choices choices choices - help!

[davzrx8]

What would you go for?

1, a red storm 1.4 base model I think until I speak to dealer so unsure, 04 plate 43k miles at £6k, 17" sport wheels, climate and bose 6cd, looks excellent cond in the pics

or

2, 1.6SE 51k in black, 03 52 plate at £5k, cd, climate, black leather which looks ex cond, 16" alloys, Opensky and again looks excellent in the pics.

I'd prefer a 1.6 but not sure about opensky though, in case it goes wrong and I end up with a big bill. I prefer the 17' wheels but I like the leather interior, I'd prefer the bose but a single cd will do...............what a quandary!

 

[bretti_kivi]

The 1.6.
Everything else is replaceable with the exception of the roof.
OSS can become CSS, true, but.... and you can sell the 16s and put some 17s on. You may well find it's a bit, well, stiff, afterwards.

Bret

 

[davzrx8]

do the 17's ruin the ride then?

 

[Darren C]

do the 17's ruin the ride then?

The ride for some can be considered as harsh, (depends on the quality of roads where you live/drive and what suspension set up you are used to); easily resolved with FSD suspension upgrade - though not necessarily a cheap modification.

Darren

 

[the grim reeper]

For me i would have probably gone for the 1.6, but when i was looking it was a TDI all the way

Cheers Phil

 

[deseli]

Well, I am biased anyhow :S ...although bose is a good option, I adore the open sky on mine, besides you could always retrofit bose afterwards and the leather would be a lot more expensive to retrofit at a later date as this is a fairly rare option I believe!?!

...maybe if you can, try and test drive both options and see which one sits right on you???

 

[humps]

Yes Bose can be retro-fitted, but adding all parts and time, it is not cheap. However, bose surely can't a deal breaker? Besides, are they real bose or just claimed bose because the car has double DIN symphony headunit?

I would not want the 17" wheels anyway, even if the car has FSD. I would stick with 16" with the A2. No contest really, definitely the 1.6. Provided the 1.4 is a sports, it may not have the rear false floor which I find very useful. The 1.6 should have it.

 

[agent006]

OpenSky is fantastic. If it breaks, at worst you have a non-opening glass roof.

 

[davzrx8]

Thanks for the replies I was edging towards the 1.6 but the decision was made for me as the storm sold, thought it looked a good motor.

I have spoken to the independent dealer selling the 1.6 and it sounds good, local car, cambelt done Dec 2008, arb's and brakes done Jan 2008 at a cost of £350 at a vw/audi specialist. Immaculate leather interior, just two stone chips on the bonnet (chipsaway will sort that) wheels refurbished 2 yrs ago and full audi service history.

Window price £5K, checked the glass's consumer guide and it gives a retail guide of £5.7k for a 2003 52, so it seems under valued especially when it has leather and opensky.

What is a fair price to pay the dealer?

I will want to put a roof rack on it, but not recommended by Audi although I have read on the forum that some opensky owners have done that in the past, is it still ok? I'll only be putting 3 racing bikes on it so weight wise it will be about 20kg or 45lb in old money.

 

[dan_b]

OpenSky is rare and worth it.
You can put roof bars on an OpenSky.
You can retrofit Bose.
You can re-trim in Leather.
I have 17s and it's fine, looks "right" to me (although I do plan an FSD upgrade).

Enjoy what ever you get!

 

[bretti_kivi]

I'd personally go for a Paulchen or a towbar and a Thule base with then a basket or bike carriers.

Bret

 

[davzrx8]

I phoned on Thursday to make an appointment to see it on Friday after work and it then sold Friday morning!

I'm still looking, anyone got a nice 1.6 for sale!!!

 

[murdo]

I phoned on Thursday to make an appointment to see it on Friday after work and it then sold Friday morning!

I'm still looking, anyone got a nice 1.6 for sale!!!

Have you seen/considered this one David?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2004&vehicleRegLetter=04

Rutherford's in Earlston is a good garage. My friend has bought a few Seats from them and always got a good deal. Also, he is only a few miles away in Lauder, so if you like the look of this 1.6 (which has opensky) I could ask him to have a look for you. As he knows them, I daresay he could get an idea of what they would take for it with no trade in. PM me if youre interested.