OK. I have a 98 Quattro with 162,000 miles. Currently needs a thermostat and has the CEL on, codes showing Sec Air ( I know it has a cracked air pipe) and cats, plus some misfires, etc.. Advice from a well respected independent Audi shop recommends about $1100 for t-stat, water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, etc., and about $600 for new sec air pipe, valve cover gaskets (some oil leaks) new plugs, new PCV valve. Overall the car has been fairly reliable over the years. It has new front brakes and rotors.

What else:

PS leaks fluid from somewhere and needs refilling on a regular basis, not excessive though. Pump sounds fine.

Possible oil leak from pan gasket

Possible rear prop shaft seal leak, although it doesn't show much when parked

Rear windows finicky sometimes non working, go up slow and fall down occasionally.

Center instrument cluster info display starting to fade

Upper control arm bushings showing some cracking, although they make no noise and the car tracks and steers smoothly now. These were replaced by the dealership at about 100,000 miles.

I figure I'll need to invest about $2500 to fix everything. Body is good, interior is good.

Worth it or time to ditch it and put $3000-4000 into a used Taurus, Honda, Acura?

Thanks

 

I too have a 98 A6 Quattro. These engines are like tanks.

Question: are you a DIY'er?

If so, you can get most of the parts fairly cheap and do the work yourself and save. The only thing I would have done is the water pump with t-stat and timing belt. While he's in there have the mechanic replaced the front oil seals that leak.

Plugs, VC gaskets, PS system is easy to do.

Secondary air pump code is common and really isn't needed in our cars. Forget about it.

 

Also you can search audi mechnic on craigs list and you can find people to come home and do some of the stuff.. if you are in around Chicago send me a PM and I can give you a name of an Audi Mechnic who I have used for many years.. very reliable.. excellent worker..

 

That's not really alot to spend onyour car for it's age. If you put the 2500.00 into it and it lasted another 2 years you would be in good shape. However if you were looking to upgrade to a newer car then Now is the time. I bought an 02-A6 and a 00-A8 for ~6500.00 each and put ~ 1700.00 in parts into them. Or they are having the A4 deals at Audi. Maybe time to review your options.