retry - very high clutch takeup on 98 A4 - dying clutch or any other variables?

[Kent McLean]

Grant Lenahan wrote:
> My neighbor has the opportunity to pick up a largely clean, high 
> mileage, 98 A4 1.8t 5-sp at a good price.
> 
> When I drove the car, the clutch pickup was VERY high, although it does 
> not slip under load.
> 
> Are there any adjustments or other variables that could affect pickup 
> point, or is this clutch on its way to the great clutch yard int he 
> sky?

I don't know about adjusting an A4 clutch, but googling:
a4 clutch adjustment
turns up this:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/testdrives/Reviews/audi-a4-18t-avant-1999.html
Which says this about the 1999:

"We noticed that the clutch on the A4 seems to engage pretty high--not
unlike Volkswagens and other German cars. If you're not used to this,
it might take some time to get accommodated to the clutch. (The clutch
is self-adjusting, so there's no chance to change the level at which it
engages.)"

If you still think it is too high (especially given the miles), use
it to reduce the price for a clutch job.

-- 
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke