just went to look at some cars today, narrowed it down to:

2003 3.0 A4 approx. 120k km 9500$ Inspected and needs around 2500$
or
2003 1.8? VW Passat 130k km 7500$ NOT Inspected

anyways, I need some opinions on which one is the better buy, I know there are risks in both cases, but mainly with the Audi I want to know if the maintenance is just gonna destroy my wallet, and am curious about what you guys think, my budget is around $10,000 since I just unfortunately crashed my daily driver/beater and its a write off.
Any advice/info/suggestions Please, THANK YOU!

 

Timing belt is due around the 120,000km mark for the 3.0 motor; it is expensive but once done you are good for the next 5-6 years depending on how much you drive. I have a 2005 and the drive is great; the 3.0 is a very smooth highway cruiser; I would go for it over a Passat; being the 3.0 it likely has a higher option level than the Passat as well. If you really have an S4 though, note this has nowhere near the same power to weight ratio as the S4

 

Ya the Passat had cloth seats and stuff, I heard the control arms are a bit pricey too?
My friend from dealership is checking to see if the car has had the timing belt done, if it hasn't I will probably pass on the car.
The power doesn't matter so much to me, have the S4 for those days I wanna go really quick.

 

Essentially you're comparing the engines. The maintenance between a Passat and an A4 is probably a wash. They are really similar cars. VW parts are not usually any cheaper than Audi and in fact, many times they are the same part or very similar. Labour will depend on where you take it of course.

 

I have an 03 3.0.. I bought it 5 years ago.
Like the previous post mentioned it's a hwy cruiser!!
I've been averaging 10l/100km since I've had the car..I think that's pretty good.. 60% hwy 40% city. I have managed just below 8L/100 if I set the cruise @ 95kph.
On a recent trip doing 120-130 it's about 9.5.
The control arms are a weak point. I just had one set go & it cost me 450$ and I guess can expect the other side to go anytime also.
Timing belt just had it done cost 1500$ tax in. I will keep the car till I need to get it changed again then get rid of it.. by then it will be a 15 year old car & I'm sure other parts will need to be changed. My muffler is still original & I don't wanna know the price if that needs to be changed.

Overall it has been a good car for me.

 

to the other 3.0 owners. Has anyone yet changed the shocks on the car? I have 130km & still original. Now they don't feel as tight when I bought the car with 45k, they still feel not too bad.
How long do they usually last?