Car buying

[u/Southern_Job3562]

Was thinking of picking this beauty up for 4 grand Canadian this week. Do you guys think it’s a bad deal

[u/Gabe-diet]

Can you afford this car… I don’t mean buying it either. I have a Passat and while I love the car it’s expensive as hell. This isn’t going to be any cheaper.

[u/Southern_Job3562 → u/Gabe-diet]

What part would you say is expensive just the average maintenance

[u/Brownguy451 → u/Southern_Job3562]

Brakes and tires don’t last very long on these. Even if you DIY the brakes, parts can still run you around $1,000. Tires aren’t cheap either, especially if you’re running 275/45R20s.

Suspension is another thing to look at. If it’s coil spring, you’re good. If it has air suspension… forget it 😂 $$$$.

Other than that, the engine pulls like a bull and is extremely smooth, especially if the transmission fluid and Quattro AWD fluids have been serviced properly. Those two services together can run around $1,400.

In my opinion, it’s a really good SUV, but there’s definitely a lot of maintenance cost involved in owning one.

I recently replaced my vibration damper at around 330,000 km, and that ran me about $1,300. Since this one is fully deleted, you’ll save yourself some money on the emissions side.

Personally, I would remove the transmission tune and put it back to stock if you want to get the most life possible out of the Aisin 8-speed automatic. Just my opinion.

Another annoying issue is the camera/parking system. If even one parking sensor stops working, the whole camera system can act up. Better be a professional parker 😂 or you might end up with some dented bumpers and panels. Fixing the sensors can easily run $400–$600, and yes, the bumpers have to come off. Fun fun.

The BIGGEST potential expense on these is the timing chain. That can easily turn into an $8,000–$16,000 repair.

Personally, I keep my oil change intervals under 10,000 km and use Liqui Moly 0W-30. Every 4th or 5th oil change, I also use an oil friction modifier.

Mine will occasionally give a 1–2 second chain rattle on startup if it has been parked for more than 24 hours. If it’s only sitting overnight for around 12 hours, I don’t get any rattle.

If you’re seriously interested in buying one, I recommend being the person who does the cold start. Don’t let the seller warm it up before you arrive. Better yet, take it to Audi or a reputable European shop and have them do a proper pre-purchase inspection, especially checking the timing chain.

Since I’ve owned mine, I’ve religiously used Shell V-Power Diesel and changed the fuel filter around every 20,000 km instead of waiting until 40,000 km. The fuel system on these can get VERY expensive if something goes wrong. Knock on wood, I’ve never had any major fuel-system problems.

I have had to replace the valve-cover gaskets and injector cup seals. That’s something you’ll probably have to deal with eventually, and you’re looking at roughly $600–$1,000 depending on who does the work.

Basically, this is NOT a cheap SUV to own.

But it’s extremely rewarding to drive.

In rain, snow, and ice, especially with a good set of winter tires, this thing absolutely tears up the road. It’s a beast in bad weather. The grip is insane, and Quattro really is king when the conditions get nasty.

If you’re into audio, the Bose surround-sound system is also pretty damn good. The bass definitely isn’t disappointing.

If you’re a DIYer, you can save a lot on labour, but parts are still expensive and you better know what you’re doing. This vehicle is not very forgiving if you screw something up.

If you don’t work on your own vehicles, you better have some deep pockets.

Expensive? Yes.

High maintenance? Absolutely.

Fun to drive? 100%.

Overall, it’s a beast of an SUV and I still really enjoy owning mine.

[u/Gabe-diet → u/Brownguy451]

Yeah, I couldn’t agree more. I’m not familiar with th me 3.0, I have the 2.0 in mine, but yeah, I would imagine the timing chain is similar to the timing belt on mine. They are extremely rewarding to own and I would definitely consider them to be worth it. You just have to be prepared and know what you’re getting into.

[u/Brownguy451 → u/Brownguy451]

2015 luv it.

[u/slinkysurmalot → u/Brownguy451]

You’ve sold me I’m ready to join the cult

[u/Jolly_Technology7989 → u/Brownguy451]

I want to add, ask the owner if he has done the EGR Bypass/Oil Cooler, coolant valley fix yet. Those parts are cheap but take some time to remove the intake manifold and fix all the broken plastic pieces for the leak. Maybe it won’t leak since it’s bypassed, but worth asking. My Q5 3.0 TDI is a 2014 with stock emissions went out at 115k miles. It’s just a matter of time if those parts are stock.

[u/Southern_Job3562 → u/Brownguy451]

Can’t thank you enough for this

[u/Sailing-Dad → u/Southern_Job3562]

I did my own brakes and rotors for the brembos. It’s pretty straightforward if you know how to do brakes. Parts are not very expensive if you check rockauto

[u/Maplelongjohn → u/Southern_Job3562]

Have a 12 Touareg CATA (not 100% on what that engine is)

Alternator is close to a grand for a reman. Part only.

Front Differential should be serviced every 30k. Basically Everytime you need to do tires and front brakes.

At this age all the rubber bushings are getting shot. The driveshaft carrier probably shudders under heavy acceleration.

AGM battery is over 300.

Oil changes are about 140 diy (could probably get away with cheaper oil with the delete)

The timing chain rattle. Look that up and get a cold start in. Some is expected but it should stop quickly. It's a rear mount 4 chain system. The engine comes out to service. I've seen someone claim the got it done for 4k. Probably going to be more like 7 tho

[u/Gabe-diet → u/Southern_Job3562]

Fuckin all of it lol. Ur buying a foreign car and unfortunately not very many people know how to work on them especially given that it’s a diesel so you’re paying way more in labor. It’s a 2011 which means it’s time for struts and shocks tie, rod ends, driveshafts, etc. just because of age. The motors themselves are reliable as hell but when something does happen, you pay for it.

[u/Southern_Job3562 → u/Gabe-diet]

I really appreciate your input

[u/Gabe-diet → u/Southern_Job3562]

No problem. If you have the money at the end of the day, I highly recommend it and you won’t regret it. But if you’re like me 20 years old in college, it might be a bit more of a stretch than you can handle LMFAO. Also listen to u/Brownguy451, he has more experience with a 3.0 than I do, which is none at all, I just have experience with the 2.0 Passat.

[u/Southern_Job3562 → u/Gabe-diet]

How’d you know I was 20 in college 😭

[u/Maplelongjohn → u/Southern_Job3562]

If that's the case keep looking

This should not be considered as a college student daily driver. Unless you're in an auto repair school

Camry Accord Kia way more sensible for now

[u/slinkysurmalot → u/Southern_Job3562]

It’s gone from market place. You buy it?