Hello, I joined this forum as I am about to "purchase" a 97 a8. The car has some issues and I know I will need help with it.

It has allready had the transmission rebuilt. The main issue is someone tried to steal it and the ignition is broken, and the ecu is possibly gone. If ANYONE has any experience with this kind of situation on these cars please message me!

 

I don't have experience with this situation but my advice doesn't require it:

Don't even think about it. These cars can aggravate you enough as it is. For the love of all that's holy and good, don't take this on. There are a good number of serious Audi wrenches on this forum and I don't think any of us would even consider this car.

Find one that doesn't already arrive with such serious problems that you know of, let alone what you're not being told. I'd be willing to bet that within three months of buying it, you'll be setting it on fire to be rid of it.

 

all the car is costing me is a laptop I have and the price of a tow. I am 6'6" and FEW cars fit me well. I have been trying to see what parts would need to be swapped in this case and have come up with a couple of options, I just need to know if there are any other issues I should look for.

I have checked and the price of an ignition from audi is 82.95 (not insstalled) but keyed to the car.

The ECU from audi is a banger, 2000, I have sourced ebay and found them for 250. Are the ecus on these cars specific to the vin or are they swappable?

Added pictures of the car up, see them here and let me know what you think.

https://www.audiforums.com/forum/mem...uture-a8-6602/

 

well if it gives me too much of a headache I will be stripping it down and giving you good gentlemen access to the parts

 

Willkommen to the forums!

So from what I gather it seems like you are taking possession of this car for [essentially free]. That is probably the only way it is going to be worth taking. hopefully you don't need the car to drive right away and can take some time to work on it. I looked at the pics you posted and it doesn't seem too bad.

if it needs an ECU definitely don't try to go through the dealer. i would recommend trying a salvage place first. As long as the engine codes are the same you should not have problems.

check out the A8 section. we have a few really good D2 owners that post up in there from time to time that can probably give you some good recommendations

good luck

 

thank you all for the welcome. I just got the car home tonight. It looks like the main ecu will dry out just fine but the bcm was submerged in 2 inches of water. I am going to try and clean them up dry out the connnnnections and hopefully I will be able to make some headway on the car. Thank god it does not have an immobilizer so all I should need is a new ignition column and I should be ready to ride.