I am about to buy a 98 A4 2.8 quattro SP with almost 100,000 miles, its a stick. when i test drove it, in first gear it makes a rattling noise, and then when i change gear to 2nd, it goes away completely, the car would sound amazingingly quiet if that noise in 1st gear isnt there, i thought it might be the engine reving to high but it wasnt.

Does anyone what it might be?

This will be my first car, my dad only drives mercedes and bmw'z but I love the Interior and uniqueness of Audis. I think they are extrememly under-estimated in quauility.
so any feedback on what that might be would be great.

 

I would say keep looking. how much is the seller asking? pics?

 

2.8L are not that sick... get a 1.8T

 

Those are fighting words, my man. Best not to draw the ire of the naturally aspirated crowd on this board with an over-simplistic statement like that.

If you want to make engine modifications, then a 2.8 is not the right car. Almost no modifications for the 2.8 engine exist, other than a $5000 supercharger. Not a whole lot of full exhaust kits either, but lots of people get custom pipes installed. But suspension, wheels, interior and body modifications are all the same. If you get the 2.8, just plan on being happy with 190 HP, 'cause you won't get much above that.

However, the 2.8 is very smooth, still gets cooking right along, and is much more reliable than a 1.8T. I'd be very wary of buyin a 1.8t with 100K, but that shouldn't be a problem with a 2.8's engine as long as it's been adequately maintained.

On the subject of maintainence....that rattling noise doesn't bode well. Definitely take it to an import shop and get a definitive answer on the problem before you go any further. ALSO...MAKE SURE THE TIMING BELT HAS BEEN CHANGED. It should have been changed at 90K miles. It's a relatively expensive job ($700-ish installed, depending where you go) but it will destroy your engine if it breaks, so make sure it's taken care of. Take both of these factors into account when negotiating the price.

Good luck! Show us some pics!

 

2.8's suck...

 

what was the asking price?

 

+1 go with the 1.8t and mod it if you dont wana be walked all over by your dads cars

 

Buncha haters, all of ya

 

^^^ haha

if it was a 30v, then maby people wouldent be so sadistic...

however its a 12v, its the slowest engine audi made on the b5's. it seems like they just made that engine to satisfy the soccer mom's

 

+10000 for the 1.8t skip on the 12v