I agree with the pre-sale inspection. A local Indy specializing in German carsor even an Audi Dealership would be able to tell you what you need to know. Spending $2-4 hundred bucks is well worth it vs. paying out the nose for tranny and brakes/rotors right off the top. Put it this way..If they say that the work on the tranny and brakes needs to be done, whatever the price, tack on to the sale price and that is what your buying the car for. If it exceeds blue book, reality, or expectatons, start looking elsewhere.