codes to be thrown, along with the dreaded CEL.

If you didn't have access to a VW/Audi shop, finding a friend with a laptop, VAG-COM cable and VCDS software to pull all codes would be mandatory.

liquid_popcorn > Audi For Life
01/04/2014 at 20:23

Good to know. I fortunately have access to both a VW shop and a friend equipped with a laptop/cable/software, so I will definitely have them check it out.

djstwo > liquid_popcorn
01/05/2014 at 20:06

I would just add to budget a little more for Stage 1 or 2 tune. It really does make a big difference on the 2.0T. It's easy and relatively cheap.

liquid_popcorn > djstwo
01/06/2014 at 08:47

Oh, hell yes. I'll definitely be doing that down the road - it needs new tires first though, haha.