I'm looking at an A4 at somepoint in the near future. I need a new daily driver, and i just randomly came across this car. Was not in my original bracket to consider, but I kindof like it, turbo's are fun, and the car seems fairly practical.

What should I look at? Where can I learn more about the different models etc? The one I'm looking at is an 1999 A4 1.8t Quattro with 96000 miles. Apparently the water pump and timing belt were changed at 75K.

I'm a huge DIY'er Is this car easy to work on or am i going to constantly be paying the stealer top dollar for parts and labor?

I mod pretty much anything I get, and I see some mods being done on the forums, but is the aftermarket fairly large for the cars? What are the generation break-ups? I see B5,B6, B7 mentioned everwhere, what are the differences(link for me?) and what years were each?

Oh yeah, and if i get one, can i put on a BOV?? :-P[sm=grinangel.gif]

 

BOV are bad for 1.8T beccause are system RECIRCULATES AIR. I suggest a DV.

If you are a DIY'er then this car is for you. Find a good European mechanic and stick with em. I say find 60k or less. My car I got it with 123,000 Miles. All I could find. Wait it out man. This car is great for daily-driver & if your in to modin then 1.8T is for you.

As far as reliable... Im sure some of the guys will say its a coin flip. My 1996 a4 was a disaster. When I got my 99.5 was problem free "from big things" I have had my car for over a month & have had no major problems that require me taking it to a shop.

CARFAX IT,Look for leaks,Make sure ALL ELECTRICAL STUFF WORKS!!!

 

I was kidding about the BOV ive read through all the faq's and other things so i thought i'd throw that out there as an attempt at a joke The car is chipped already(not sure of the chip) and the asking price is about 1300 below KBB. He says the front suspension is "noisy" and the rear brakes need replaced.

If I'm a DIY'er, then why do i need a european mechanic? I have not taken my el camino into the shop for a single thing, same with my bike. I find the right tools just make the job easier, and faster but you can do anything with anything really.

The car i'm looking at is also a 99.5. I'll definetly carfax it, and test drive it and make sure its all in good shape. I'll look around, is there a "season" to buy? I was going to get a turbo miata, and convertibles definetly are cheaper to buy in the late fall/winter time.

THanks for the help!

 

Well the DIY'er like TBELT & WATERPUMP,SHOCKS,CONTROL ARMS.


Can you do that? if you can you got some serious tools.

 

yeah, I've done all of that but the timing belt on all my and my family's vehicles. Shocks are easy

Its the computer related issues I can't fix.
-matt

 

anyone else?

 

Look for control arm wear... that'll set you back a bit. My 96 is fine right now except for an ABS germlin which I think might be a rear sensor. Either way, my 96 is a fairly simple machine to work on, and since I do all the work myself, it was a good buy.

 

My friend does his own alignment by hand