I am looking to buy a used 97 A4 2.8 Quattro 5 speed manual AWD 4 DR sedan with 187k miles... it is red (no sunroof) with a few scratches.

What should I be worried about and looking for (problem wise)???

The shop is asking $4K for car - it looks ok on the outside and inside. I am going to have a mechanic check it out. The main concern I have currently is about the clutch. The clutch does not engage until the very end of letting up on the pedal. Does that mean it is worn and needs replacement or is that normal?

 

Pass on it. $4k is too much. Clutch repair your looking at $$$. I paid $5k for my 97 with 86,000 miles on it with full inspection and just had the timing belt done. Check on that as well also on service records. Just check out another one. Plenty out there .

 

that seems like a lot of dough for a car with high miles

the clutch is prob wearing out, but mine doesnt engage to about half way off the pedal, its characteristic of the b5 (ive been told)

 

Yep the engagement point can be odd for some used to easier models.

 

Yeah that is way too much, i paid 5k for mine a 98 with 112k with lots of upgrades.

 

like others have said it is a little too much. offer 2900 and see if he bites. unlike others, i dont think the clutch engaging high is much to worry about. mine does that and has 50k less on it. true, with 187k the clutch should be goin out pretty soon, unless it was replaced. if the clutch was absolutely babied it is good for an indefinant amount of time though.

 

These clutches all engage very high. That's how Audi is. However they last Forever. Too much $ for that car. BTW everything you asked is in the sticky posts at the top of the forum.