Lookin at an 02' Q45 - Need some pointers!

[trendsetter]

Whats up guys, I am fairly new to this forum but I have been lurking for a long time. I am coming from the volkswagen/audi world and right now I have a 1998 Audi A8 that I will getting rid of for a 2002+ Q45. I have been searching for a good buyers checklist but I am unable to find one on this forum thus the reason for this post.

I am looking at a 2002 Q45 with both sport and premium packages, female driven, 2 owners, ALL maintenance records from the dealer since it was first bought. It has 151k miles, female driven for the second half of ownership (I know this isnt always a good thing). The first owner lived next door to the current one, and the service has been done at the same dealership all its life. He claims that the car needs nothing and I will certainly be bringing it to a mechanic, he is asking 8,700.00. I think the price is fair given all of the maintenance, it also has every option that was available for 02'. The car is black with tan interior, Im not to big of a fan on the tan but I love black.

My question to all you F50 guys is, what things specifically should I be looking for in the maintenance records? Usually I would be looking timing chain, water pump, CV joints, transmission flushes, belts, hoses, etc. And of course full synthetic, brakes and common things like that. But is there anything that is SPECIFIC to these cars?

Thanks in advance for ANY information, and I apologize if this has already been covered but I swear I searched and didnt come up with much.

[qship96]

regardless of condition, with that many miles I would not pay over 7K TOPS for it. Even if in excellent condition, all the cheap miles are used up and expensive components are nearing needing replacing.

[bullittandy]

These cars are known to burn oil at a high rate and so search the records for any indicator of this. Also, headlights go and are expensive but other than that they seem to be tough reliable cars.

enjoy

[NightRiderQ45]

I echo what everyone is saying. I would being pay close to $9k for that car especially with miles. The 2002-06 along with the 03-present M45 all share the same engine. If you do some searching, you will see that the V8 motor burns a lot of oil (some to the nature of 1qt per 1k miles which is crazy) if you ask me! The ballast is another problem area especially for the 2002 model. See if they replaced it already. If not, you will be looking at it dying on you and I think that's $2k for both ballast. From what I've read, all of the electronic bugs were worked out by 05-06 models except for the oil comsumption issue.

[seldomseen]

I would personally stay away from it----because it will end up costing you several grand within the first year of ownership. If you really want an F50....look for a low mileage well maintained 05/06 Q45. The F50 is a very nice, rare sedan, but it's not cheap to maintain/service.

[trendsetter]

Thanks for all then info guys, looks like ill be saving up some more money throughout the summer to get a newer Q with less mileage, Ill probably be picking up a bike in the meantime to enjoy while the sun is out.

[trendsetter]

I echo what everyone is saying. I would being pay close to $9k for that car especially with miles. The 2002-06 along with the 03-present M45 all share the same engine. If you do some searching, you will see that the V8 motor burns a lot of oil (some to the nature of 1qt per 1k miles which is crazy) if you ask me! The ballast is another problem area especially for the 2002 model. See if they replaced it already. If not, you will be looking at it dying on you and I think that's $2k for both ballast. From what I've read, all of the electronic bugs were worked out by 05-06 models except for the oil comsumption issue.

Nightrider, I have read alot of information the oil burning issue. However it seems that the majority of people with this issue either havent been using the right oil and gas in the vehicle since new or just bought the car that way used with high mileage. From what I have been reading there are a ton of Q's that dont have this problem at all, that or the owners just dont know what they are talking about and are running theyre q's low on oil all the time, heh.

[qship96]

Nightrider, I have read alot of information the oil burning issue. However it seems that the majority of people with this issue either havent been using the right oil and gas in the vehicle since new or just bought the car that way used with high mileage. From what I have been reading there are a ton of Q's that dont have this problem at all, that or the owners just dont know what they are talking about and are running theyre q's low on oil all the time, heh.

WRONG!!!! The oil burning is totally random, happens to even 1st time owners who baby and maintain their cars as specced......Has nothing to do with type/brand of oils/fuels and the problem affects all vehicles with this engine, whether q45/m45/fx45......some get lucky and they never have the issue- others have gotten free replacement motors and the brand new motor smokes and drinks like an alcoholic wife! Trust me, you dont want one of those either!!!!

[trendsetter]

WRONG!!!! The oil burning is totally random, happens to even 1st time owners who baby and maintain their cars as specced......Has nothing to do with type/brand of oils/fuels and the problem affects all vehicles with this engine, whether q45/m45/fx45......some get lucky and they never have the issue- others have gotten free replacement motors and the brand new motor smokes and drinks like an alcoholic wife! Trust me, you dont want one of those either!!!!

WRONG!!!! The oil burning is totally random, happens to even 1st time owners who baby and maintain their cars as specced......Has nothing to do with type/brand of oils/fuels and the problem affects all vehicles with this engine, whether q45/m45/fx45......some get lucky and they never have the issue- others have gotten free replacement motors and the brand new motor smokes and drinks like an alcoholic wife! Trust me, you dont want one of those either!!!!

Yea, ive heard that from some as well. I guess it just doesnt make any sense to me, no one has determined the cause of this problem? I mean the VK has been around long enough you would think there has got to be another alternative besides replacing the ENTIRE unit? Anyhow, im staying away until i can find one with lower mileage.