Dad wants a V8 quattro , what to look for?

[urq]

... probably the biggest thing to look for given the mileage is the service
records on the timing belt ... you should be talking about the second
replacement at 120K.  Given the resale vales, the V8 is probably one of the
best Audi values out there.  I find the V8 is actually quite a reliable car
... especially when you remember the fact that we're talking about a 12year
old car.  All that said, I would never recommend *any* older Audi to someone
who didn't do at least some of the diagnostic work themselves.  The V8
automatics are what I call "deceptively fast" ... to drive the car it almost
seems slow, but it is just so smooth and quiet that you don't get all the
sensation of speed ... but it can definitely get out of its own way.  My
personal preference is for the 5-speed though.

Common problems ... leaking rear main seals, deteriorated crankcase breather
hoses, failures of the flywheel timing sensors.  You may want to poke around
the V8 list or the archives for more info ...

    http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8

You'll hear a lot of people who consider the V8 to be an expensive car to
maintain ... frankly, I wonder how many people who have this opinion really
have BTDT or if they are passing along "what they've heard" ... I know that
my opinion based on my BTDT is that it is not a money pit, and actually
easier than other Audis of similar vintage to work on ... and I know other
V8 owners who have similar opinions.  I'm sure that there are some who do
have a bad taste in their mouth because of a V8Q ... but that is probably
true of just about any car.  I say, look into things with an open mind and
make your own choice ...

HTH!
Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)

----- Original Message -----

My dad is interested in a V8 quattro after I showed him some pics and told
him some of the info on the car. The car we are looking at has 130K on it.
It had the 90k service done at 90k and I was wondering if there is anything
else I should look at. I know as with every Audi to check CV boots and
suspension bushings but I was curious if there is anything "special" to look
at on the V8. the car is a 3.6 auto. thanks for any insight or help!!