Just looked at an A4, need your thoughts
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Just looked at an A4, need your thoughts
Hi guys. I'm new to the forum. I have owned my 1995 Audi 90S for four years and am looking to upgrade to an A4.
Just looked at a 98 Audi A4 2.8 manual a local dealer has for sale. Here's the bad: It has 145k, rattling converter, oil leak on the left side of the engine that smokes and smells (valley cover gasket?), thought i smelled gas inside, but it may have been oil burning from the leak, the water temp would fluctuate at random between 1/4 to 1/2, and the car would put out very little heat when the temp fell to 1/4. Heat wasn't great in general. On my 1995 Audi 90, temp stays at 1/2 and the heat is HOT. Car is missing stuff like the first aid kit, CD changer tray, trunk carpet, orange triangle.
The good: Has no rust, clean carfax, exterior/interior are near mint, runs/drives great otherwise, engine pulls hard, I really like the colors, no abnormal noises with the suspension, correct coolant, strong clutch and smooth shifting, checked with the local Audi dealer and it came back to a lady who maintained it with no expenses spared. They have all the records for lots of work, including recent tie rods/ball joints (i think?) plus a major service in 2004 at 88k, and according to the miles, will need another soon which I mentioned would cost me $1200. They were asking $5k, I offered half of that, saying with the work it needs it wouldn't make sense for me to pay anymore since better cars are for sale at nearly the same price. They're going to let me know. At that price, would the car be worth picking up, or should I pass it up and keep looking? I don't expect to find a 'perfect' ten year old Audi, so i'm on the fence about how many issues are acceptable.. What's your take on this one..
Just looked at a 98 Audi A4 2.8 manual a local dealer has for sale. Here's the bad: It has 145k, rattling converter, oil leak on the left side of the engine that smokes and smells (valley cover gasket?), thought i smelled gas inside, but it may have been oil burning from the leak, the water temp would fluctuate at random between 1/4 to 1/2, and the car would put out very little heat when the temp fell to 1/4. Heat wasn't great in general. On my 1995 Audi 90, temp stays at 1/2 and the heat is HOT. Car is missing stuff like the first aid kit, CD changer tray, trunk carpet, orange triangle.
The good: Has no rust, clean carfax, exterior/interior are near mint, runs/drives great otherwise, engine pulls hard, I really like the colors, no abnormal noises with the suspension, correct coolant, strong clutch and smooth shifting, checked with the local Audi dealer and it came back to a lady who maintained it with no expenses spared. They have all the records for lots of work, including recent tie rods/ball joints (i think?) plus a major service in 2004 at 88k, and according to the miles, will need another soon which I mentioned would cost me $1200. They were asking $5k, I offered half of that, saying with the work it needs it wouldn't make sense for me to pay anymore since better cars are for sale at nearly the same price. They're going to let me know. At that price, would the car be worth picking up, or should I pass it up and keep looking? I don't expect to find a 'perfect' ten year old Audi, so i'm on the fence about how many issues are acceptable.. What's your take on this one..
Last edited by black_falcon; Dec 10, 2009 at 11:30 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 47
From: Boulder, Colorado
The poor heat issue is the heater core - it is clogged, and needs to be backwashed. People say they go from zero heat to 100% with a core flush.
But make sure that the coolant doesnt look milky - sometimes the heater core problem is symtomatic of an oil cooler leak, where oil begins leaking into your coolant.
The oil cooler is an easy fix tho, but would be another bargaining point for ya.
But make sure that the coolant doesnt look milky - sometimes the heater core problem is symtomatic of an oil cooler leak, where oil begins leaking into your coolant.
The oil cooler is an easy fix tho, but would be another bargaining point for ya.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 562
From: Wine Country, NY
At $2500 I'd grab it up.There's no way in hell I'd pay $5000 for it. I had a 90 cs as well. I love the A4 so much more. Although I have to say I still prefer my old 5000 Avant. I'd be willing to do a frame up on one of those.
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