A4 purchase counseling

[Fifield, Douglas]

Pedro wrote:

> From: "Pedro Faria" <quattrocs at hotmail.com>
> 
> Me and my wife are in the market for 2 new "used" cars, audi's or other
VAG 
> prducts of course so we kind of decide to get 2 A4's identical cars,
> most likely 5 speed 1.8t quattros 1996-2000
> 
> My question is, should i concentrate more one one particular year versus 
> another. are there any issues i should worry/concentrate on while
> purchasing these vehicles. or anything else you guys can thing off

Then Scott wrote:

Here's a repost of a reply I gave not to long ago to a similar question.
This assumes you are looking at a vehicle with more than 50K miles. If it's
less than 50K then you probably won't see any of this until then...

1. Control arms (really the just the joints, which are available separately,
but not from the factory).

2. Wheel bearings. If they aren't howling already, just start a "planned
replacement program" as soon as you get the car.

<snip>

Now, I write:

I drove a '97 A4 1.8TQM for five years before a pizza jockey rear ended me
at 45 mph.  Aside from the groaning control arms (both replaced) and a
dragging rear brake shoe, I had no problems with the car.  I loved driving
it and would have continued to do so but for the accident.  True, the mirror
heaters had gone out and I had replaced a headlight bulb or two and a couple
behind the dash, but those I considered small things.  You can see that
after five years on any car.  My car did not burn a drop of oil between
changes.  I would give the A4 1.8 a vote of confidence.  Can't speak for the
2.8 tho.

Douglas in MN
95.5 //S6Avant - mine
98 Mercury Mountaineer - her work sled
98 Toyota RAV4 - for sale
73 BMW R60/5 - lonely in the garage