hey all, this is my first post, and i just have a few questions.

im looking to buy a 1.8t 98 with 94k miles. anythings i should look forward to seeing problem wise? the car looks great inside and out and only has a few problems, one problem is the tie rod on the front right of the car, is this a usual problem? a tune up was done recently. another thing, was how bad is the gas mileage? i currently have and am selling my RX-7 Turbo. i get about 14mpg and its horrible, how much should i expect to get on average? i've read online its about 19, but what is the ACTUAL gas mileage you guys are getting? its auto btw. thanks for all the help!

 

Stock 1.8TQM mileage should be in the 25mpg range. TREs are a very normal problem. If you don't mind the question, how much are you looking at paying?
Get it checked for oil sludge, make sure he's done the timing belt between 60K and now, and it would be nice if he had followed through with a control arm recall if it applies to his car.

The drivetrain, including driven wheels and type of transmission, will be a big factor. A FWD 1.8T manual will be very good, a Quattro automatic will be probably closer to 22 or less.

 

its a quattro automatic. its a she, she took it to the dealership and got a full 90k tuneup done, would that have included the timing belt? i have seen the paperwork for it, but don't have it in my hands. i haven't really seen any other problems when i drove it and everything, she just got a lexus IS300 and the tie rod really wasn't noticeable to her, i barely noticed it. but i can tell because its still a difference. but anyways, i found it online for cheap and its not hard to do. im just looking for a reliable good looking luxury car. she wants 7k for the car. is this a good price? or should i try and bargain(well, you should always try and bargain) lol. thanks

 

Make sure a timing belt procedure was carried out at some point after 60K. The dealer's 60K tuneup I think covers it.

Well, if you don't care that it's an automatic, the TRE is a cheap part and easy to replace, and that is a pretty good price. Maybe you could talk her out of the price of the TRE. In fact, get a labor quote, then ask her for the money for that procedure, buy both upgraded TREs from www.ecstuning.com and put them in yourself.

It may or may not be reliable. Almost all 1.8Ts are perfectly reliable barring a couple prevalent niggles, but some just devolve into money-sucking Star Wars sand monsters. You never can tell, really. The problems don't usually come with the engine, they are with other parts of the car.

So, call the dealer with the VIN and see if they will replace the control arms, or if they have, or if the control arms need to be replaced. Make sure there's no oil sludge issues, and get the dealer (or DIY) to put the bigger OE filter and synthetic oil in there.
Make double sure the timing belt and especially the tensioner were replaced sometime, because that's an expensive/involved job, depending which way you go.
Ask her whether the ICM has popped. That can be scary and then irritating if it happens to you.

7k is a reasonable price, and if you want it, you can buy it with the reservations I listed. Hopefully someone else will chime in here...

 

sorry, but the TRE? im not too knowledgeable about these terms, ill look into the timing belt and tensioner and also, what is the ICM? i was wrong about the control arms; it was the tie rods. the passenger one needs to be replaced. i don't think its a big deal to just do it myself since im pretty good with that kinda ****. and they aren't too expensive, thanks for all the help, and lemme know about those terms. if i buy it, i'll be posting pics of it soon after i do a nice detail.

 

Funny. I have and RX8 and i just got a 97 1.8tq with 116000 miles. At this mileage you could be looking at a bunch of little thigs. Wheal bearings, timing belt, control arms and other small things. It would be good to see if you can get documentation on the vehicle's maintenance records.

 

she has all the records for maintenance work

 

i know you guys wouldn't like to hear it, but for about the same price i can buy a 98 BMW 318i with 94k miles, black leather interior and looks perfect. so im unsure if id rather have an audi or BMW....i know of course most of you would say audi, but i guess i was wondering some setbacks about the A4

 

bmw's are cool to but is it all wheal drive? Hmmm. Wait you are in texas. never mind, i guess it doesn't matter.

 

ya, well is a 1.8t awd? im really not sure lol