Local add says 95 a4, v6 150k miles, scratches, dents, new trani, stick... says "needs some work" but.. seller says it runs perfectly.. cracked windshield though

I didnt think they made the a4's in 95.. Unless they started in 95.5???

Price is 1/2 KBB.. sent email asking for service history and what "some work" means.. along with the usual ?'s..

Andrew

 

if the guy doesn't even know the year of the car(since 1996 was the first year they made the B5 in 12v only) and he is pricing it at half of KKB value then i would skip it..

i repeat, run away!!!

 

I wouldn't.

Even if you get a good deal on it, it is an older Audi with highish miles. Fairly new Audis have enough problems. I don't want to think about what an older high mile one will need. Especially if he says that it needs work.

I know that the V6 engine will go 200k+, but you want to get into a well maintained, good condition Audi. Not something sitting around with a busted windshield and who knows what else.

Pass on this one. Save up and get a newer one with low miles.

 

Ok, asside from sellers ignorance... What is wrong with the early model a4's? (b5's)..

BTW.. kinda hard to run away from a perfectly good running a4 for 2600...

Andrew

 

audi's already have inherent problems from the get go. let alone at 150k. i've been told by a lot of 2.8 drivers that 130k is where it really "craps out".. lots of maintence needing to be done that can cost in the thousands which will take that "little" $2600 up really fast..

also the 12v is basically the worst B5 engine there is(nothing personal to anyone that owns one and is reading this).. it has really no mods available to it and a car being that old it looses its once reliablity it had over a 1.8t..

just save your money a little longer and get a lower mileaged/newer year B5 and you will be happier


remember:

1.8t for mods and performance

2.8 for reliability

 

the b5's actually started in 95, and the 12v is actually the most reliable audi motor ever made, now unfortunately that only covers the motor, not the suspension components that have 150k on them.

my old1996 12v was at 110,000 miles and it was in absolute perfect condition, no problems anywhere.

My new 30v with 70k miles is also in perfect running condition.

Its one of those things that you have to go check out the car and see it in person, take it for a spin, test it out... it should be easy enough to know if the car is in good condition...

check suspension, go over bumps and see if theres any squeeks or rubbing....

the 12v doesnt really have any known problems so the best thing to do is go check it out in person and go from there.

 

Ok, what exactly are those little bits of maintenence? I can ask the seller if any of those have been done..

btw.. im having a very hard time finding a4's in my area (even harder time finding 1.8's) with anything under 120k miles.


As for performance, dont worry about that... Im considering a rear mounted turbo, or maybe a setup simular to the s4's... depending on if its doable. But thats all down the line, about 200hp will keep me going for a year or 2.

Andrew

 

EDIT- good luck with the turbo setups, they are possible but very pricey

and don't be discouraged in finding the right audi. take your time as it took me over 6 months to find mine.. a lot of audi owners(especially B5 S4 owners) have to travel hundreds if not thousands of miles to get thier car

 

What goes out on the suspension typically first? Tie rods? ball joints? shocks? bushings? I saw something about the sway bar links...

Im a serious car enthusiast... im LOOKING for a car that has a few problems.. lol but something I can get into cheap and spend some money in making it reliable for a while, and making it the way I want it..I havea lot of experience in modifying/fixing/replacing car parts..

 

oh and the maintenence would be all of the suspension components. steering components.. engine accesories like water pump, timing belt, alternator, etc.. also the heating core and A/C system. not to mention all the little things like electronic components and such..

that is just to name a few.. the engine itself should be fine as long as it has been well maintained with its oil changes and such