Hello all, I am looking at possibly purchasing a Certified 2008 TL-S with 34,000 miles on it. Just wondering if anyone can give me some pointers to look for, or any known issues to be aware of?
I'll be coming from an 03 Audi A6, so really looking for more reliability. Thanks for any input,

Shawn

 

Is it 6spd?

 

these are bullet proof cars.
if the previous owner took care of the car, all scheduled maintenance, then you'll be fine.

there are some tools that you can use at your disposal to help you figure out if the car is right for you.
check carfax - make sure everything looks legit, although some accidents are not reported.
check every body panel, there will be a VIN number on the major body panels.

take it to a mechanic for a pre-inspection purchase.

if all of these check out and you drove the car, go ahead and make the purchase.

 

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately no it is an auto. Couldn't find a 6spd locally, and I am starting to get intermittent turbo whine on the A6 so i don't have a lot of time to look around.

Justn, will do - I've taken a look at the carfax, and going to checkout/drive the car this evening or tomorrow morning. I have a local mechanic I'll be taking it to as well. Just got burned on the audi by not asking around for things to look for before I bought it and the lesson was learned.

 

the 04-06's have been having auto tranny issues....it might be too soon to tell for the 08.


these cars generally do not burn oil.
04-06's have had trouble with starters, and alternators....but these are very minor problems.


we do have rattles. the interior rattles like hell.
OEM batteries suck...

ummmm.......




thats all that i can think of right now.

 

take a look at the problems and fixes subsection:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/


here's all the issues that have come up.

 

thanks, I'll take a look!

 

Welcome Shawn!

Justin has already pointed out most of the flaws of the TL. I bought mine with 52k three years ago and I'm about to hit 111k. Besides little things here and there, especially the interior rattles, the car has been bulletproof.

One of the things I would pay close attention to are the brakes. For some reason I go through brake pads like no other. The rotors warp easily too so make sure you put the car through it's paces while test driving.

Check the lower parts of the seats for cracking and wear. The material used in the Type-S may be different but it's still the same design. My seats look like crap

Besides those few small things, the TL-S should last you quite a while! Good luck

 

^^^Don't ride your brakes like a granny and they'll be ok. j/k Tyler I wonder if your car had a hard life before you got a hold of it.

Mine hasn't really given me any problems because it was an Acura company car.

For the OP, get the vin# and call a dealership to check that all TSB's and recalls have been performed. If they were fixed at a dealership then there would be a record that they can find with the vin#.

One problem I've heard of on the type-s was a indicator light being on for the gas cap being loose when it isn't.

 

^butt totally minor in comparison to his A6

 

Welcome to AZ Shawn!! Looks like you're already getting some good advice. No recalls on the 08 TL-S. It's a very solid car, I had no issues with the one I had. Mileage is nice and low too. Once your mechanic gives you the thumps up, I'd say it's a done deal. Good luck.......