Is it risky to own an old Audi A4 ?

[thairookie]

I came across this particular 2005 model going for 350,000 baht and thought it might be a good bargain, but my Thai manager has advised me that it's expensive to own an Audi in Thailand because it breaks down regularly and the spare parts are expensive.

Does anyone have any experience with Audi A4 in Thailand ?

[vtjforyou]

I would not take the risk . Old benz better...

[Skint]

You would need to post more details, mileage, fuel type, history, you can email the seller and get the chassis number, pop into audi and see what history it has had i would imagine the first 3 years would have been at an audi dealership somewhere in the world, you could also offer to have it inspected at audi at your cost.

They are expensive to fix anywhere its pants down, especially in thailand where there are limited service specialists.

[WarpSpeed]

Yep if repairing is a problem no point as ANY import that isn't Japanese is going to be a bit more expensive in all cases, if that's your only focus and styling or standing out from the vanilla crowd is not your goal best give it a miss, but good price for a 2005. Might investigate more just based on that.

[thairookie]

Many thanks. The reviews in the Web seem to suggest that the A4 would only last 80,000 km at best, after which it's maintenance hell.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Many thanks. The reviews in the Web seem to suggest that the A4 would only last 80,000 km at best, after which it's maintenance hell.

I own and have owned several Audis. I have 2 at the moment, in Bangkok.

It is clear that everybody who has commented so far and who you have talked to have NO F***** idea what they are talking about.

Why do you come to Thai Visa and ask people about this car? Why not check out an Audi forum to see what people say about this car?

I have an Audi/VW specialist garage nearby who know what they are doing. Not expensive. Parts can be expensive, but so what?

You think MB, Toyota parts are cheap? Right.

Do not talk to Audi Thailand. They are useless shites who take your money and don't care about anything.

An A4 B6 model, which is what you show, is a good car. If you can get that car for 350k, it is a good deal. They usually go for 500k. Could be something minor is wrong with it, but hey, is that not always the case with 2nd hand cars?

Why don't you take it for a test drive?

If you want the contact info for my garage, PM me. I have other alternatives in BKK, but have not personal experience with them. My AudiclubThailand buddies do.

[EvilDrSomkid]

This one, right? http://one2car.com/AUDI_A4/H14130032

Looks like a good one to me. It has a good engine and the autobox is decent. Just make sure you change the ATF if you buy it.

You can get a VAGCOM diagnostic scan done and it will tell you a lot about the condition.

It is not being sold through a tent, so that is why the price is reasonable.

Its 2004, btw.

edit: Your Thai manager knows dick about Audis. He just doesn't want you to have a nice car. Audi is not well known here.

What car does your manager drive? A Fortuner, by chance?

Edited September 20, 2013 by EvilDrSomkid

[kartman]

Many thanks. The reviews in the Web seem to suggest that the A4 would only last 80,000 km at best, after which it's maintenance hell.

I own and have owned several Audis. I have 2 at the moment, in Bangkok.

It is clear that everybody who has commented so far and who you have talked to have NO F***** idea what they are talking about.

Why do you come to Thai Visa and ask people about this car? Why not check out an Audi forum to see what people say about this car?

I have an Audi/VW specialist garage nearby who know what they are doing. Not expensive. Parts can be expensive, but so what?

You think MB, Toyota parts are cheap? Right.

Do not talk to Audi Thailand. They are useless shites who take your money and don't care about anything.

An A4 B6 model, which is what you show, is a good car. If you can get that car for 350k, it is a good deal. They usually go for 500k. Could be something minor is wrong with it, but hey, is that not always the case with 2nd hand cars?

Why don't you take it for a test drive?

If you want the contact info for my garage, PM me. I have other alternatives in BKK, but have not personal experience with them. My AudiclubThailand buddies do.

[ignis]

Is it risky to own any car ? just read some of the reports of constant problems with odd brand new cars..

Why is 2004 an old car ? Many here buy a new car every 10 years... check the blue book or ask how many owners.

Bought my A6 5 years ago, was a one owner for almost 10 years, so the A6 is getting on for 15 years old.. the few odd things that have gone wrong have been repaired by a back street mechanic modifying if needed VW part from scrap yards The only thing that has not been repaired is the electric windows and central locking, easy just do not use them, they have always had a mind of there own. as an idea...

I did go to a Audi/VW specialist garage because the climate control was not working, they checked needs a new head unit 21,000 baht.. took it to the back street guy, 2 days later was fixed putting an old VW unit into the casing, total cost 1,700 baht + also re charged the air con

Edited September 20, 2013 by ignis

[thairookie]

Your Thai manager knows dick about Audis. He just doesn't want you to have a nice car. Audi is not well known here.

What car does your manager drive? A Fortuner, by chance?

He drives a City, with a 100K baht subsidy from the government.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Your Thai manager knows dick about Audis. He just doesn't want you to have a nice car. Audi is not well known here.

What car does your manager drive? A Fortuner, by chance?

He drives a City, with a 100K baht subsidy from the government.

See what I mean?

Have you ever had an Audi before?

[BSJ]

That body style still looks as good today as it did when first released.

I've never owned one and probably never will as I need a pick-up for the wife's business here in Pattaya and for when we go up to the farm.

The only Audi I know of that has a big issue is the little one sold in Oz is way underpowered....but it's not an A4....and a long way from here!

Checkout that club website, you may find it useful.

Best of luck.

[EvilDrSomkid]

That body style still looks as good today as it did when first released.

I've never owned one and probably never will as I need a pick-up for the wife's business here in Pattaya and for when we go up to the farm.

The only Audi I know of that has a big issue is the little one sold in Oz is way underpowered....but it's not an A4....and a long way from here!

Checkout that club website, you may find it useful.

Best of luck.

You mean the A1? It's a disgrace.

My 1st Audi was an 80 2.8 V6 from 1991. It still looks good. My mother thought I had bought a new car.

I like the 80 shape so much I have one here, too. That one has problems I admit, but solvable.

[thairookie]

See what I mean?

Have you ever had an Audi before?

Of course not. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking around. Did own an Alfa and Citroen. And then it was Japanese all the way.

Now, I'm curious. How do you tell the "autobox is decent" just by looking at the pic ? In fact, the autobox is the No. 1 complaints amongst reviews about A4.

[WarpSpeed]

Many thanks. The reviews in the Web seem to suggest that the A4 would only last 80,000 km at best, after which it's maintenance hell.

I own and have owned several Audis. I have 2 at the moment, in Bangkok.

It is clear that everybody who has commented so far and who you have talked to have NO F***** idea what they are talking about.

Why do you come to Thai Visa and ask people about this car? Why not check out an Audi forum to see what people say about this car?

I have an Audi/VW specialist garage nearby who know what they are doing. Not expensive. Parts can be expensive, but so what?

You think MB, Toyota parts are cheap? Right.

Do not talk to Audi Thailand. They are useless shites who take your money and don't care about anything.

An A4 B6 model, which is what you show, is a good car. If you can get that car for 350k, it is a good deal. They usually go for 500k. Could be something minor is wrong with it, but hey, is that not always the case with 2nd hand cars?

Why don't you take it for a test drive?

If you want the contact info for my garage, PM me. I have other alternatives in BKK, but have not personal experience with them. My AudiclubThailand buddies do.

I beg your pardon, you clearly haven't read MY post correctly...

[Skint]

Many thanks. The reviews in the Web seem to suggest that the A4 would only last 80,000 km at best, after which it's maintenance hell.

I own and have owned several Audis. I have 2 at the moment, in Bangkok.

It is clear that everybody who has commented so far and who you have talked to have NO F***** idea what they are talking about.

Why do you come to Thai Visa and ask people about this car? Why not check out an Audi forum to see what people say about this car?

I have an Audi/VW specialist garage nearby who know what they are doing. Not expensive. Parts can be expensive, but so what?

You think MB, Toyota parts are cheap? Right.

Do not talk to Audi Thailand. They are useless shites who take your money and don't care about anything.

An A4 B6 model, which is what you show, is a good car. If you can get that car for 350k, it is a good deal. They usually go for 500k. Could be something minor is wrong with it, but hey, is that not always the case with 2nd hand cars?

Why don't you take it for a test drive?

If you want the contact info for my garage, PM me. I have other alternatives in BKK, but have not personal experience with them. My AudiclubThailand buddies do.

I beg your pardon, you clearly haven't read MY post correctly...

I know a bit harsh could have just added to the post instead of just ripping everyone.

[WarpSpeed]

Well and mine was mostly tongue in cheek,. Somkid should have known that he'seen my postings on VW's for years now. I am an avid VW/Audi fan and while there, owned mostly SEATS when everyone was telling me how expensive and difficult they were to repair and supposedly how often they broke down all of which was rubbish and more due to few quality mechanics, I did mostly all of my own repairs and maintenance but I did have a few rare occasions I needed help mostly due to not having the equipment necessary.

I'd definitely own one if the price was right?

[EvilDrSomkid]

See what I mean?

Have you ever had an Audi before?

Of course not. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking around. Did own an Alfa and Citroen. And then it was Japanese all the way.

Now, I'm curious. How do you tell the "autobox is decent" just by looking at the pic ? In fact, the autobox is the No. 1 complaints amongst reviews about A4.

I meant that the Tiptronic autobox is a decent autobox. Whether the one in that specific car is OK is something else.

In the end, it is better to just go check it out if you are interested. If it shifts good, if should be OK. If it does weird stuff like all the gear lights of the selector display light up, walk away.

Warp, I do not see your posts so anything I said was not directed at you.

[thairookie]

Ok, a question for the exterior.

The A4 in the pic is 2004 model. The facelift model looks almost identical except for the low-hangig oversize grille.

Is it possible to purchase the old model and replace the front grille so that it looks like the facelift model ?

[ignis]

Ok, a question for the exterior.

The A4 in the pic is 2004 model. The facelift model looks almost identical except for the low-hangig oversize grille.

Is it possible to purchase the old model and replace the front grille so that it looks like the facelift model ?

Must be able to, as I saw a newer low-hanging oversize front grill on a A3..

[thairookie]

Ok, a question for the exterior.

The A4 in the pic is 2004 model. The facelift model looks almost identical except for the low-hangig oversize grille.

Is it possible to purchase the old model and replace the front grille so that it looks like the facelift model ?

Must be able to, as I saw a newer low-hanging oversize front grill on a A3..

You mean on an old A3 ? Because the not-so-new A3 models do have the low-jaw grille, minus the LED lights on the tapered front lamps.

[EvilDrSomkid]

That is referred to as a Single Frame Grill (SFG).

You mean like this? http://www.tuningshop.co.uk/acatalog/Audi_A4_8E.html

Might be tricky to find that here, unless you are willing to import.

I'd say if you want to do some visual changes, get some nice 17x8" rims, lower it slightly (approx. 30mm), and tint the windows 40%.

It will look hot.

[ignis]

Sure that year model never came to Thailand,

anyway spoke with owner she works at Audi Thailand + she had the string of LED lights fitted

[EvilDrSomkid]

Sure that year model never came to Thailand,

anyway spoke with owner she works at Audi Thailand + she had the string of LED lights fitted

The B7 was sold here, but in very small numbers. That model is better looking that the B6, IMO.

If the owner is an Audi Thailand employee, then that would be a good selling point if I would buy it.

[thairookie]

That is referred to as a Single Frame Grill (SFG).

You mean like this? http://www.tuningshop.co.uk/acatalog/Audi_A4_8E.html

Might be tricky to find that here, unless you are willing to import.

I'd say if you want to do some visual changes, get some nice 17x8" rims, lower it slightly (approx. 30mm), and tint the windows 40%.

It will look hot.

Yes, the SFG is the one I'm referring to.

BTW, if you refer to the first pic that I posted, the side panel on the front (just above front right wheel) the sheet metal seems too big for the car. It drops below the baseline of the front bumper.

[Skint]

It is suposed to look like that it is better with the black painted, looks like its had bumper and bonnet paint silver is hard to match sticks out quite bad.

[thairookie]

It is suposed to look like that it is better with the black painted, looks like its had bumper and bonnet paint silver is hard to match sticks out quite bad.

How it should appear :

Edited September 21, 2013 by thairookie

[Skint]

It is suposed to look like that it is better with the black painted, looks like its had bumper and bonnet paint silver is hard to match sticks out quite bad.

How it should appear :

lol yes, would have been an option from new.

[Pdaz]

My Audi almost 12 years old. I've only replaced some heat stressed rubber bushes and uprated the dampers with a set of Bilsteins.

No other issues. Drives beautifully. Recently remapped to around 260 BHP and only 18,000km (documented with full service history) from new. No problem with servicing or parts availability. Much more fun than a hatch back box. Maybe more risky ? Dunno but I think it is worth it every time I get inside.

[EvilDrSomkid]

My Audi almost 12 years old. I've only replaced some heat stressed rubber bushes and uprated the dampers with a set of Bilsteins.

No other issues. Drives beautifully. Recently remapped to around 260 BHP and only 18,000km (documented with full service history) from new. No problem with servicing or parts availability. Much more fun than a hatch back box. Maybe more risky ? Dunno but I think it is worth it every time I get inside.

Nice. I like your 2002 even more.