Thread: Test drive... What should I look for ?

Not too sure about d4 specific things, but I'd be checking EVERYTHING electrical works properly (windows, roof, central locking, seats, mirrors, radio, nav etc.)
Check the gears change up & down without any clunks or shudders.
Give it a good fang & watch for smoke.
All things I forgot on the test drive of my RRS! I was lucky, car is brilliant. (after handing over $50+k of my hard earned). I got a bit overwhelmed at how good the car was and forgot the basics!
So my advice? TRY and take an objective view, although it's pretty hard sometimes
GOOD LUCK!
Rohan.
P.s. Check the air suspension goes up & down. Check the park brake goes on & off properly.

Turn the radio off

Listen for clunks & knocks in the front suspension and steering

get someone knowledgable you know and trust to to the test drive with you and listen to their review.
nothing beats an objective view.

I never personally bid for things i want to buy, always get some one else and set the limit, works brilliantly as they have no emotional attachment to the purchase and can bargain way better.

cheers

-knocks from front end
-white smoke if it's a 3.0
-noisy air suspension compressor
-SHUDDER from transmission - this will be felt through the steering wheel and pedals under acceleration and is accompanied by a harshness in the engine noise.

There's not really that many common problems with these cars and assuming a good service history (note: auto trans oil NEEDS servicing at no more than 100k intervals to stave off potential problems with the torque converter).

When's the test drive?
Did you buy it?