Q7 4,2tdi
 

Afternoon all,

Younger sister is looking for a capable 7 seat SUV - has to have plenty of room for her tall husband (6'4"), 3 kids, 2 dogs and the usual family stuff.

She's been looking at last model XC90's but my recent acquistion of an Audi has turned her attention to the brand.

She's found a 2009 Q7 4.2TDI with low mileage and is interested.

Anyone run/has run one of these that can point me in the direction of what to look for/specific weaknesses?

I'll be the one who has to get it fixed so the more info I have the less likely I'll get shouted at if it goes wrong! :(:(:(:(

My wife has a 3.0TDI one for the last 4 years and it's a great machine for hauling kids & all their stuff about. Other than a bluetooth module and a starter motor it's been faultless which is'nt bad as they are not far off A8's in terms of complexity/over engineering.
If it was me, I'd go for a 2011 facelift car that has the 8 speed gearbox. It should be a lot more economical and nicer to drive. I'm probably biased but I think the 3.0TDI is fine, they're too bulky a beast for thrashing about.
Air Suspension is worth having if you can find one that has it. Other than that, get as much spec as you can as the options list is long.
S-Lines are more desirable but most have alecantra seats that don't go well with kids/dogs etc.
A lot of people complain about tyre wear but I've not an issue with it.

Air suspension is standard, as is 7 seats in the UK. Only the new 4M chassis has the air as an option.

Great car I've had 4 now; 2 3.0tdis and 2 4.2 Tdis.

The 4.2 has the same bulletproof features as the A8, and only the DPF is a concern at around 100-120K. They can weep a bit of oil at the rear at his mileage too, but not enough to concern.

Later ones are slightly more economical, and will have cheaper tax disc, but pay a premium for the car.

4.2Tdi was the top model until the V12 in 2009, so you get some good spec 4.2 Tdis so don't settle for a lower spec one as cost difference is negligible and resale is so much easier with toys on.

Keyless will fail, like the D3. Panaramic sunroof is great, but can squeak f unserviced. I lubricated mine to death last year and completely cured it, so don't let it put you off.

Towbar is useful, and common on the 4.2

21" wheels are common on the 4.2 and if factory fitted they have a small plastic wheel arch: tyres cost a bit more, but those wheels really make the car stand out.

Full leather was an option, but the half alcantara is hard wearing and a personal preference but I've only had it once.

Look out for TV as an option, and you will also get twin pane glass, which does make the ride a bit quieter.

Great cars, needing little attention. Just love it +++

Car shopping
 

Younger sis drags me out car shopping this afternoon to look at her 'shortlist' of Q7s

Two are nice, well specced Q7 SLine 3.0TDi with the usual toys. One however was a 5 seat(!) 58 plate car with 30k miles on it. Seemed well priced so we hit this one first -
The 5 seats were unusual, as was the chassis no which started "DVLASWAxxxxxx"
Turns out that the new DVLA issue these chassis numbers where a car's original identity cannot be determined or cat C writeoff or foreign import which had an IVA test.

I would suspect that this car is an import from Australia/Japan or similar.

Japan would be my first thought as the low mileage for the age would stack up.

The options decoder didn't show anything up apart from the 'Tropical option' and 'USA style' headlights

Anyone any thoughts on where this would have come from?
It's purely out of interest as sis bought a nice 2012 Q7 Tdi SLine+ later on this evening.

According to one VIN check site, it's a FAIRLANE 500 SKYLINER.

Do you have the reg it is wearing ? I'm quite curious about it, but can't find anything off that vin....

5 seats was technically a downgrade option in the UK, but I've never actually seen one. Ever. I had read it has a different rear roof section too - as the 7 seater has presumably a little more head room for the rear seats, but again, never actually seen one....

7 seats was standard. Occasionally, you see the 6 seats with 2, 2 and 2

A 5 Seater was a no cost option here in Ireland and extremely rare on the 4L Model. Similarly cloth upholstery was also available as a no cost option !!
Bodyshell is slightly different, see attached info.

Based on the options code shown, this is the Q7 in question:

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2008-Audi-...ILES-178639818

No reg unfortunately, as it's covered up.

Based on what Chris said about the VIN, it's looking more like a Cat C than an import. Assuming the speedo hasn't been replaced, it's a UK model as it has both MPH and KPH. Australia/Japan and even Ireland next door all use KPH.

Thats the one Sean.

Its on gumtree as well

I'll get the reg no and post it shortly.
Dva checker said records not found

Left side of the car looked out of shape, front passenger seat bolt covers were in the door pocket, the wheel arch trim on the back door was brand new and the flap under the bonnet at the bottom of the windscreen would not sit properly

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