Hey All I am in the hunt for a used car and have a friend of the family offering me his 98 A4 with 81k miles for a REASONABLE price. The engine apparently was rebuilt at 60k, I am not sure why I will be getting more information on Saturday when I go to see the car. However here is the dillemma in my head. I have done some extensive research and a lot of asking around, I have never owned an Audi but I have heard that they have a lot of issues and are maitenence hogs. I am looking for any kind of input from anyone who owns or has owned a 98/99 A4 and what their experience was. Right now I am looking for something to get me through for the next 3 years while I get some financial issues straightened out and/or possibly make this a project car. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

sorry forgot to add its a 2.8 Quattro

 

I have a 98.5 2.8L A4 Quattro. I only purchased it about 7 months ago though. I love it. As far as expenses go...

** Find out if the timing belt/waterpump have been changed. If they have not yet you will need to get those done, and that can be very expensive, but must be done. It needs to be done around every 80,000 to 90,000 miles I believe.
I just had mine done at 67,000 because my radiator was cracked and I had to get that replaced as well.

I'm guessing my radiator was leaking when I bought it, so I would not expect that repair cost for you.

Besides those two repairs, I have only had oil changes and misc. little things done since I have owned it. I love the car, but Audi's are not cheap. Depends if you are willing to spend a little extra to have an awesome car.

 

2.8 should be a good car for you - more reliable than 1.8t - its not a 12v (jab jab). Mileage sounds great - my 98(1.8) has 143k.
What is a "reasonable price"?
as a project car? no - unless you are planning on putting a $5k supercharger on its not going to be worth the extra effort.

 

when I say reasonable price he said he is willing to sell it to me for like 4k and its not like one of those "im getting rid of it fast because something is wrong with it deals" he is a trustworthy friend and doesn't really need the money it was his daughters car and she doesn't need it any more. And with the enigne being rebuilt around 60k miles that should take care of the timing belt and water pump issue i am assuming.

 

Audi make very good cars which every one knows same as many other makers who we all know but the answer is ( abuse it and loose it ) maintenance being the point and learn to DIY

 

Dealership maintenance is high $$$...DIY....don't learn the way I did going to a dealership.

 

rebuilt at 60k? most audis arent a pain but this one might be.

 

When I read this I thought the same thing as well. A 2.8L blowing at 60K? Sounds like abuse to me, either oil starvation, low coolant, etc? Something a little fishy. If a motor blows that low its usually still under factory warranty, unless if it barely was driven for years. I would be cautious, friend or no friend.

 

Yah I agree, however I owned a 98' before and rebuilt the head because the timing belt snapped and all the valves got bent. It was a big pain getting everything fixed but had no problems after that. Just make sure you know why it got rebuilt, if new timing belt/waterpump was replaced. Find all this out before you buy.