To buy or not to buy
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
To buy or not to buy
Hello A4 community,
I would like to become an A4 owner, however I haven't purchased the car yet. I have test drove this car twice now (96 audi a4 2.8 quattro 179K miles) and need some feedback since I have never owned an audi.
Right off the bat the car had a bad battery so the guy switched the battery out for me so I could drive it. (The car is being sold by a small dealer that only gets in luxury vehicles) The car sounded absolutely amazing!! No black smoke, stock everything, car had zero dents but a few scratches, interior was clean but showed its age. The clutch felt in great shape and no problems running through the gears. I checked under the car before I drove it for leaks and there was a small oil leak. Popped the hood and there was a lot of oil that had collected along the side of the motor (driver side) Head gasket? Not sure but noticeable.
Small hose leak under pressure on the antifreeze reservoir, not significant but appeared to just be a small hose clamp problem. It was not leaking antifreeze just a few drops came out around the top hose connection to the reservoir. Other than that the engine bay was fairly clean. Serpentine belt was in great condition as well. Upon starting it in the cold weather I noticed a loud power steering noise that occurred when I cut the wheels all the way (the noise went away after the car was warm)
Car's tires aren't in the best shape but will get me by for another 6 months. suspension was excellent! Best part was there was zero shimmies or vibrations at 85 mph
Car really is quiet at high speeds
Now on to the more noticeable issues…The dealer guy is extremely easy to work with and said he would get these fixed upon purchasing.
Cars air does not work or will not turn on… my guess is something is unplugged or faulty as it's the red air display that will not display…buttons do nothing. The car shows evidence that it was rigged with an after market amp, sub, and stereo and all that high school ****. The sub is gone but the power wire is still running to the battery and the after market stereo is still there…maybe the air got unhooked???
The dayum speakers weren't producing noise…
Worst was the power seats weren't moving back so my *** (6.3") had a problem getting in. All of these electronic failures seem easy to fix but then again I've never owned an Audi. I do not know what preventive maintenance has been preformed…If the new timing belt has been replaced etc.
The car is only 2300 USD and I need a daily driver. Car reviews show it is very reliable for the year and I do not want to get stuck with a problem car like my 94 toyota corolla (POS)
I really appreciate feedback, so should I buy or pass? link to the car is below
1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro For Sale In Osage Beach MO - Pier 45 Auto and Boat
I would like to become an A4 owner, however I haven't purchased the car yet. I have test drove this car twice now (96 audi a4 2.8 quattro 179K miles) and need some feedback since I have never owned an audi.
Right off the bat the car had a bad battery so the guy switched the battery out for me so I could drive it. (The car is being sold by a small dealer that only gets in luxury vehicles) The car sounded absolutely amazing!! No black smoke, stock everything, car had zero dents but a few scratches, interior was clean but showed its age. The clutch felt in great shape and no problems running through the gears. I checked under the car before I drove it for leaks and there was a small oil leak. Popped the hood and there was a lot of oil that had collected along the side of the motor (driver side) Head gasket? Not sure but noticeable.
Small hose leak under pressure on the antifreeze reservoir, not significant but appeared to just be a small hose clamp problem. It was not leaking antifreeze just a few drops came out around the top hose connection to the reservoir. Other than that the engine bay was fairly clean. Serpentine belt was in great condition as well. Upon starting it in the cold weather I noticed a loud power steering noise that occurred when I cut the wheels all the way (the noise went away after the car was warm)
Car's tires aren't in the best shape but will get me by for another 6 months. suspension was excellent! Best part was there was zero shimmies or vibrations at 85 mph
Car really is quiet at high speeds Now on to the more noticeable issues…The dealer guy is extremely easy to work with and said he would get these fixed upon purchasing.
Cars air does not work or will not turn on… my guess is something is unplugged or faulty as it's the red air display that will not display…buttons do nothing. The car shows evidence that it was rigged with an after market amp, sub, and stereo and all that high school ****. The sub is gone but the power wire is still running to the battery and the after market stereo is still there…maybe the air got unhooked???
The dayum speakers weren't producing noise…
Worst was the power seats weren't moving back so my *** (6.3") had a problem getting in. All of these electronic failures seem easy to fix but then again I've never owned an Audi. I do not know what preventive maintenance has been preformed…If the new timing belt has been replaced etc.
The car is only 2300 USD and I need a daily driver. Car reviews show it is very reliable for the year and I do not want to get stuck with a problem car like my 94 toyota corolla (POS)
I really appreciate feedback, so should I buy or pass? link to the car is below
1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro For Sale In Osage Beach MO - Pier 45 Auto and Boat
$2300 is a decent price, provided the dealer fixes all the issues you listed before you take delivery. If you're lucky, it will just be fuses and the like. If you're unlucky, the car will have electrical gremlins that you'll probably never get rid of. Either way, best to let the dealer sort that out. Absolutely do not give him your money until those issues are resolved. Some other things you should check:
- Timing belt. This car should be on its second or third timing belt at that mileage. Ask for receipts and documentation proving this. If the dealer can't produce them, you should tell him that you won't take the car unless the timing service is done, or knock off $500 to cover parts for the job. If you're handy, you can do it yourself over a weekend. If not, I'd walk away.
-Control arms. Push down on the corners of the car and listen for squeaks and groans.
-The speakers not working tells me the *** hat who traded the car just ripped his **** out before he sold it. That could be an easy fix. OR, it could be an electrical nightmare. Make sure the dealer sorts this out before you take delivery.
- Timing belt. This car should be on its second or third timing belt at that mileage. Ask for receipts and documentation proving this. If the dealer can't produce them, you should tell him that you won't take the car unless the timing service is done, or knock off $500 to cover parts for the job. If you're handy, you can do it yourself over a weekend. If not, I'd walk away.
-Control arms. Push down on the corners of the car and listen for squeaks and groans.
-The speakers not working tells me the *** hat who traded the car just ripped his **** out before he sold it. That could be an easy fix. OR, it could be an electrical nightmare. Make sure the dealer sorts this out before you take delivery.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 296
From: Concord, NC
I second that notion, $1500 tops. Timing belt is a big issue. *** hat wiring can be a PITA and can have an affect on other systems like the AC. If you do buy it get a set of radio removal tools so you can access all the wiring behind it and the heater AC controls as well. They're cheap on ebay. The oil leak is not a head gasket but rather the valve cover gaskets and they are both leaking I bet. Pretty easy fix. Good luck. Let us know what you do.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,272
From: Minnesota
That 12 valve is known to leak oil out the head gaskets. Doesn't leak internally, but my 96 started leaking oil by about 125,000 miles. I changed everything (and I mean everything...even rear main seal when I did the tranny once) and it was a hemorage by 200,000 miles. A friend is an Audi tech....he's been trying to figure out why the 12 vavle head gaskets leaked so bad and the 30 valve's don't.
