Hi everyone!

A2D2

Member
Hi A2OC!

I'm considering a Diesel A2 as my first car and I'm mainly looking for a bit of advice on what I should avoid or look out for when looking for one to buy.

I've decided on the A2 as it's one of the least ugly cars of the era. (it's aged extremely well) and obviously I'd like something a bit special for my first car too.

I'll probably be doing self maintenance, I'm fairly confident in engineering and obviously the money savings are quite a bit too.

I'm also quite surprised that most of the ones I can find are over 150k miles, Which makes me assume they'd all have some major issues around that point, Am I wrong?

Thanks for your help!
 
You're wrong, 150k can easily be achieved without significant issues. TDI's are known to be relatively trouble free though A2's do have some issues. Gearbox can be weak(check it engages 1st and reverse easily along with 3rd synchro - can crunch if you change too fast). Otherwise, good service history is a good way to reduce future issues. Ensure cam belt (along with water pump) has been done(5 years). Exhausts are good though front flexy joint can cause issues, check for exhaust leaks. Dampers don't last forever, will need done if not already(4 bilstein b4 dampers around £115, add £50+ for bolts and bump stops etc). Also ensure wishbones are good, pressed steel ones have been failing though older vehicles used forged ones which many are retrofitting (£95ish each).
There's more though mostly the same stuff that any car of this age suffers.
Still a number of 'low' mileage cars out there, our 3 TDI's are 83k, 92k and 150k. The 150k has the smoothest engine, I think the other two have yet to be run in.
Good luck, any more questions?
 
You're wrong, 150k can easily be achieved without significant issues. TDI's are known to be relatively trouble free though A2's do have some issues. Gearbox can be weak(check it engages 1st and reverse easily along with 3rd synchro - can crunch if you change too fast). Otherwise, good service history is a good way to reduce future issues. Ensure cam belt (along with water pump) has been done(5 years). Exhausts are good though front flexy joint can cause issues, check for exhaust leaks. Dampers don't last forever, will need done if not already(4 bilstein b4 dampers around £115, add £50+ for bolts and bump stops etc). Also ensure wishbones are good, pressed steel ones have been failing though older vehicles used forged ones which many are retrofitting (£95ish each).
There's more though mostly the same stuff that any car of this age suffers.
Still a number of 'low' mileage cars out there, our 3 TDI's are 83k, 92k and 150k. The 150k has the smoothest engine, I think the other two have yet to be run in.
Good luck, any more questions?
Thanks for the reply.

I've normally seen other cars pack up around 150k so that's nice to hear.

My only other questions would be, What is a reasonable price for one? I'm mostly looking at the 1.4 75hp but I'm seeing prices from 0.5-4k for very similar models and mileage.

I'm also considering buying one with a simple issue like head gasket as that's a fairly cheap (albeit not easy) fix, Would that be a stupid idea?
 
Sorry, nearly impossible to answer those questions. While I wouldn't recommend buying a fixer upper as a 1st A2 my 1st car was a fixer upper(had the engine out the day after I bought it). I'd suggest buying the best one you can afford though any A2 can develop issues. Bottom end cars will (likely) have more issues and since I don't know you it's difficult to recommend how much to spend.
It's probably worth posting something you've looked at to gauge prices. There are still bargains to be had though you'll have to be fast as many of us have A2 addiction. :)
 
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Sorry, nearly impossible to answer those questions. While I wouldn't recommend buying a fixer upper as a 1st A2 my 1st car was a fixer upper(had the engine out the day after I bought it). I'd suggest buying the best one you can afford though any A2 can develop issues. Bottom end cars will (likely) have more issues and since I don't know you it's difficult to recommend how much to spend.
It's probably worth posting something you've looked at to guage prices. There are still bargains to be had though you'll have to be fast as many of us have A2 addiction. :)

Well I've been looking around multiple sites.
Motors.co.uk, autotrader, ebay etc

I've seen one that's in penzance for about 1k, The only annoyance I can see is that it has a tape player instead of a CD.

I've also seen some hovering around the midlands for about 3k, There's one that has around 80k miles I believe.

It seems the gumtree sellers are trying to hype it up by calling it a rare car, And obviously upping the price to go with it so there isn't as many good deals on there.

All round I'm looking to spend around 3k along with first year's insurance and tax.
(and obviously any problems that pop up)
 
On a test drive, listen for knocks from the anti-roll bar. Early models had skinny ones, with plastic collars which eventually break, leaving you with a rattly ARB. Some were replaced by Audi under warranty, but not all. ...my 2003 FSI has this problem, but my 2001 1.4 doesn't. Not an easy fix, but lots of threads about this on this forum.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
Hi A2OC!

I'm considering a Diesel A2 as my first car and I'm mainly looking for a bit of advice on what I should avoid or look out for when looking for one to buy.

I've decided on the A2 as it's one of the least ugly cars of the era. (it's aged extremely well) and obviously I'd like something a bit special for my first car too.

I'll probably be doing self maintenance, I'm fairly confident in engineering and obviously the money savings are quite a bit too.

I'm also quite surprised that most of the ones I can find are over 150k miles, Which makes me assume they'd all have some major issues around that point, Am I wrong?

Thanks for your help!

Don't worry too much about the mileage; there are plenty on this forum that have an interplanetary mileage on them (including mine now on 245,000 miles). There's a thread about high mileage ones - search for 'the quest for the highest mileage and the 200k club' or something like that.
Yes they need some TLC and specialist TLC at that but if looked after they'll go on for ever (I hope so in my case).
 
Welcome,

As others have said, buy on condition and service history vice mileage alone. I've fallen foul of this advice on several occasions, much to my own detriment. The lure of low miles isn't conducive to a well-love, well-maintained car. The A2s can handle galactic mileage, though the TDIs reign supreme with their tried and tested 3-pot power-plants.

The A2 was a rare car when new, circa 20,000 on UK soil from recollection, and significantly less with the sad demise of vehicles as part of natural wastage. Good examples should attract a premium, but the key is to identify those cars from general dealers jumping on the band-wagon with shoddy examples.

Component parts are likely to more than mainstream Ford say, but some components are shared across the VAG platform and there is a good supply of used parts too.

I'm still of the belief that the market for A2s will pick up and their aluminium innovative space frame and general design will out over time. The combustion engine and environmental noise might well influence this in part, but I am living in hope.

The A2 is a great choice and even by todays standards easily rubs shoulders with newer models in terms of aesthetics and styling. It was a small premium car, built out of quality premium materials. You'll not go far wrong if you source a good, well kept, example. You've also landed in the right place to pool information and assistance from this great knowledgeable community.

Good luck in your search.

Darren
 
Find one you can afford, take it for a drive, check its history in the service book, mot history on gov website, finance free and if it suits you BUY IT. Other than that you are asking us how long a piece of string is. Has to be your choice.
 
Hi.
Glad you have decided on an A2 as your first car. Solidly built with Audi reliability, quality and the quirkyness of being built out of aluminium. Anyways the A2 tdi is a good choice, most things can be added on, but having climate control i would say is a must. Then it really depends on colour and spec, se or sport etc. My current 2003 a2 tdi is on 130k and i consider that low mileage.
Good luck in your search.
Steve
 
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