| By :
Stephen Daniels
If your automotive dreams are dominated by Q7s, TDIs or A8s, then you're a certifiable Audi enthusiast. But if your ambitions are fuller than your budget, you may be thinking about buying used rather than new. While your savings would be significant, it should go without saying that you should have the prospective ride checked out at an Audi auto service center first. While most used car vendors are reputable, they may not know Audis as well as domestic vehicles, and of course, making the sale is obviously the top priority. While the Audi auto repair and service center ought to know what to look for, it is always wise if you seem informed when you take the car in, and make sure that computerized diagnostic testing is performed. For a used Audi with 75,000 miles or more some key items to have checked out include: • The cambelt or timing belt. Although this part somewhat resembles a vacuum cleaner belt, it controls the timing of car engine's valves and will take three hours to properly remove, inspect and replace when necessary.The manufacturer recommends replacement at 75,000 miles. Was it replaced on the vehicle you're looking at? • Brake fluid. This is supposed to be replaced every 24 months, so a complete service record should reflect this. • Transmission fluid. Audi recommends it be changed every 40,000 miles. • Air conditioning: Sure, this is a personal comfort system, but it also purifies the air in the cabin and should be at least "refreshed" every two years. • Tires: The older the car, the less its tires can be relied on for effective acceleration, steering and safe stopping distances. Moreover, tires with good treads contribute to fuel economy and reduced Co2 emissions. A good way to check on the history of your used Audi is to read its CARFAX Vehicle History Report. These reports key off the vehicle identification number, or VIN (found on the lower left area of the windshield), to generate information on title, accident history, odometer readings, engine performance tests and the like. If things are still looking good, the next step is to determine if the warranty remains in place and whether it stays with the car regardless of a change in possession. If you decide to obtain a new warranty, in the words of the old song, "You gotta shop around." That means don't just bite on the dealer's warranty product. The best buy could be available at an Audi backed service provider, or some online source, but make sure to check on the reliability of the company you are purchasing from. Lastly, not to overstate the obvious, but, you'll want to do a test drive. Look for any transmission slippage or hesitation; peculiar vibrations or warning lights blinking into life on the dashboard. Don't overlook hitting the freeway where many potential problems might be noted that were absent at lower speeds; be aware of any strange tire sounds, pulling to the left or right, cruise control, and your ease of passing. Don't forget to test the brakes. After you've brought your baby home, make sure you keep it maintained at an Audi auto service shop. Since this is an older imported vehicle, it helps to work with specialists who are informed about German engineering, and who have established connections for procuring older parts if required.
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