Anderson

1997 Audi A4
1.8t AWD
175,000 kms

First question: this model would be a B5 correct?

Im new to Audi, infact I dont even own one yet but I have the opportunity to purchase this car from a friend of mine who crashed it.
It has front end damage. What I know at this point in time is that it needs a
hood, bumper cover, driver's side fender, radiator, radiator support, power steering pump, possible headlight or two. It also needs to be checked to make sure the frame isnt bent.

anyways, the reason im posting this is because I'd like to hear some feedback or opinions about this car. I know there are probably some things that will need to be repaired that I didnt think of. Im not sure how big of a job this will be or how much it will cost but these are things i'd like to hear from people.
whats involved in replacing body parts like this?

Idealy Id like to fix it up enough to get it road worthy and then replace parts as I find them online or put it in my garage and buy parts and install them as i get them but Im dont want to bite off more than I can chew.

Also if anyone knows a good body shop in Calgary Alberta that does good work for a fair price I'd also like to hear those suggestions, there are so many bodyshops in town it would save me alot of time if someone had some suggestions.

1move

iTrader: (1)

Hey well I am in Calgary as well. So this is my two cents about this car at fairly rough estimates, and how much this would cost you localy. In my opinion the car has 175000 km's and it is crashed, so the opertunity from your friend should be free...if you are looking to make this car work again at a cheap price.

As a rough look at the car you will need....
2 New front fenders,
2 new high pressure wipers,
2 new side marker lights,
1 new wheel well protection cover,
(Possibly a new impact bar), this alone is $600ish
Radiator,
Radiator support,
Power steering pump,
the car is high milage so you are also looking at...
Timing belt,
possibly new water pump,
Possibly and probably new airbags....
new brakes sometime soon,
new rotors as the ones you have are rusted really well and will probably damage the current brake pads
all the supporting hosing that was damaged,
and then once all is done an aligment.

If you replace only the hood the bumper and one fender the other side will not match the current new color. This is worst case scenario only from the pictures.
with a 175000 on it you can find one for about 9-13 G's locally
the total overall to fix that car in time will run you more headaches than just to purchase the same car that wasnt in an accident.
the repair's will run you around $6000 if most of the install is done yourself, if its at a shop around $9000, and at the dealer get ready to bend over even further....

I bet your friend wrote off the car and is trying to make some money! Once in an accident = constant headaches!! I can meet up with you and take a look at the car.

Anderson

This is kind of what I was thinking. Im not sure if its worth the trouble when I'll probably end up spending alot of money and time to get it back to normal.

I was thinking of just getting a body shop to straighten it up with some replacement body parts (doesnt matter what color) as long as they are in good shape and then having it painted at a later date and to not worry about brakes and Timing belt just yet and just having the broken parts done first.

You are probably right though, it would be better to avoid the headache and buy a used one for 9-13k locally.

Im not sure still, maybe if I can get the car for next to nothing it might be worth it.

1move

iTrader: (1)

By the way once all these new parts are installed you are going to have to have the codes read to see if everything is okay, what i would do if I can get the car for cheap is part it out and sell parts if you got room to store it. I wouldnt even bother fixing it honestly. Or keep it as a parts vehicle for yourself

Anderson

Ok, I think you have a good point.
I might as well spend the money for one that hasnt been in an accident and hopefully with less kms on it. By the time that car is fixed up Im looking at spending 6-10 thousand on it plus all the time and headaches that go along with it.

I'll have to look around on the Autotrader and see if I can pick one up.
Its between the Audi A4 AWD and a Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS or WRX
As you can see im looking for an AWD car thats good in the winter and still fun in the summer.

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

1move

iTrader: (1)

it all depends on how much you want to spend I might be selling mine its an 04 a4 quattro 1.8t