S4 - Inspection Assistance?

[Lawrence Bardfeld <LB6116@PITCAIRN.com>]

First, special thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to my 
earlier message about a 1993 S4 that I learned about very recently and 
became interested in as a trade-up from my '875ktq.  The consensus of 
opinion received is that if I purchase the car I should replace the 
timing belt right away, and when that is done also take the 
opportunity to replace the water pump.  And quite possibly the idler 
pulley (whatever that is - never mind) as well.

I've spoken twice to the seller, who confirmed that the car was coming 
off of a 5 year lease, and told me (I'm skeptical) that at 60k the 
Audi dealer where the car has been regularly serviced looked at the 
timing belt and said it didn't need replacement yet, but should be 
rechecked at the next 30k servicing (i.e., at 90k).  But I suppose 
that is plausible if the Bentley indicated replacement at 90k.  OTOH, 
I checked with Holberts Porsche/Audi/VW in my area and they - no 
doubt, showing some of their own biases too - suggest replacement of 
the belt at 60k, for whatever that's worth [FWIW? I'm trying to learn 
these arcane - for me - acronyms that seem ubiquitous on the digest].

I've never leased a car, and am not too familiar with leases, so maybe 
this is incorrect, but it strikes me that the seller is attempting 
some price arbitrage of sorts here - if normally once a lease is up 
the lessee can either purchase the car at the value previously agreed 
upon (in this case, 5 years ago, when he purchased the car), or simply 
walk away after the last payment is made (making any additional 
adjustments for excess mileage, damage, etc.), then if he's trying to 
sell the car to me for $19,500, it seems to me that he probably has 
the right to purchase the car for less than $19,500, and is trying to 
make a few bucks by flipping it, rather than simply walk away.  OTOH, 
it's possible, from a few other things he's said, that he may not in 
fact have a conventional lease.  His newspaper advertisement mentioned 
the fact that he must sell by November 15, but he mentioned that he 
spoke to "the bank" and was told it wouldn't be a problem if he took 
an extra day or two.  So it sounds to me like he may have a 
bank-financed purchase with a balloon payment - in which case, I 
should have pretty good negotiating leverage if there are no other 
interested buyers (he hasn't mentioned any) except perhaps selling it 
to a dealer at wholesale, and the deadline approaches.

I intend to call the seller within the next day or two to find a 
mutually convenient time this Sunday when I can actually look at the 
car.  Here's my question (I can almost hear the sigh of relief, from 
those who bothered to plod through this seemingly endless message): is 
there any Q-lister who can recommend a qualified mechanic in the 
Cherry Hill, NJ area to inspect the S4.  Or, better yet, might there 
be a Q-lister who could help inspect the car with me?  I'd be happy to 
either provide transportation or arrange (free) transportation for 
anyone within about 75 miles of Cherry Hill, NJ or Philadelphia. 
 Maybe even a further distance.  (Have a current passport, Phil?)

Thanks again for all your good advice and patience.

Larry Bardfeld LB6116@pitcairn.com