Is a high-mileage Audi A4 a good purchase?

Question

Found a 2016 A4 with 130k miles for like 9k. I live in Chicago and need something reliable for my commute. Read on Reddit that these engines are tanks if you do timing chains, but then the forums say the electronics are a nightmare. Is it actually worth the stress or am I gonna be broke by next month?

BordeauxBound · Accepted Answer

^ This. Also, honestly, 130k on an A4 in Chicago sounds like a recipe for a drained bank account. The salt and potholes are gonna kill the suspension components way before the engine gives up. If you really want a German car that wont bankrupt you on your commute, maybe look at a used Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T TSI instead. They share a lot of the same parts architecture but are way cheaper to fix when stuff inevitably breaks. I know everyone loves the Audi badge, but you really gotta think about the recurring costs of premium fuel and those specialized parts. If you are dead set on this, at least get a decent scanner like the OBDeleven NextGen Bluetooth Diagnostic Tool so you can catch those electronic codes before they turn into major shop bills. Seriously, just save the cash for a rainy day.

fqlnywdtvn · Answer

Honestly, 130k is pushing it for an A4. I owned a 2016 model and spent way too much on the Bosch Ignition Coil 06H905110L and random electrical gremlins. If you dont have an extra 3k set aside for immediate repairs like the timing chain tensioner, you're gonna have a rough time in Chicago traffic. Stay away if you need something that just works. It is definitely a money pit.

DaintreeDream · Answer

Honestly, if you are relying on this for a daily commute in Chicago, 130k miles on that specific year is a huge risk. The maintenance costs usually snowball once the suspension starts giving out from those potholes. If you end up going for it anyway, you need to be ready to do your own wrenching.

Start by grabbing a OBDeleven NextGen Bluetooth Diagnostic Tool so you can actually read the codes before things leave you stranded.

Definitely check the cooling system status because those plastic housings crack all the time.

You might want to consider replacing the water pump with the Graf PA1287 Water Pump which is way more reliable than the stock part. Be careful with the budget, since you will likely need to spend another grand just to get it running smoothly for winter. If you aren't ready to drop cash on parts every few months, you might want to look for something a bit less complex.