Re: FS: '93 S4 - Recommendation: Don't Buy!! (Long)

[John Edwards <ymoon@bellsouth.net>]

Jim,
  That story is a doggone shame. How could anyone ever treat a great car with such
neglect and lack of respect. I noticed that lack of proper treatment and service
causes so many Audis to fail prematurely. Really, the service may be expensive up
front, but you can get so many more years of use out of one of these with the proper
service than you can out of other certain automobiles. Some folks just don't get it,
and that's a shame. It was probably a good idea that you passed on it. You could
have gotten a real problem. I almost bought a BMW M3 ('88) once. Price wasn't bad,
the condition was. Drove hard and put up wet, to say the least. Had less than 100k
on the clock, but drove and ran like it had 200k. D*mn shame. Broke my heart. Once I
priced out BMW M3 parts I'm glad that I didn't buy it. WHEW!!!! That stuff's
ridiculous. Anyway, better luck next time.

Travis E.
1985 4000s quattro

Jim Griffin wrote:

> Just figured I'd pass along a test drive on a '93 S4 at Ron Bouchard's Acura in
> Auburn MA. As you can tell from the subject heading... my recommendation is...
> Don't Buy It!!
>
> The details:  '93 S4  - Pearl white, black interior, carbon fibre trim inside -
> 69,345 miles - $20,995
>
> Friday night, the car caught my eye as I was driving by (funny how an Audi
> enthusiast can spot them in a flash), so I stopped to take a closer look. Not
> too bad from the outside, so I figured I'd take it for a spin on Saturday.
>
> First, the car wouldn't start. Hmm... not very good, considering that they've
> only had it on their lot for a week.
>
> Look under the hood, and notice a few tidbits... first, a rubber hose/line from
> the fuel filter is visibly split/cracked... showing the braiding underneath. Not
> long before that one gives way...
>
> Second, some oil leaking from the back of the valve cover area, possibly the
> rubber hose coming out of it. Not sure where/what is leaking... but not a good
> sign.
>
> Saleswoman said the timing belt and water pump was done recently. I asked if the
> tranny was replaced, since the early ones had problems. She wasn't sure. She
> very quickly understood that I knew a LOT more about these cars than she ever
> will.
>
> Once inside, it showed some signs of owner neglect. Passenger seat switch knobs
> were missing. Cigarette burn hole on driver's side headliner, near the grab
> handle. Rear trim panel on passenger was loose. Defroster vent on passenger side
> dash was warped/twisted. Leather was in relatively good shape... but I would
> guess that the guy never treated them with anything. Driver's side seat bolster
> was a bit worn.
>
> Outside... small scratches here and there... nothing too bad. Trunk lid had a
> small rust spot... probably where the guy banged the edge, and never treated the
> paint chip.
>
> Okay... enough already... how'd it drive? Well, that's probably the worst part.
>
> After getting it jump started, it idled a bit rough... but not too badly. I pull
> away... and noticed a real bad part-throttle stumble/hesitation... I think
> mostly under boost. It didn't matter what gear.
>
> I kept driving it, to get it warm. Once warm, it was a bit better, with the
> hesitation/stumble only present when I tried to really step on it. WOT on the
> highway it was really noticeable.
>
> I couldn't tell if this was tranny related or not... I suspect not. I would
> suspect a sensor gone bad, or something else ignition/fuel related. Whatever it
> was, it was obvious to me that the previous owner didn't take care of the car,
> and neither did the dealer do any kind of prep work or real road testing. I
> couldn't believe that the dealer would put a car out on the lot like this. It
> amazed me. Naturally, I told that to the salesman who came out to see me upon my
> return (the saleswoman went back to selling an Acura to someone...).
>
> What a shame. This could have been a dream come true... a PEARL on BLACK '93
> (with the carbon fibre of that year only!!)... but NO... the d*mn previous owner
> had to use, abuse, and neglect it. The guy should be tortured somehow... :-)
>
> The only positive piece that came out of the drive? I switched seats with
> Charity, and let her drive it for a portion on the highway, and back to the
> dealer. Even in the poor-running state that it was, it produced quite the grin
> on her face!! She was amazed when I told her that it wasn't really running
> well... and that a well-tuned one(and/or modded one at that!!) would really
> thrill her!! So... needless to say, she was impressed. I think she is getting
> closer and closer to being a die-hard Audi fan!! I have to keep working on her
> though... she still wants a Toyota Pickup. But I've almost got her considering
> an A4q!!
>
> I told her that I am strongly considering the purchase of an ur-q in the spring.
> After explaining to her what it was, I think I'll be fighting over the keys,
> that's for sure!! :-)
>
> Anyway, that's the story on the S4. IMHO, do as I did, and pass on it.
>
> Of course, YMMV... usual disclaimers etc.
>
>                      Jim Griffin
>                  ICQ # 1315286
>                JGriff@pobox.com
>            http://pobox.com/~jgriff
>      http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1315286
> '92 Audi 100S - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
>  "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
>  ------------------OOOO------------------