Information about an Audi A4 1.8l 1998!!?

Question

i was planning on buying an Audi A4 1998 1.8l with 140k. What would you guys suggest me. Should i go for it. I did not contact the dealer yet in regards of the carfax but it says that it has no accident, clean title and i will not regret buying it. what do you guys really think i should do. they are selling it for $4995 (which obviously i'm not gonna buy for the full price). what should i be expecting with that type of mileage? what are the common problems that i'm gonna get? what is the first thing that i should do if i choose to buy it?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Alright. I owned this car, First thing to do, find one at a lower price. I sold my 1999 Audi A4 Quattro with the 1.8T with neuspeed exhaust, new turbo, ECU flashed, and intake for 5k.

Second, 140K miles is a lot of miles on these cars. The 1.8T isn't know for it's great reliability. Also, Audi isn't know for being cheap and easy to work on. I did a lot of my own mechanic work and trust me, when you get in there and everything is Allen bolts you'll curse whatever engineer design it that way.

Now, that being said, If you do CHOOSE to buy it there are a couple of things to consider.

First, check and see if they have all the maintance records. If they do find out when the timing belt was done. (The timing belt keeps the camshafts, rods that spin and move the valves to let air in, in time with the crank shaft, the big beefy hunk of metal that connects to the connecting rods). The 1.8T is notorious for having a the timing belt tensioner freeze up, which snaps the belt send the valves into the pistons. Blowing the whole motor.

A mechanic can do the timing belt, but it will cost about $1200. The water pump should be replaced at the same time just because it has to be removed from the car to get to the belt anyway. It's a $120 dollar part. I did this my self and had to remove the whole front end of the car to get to it. Bumper, radiator, radiator support beam, ac condensor.

Second, Get a carfax on it. Just because the deal says the car is in great condition doesn't mean it is. Last time I checked there where plenty of lawyer and used car jokes involved some layer of hell.

Third, Click here for the NADA price of the car. I assumed that you where buying an automatic and sunroof. http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.aspx?LI=1-21-1-5013-0-0-0&l=1&w=21&p=1&f=5014&m=1190&d=198&y=1998&c=16&vi=1525&z=34134&da=-1&mi=140000

MSN List of common problems
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=1998&make=Audi&model=A4&trimid=-1

In the future make sure to check carfax, MSN Auto's for list of possible problems, and NADA for car prices. Happy hunting, and if I were you I would find a nice Subaru legacy. Super reliable cars.

Answer 2

goooood

Answer 3

very high mileage for that price should be about $2800 but unless it has had a new turbo if it is the turbo model don't touch it, if it's the normal model check it has just had a new cambelt AND idlers AND water pump (also for turbo model) otherwise don't touch it. if it doesn't have a full service history again don't touch it, ham fisted american mechanics ruin more german and italian cars than you can count, use only 5-50 fully synthetic oil

Answer 4

Just make sure you have a lot of money for maintenance and repairs

Answer 5

Go for it, Audi's in my opinion are the nicest cars out there, and they look sweet. But be careful when you drive, there cop magnets and expensive to fix. (Mine got scratched in the front by another person and there was a little chip in the grill= $3000.00+)

Answer 6

I have had my 98 A4 with the 1.8t and I have mine with 204k miles. Despite what others say just maintain it and it will be good for you. German cars are not like asian cars that dont care about maintaince and gas quailty. German cars are enginered and need maintaince and good gas. My car has only not started once since 98 the battery was dead. Yes there are some issues with this car the timing belt has to be changed every 75k with the waterpump. However all cars have issues. Get the car checked out and drive it to the ground!