New to Audi...

[Richard Hoffman]

Well the I5 engine is basically bulletproof I don't really ever hear of them
blowing up unless the timing belt breaks.  So basically make sure you keep
it maintained more frequently than required by the factory specs.

Little things are what kills Audis - electrical systems are far from stout,
things like the steering rack and the "bomb" (brake pressure accumulator)
are some of the trouble spots.  Another thing - the car doesn't use power
steering fluid - it uses mineral hydraulic fluid which is totally different.
  If any of the regular stuff makes it in there the whole hydraulic system
is toast.

Audis aren't all that tough to work on once you figure out what is wrong.
That has been the toughest part for me owning one - diagnosis.  Now I always
just blame it on the injectors and about half the time I'm right.  Parts are
understandably expensive but there is quite a network of non-dealer parts
distributors that will help keep the Audi affordable.

There aren't any other special weaknesses of the I5 motor that I would look
out for.  Just the basics, you know, leaking fluids are bad, smoking exhaust
is bad, funky noises are bad but lifter noise is ok.  One thing you might
want to do after you buy it - change the tranny fluid. A manual will shift
alot better as will an Auto.  I'd  avoid the Redline fluid in cold weather,
I haven't been happy with it in WA state.

The only thing I'd worry about is the non-quattro-ness of your future 100.
I am such a quattro fan I see virtually no reason to buy a non-quat car from
them.  Not that there's anything wrong with FWD I just love Quattro in all
its incantations.

Good luck with your purchase, I'm sure you'll love (and hate! at times) your
car!  You'll find that with the support of the Quattro list you'll never
have a problem that is unsolvable!

Richard
1990 Coupe Quattro 192K


>From: arbosch at ra.rockwell.com
>To: quattro at audifans.com
>Subject: New to Audi...
>Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 17:27:18 -0500
>
>This is a multipart message in MIME format.
>--
>[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
>There's something about being a newbie that's unnerving.  So please bear
>with me...
>
>There appears to be a '91 100, 2wd, on my horizon.  Low mileage, very good
>shape physically, and red.  And while I know about VW's, having owned ten
>in past, Audi's are a different beast altogether.  I'm not affraid to turn
>a wrench or get dirty so the repairs and maintance looming in the future
>are not an issue, really.
>
>What I'd really like to know is what to look for when looking at a
>11-year-old Audi.  Are there particular trouble spots that need constant
>attention and should be glaring if the PO is unattentive?  How tough is it
>to get parts?  Is the I-5 engine really as tough as I've heard?
>
>Any and all insight is greatly appreciated.
>
>Thank you!
>
>Alan Bosch
>
>Present stable:  1988 VW Vanagon Wolfsburg (Phred)
>
>Formerly:       '69, '71, '73 VW Bugs
>                 '82 Rabbit L
>                 '82 Rabbit Diesel
>                 '83 Rabbit GTi
>                 '88 Fox GL Sport
>                 '92 Passat CL
>                 '95 Jetta III


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