So the car I'm looking at has 117,000 miles on it.

The owner took me for a drive and the suspension doesn't sound good. It's fine when we're on level ground, but when we go over bumps, it sounds wierd (like air is coming out of it).

1. Are there problems with the A4 suspension in the models from this year 96-01?

2. Any ideas what the problem is?

3. Any idea about the cost?

4. Are there any other questions I should ask the owner or problems I should look out for?

5. I heard about the A4 engine ticking noise. I want to find out if the car has this problem. How can I reproduce the sound?

Thanks.

 

Not sure about the suspension, but you should read the first few sections of this.
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/audi-a4-8/newbie-guide-version-2-a-80968/

 

The "air" noise is probably just the gas in the struts compressing, no big deal. I don't know of any serious problems with the B5 suspension, but you might wanna have the control arms looked at, i've had two go bad since i bought my B5. Other questions you might wanna ask:

-Timing belt, if and when was it replaced? Ask for receipts.
-Make sure the sunroof works, play with the switch a lot, they tend to crap out
-If the motor ticks you should be able to hear it while you're driving it, as far as I know its not a huge issue as long as the noise doesn't bother you too much (anyone correct me if i'm wrong?)
-Make sure the previous owner followed the maintenance schedule and changed the oil regularly, the 2.8's have sludge problems

 

I'm not sure about the timing belt.

I asked him and he didn't know, but I'll prepare for the worst.

What's the cost on the replacement?

 

Well that all depends. There are a couple scenarios:
1. You catch it before anything bad happens, DIY, $300
2. You catch it before anything bad happens, take it to a repair shop, $500
3. You DON'T catch it, it snaps and takes the rest of your valve train with it, >$1000

I would get it looked into ASAP

 

You can buy my wife's A4 2.8 pearl white/ecru Tip 98K with all the service done already. 7000.00 . http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2173...92123307PrLeLG

 

Well, as for the timing belt I'm not too sure how you can not know if it was replaced or not, it's a pretty big bill from what I've heard. Talk him down some. I would definitly take it to your mechanic, I made the HUGE mistake of not doing that and now I have no rear brakes and possibly need a new tie rod end and wheel bearing . Good luck on your purchase, you made a good choice (just pray nothing breaks LOL).

 

for how much?

 

What's a good price?

I haven't bought it yet.

 

What's the guy asking?