Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

Ian and Dan,

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!

The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
do I find one ?
+ the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
familiar with all the repair shops.

The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
get it done cheaper if so how much? Will this problem come back ?

Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
that the coolant is low ?

The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
report)

The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
front suspension.

Thanks once again and thanks in advance.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

Ian and Dan,

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!

The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
do I find one ?
+ the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
familiar with all the repair shops.

The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
get it done cheaper if so how much? Will this problem come back ?

Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
that the coolant is low ?

The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
report)

The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
front suspension.

Thanks once again and thanks in advance.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

Ian and Dan,

Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!

The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
do I find one ?
+ the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
familiar with all the repair shops.

The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
get it done cheaper if so how much? Will this problem come back ?

Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
that the coolant is low ?

The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
report)

The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
front suspension.

Thanks once again and thanks in advance.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S"
> and if the coolant
> has not been religiously replaced on schedule,

And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.

Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
replace your coolant.

Cheers,

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S"
> and if the coolant
> has not been religiously replaced on schedule,

And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.

Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
replace your coolant.

Cheers,

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S"
> and if the coolant
> has not been religiously replaced on schedule,

And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.

Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
replace your coolant.

Cheers,

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S"
> and if the coolant
> has not been religiously replaced on schedule,

And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.

Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
replace your coolant.

Cheers,

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dkonvq$5u$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
> "Ian S"
> > and if the coolant
> > has not been religiously replaced on schedule,
>
> And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
> lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.
>
> Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
> replace your coolant.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
I stand corrected. You are right, my manual says it's permanent. For some
reason, I thought it was every two years. And here I've been blaming myself
for my radiator failure since I let the coolant change go longer than three
years.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dkonvq$5u$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
> "Ian S"
> > and if the coolant
> > has not been religiously replaced on schedule,
>
> And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
> lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.
>
> Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
> replace your coolant.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
I stand corrected. You are right, my manual says it's permanent. For some
reason, I thought it was every two years. And here I've been blaming myself
for my radiator failure since I let the coolant change go longer than three
years.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dkonvq$5u$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
> "Ian S"
> > and if the coolant
> > has not been religiously replaced on schedule,
>
> And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
> lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.
>
> Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
> replace your coolant.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
I stand corrected. You are right, my manual says it's permanent. For some
reason, I thought it was every two years. And here I've been blaming myself
for my radiator failure since I let the coolant change go longer than three
years.