Hello,

I have a 98 Audi A4 1.8t, Manual transmission. For me, this car is really a great car and I always had fun with it.
The reason why I'm posting this is; I need to get an advise from you guys whether to keep the car or sell it. So please help..

It has 212,500K miles on it and was running fine till it reached 200K mark.The turbo went bad when it reached this mark. The wastegate valve came out of the turbo and was throwing oil into exhaust. So I went and replaced the turbo(brand new borg warner) and related things for $1600 at 212k miles.


But now the mechanic(authorized audi mechanic- years of service) says that all 4 struts are really bad and need to be replaced asap.(I knew this was going to happen in the near future since the car handling is poor). Also it needs a new front axle, catalaytic converter, spark plugs, and tensioner pulley. To replace all these, it costs around another $2500. ( So 1600 + 2500= $4100)

For your information: I replaced the following main components;

1. Timing Belt, Water pump, and all Engine seals/gaskets - at 180K miles

2. Master Cylinder, Slave cylinder, Pressure Plate, Clutch disc, Flywheel- at 160K miles

3. Brake rotors, Wheel Bearing, Drive Belt - at 180K miles.

4. Turbo, Oil line, Motor+ Transmission mount, Tires- at 212k miles.


The car runs absolutely fine and has one check engine light which is actually the code for catalytic converter efficiency. The bad turbo destroyed the CAT converter and light will go away after putting new CAT.

So here my concern is, "IS IT WORTH TO PUT ANOTHER $2500 FOR FIXING STRUTS, CAT AND AXLE, ON THIS CAR ?"

Even if I replace, how long will this car run with the above maintenance? (Engine runs smooth and gears shifts nicely,no vacuum or oil leak.)

Or shall I just sell it? ( But I really don't want to sell it since I put a new turbo last week. And moreover I just love my car.)

So friends, please advise me on this so that I can come to a decision. I hope to get some replies soon.

Thanks
Sam

 

if you like the car, and otherwise no other problems...I'd just fix the thing and be done with it. At least locally I can find cats still in good condition for about a hundred bucks, buy new axles ~70 each and the struts I replaced for ~500 for Bilsteins. I'd just suck it up and fix the thing myself and save quite a bit.

just my 2 cents