daweller

I saw on Craigslist a dealership selling a:
1999 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro
92,xxx Kilometers
$7,500

I figure this is a good choice because
a) 92,xxx KM seems like very low mileage
b) I'm thinking I should go with the 2.8 V6 over the 1.8T because it's naturally aspirated, no need to worry about worn turbos

$7,500 though... is this a bit low? or is this right

Also, what do you guys think I should look for if I go to look at it and test drive it?
Thanks

audifirst

If I was you, I would go facelift model 2000-2001 B5 because of many updates from outside and inside, and I would go with 1.8T easy to maintain and upgradeable with performance, you can acheive better fuel economy with 1.8T then 2.8 V6 is heavy on gas, and costly on maintance, I owned 3 Audi and all where 2.8, I have one , and it is breaking my wallet, and regret it not having 1.8T

Usually at that age and milege timing belt needs to be done, question regards the state of catalyic converters , if they are ok or need to be replace they are very costly , leaks around rear differential, tranny, and front engine can be inspected from underneath for any oil drips, front control arms,
Test drive for at least 20 minutes, warm up the car first, look under hood while engine running, for any unusual smell,

daweller

Thanks
I saw a couple others in another thread recommending to another guy to get the 2.8 over the 1.8T
I don't mind the odd styling change, I just want the power of Quattro, without a high initial cost ( otherwise I'd go B6 ) and something that's not a total lemon.
I don't drive very much, so I figured at about 90000 KM, Id still have about 30000 KM of relatively trouble-free driving.

What would you do...
I don't wanna spend over $10000 initially
I want an Audi
Don't wanna get owned by repair bills

jschick

I also have to recommend the 2.8. fuel economy is really about the same from my experience. the 2.8 very easy to work on and I can't see how it would cost more then the 1.8t. Audi's are my hobby and the 2.8 is my favorite engine, cheap to rebuild and very simple to work on. just a great driving car. But the 1.8t is better if you want to modify and build for more performance, but Bone stock the 2.8 beats it for drivability and ease! but then again for the right price you can't go wrong with either!
but remove the oil cap check for internal condition, lots of scuzz in their or clean? any noise in initial start up rattles etc? this will give a idea of how was the car maintained (oil changes) both engines are prone to oil sludging, I feel the 1.8T MUST use synthetic oil, the 2.8 does not as long as you use good oil and change regularly. so oil changes will be cheaper on the 2.8. and stick with 99.5 or newer.
good luck

RobQ

You also want to check when the timing belt was last replaced and what was replaced along with it.

daweller

Thanks people.
Hey, do you guys know how to check if its a 1999, or a 1999.5 A4?

28aaron2000

I just bought a 2.8 A4, 124,000 miles - (Had the 1.8, it was "rear ended" and totaled.) I do not have any experience with the 2.8 engine yet.
Even though the 2.8 engine looks to be fairly well maintained, in looking through the records there is no specific mention of the timing belt change, Carfax just shows occasional "service" at the dealer. There are no leaks, new serpentine belt, fairly clean.
So my question is "has the timing belt been changed - is it the original belt or not" - does any one have experience in what to look for? I realize that if I can't figure it out, I need to take the safe path and "do it"
I'm picking up the car today and was hoping to pull the cover without bumper removal - (not sure if it is possible yet).

Thanks,

Aaron

peshkis06

I bought a 2.8, with 180kmiles, easy to maintain no probs, had lil acceddnt so replacing engine with lower miles and tranny, and im suprised, not as hard as I thought it is, its complicated but paitnce will get it done,

peshkis06

Btw I have close to 200k now

jschick

over all the 2.8 is a very good engine, and very easy to work on in my opinion.
Aaron, no real way to tell if the belt has been changed once the car has 10-20k on it it really can't be determined if the belt was changed 20k ago or 120k. but if it has been done in the last 10k you can likely tell by pulling the top covers off and looking at the belt (both sides for wear or for "shine") if you have shine it's old a new belt will have a nice satin finish, really old belt may have cracks or shinny wear spots but if you can do it yourself just change it! Personally I have never had a water pump fail so I don't always change it if the parts look good (like it may have been changed), just the belt and pulley's, but for me this is a simple quick job and the belt and pulley's are like $80 and less then 2 hrs labor to change it, so if the pump fails later no big deal to me. if all the pulleys are rusted and worn then change everything!