Hello All,

I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.

Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.

My question are:

What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?

Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?

Thanks in advance to all,

Paul

 

> Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?

Yes.

Unfortunately, the A8 has a terrible reputation so far.

 

"Saintor" <saintor1@REMOVETHIShotmail.com> skrev i melding
news:%Wjgb.35460$ti3.678748@wagner.videotron.net.. .
> > Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?

> Yes.
> Unfortunately, the A8 has a terrible reputation so far.



I am sorry that I have to agree. I once had a 1996 A8Q 2.8 for a brief
period, but sold it mainly because it proved to be extremely expensive to
own, in almost every way. I bought a 1999 A6Q 2.4 instead, and even though
this car also is rather expensive to own, it seems a big bargain compared to
the A8, I must say.

 

I have a 1999 A8 4.2

Not sure what the major differences are..I'm aluminum, your probably
not.

Things I've looked at, and those that I know are coming are as
follows.

I have the winter package: heated seats, and steering wheel...I
believe the locks are also heated..fortunetly, I haven't had to use
them.

Heating went out in the steering wheel...not sure what the replacement
cost is....have to look on the web.

Tie rod ends, both sides front...drilled, greased, and plugged.
These have also been under recall. Get proof that they were done.
Also get the bearing checked.

Expect the timing belt to be changed, somewhere between 75,000 and
90,000 miles. Expect to pay a good $1000.00 for that...If I were you,
I'd make sure it's done before you buy the car, or get a certificate
for future work.
I'm hoping to get free labor from the college here, so paying parts
only may be an option. I don't know how many people have looked into
college automotive programs for free labor, but it's something to
think about.
If you talk to the instructors within the first month or so of the
start of school, they'll know if they have a student that is capable
of doing the job.

From what little I've read...the transmission fluid is also an area
that needs thorough attention. Do a search on the net for it... One
of the forums has talked at length about this.
Run a search for Audi Forum..there are a number of sites listed.

Also...under the hood..I believe they are the Cabin Air Filters, one
on each side...mine are square...found em on the net for 35.00 or
there abouts..garage wanted 50.

I have the triptronic setup. No problems to note, but more of a
reason to check the transmission fluid.


Drives great! Highway mileage is 27-28. I can't really guage city,
as I drive up a 3 mile hill to work. I'm getting between 19 and 20.

Triptronic is fun....and useful! It's a shame it doesn't have the
"real control" that a standard engine normallyt has. That's my only
dislike.


Hope this helps.

Mike



On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:12:52 GMT, "Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:

>Hello All,
>
>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>
>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>
>My question are:
>
>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>
>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>
>Thanks in advance to all,
>
>Paul
>

 

"Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:ELegb.49275$E95.25076615@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Hello All,
>
> I'm researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>
> Prices 'round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>
> My question are:
>
> What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>
> Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>
> Thanks in advance to all,
>
> Paul
>
>

 

Come see us on the A8 forum at Audiworld.com - lots of resources/knowledgeable
people.

Price sounds a little on the high side. '99s closer to 50-60k miles can be had
for low 20's.

JimR

"Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:

>Hello All,
>
>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>
>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>
>My question are:
>
>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>
>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>
>Thanks in advance to all,
>
>Paul
>

 

There is no way in Hell I would let a student mechanic so much as change the oil
on this car, let alone attempt a timing belt.



fm@98.com wrote:

>I have a 1999 A8 4.2
>
>Not sure what the major differences are..I'm aluminum, your probably
>not.
>
>Things I've looked at, and those that I know are coming are as
>follows.
>
>I have the winter package: heated seats, and steering wheel...I
>believe the locks are also heated..fortunetly, I haven't had to use
>them.
>
>Heating went out in the steering wheel...not sure what the replacement
>cost is....have to look on the web.
>
>Tie rod ends, both sides front...drilled, greased, and plugged.
>These have also been under recall. Get proof that they were done.
>Also get the bearing checked.
>
>Expect the timing belt to be changed, somewhere between 75,000 and
>90,000 miles. Expect to pay a good $1000.00 for that...If I were you,
>I'd make sure it's done before you buy the car, or get a certificate
>for future work.
>I'm hoping to get free labor from the college here, so paying parts
>only may be an option. I don't know how many people have looked into
>college automotive programs for free labor, but it's something to
>think about.
>If you talk to the instructors within the first month or so of the
>start of school, they'll know if they have a student that is capable
>of doing the job.
>
>From what little I've read...the transmission fluid is also an area
>that needs thorough attention. Do a search on the net for it... One
>of the forums has talked at length about this.
>Run a search for Audi Forum..there are a number of sites listed.
>
>Also...under the hood..I believe they are the Cabin Air Filters, one
>on each side...mine are square...found em on the net for 35.00 or
>there abouts..garage wanted 50.
>
>I have the triptronic setup. No problems to note, but more of a
>reason to check the transmission fluid.
>
>
>Drives great! Highway mileage is 27-28. I can't really guage city,
>as I drive up a 3 mile hill to work. I'm getting between 19 and 20.
>
>Triptronic is fun....and useful! It's a shame it doesn't have the
>"real control" that a standard engine normallyt has. That's my only
>dislike.
>
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:12:52 GMT, "Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:
>
>>Hello All,
>>
>>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>>
>>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>>
>>My question are:
>>
>>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>>
>>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>>
>>Thanks in advance to all,
>>
>>Paul
>>

 

The A4 and A8 have virtually nothing in common other than the name
plate. So someone's experiences with the A8 are about as relevant as
someone with a Ford Pickup giving someone else advice on buying a Focus.

The B5/A4/Passat platform seems relatively sturdy. I'm not aware of any
major gotchas. However, unless you're really married to that particular
car, you might want to consider getting a 1.8 turbo instead. There's a
wider variety of aftermarket performance parts for that engine and it's
relatively cheap/easy to make the 1.8T put out more horsepower than the
normally aspirated 2.8. Other 1.8T pluses include better weight
distribution, lower overall weight, better fuel economy, and lower
insurance rates.

Cheers,

C

JimR wrote:
> There is no way in Hell I would let a student mechanic so much as change the oil
> on this car, let alone attempt a timing belt.
>
>
>
> fm@98.com wrote:
>
>
>>I have a 1999 A8 4.2
>>
>>Not sure what the major differences are..I'm aluminum, your probably
>>not.
>>
>>Things I've looked at, and those that I know are coming are as
>>follows.
>>
>>I have the winter package: heated seats, and steering wheel...I
>>believe the locks are also heated..fortunetly, I haven't had to use
>>them.
>>
>>Heating went out in the steering wheel...not sure what the replacement
>>cost is....have to look on the web.
>>
>>Tie rod ends, both sides front...drilled, greased, and plugged.
>>These have also been under recall. Get proof that they were done.
>>Also get the bearing checked.
>>
>>Expect the timing belt to be changed, somewhere between 75,000 and
>>90,000 miles. Expect to pay a good $1000.00 for that...If I were you,
>>I'd make sure it's done before you buy the car, or get a certificate
>>for future work.
>>I'm hoping to get free labor from the college here, so paying parts
>>only may be an option. I don't know how many people have looked into
>>college automotive programs for free labor, but it's something to
>>think about.
>>If you talk to the instructors within the first month or so of the
>>start of school, they'll know if they have a student that is capable
>>of doing the job.
>>
>
>>From what little I've read...the transmission fluid is also an area
>
>>that needs thorough attention. Do a search on the net for it... One
>>of the forums has talked at length about this.
>>Run a search for Audi Forum..there are a number of sites listed.
>>
>>Also...under the hood..I believe they are the Cabin Air Filters, one
>>on each side...mine are square...found em on the net for 35.00 or
>>there abouts..garage wanted 50.
>>
>>I have the triptronic setup. No problems to note, but more of a
>>reason to check the transmission fluid.
>>
>>
>>Drives great! Highway mileage is 27-28. I can't really guage city,
>>as I drive up a 3 mile hill to work. I'm getting between 19 and 20.
>>
>>Triptronic is fun....and useful! It's a shame it doesn't have the
>>"real control" that a standard engine normallyt has. That's my only
>>dislike.
>>
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:12:52 GMT, "Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hello All,
>>>
>>>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>>>
>>>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>>>
>>>My question are:
>>>
>>>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>>>
>>>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance to all,
>>>
>>>Paul
>>>
>
>

 

Ooops, nevermind. It's been a long day. I read A4 instead of A8. My
apologies.

Cheers,

C

JimR wrote:

> There is no way in Hell I would let a student mechanic so much as change the oil
> on this car, let alone attempt a timing belt.
>
>
>
> fm@98.com wrote:
>
>
>>I have a 1999 A8 4.2
>>
>>Not sure what the major differences are..I'm aluminum, your probably
>>not.
>>
>>Things I've looked at, and those that I know are coming are as
>>follows.
>>
>>I have the winter package: heated seats, and steering wheel...I
>>believe the locks are also heated..fortunetly, I haven't had to use
>>them.
>>
>>Heating went out in the steering wheel...not sure what the replacement
>>cost is....have to look on the web.
>>
>>Tie rod ends, both sides front...drilled, greased, and plugged.
>>These have also been under recall. Get proof that they were done.
>>Also get the bearing checked.
>>
>>Expect the timing belt to be changed, somewhere between 75,000 and
>>90,000 miles. Expect to pay a good $1000.00 for that...If I were you,
>>I'd make sure it's done before you buy the car, or get a certificate
>>for future work.
>>I'm hoping to get free labor from the college here, so paying parts
>>only may be an option. I don't know how many people have looked into
>>college automotive programs for free labor, but it's something to
>>think about.
>>If you talk to the instructors within the first month or so of the
>>start of school, they'll know if they have a student that is capable
>>of doing the job.
>>
>
>>From what little I've read...the transmission fluid is also an area
>
>>that needs thorough attention. Do a search on the net for it... One
>>of the forums has talked at length about this.
>>Run a search for Audi Forum..there are a number of sites listed.
>>
>>Also...under the hood..I believe they are the Cabin Air Filters, one
>>on each side...mine are square...found em on the net for 35.00 or
>>there abouts..garage wanted 50.
>>
>>I have the triptronic setup. No problems to note, but more of a
>>reason to check the transmission fluid.
>>
>>
>>Drives great! Highway mileage is 27-28. I can't really guage city,
>>as I drive up a 3 mile hill to work. I'm getting between 19 and 20.
>>
>>Triptronic is fun....and useful! It's a shame it doesn't have the
>>"real control" that a standard engine normallyt has. That's my only
>>dislike.
>>
>>
>>Hope this helps.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:12:52 GMT, "Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hello All,
>>>
>>>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>>>
>>>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>>>
>>>My question are:
>>>
>>>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>>>
>>>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance to all,
>>>
>>>Paul
>>>
>
>

 

Thanks, was questioning your sanity there for a moment.



Chris Mauritz <ritz@mordor.net> wrote:

>Ooops, nevermind. It's been a long day. I read A4 instead of A8. My
>apologies.
>
>Cheers,
>
>C
>
>JimR wrote:
>
>> There is no way in Hell I would let a student mechanic so much as change the oil
>> on this car, let alone attempt a timing belt.
>>
>>
>>
>> fm@98.com wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have a 1999 A8 4.2
>>>
>>>Not sure what the major differences are..I'm aluminum, your probably
>>>not.
>>>
>>>Things I've looked at, and those that I know are coming are as
>>>follows.
>>>
>>>I have the winter package: heated seats, and steering wheel...I
>>>believe the locks are also heated..fortunetly, I haven't had to use
>>>them.
>>>
>>>Heating went out in the steering wheel...not sure what the replacement
>>>cost is....have to look on the web.
>>>
>>>Tie rod ends, both sides front...drilled, greased, and plugged.
>>>These have also been under recall. Get proof that they were done.
>>>Also get the bearing checked.
>>>
>>>Expect the timing belt to be changed, somewhere between 75,000 and
>>>90,000 miles. Expect to pay a good $1000.00 for that...If I were you,
>>>I'd make sure it's done before you buy the car, or get a certificate
>>>for future work.
>>>I'm hoping to get free labor from the college here, so paying parts
>>>only may be an option. I don't know how many people have looked into
>>>college automotive programs for free labor, but it's something to
>>>think about.
>>>If you talk to the instructors within the first month or so of the
>>>start of school, they'll know if they have a student that is capable
>>>of doing the job.
>>>
>>
>>>From what little I've read...the transmission fluid is also an area
>>
>>>that needs thorough attention. Do a search on the net for it... One
>>>of the forums has talked at length about this.
>>>Run a search for Audi Forum..there are a number of sites listed.
>>>
>>>Also...under the hood..I believe they are the Cabin Air Filters, one
>>>on each side...mine are square...found em on the net for 35.00 or
>>>there abouts..garage wanted 50.
>>>
>>>I have the triptronic setup. No problems to note, but more of a
>>>reason to check the transmission fluid.
>>>
>>>
>>>Drives great! Highway mileage is 27-28. I can't really guage city,
>>>as I drive up a 3 mile hill to work. I'm getting between 19 and 20.
>>>
>>>Triptronic is fun....and useful! It's a shame it doesn't have the
>>>"real control" that a standard engine normallyt has. That's my only
>>>dislike.
>>>
>>>
>>>Hope this helps.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:12:52 GMT, "Zappa" <Zappa@nospam.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hello All,
>>>>
>>>>I’m researching purchasing, (in Southern CT.), a used 1998 A8 4.2.
>>>>
>>>>Prices ‘round here are about $19,500 for a 70,000 Mile car.
>>>>
>>>>My question are:
>>>>
>>>>What should I be watching out for mechanically/electrical/body?
>>>>
>>>>Also, Am I looking at buying a BIG headache?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance to all,
>>>>
>>>>Paul
>>>>
>>
>>