Ok so I just got back from test driving the a4. The general perspective is I love it, the car is very nice and my parents and fiancee came too (my dad is a genius at haggling) and they did too. The only issues I had was a slight oil leak from the valve cover, tires need to be replaced, and alignment done. I am going to get it carfaxed but as of now with 59k he will let the car go for 13.2k with all that work done. Meaning whatevr it takes to fix the oil leak and alignment. Plus the tires will be replaced. Since it is only 200 off the original price and he wont do the t-belt due to the fact he knows its required at 90k I will be talking him down to somewhere in the 12s with all the work done.

Other then that the car was a blast to drive nd had plent o pickup with 4 full sized adults. The only issue with performance is the fire by wire, it is totally new to me other then road testing new fords when I was a tech. But Im sure Ill get used to the slight delay.

 

You can tell if the updated tensioner was installed by checking the vin number. The vin number breakdown as to what cars got the old tensioner and what cars got the updated tensioners is posted here on the forum. A quick search should get you the answer you need.

Here is a post from Audiworld that might help:

"To those with worries about timing belt tensioner on 1.8T
User account number (aid): 37389
Posted by a-aranda on 2002-07-31 11:18:59
I think I just found out something that should be of interest to you. We all know about the dreaded flaw in the design of the timing belt tensioner. If you haven't heard, just do a search and read about it.

Well, I just looked at a copy of the ETKA and found out that the 058 109 479 B "improved" tensioner (old design was simply 058 109 479 w/o the B) was incorporated into the AEB engine at serial number 300,000. By default, all 2000 ATW and 2001 AWM engines have the improved tensioner.

So if you haven't already changed out the tensioner and want to find out whether you have the old or new tensioner, check the serial number on your engine block. The engine code and serial number are stamped on the left side on the cylinder block above the oil filter.

Also, a sticker with the engine code and serial number is attached to the cylinder head cover.

The engine code may also be listed on the vehicle data label found in the spare tire bay or in your maintenance book.

FYI, my car, which is a 99.5 with VIN ending in 269819 had a serial number in the 336K range. So it looks like I'm safe on the tensioner. Of course, I'll still change the belt when I'm supposed to."


So I stand corrected it looks like the new tensioners started in 99.5 A4's.