RE: Should I buy this 86 5kCS Q T?

[Gurdev Sethi <gsethi@corp.webtv.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net
[mailto:owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net]On Behalf Of Robert J. Albrecht
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 1999 9:47 AM
To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net
Subject: Should I buy this 86 5kCS Q T?


I have found an '86 5000CS Quattro Turbo with 58k miles apparently in
very nice shape, at least to my inexperienced eye. The shop has let me
drive the car over the weekend. They are asking 4675. I find average
book at 3700. Am I way off? 

58k Sounds so low to me. Less then 5k a year?


Here's what I have found so far. Can you advise as to the seriousness of
these items and what specific questions I should ask of the shop before
we deal?

1. Rack and pinion mechanism has a leak, says my local nonAudi grease
monkey. Steering was sloppy when I first drove it before the shop beagn
to work on it. Now it is tighter but there is creaking in steering
column. Might be just plastic housing, or is it more serious? What
should I ask for?

This could be the steering rack. The shop may have tightened the steering
pre-tension bolt
to "firm" up the steering. If possible turn steering fully left to right
while someone looks for leaks
in the steering components. Bently manual details this. Replacing the rack
is approx $700-1200. IMHO A car w/
58k should not need a new rack (unless wrong fluid was used). Lot of info
about this in the archives.

2. Leak at power steering pump.  What should I ask for? Related to r&p
problem?

Plan on the expense of replacing this pump. Depending on type the cost
varies
~ $200.00 pump
~   86.00 Pump to rack kit/banjo bolts etc
~   11.00 fluid
Labor varies but this job could be done at the same time as the rack to save
some $.

3. It has the electronic push button climate control and I'm not
gertting a lot of heat. Core problem? Valve problem? Electronics
problem? How do I know?

With the car on hold down the outside temp display button and press and
release the OFF button
This will put it in diag mode. Note any code numbers. Press the warmer
button to move through the 23 diag channels noting any error codes in each
channel. You need bently to decode them but if you find any email them to me
and I will decode them.

4. On a cold start, there is a clicking sound when it begins to run. My
4000Q doesn't make that sound with 170k miles, i don't think. Should I
worry about that sound? It goes away after running a bit. What question
do I ask the shop owner?

This is most likely the lifters. Not uncommon for the noise to occur but
should not be too loud on a car w/ 58k miles.
Tons of info on this problem solution in the archives.

5. No heat in seats. Fuse is ok. Is this typical? How do I know if there
is a broken wire? How expensive a fix? Any alternatives?

VERY typical and often a on going battle. Could be the sensors in the seat/
the switches/the elements. All can be fixed and there are lots of how to's
in the archive.

6. An intermittant failure of dash lights. They always light when I
start the car but sometimes when I turn on the driving lights, the dash
lights fail. Every third time or so.

Check the license plate bulbs. I have never had this problem but I know it
is common. It could indicate
some electrical problems, possible water damage.

And that's it. Body and interior is gorgeous. There have been two
owners, one from 1986 to Dec 1997, and one from then until now. Car was
first registered in Ithaca, NY. It's a pearlescent white -- any problems
with that?

THE most important thing in determining the value of an audi is the
maintenance and hence the importance of the
service records. This can also help verify the mileage which raises a red
flag esp w/ two owners (more unlikely that two diff owner drove less the ~5k
a year). You should research the first title change and find out what
mileage was recorded.
If the car has records and mileage is real and the car has never been in a
major accident/slavaged/totaled etc the low 4k range is good.
If there are records of oil changes it would be interesting to see what type
dino/synth. It is worth ~$100 to have an indep Audi skilled mech take a look
at it. There are listings of mechanics in the archives.

What have I not looked for? Oh, one more thing. In some American cars,
turbos die young. What's the story with this Audi version?

Get your hands on March 1998 European Car Mag where they discuss what to
avoid / look for as well as help on price ranges. Very good info in there.

Thank you very much for any advice.
Bob

5.