PlasticMac
Admin Team
The FSI engine is different, maybe unique. Ideally, you should scan the engine using VCDS, record the displayed codes clear them, take a test drive, making sure you excercise the engine, over a wide rpm range, and load. Then scan again. If there are fault codes, suggest you post here for advice.
The FSI, in fine fettle is a joy, the icing on the A2 cake. An FSI with engine troubles is not.
Some fault codes are serious, some less so.
The FSI must be run exclusively on 98/99 octane Super Unleaded.
The engine is incompatible with E10 95 octane, standard petrol.
As a minimum, check that all dash warnings, particularly the EML, light up at the first turn of the ignition key, and all go out within a few seconds of the engine starting, which it should do first spin.
If in doubt, ask.
Mac.
The FSI, in fine fettle is a joy, the icing on the A2 cake. An FSI with engine troubles is not.
Some fault codes are serious, some less so.
The FSI must be run exclusively on 98/99 octane Super Unleaded.
The engine is incompatible with E10 95 octane, standard petrol.
As a minimum, check that all dash warnings, particularly the EML, light up at the first turn of the ignition key, and all go out within a few seconds of the engine starting, which it should do first spin.
If in doubt, ask.
Mac.
FinallyFiona
Admin Team
Check that the EML comes on with the ignition, then goes out when you start the engine. No EML at ignition on = walk away. EML remaining on = ask vendor to scan it and analyse results before deciding to walk.
Also ask the vendor how long they've had it, and what fuel they have run it on. If they don't mention V-Power or another E5 super-unleaded brand of at least 98RON, they'll have run it on E10 with which it is not compatible, so walk away.
Up to you what to do if they've had it for less than the three years since E10 became the standard unleaded fuel, but if it's been a short-term ownership they may have found what its problems are going to cost to fix, and be trying to get rid while it still drives and has MOT.
Also ask the vendor how long they've had it, and what fuel they have run it on. If they don't mention V-Power or another E5 super-unleaded brand of at least 98RON, they'll have run it on E10 with which it is not compatible, so walk away.
Up to you what to do if they've had it for less than the three years since E10 became the standard unleaded fuel, but if it's been a short-term ownership they may have found what its problems are going to cost to fix, and be trying to get rid while it still drives and has MOT.
PlasticMac
Admin Team
If you are au fait with VCDS Engine Measuring Blocks, Group 089, Block 1, is the number of Kilometres driven within the EML illuminated, even if it's not, currently On. Doesn't reset. It's the FSI truth button.
Mac.
FinallyFiona
Admin Team
Yes. Not many are known to get much past 160k, although from a recent thread on here, the record (as yet unverified) is 210k and still going.
PlasticMac
Admin Team
There's no inherent reason for an FSI engine to wear more quickly than any other engine. It is, however more likely to be damaged by penny pinching owners, and mechanics with no knowledge of the FSI engine, which is most of them.
That Kilometres with EML illuminated Measuring Block will give a good insight into the life it's led.
There are several engine faults, that will trigger the EML, and which, if ignored, will result in reversible engine damage.
Mac
q292u
Member
Ok. So I have seen it.
Positives: It's a 2004 Colour Storm in black. Smart exterior. Light blue interior (yuck) Engine seems ok.
Negatives: nasty banging noise from front nearside suspension. Gear selection is stiff, does not spring back. Dicky front passenger door window. (temperamental) Slightly scratched windscreen (wiper) Battery housing missing. No V5. Not taxed so not a proper test drive.
It's cheap but I'm thinking I walk away.
Positives: It's a 2004 Colour Storm in black. Smart exterior. Light blue interior (yuck) Engine seems ok.
Negatives: nasty banging noise from front nearside suspension. Gear selection is stiff, does not spring back. Dicky front passenger door window. (temperamental) Slightly scratched windscreen (wiper) Battery housing missing. No V5. Not taxed so not a proper test drive.
It's cheap but I'm thinking I walk away.
FinallyFiona
Admin Team
I think you're probably right to walk away. The suspension noise and lack of V5 would be enough to make it a no-go for me. The gear selection fault might also turn out to be significant, although the other things aren't so bad.
I don't know why so many A2's are described as Colour Storms in advertisements, maybe it's a database fault somewhere, but if it's all black, it's not a Colour Storm. Colour Storms were bright red, blue or yellow (or very rare, Papaya or Silver) with the bumper inserts, door rubbing strips, wheel arches , service flap and roof all in matt black. They had seats with the centre section in a coloured pattern to match the exterior paint.
I don't know why so many A2's are described as Colour Storms in advertisements, maybe it's a database fault somewhere, but if it's all black, it's not a Colour Storm. Colour Storms were bright red, blue or yellow (or very rare, Papaya or Silver) with the bumper inserts, door rubbing strips, wheel arches , service flap and roof all in matt black. They had seats with the centre section in a coloured pattern to match the exterior paint.
q292u
Member
Hi, it wasn't advertised as colour storm, that came up when I used Auto Trader to check it's details. It got a clean sheet of the 5 checks, (so no cat-s, cat-n or whatever), and the MOT advisories were just brakes)
FinallyFiona
Admin Team
That makes sense. I've always thought the problem was with Auto Trader, I bet when I see them advertised wrongly on other platforms, that's where the wrong description originates from.
You did the right homework on this one. It passed the background checks, so you asked on here for any pertinent advice and, armed with that, went to see it. But in the real it turned out to be less of a proposition than it was on paper - sadly this happens all too often.
PlasticMac
Admin Team
Sadly indeed.
Hope @q292u finds a better one.
If you're wondering if they're worth the trouble, a drive in a tidy one will convince you that it is.
Mac.
simon martyn
Member
When in doubt, leave it out!!!!
Run as fast as you can.
Happy hunting.
Run as fast as you can.
Happy hunting.
.