I was just told by a mechanic that I need a new engine. Car starts, but will not turn over - he said the heads were damaged (timing jumped). Was already having eletrical issues (CD not working, tail light problems, turn signals, sun roof does not move). 138k miles. Tires only 14,000 miles on them. Rotors & pads changed 8,600 miles ago. Bose sound system is great. Can't afford a new car payment (income reduced so haven't been able to maintain as I would have done), so someone suggested a rebuilt or used engine. Is it worth it?

 

No, it's not.

reason being you couldn't afford a new car payment. If you pay for a new motor plus everything else that goes wrong this year it will be equal to a used car payment.

Get a solid running car new or used Toyota, Honda or a new Chevy 0 down for 5 years and concentrate on your career instead of your repairs!

These Audi cars are nice for the owner that enjoys tinkering with them and sometimes that gets old.

Good luck, I hope this years economy brings better fortune to us all.

 

I forgot to mention that I will be getting about $4k back that I loaned a friend - but already have another car payment. Want to keep car for only 2 years

 

unless the work is done urself it isnt worth it. the money youll spend paying for the engine rebuild/swap plus all the coming repairs would probably equal the worth of another car of the same year... or even a later year...
if it was me i would part it out get as much money as you can out of it and get urself a nice 01 solara

 

Part it and get rid of it. It is not worth it, unless you can find a used motor and someone can install it for about a grand or so.

 

I agree with Jackmup -- you should forget about fixing the car and go on to something else.

The electrical problems by themselves say the car is in trouble and unless you can do the work yourself it could cost a signifiact amout of money. Add the motor and your getting near the national debt.. which is a bit more than $4K

 

Any chance that the various electrical issues could be simulating a bad engine? Did the mechanic say why exactly you need an engine?

These are the questions I would be asking, if it were me.

Then, if I were to confirm that the engine was indeed blown, I would part it out. The '05 allroad I now own has been great to me (so far), but I had a '94 that was nothing but a money pit. I spent three times the amount I paid for the car in repairs alone. Every time I fixed one thing, something else would die. I finally gave up and sold it for a few hundred bucks just so I wouldn't have to keep seeing it in my driveway, reminding me of what she had done to me over the few years of ownership. I actually swore that I would never own another Audi, until my wife talked me into driving the allroad that we now own.

I thin Audi is kind of hit or miss. Sometimes you get a gem, and sometimes not.



.

 

Any advice on how to "part" it? I have offers from places like damagedcars.com and junkmycar.com (where they pick it up and pay you $$), but the offers are both under $525. Leather seats (especially rear) excellent condition. All 4 doors are operational. Trunk has no issues. All glass is in excellent condition - no scratches.

 

$525 for a 98 quattro with a blown motor is about right. If you squeeze real hard you might get $600 -$650.

You might be able to sell the tires for $100 or so and have the guy leave his old tires so something is on the car, but it will cost a few bucks to have them mounted. It is usually not worth the effort.

I've got 4 good 15 inch tires on Audi rims in my garage that are taking up space that I'd like to get rid of for $100, but it isn't worth the effort.