86 4000 CSQ advice

[Rory]

Hi quattro folks,

I'm new to this list and quattro's, and I'm looking for some advice about an 86 
4000 CSQ that I'm interested in buying.  I have searched through the archives 
and I'm having a hard time locating answers to a couple specific questions.  I 
apologize if this has been covered before, but I want to grab this car before 
someone else gets it =)

The 86 has been in California it's whole life and is currently owned by the 
second owner.  The interior and exterior are in pretty good shape considering 
the age of the car.  One of the power windows doesn't work and the locks are 
getting slow, but I would think this is normal for the age.  I don't think it 
has been in any accidents.  The suspension seems good and the motor seems pretty 
strong.  I don't have any experience with quattros so its hard for me to gage 
the power.  There aren't any unusual sounds coming from the wheel bearings or 
engine compartment.  There is an oil leak at the valve cover, and the owner 
claims he doesn't have to add oil between oil changes.

The lights for the temp gage and locking diff switch don't work.  I switched the 
center and rear diff switch, turned the steering wheel to lock, and accelerated 
and the car definitely felt different.  The front wheels sort of pushed straight 
instead of rolling.  Does this confirm the diffs are locking, or should I get a 
bulb and see if I can get the lights to come on?

The biggest concern I have is that the car has 200k miles on it and its 
difficult to shift into first and second gear.  The master cylinder was recently 
replaced and there isn't very much resistance when stepping on the clutch pedal. 
  Is this typical of a quattro or should I have to put a good amount of pressure 
on the clutch pedal to shift?  Is it likely the clutch cylinder has air trapped 
in the line?  Would this cause a problem shifting into first or second gear?  Is 
there any way for me to confirm a problem with the fluid vs the tranny?  I have 
heard the trannys on 4k quattros are bulletproof, but what's the normal life on 
them?  Is 200k miles pretty much the end of the syncros or a specific gear?

If there are any other trouble areas I should be checking for please let me 
know.  I am pretty set on getting a 4k quattro as a snow/rally cross car and any 
advice would be sincerely appreciated.

Thanks again,
Rory