If it's going to save me that much money I'll replace the $50 bushings first. No way I'll pay a stealership $1500 for this problem. They could be perfectly good control arms that I'd be replacing. Say you get a flat tire.. why buy a whole new set? Ah well.. I need a weekend where I can tear into this thing. I looked at it the other day in the shop and everything looks just fine except the boot is a little flat. Thank you for the input though.

 

Welcome to the high price high maintenance of audi, but worth every penny! At 100k do the timing belt and waterpump. 0w30 is the correct oil but 5w30 is just fine. OEM filter is great if you are NOT using M1 or fully synthetic oil and changing around 10k. The OEM filter is rated for 5k. The diffs are sealed like the tranny so there is no real checking or topping off. They are equiped with level sensors that will throw a code if in need. The control arms go bad on just about every audi / VW so change them. There was ar recall on the 99' 2.8 so call the dealer and see if it applies to the 1.8. The control arms are your shocks in theory and because these cars like speeds in excess of 100 mph I wouldnt mess with bushings. Change the whole arm!! Plenty of ares to save a buck if you are inclined but one might pass on control arms. Also on a side note the craeking is not a handleing factor and could maintain usage while saving for the new part. dandkhound hit it, ill just add that the coils will look white around the base if there is leakage and run around $200 for the part. Enjoy the car! Good Luck!