so im almost about to get a 96 a4 2.8l, but there are a few minor problems...


1st, the sunroof wont open, the dealer said that the motor is fine but theres a connection busted or something.

2nd, the climate control works, but the lights dont, so im not able to read it.

3rd (ive read about this before, please take it easy on me) i want the switchblade style key. is there anyway i could take the locks from a 97+ and stick them onto a 96 and then get the super cool key? how much (estimate) would this all cost?

i really appreciate any help.

thank you

 

If you want the switchblade... just hold out for a 97... it's a lot of hassle to do convert it. A lot of hassle.

And as for the other things... I dunno. What kind of dealer is this at? What are the details of this car? It better be pretty damned cheap.

 

I think your 3rd problem is not a problem. The switch key is cool, but not worth the time or $ to convert to. Thats actually pretty rediculous.... You do have a sense of practicality, or logic right? Funny! Your main problem here is that your shopping at a dealer. Do you realize you are going to pay about $3k more at a dealer than private party? I am assuming you will get a very limited waranty if any at a stealership... Also, if there are things wrong with the car, and they arent willing to find out EXACTLY what solution is, than that sucks. People that buy at used car dealerships crack me up... You can get the same car for considerably less by purchasing through a private party, it may take longer. If I were you Id pass on it.

 

Yeah, and anybody selling a 96 a4 privately has at least some confidence in it! The guys who know their tranny is about to explode go and trade it in, so they have it gone and out of their life. Then you buy it.

Just shop privately, it's defiantely the way to go.

 

I dont totally agree with that. if you was to buy privately some guys just dont give a SH** and they are just trying to sell the car aswell as some dealers like the one you are dealing with. if you buy from a dealer some assure you the car you are getting is in good condition and if anything happens withing 30-90 days depending on the dealer they'll take care of it. unlike when you buy private the sale of the car is "as is" So IMO there is no correct way to go. just shop around both in both areas until you find something good in your price range... and oh yeah make sure you CARFAX it.

 

well said everyone. im passing on the 96. i did however found a 98 with 2 problems and i dont know if its minor or not. the airbag warning light is on and the drivers front suspension is very loud/squeaky.

to resolve the suspension i was hoping a coilover kit would eliminate the problem, but is the airbag light a common issue with a4's?

 

If you are purchasing an a4, and dont know how to tell if things are in good condition, you dont deserve ownership of the car! The 30-90 days thing is called awarranty, which youd be lucky to get on a used audi that old. The correct "way to go" is to have common knowlege of cars, find one through a private party, evaluate it, and make a decision. Dealers have a hard time throwing on a new set of tires to make the sale, let alone fix any other problems. Used car sales people work on commision, therefore, will assure you till their mouths are blue that the car is in "good condition." Whoever said it is wise to by from the audi dealership is wrong, unless you get the audi warrany. The fact is, your guarenteed to pay more than you have to by going through a dealership. Just find a private party sale with a car thats in good shape. Anyone who has any knowlege or logic in purchasing a car will definately get a car fax report. If you must go through a dealership, ask them to provide you with one. Somthing these mod-ers dont understand is that no matter what chip, turbo, or any other mod you invest into your car does not make it worth more, it actually makes its depreciation worse! I love it when I hear sob stories of people who overpaid for their car in the first place, add $3,000 in mods, and then their ride gets totalled. Its just a friggin car! A sweet car though.. I love the a4. It took me 6 months to find the right car for the right price through private party, its worth it. There are great deals out there you just got to ivest the time to find em.

 

i have a 98, with the airbag light on, said it was a sensor, but be careful, suspension work can be expensive. Take it to a certified audi mechanic before you buy it, and have him look for timing belt changes and other things that havee been worked on or need to be worked on.

the add i answered to said "mint cond" and there was at like $2000 worth of work waiting to be done on it. test drive it with the radio off, and if you can, see if you can find a 1.8t, because from what it sounds like you are intrested in modding your car, the 1.8t market is huge, rather than the 2.8

 

He can check the timing belt by removing the cover, but you wont be able to see the notorious timing belt tensioner without taking lots of crap appart. If I were you, if you dont have vehicle history, assume that you are going to have to put a new timing belt/tensioner/waterpump/belts+pulleys on it. They say to do this after 60-70k miles.

 

lol, i dont think id mod the car. the 1.8 sounded really fun, but since the v6 is more reliable, then thats what im aiming for.

im sorry that onepoint8tee doesnt believe i dont deserve ownership of a car.

its just a car though.... im not a big car nut. i honestly dont know much about them. i just thought that the a4 was really nice.

thanks for the advice though.

suspension is expensive? i thought a set of basic tein coilers (800-ish) would take care of the squeaking?

im really lost....its seems like a very good deal though...98 a4 for under 6k.

am i wrong? please help the airhead chef....