I have a 2003 Audi A6 3.0 L now - I have had reasonable luck - (1) smog pump out - both cat converters - and have check engine for the headlight following circuit

I'm looking at this A4 - should I buy - the guys says it needs a timing belt and a engine gasket. Going to look at tomorrow

Any questions that would give me a clue?

Thanks in advance for your help

JPJM....

 

How much is he asking?

 

Also, what transmission? If it's an automatic FWD, it's a CVT and I wouldn't touch one with that mileage. If it's quattro or a 6-spd, you're fine.

What gasket does it need? Has the timing belt just not been replaced or did it fail?

Not a lot to go on here...

 

Make sure that the he has a complete service record of the car. Oil changes at every 5 miles is ideal, however Audi recommends every 10k. or 12 months. Honestly I wouldnt trust that interval with a turbo engine.

Secondly, Audi has extended cam follower, cam shaft, and fuel pump warranty to 120k or ten years. That particular year has a cam shaft which is known to have a fuel pump lobe that wears prematurely as well as the cam shaft follower. As a result the fuel pump becomes damaged. Out of warranty it can cost about $2500 to replace all three components at the dealer.

Unlike recalls, this issue is only addressed under warranty if low fuel pressure occurs and the cam shaft follower is damaged.

A new timing belt can cost about $1500 at the dealer.

New brakes can cost $1000 at the dealer.

The glove box on that car has a faulty part that can sieze causing it to crack at the hing... at the dealer its about $450 to replace.

Other than that its a great car, but costly to maintain and repair.

Just remember if the oil changes were not done using the recommended 502.0 approved oils I would stay away from it, as these engines are prone to oil pump failure.. just google low oil pressure light audi a4 2.0 fsi

Cost to replace engine at the dealer is about 8 to 9k

good luck.. I own one and love the car... just buyer beware

 

My A4 quattro has 106,000 miles and has been relatively trouble free. If the glovebox is hard to open or close get the little brake mechanism switched out or you can break the door. There is an TSB about it so it is well known. The fact that the car has 118,000 miles and hasn't had the timing belt changed, would bother me. The current recommended change is 110,000 miles. It makes me think the owner isn't keeping up on the expensive maintenance items. Kinda a red flag to me to look elsewhere. If you live in the snow belt, get only a quattro. I had a FWD loaner for a couple days, and got caught in a bad snow. The loaner A4 was terrible in the snow without the quattro. The wide performance tires, and lots of power combined to make an unpleasent driving experence in the snow.