Pole to trade or repair
 

Hi guys
I want to get your opinions on my situation, I have a 2000 2.7T with 84-85000 miles. Noticed what looked like an Oil leak and what I guessed was a power steering fluid leak. Booked an appointment at the steelership for diagnosis due to not having the facilities or time to do it my self, the results did not make really good reading.

The diagnosed the following:
Power Steering high pressure line sweating:
4 hours to replace ($396 dealer = 160 indy shop, [indy shop said 2 hours $80])

Upper Oil pan Gasket/Seal:
11 hours to replace: (Dealer $1089 + alignment = 440 + alignment indy shop [indy shop said 3-4 hours $175)

Possible rear main leak: (They would need to do the upper pan gasket let me drive it for two weeks and see if there was still a leak before replacing this)
21 hours to replace: (2079 dealer = 840 Indy shop, [indy shop said 15 hours = 600])

I also have to replace the front breaks at a cost close to $500 in parts (doing labor my self).

The car has several other faults (rear window safety switch, radio wont tune in hot conditions and the seats rock for some reason). These are the ones that I have not yet fixed the list of those is also long.

When I was in there last weekend the dealer offered me 4500 for my car and with a $5000 deposit payment would be around 500/month over about 3-4 years on a 2006 A6 3.2 with 39000 miles on it. I would most likely trade for a E or C class with similar mileage in the case of the E and less for less money in the case of the C.

Question is do we repair or trade?

So you get on the trade $ 4500, you have to shed $ 5000 down payment, and you'll still have $ 500 monthly payments for 4 years?
48 months x 500 = 24,000 + 9,000 = $ 33,000 for a 2006?
Even 27,000 (3 yrs. payments + 9,000) is too much for a 4 yr - 40,000 miles car. You drive it 10,000 miles then is out of warranty. You'll be back to square one - fixing the car out of your own pocket.

You can get a brand new Premium-trim 2009 A4 for $ 32,000.

Go with the Indie shop, invest the $ 2,000 and you make your car whole again. The radio is not a feature that impairs its driving ability - you can always install an aftermarket head unit for less than $ 200.
What's a window safety switch?

Search for Window Safety switch on ebay and replace it yourself.... about $50 or try what I did for $3 http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=15404111

So is a lock switch. Never heard before of a "window safety" switch, that's why I asked.
But tks for the link, maini.

A) Stop going to the dealer for maintenance
I don't trust anything they say at the dealer.

B) Use the Indy shop, If you know anyone with an Audi or BMW ask who they use so you find someone good.

By the way the leak you are experiencing could be due to the stupid single use because they are lazy asses at Audi ear crimp clamps they use. Change all of those to good SS non perforated clamps. There are two on the bottom right of the radiator and one behind the PS pump that were leaking on mine when I got it. If you have not replaced the T-belt and waterpump etc...plus a complete fluid change yet you may want to factor that into you calculations.

I like to work on mine, that way I know what I have, but if you are unable to it might be a real hop in the ass to keep bringing in but I doubt you will save money buying another car that has 40K on it.

You can purchase used parts (radio) from Shokan.com or somewhere and have the shop install it for you.

I voted trade for a BMW/Mercedes, but I feel the pole answer should have been for a Civic/Corolla.

If a few k now scares you into wanted to get rid of your car, then ANY European car is NOT FOR YOU.

Luxury European cars require a lot of money to buy and can be costly to repair. If you don't get rid of your car now, imagine how you will feel when you need a new turbo(s), timing belt, control arms..... blah blah blah.

If Chefro's math is correct (and I believe it is) then you would be an idiot to buy any car with that much down + trade and still have 500.00 month payments for 3 years on a used, 3-4 year old car!

I say this with all honesty, get yourself a KIA/Hyundai/Honda/Toyota/Chevy/Ford/.... a year or two old. It will treat you well and last forever with pretty cheap maintenance.


Best of luck,

Jeff

Jeff, you've been living behind a rock and totally missed the one car he should get :)

Subaru is not only the right car but does all the tricks the Audi does and in many cases better... like world rallies.
Next. Subaru has out polled Toy,Honda and the rest for the past several years according to Intellichoice for reliability and customer satisfaction.
No..if you have to give up the expensive but sweet Audi..go with the RU..Look around, why do you think you see so many of them and so few for sale?

My father in law has two outbacks. I'm sure your right about them being reliable cars. His have always been good to him, but he is also very good to them.

I will say this again to James0013, sell your car man.