Would love to pick up a used 2009, but price is a tad beyond what I want to pay. So it's got me looking at an '08.
Were there any major changes between the two model years? Also I've heard that the more recent models are more reliable (hence my desire for an '09)

Oh, it's the 2.0 DSG I'm interested in.
Thanks

 

yes the 2.0T engine is slightly different starting in 2008.5+ (TFSI vs FSI)

much more reliable from what i've read on fourtitude

 

The big change that will affect service and reliability is the switch to a timing chain instead of a timing belt, but I'm not sure when that happened. Might not be until the 2010 year. And the DSG requires regular and expensive service, a manual is much more bullet proof.

 

There is no big leap to say that '08's are better than 09's. The 09 may be more reliable because it has half the kilometers, but that really doesn't mean anything. Get the car that is a CPO.

The best thing you can do is, check the service history and ensure that all oil changes have been done religiously, regardless of engine or year. Like all turbocharged enginesn Audi's have a tendency to consume oil, which is normal. This is nothing to panic about. If you pull the dipstick and it's low and the oil is watery and black, look elsewhere.

And like the other poster said, get the 6-speed if its realistic. Buy what you like and don't fuss about thinking you bought the wrong car. It will cost money to maintain and if you're in the mindset that you bought a Toyota Corolla think again. It's a high performance machine, so you must maintain it as such.

 

guys there is ONE post in this thread with all the info and you still manage to skip over it

why do i bother, i dont know