Good afternoon Audi Gurus, I just purchased a '96 A4 Quattro off ebay. It only has 57k original miles. I drove it from Fort Lauderdale to Central Virginia and I have to say I'm very impressed so far. The car doesn't have any service history, so I'm wanting to ask all the veterens here on some tips. I'm going to do the normal fluid changes, but what other service needs to be done.

The climate control display is in and out (seems like a common problem based on what I've seen on the board here) and the drivers heated seat works, but it is very slow to heat up. The passenger seat works fast.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and help.

Cheers,

Jim and Des

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Congrats. That's really low mileage but it's also the perfect mileage for a timing belt job. Do that asap.

 

Congrats on the purchase I just bought the same car in black on black. Have you recieved any info. on the climate control issue because I have the same problem? I'm going to take the face off and give a good cleaning, also I saw an add for rebuilds on the climate control box through a guy on ebay but it's like $80

 

My wife would have preferred black on black, but we couldn't find one. Green on white is a nice combo color also.

I'm surprised that I need to change the timing belt at 60k. I had a 94 SAAB 900 SE V6 and it required a timing belt change every 30k due to a defect from the factory (Saab replaced it for free at 30, 60 and 90k). Wish there was something like that with Audi.

 

Yeah from what I understand of the research I've done the timing belt is something you want to stay on top of every 60k and the climate control and the LED gauges fade. Good luck with your projects, I have a few going right now also. Let me know if you hear anything about the cc and I'll return the favor.

 

60k is early for the tb. audi recommends every 90k, but given that it is a 96 you should go ahead and do it, and while in the process get the tb, tensioners, water pump, and thermostat done. I have a 96 as well and my climate control acts up, I have been debating whether to get the ebay "restoring" process done or figure out how to do it myself.

Btw I have the same color combo, I love the green as it us unique, but it shows up every damn spec of dirt. If you don't mind me asking what did you pay for it?

Also I am in Lynchburg, so we are semi close, I've been looking for an Audi group of some shape or form in the general area if you hear of one let me know. Good luck with your purchase, I've had mine for 2 months and I love it.

 

i have the exact car, and bought it with the same milage last year. i did the timing belt about a month after i got it because of its age, cause if that goes you're in major trouble. i haven't had many problems with it, besides some suspension issues. there's a knock on the right side that nobody can track down, and the front left boot is completely torn. nothing terrible at all. check the diff's, cause my front was fairly low when i picked it up.

 

I agree with you guys that the green on white is really nice. My buddy got a green/tan which is nice too, but the white for some reason is a color I really like on these cars, even though I don't like it so much on a lot of others. sclivin, anything you wonder about, or just random things about the car, type them into the search and you'll be able to learn a lot from the experiences others have had with their cars. It's worth taking a few hours and reading through the DIY articles as well - you'll find out that if you have some mechanical aptitude and a decent set of tools, you'll be able to do the majority of your own work, which will save you a pile of money. Looks like a great find - congrats!

 

congrats, that car brings tears to my eyes, that look exactly like the first audi and car for that matter that i bought myself, only to not drive it for 8 months due to suspended license and then have 6 days behind the wheel til the local high school pricipal t-bones me and i get blamed for it.