dcwjr

I think I know the response but I'll ask anyway- budget minded buyer looking at 12, 13 Q 5's with some serious miles (85k-95k) in the $15k- 19k price range. Drove one today with 96k, PP, 1 owner dealer serviced throughout
and had piston ring replacement at 95k. Used car dealer asking $15.5 - brakes and tires done within last 10k. I'm aware of repair costs on these cars and could live with $1000yr for maintenance - so the advice of those with hi mileage
would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Bob Petruska

On the one that you drove you didn't state the year. Some early 2012's with 2.0T engines still have bad timing chain tensioners which could fail and cause $7K worth or engine damage. Find out if the tensioner was replaced when they did the piston rings.
That may be a good buy at $15.5K. Did an Audi dealer replace the rings?

dcwjr

It was a 2012 PP and all service including the ring replacement was done at dealer

Bob Petruska

Then the dealer history should indicate if the timing chain tensioner was replaced or not. Find out the Q5 build date, open driver door, at the right, down side of door jam is the build date. If later 2012 it should have the latest/greatest tensioner.
It would be nice to find out exactly what the dealer replaced, when they did a ring job at that many miles they may have also replaced the timing chain, chain guides, etc. I'm sure that the dealer would tell you the history of the car.

Mythdoc

dcwjr

Dealer did the engine work prior to putting car up for sale, probably sat then was wholesaled. Planning on calling dealer next week for detail on engine work

Bob Petruska

Is this at the dealer's used car lot, or a private used car lot? If really doesn't make any difference, my dealer doesn't keep used Audi high mileage vehicles that long, usually sends them to auction.

If dealer is no help, the used car lot should have access to their Carfax account, and if they won't do that for you, then they might be hiding something. My Audi dealer serviced vehicles list on Carfax almost
everything that has been done, including ring replacements, engines pulled for carbon cleaning, plus normal brake/rotors/alignments, etc. He does a very good job in vehicle history when viewed in Carfax.

dcwjr

Current dealer buys from local Audi dealer, I have CarFax showing all recommended services done(18total) including engine work at 95k. Audi dealer had it for sale then wholesaled it to current dealer.
Initially I just wanted to see how it drove with no intention of buying but with the service history and piston replacement my interest is piqued.

Bob Petruska

Is this a 3.2 or 2.0T engine?

dcwjr

2.0T