whats up everyone!! my name is Lou and this is my first post on this board. i currently own a gas guzzling 97 chevy tahoe and will be selling it in the near future for an A4. I know that I want an A4 with the 1.8 turbo. i am looking at one tonight but just want to get some opinions from more experienced members before I get into anything serious. the car is a 98' with 103k miles (ouch). intake, stainless exhaust, chip, lowered, 18" rims. all for $8900. the price seems a little low to me with all the work that is done to the car. how long do audi engines usually last? is there anything in particular i should look out for or check when looking at the car? any help is appreciated. thanks very much!!

 

Sounds good, cheap price. Do you like it? if you do get it. its a good deal

 

Have it checked by a mechanic first otherwise you could be in for some big repairs.

You can plan on a timing belt/water pump/tensioner/thermostat and front engine seals at about 120K miles, assuming that these were done at 60K.

Front control arms on these cars go early $$$$. The turbo is getting up there in miles, esp if the car has been chipped and driven hard but then again, that gives you the excuse to get a K04.

 

What kind of service records does the original owner have? The aforementioned service items pretty much cover it, but a lot of your future with that engine is going to be determined by how well the previous owner took care of it. If it has been well cared for, 103,000 isn't much to worry about.

 

thanks for the responses! i checked out the car and the thing is SWEET!! he replaced the clutch at 80k, just replaced the water pump and timing belt. he is running it on synthetic oil and replaced it every 5k. the last 70k miles were mostly highway. he said he puts up to 300 miles a week on the car b.c he travels a lot for work. as far as service records...i didnt even think to ask, but i will next time i talk to him. he is the 2nd owner of the car and did all of the aftermarket upgrades. I feel for the price you cant beat it. the car has:


neuspeed cat-back exhaust
k&n filter(not that big of a deal)
chip
18" rims
eibach springs
(i think) tokito shocks
m3 trunk lip
tints
boost guage

I didnt test drive the car because i havent driven stick in a while. i asked for a test ride and he agreed. the car handled very nicely, and from what i could tell sounded in good shape and shifted smoothly.

some things he mentioned that i need answers about.

1) the airbag light remains on. he said audi told him he needs a new airbag sensor for the side airbags. audi doesnt sell the sensors seperately, only with the airbag. he didnt feel like spending a few hundred dollars on the airbag when the sensor would be $30 if they sold it seperately. he figures if the front two work, it is good enough for him.

2) he said the AC compressor is always running, even when the AC is turned off inside the car. IS THIS TRUE?

3) The car was rear-ended in a parking lot. he had the bumper and left rear panel resprayed. he didnt tell this to me until i ran my finger over the bumper to wipe away what seemed to be water. when i ran my hand over it, i found it to be paint that gathered accross the bumper from what i think is a lousy repaint. other than that the car looks beautiful. it has its minor scrathes here and there. the engine compartment wasnt all that dirty, but it still wasnt as clean as i usually keep mine.

please feel free to post any comments, and if you need any more info on the car so you can help me out, just ask. THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S HELP!!

-Lou

 

he also said he didnt beat on the car, but who doesnt say that when they are trying to sell.[&:]

 

i just remembered something that seemed a little funny. when i looked under the hood.....to my left on the front right fender, there were two relay looking devices. anyone know what they are? and if they are stock parts?

 

I bought mine with 103k and all the service was kept up. Only mine was 11,900 stock, thats a good deal.

 

i wouldnt buy a pre modded car, its better to get a stock used car unless its just different rims. just my 2 cents

 

BUMP!!!