Hi everyone, my first time here as I am just now looking to buy into the Audi world -I've always loved the A8 for looks, power etc. I am over seas and so we have Euro specs here.

I can see that this forum is for N. American models mostly but here goes...

I am looking at a 1995 A8, 4.2 V8 - she's a beauty with a few nicks here and there and some noticeable parking rubs on the rims, busted arm rest and a rear door elec lock gone - but, it has 88,000 kms or about 55,000 mles on it - looks cleaner than a cat's a$$ -and the price is low - I could probably get it for about 5000-5500 $ Service history is clean, now pending axle boot (broken),upper arm bushes broken, ribbed belt needed?axle seal leaking, wiper washer leak - sounds like regular maintainance plus some wear from sitting around. btw, the timing belt has already been replaced.

Is it a dream or a potential nightmare ?? Frankly, I am in a position to spend this kind of money on a second car but not if I have to shell out big bucks to keep it running well -I figure it is a very well made car and so it could be a steal !

Advice would be very much appraciated !!

thanks in Oman

 

Those all sound like general-neglect kinda items. by that I mean, it sounds like the regular vehicle maintance & upkeep was neglected.

The only thing I'd say, from personal experience, is that the axle issue can be a big PITA! Especially if it's the r/f axle. l/f is easier to get in/out to fix on than the r/f is.

TB being already done is a GOOD thing, as that can run $1200/$2000-ish, depending on who is doing the wrenching.

The mileage is ULTRA low, for the year. How long has it been sitting?

 

Yeah, the mileage is low - it has an interesting history- given as one of 25 to the Ministers here from the Sultan as a special gift - very VIP type of stuff, so it would have been driven by a driver and probably just for the family or wife going shopping. No numbers on the back, just a fancy number '25' on the back and on the dash. The Audi mech said that a car like that needs to be driven and he was kind of sad to tell me.

The thing is, that I can't really afford to fix this car if it starts to really go - I'm trying to decide if it is truly a great opportunity of just a potential hassle - my wife certainly thinks so !