maarp

This sounds to me like good news. So you see no reason to run away screaming from this car?

Oh...yeah I'm a little slow....Where is the fill plug on the tranny?

K04-S4

B5 A4 Manual Transmission fill / check plug should be on the driver side just in front of the driver front axle.

Tiptronic is another matter.

maarp

Did I mention it's a tiptronic?

K04-S4

Tiptronic vehicle Center Diff will have it's own fill / check plug and seperate drain plug just as the rear diff does.

Tiptronic Transmission fluid check is more involved as fluid needs to be warmed up to check level temp. Read temp with VAG-COM (temp spec in Bentley Manual, iirc something like 85C but double check to be sure). Drain / Fill / Check is from same plug on the bottom of the trans pan. There is a vertical tube several inches high inside the plug opening. Suggest purchase a new plug seal before pulling plug. Several ounces of oil will likely leak out of the tube when you pull the plug so be prepared. At correct check temp as per spec, fluid level should be at the top of the tube. If higher mileage, suggest drain / pull trans pan / install new trans fluid filter and new pan gasket / refill as per above... another matter

maarp

Yeah, that'll be a job for my mechanic.



Full leather interior (not leatherette), 197K km, second owner, no rust, everything works except the LED display in the dash.

So bottom line - is the car worth taking a shot at for $7K?

K04-S4

When was the last Timing Belt Kit was installed ?

Also ensure to have the vehicle VAG Scanned before purchase so that you are fully informed.

maarp

Timing belt was done at 130K. Sould be good for another 50-60K. He's also done rear wheel bearings, aluminum links on the front, tie-rods and ball joints.

If the CEL isn't on, what will the VAG show?