Hi all,
I am brand new...and have a few questions about this Audi A4 I want to buy. Well it is a 1996 A4 2.8L Quattro. I test drove it and it rode beautifully. I have not checked the Carfax for it, but will tomorrow night. The guy said that he did NOT change the oil every 3k miles. instead he changed it about every 3k-7.5k...which is a lot. So this leads to one of my questions...when i test drove it, i pressed on the gas to gun it half way and it had a split second delay, and then soared down the road. Is this normal of all A4s? Or is it supposed to be spot on accurate? Like once i gun it half way, there is no split second delay..? Ok , next he said the fan belt slipped off once, or broke or soemthing...and he got it fixed. I assume that is not a big problem. Also it was rear ended slightly so it was a little more than a minor fender bender. There was no crumplage they say, but they had to get one or two wheel alignments after the rear ending. He also changed the electronic module in teh transmission which he said was due to age. Other than all that, they say it has no problems and drives fine. I think it drove great except for the slight delay in the gas peddle..Does anyone know what thats about? Is it normal? Feedback would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

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how much does he want? dont settle for something that might not be right. be patient and the right one will come along and you'll know it when it does.

 

How many miles are on it?

Does it have good service records?

If it was a 1.8, I would say its turbo lag, but not on a 2.8. On the v6, the lower end acceleration should be better. Maybe its something with the transmission? It is an automatic, correct?

Other v6 owners out there, how is the low end accel on the v6?

ttryi, this 96 may be the v6 12valve, which does not have as much power as the v6 30valve, so the lack of low end may be normal.

How much are they asking? Has the timing belt been replaced? How does the steering feel?

 

The acceleration is just like any other small v6 its not bad but not enough for me (mines a 97)

 

I can't be of much help but will say that during my inquiries about buying an A4, oil sludge came up as an important factor (but not as important as the timing belt).. not sure if that applies to this oil changing situation. Do a search on the type of oils recommended for an A4 and then ask the seller what kind they used.

FWIW- I am having an A4 I am looking at taken to an audi dealer and they will do a pre-purchase inspection for 77.00. that's pretty cheap insurance in my book.

good luck, jim

 

yeah, i dont really think there should be any hesitation........... possibly there is a tranny issue..... i only have a very small lag and i have the turbo as well as NDBW.... i would pass on the car.

 

hey thanks for all your feedback
i actually found out its a 97' a4 1.8T...so the lag is the turbo lag. the guy is giving it to me for $2000....128K miles on it...great deal i cant give it up...the mechanic showed me two oil seeps...one under the engine and the other by the transmission i believe...
he said the one at hte engine might not be a problem b/c the oil that is currently in it could be thinner than fresher oil. but the oil seepage by the transmission he said to fix, but it wont cost a lot. anyone know if this willb e a problem? (the seepage by the engine).
also the owner did not change the timing belt or water pump yet, so that is def. on my agenda....also i was told to flush all the fluids in the car, ne suggestions? other than the 2 seepages, the mechanic said its a great car...

 

For 2k thats hard to pass up.

just realize your gonna have to put about 2k in it to get things right.

Timing belt is about 800-1000, then that oil pan and tranny seal. The engine has to be lifted or supported to remove the subframe bracing to get the oil pan out. $$$$ not gonna be a real cheap fix, but worth it if the car is only 2k.

Id expect a lot of other things to need work, since it does not seem like the previous owner took care of it. You may be better off paying more money for one that was well taken care of, in the long run it may save you $$$$$.

Good luck.

 

yeah i expected to put some money into it. nothing is really wrong with the car at all but I figure just changing the timing belt and flushing the fluids would be a good idea. The mechanic actually said that if I didn't buy it he would. He said the car is in great condition and that the oil seeps arn't even really a big problem and that these people have taken care of they serviced it whenever they needed it. I also trust them because I know them personally. Otherwise I think I will have to put about $1500 into the car to get it in great condition. Even after that its only going to cost $3500.