Audi A4 questions

[Jon Linkov]

On 2/17/05 5:40 AM, attila pallos <pexcalibura at yahoo.com> wrote:

> oil leak at the valve gasket but they said they are willing to deduct the
> amount of the repair from the price.(the dealer estimated the repair at
> $665.0).

Ouch! That's expensive.

I have been to an audi service and the guy told me that these cars
> need the timing belt replaced at every 50k mi which he said it will be an
> additional $800 if it needs the waterpump replaced as well.I looked the car up
> by the vin no.(as did the guy from the audi shop) and it didn't come up as
> having any problems(waterpump replaced 3 times-but I heard it's a common probl
>  em with

And the belt was never changed during all those water pump replacements?
Odd, IMHO, for a car to have 3 water pumps in its short life. Yes, change
the belt no later than 60k...the 90k (or whatever Audi says) is BS.

>  these Audis-or is it not?).(and it shows the oil was changed every 5k mi).I
> think I could get it for $12k or 11.5.What is your opinion about this car and
> deal(is the price good?) and in general about ' 99 A4 with 1.8T engine.Should
> I be aware of anything in particular can you think of any essential questions
> I could ask the owner?Or if you have an A4 how does it drive.I am paying the
> car with a loan so that's with all the concern and I could probably get a
> cheaper car same year but other make but as we all know an Audi is an Audi.I
> have an 100E,I know. So thank you for any advice you can give me.

A friend of mine with a 99 who did all the scheduled maintenance (but no
additional work) recently got his engine replaced under the oil-line coking
recall/warranty. It WAS to be $15k out of his pocket because he "drove it
while the oil light was on" ...he drove it TO THE DEALER and they were going
to void the warranty.

Anyway, not sure how you CAN check the oil lines, but I know that was a
problem with the earlier 1.8 engines. Others here may have more detailed
info.

JOn