Destination - Audi A4
04-12-2008, 06:03 PM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Frankford, Ontario
Posts: 25
Destination - Audi A4
Hello all.
Next week I should be taking possession of a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro (Black on Black). I'll be giving my 02 Protege (DD) to my daughter to go to University with so I've been in the market for some time for a replacement daily driver. I was flipping between a BMW 328i and an A4 (around the same year). It appears that I'm going to feel more confident with the A4 and my local Audi shop has finally found one that fits my needs and it's within the mileage and price area I was considering.
I really don't have any plans to do any serious modding but will consider solid after market items when/if certain parts need replacing over time. Having said that, prior to me giving the car a final/thorough going over next Wednesday, are there a few areas I should focus on? Any specific questions I should ask as to weak areas, specific maintenance schedules or recall items? I'm not a noob to buying a car but with the aid of key points to consider, it would make the process much smoother and more re-assuring.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice given.
Cheers,
John
Next week I should be taking possession of a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro (Black on Black). I'll be giving my 02 Protege (DD) to my daughter to go to University with so I've been in the market for some time for a replacement daily driver. I was flipping between a BMW 328i and an A4 (around the same year). It appears that I'm going to feel more confident with the A4 and my local Audi shop has finally found one that fits my needs and it's within the mileage and price area I was considering.
I really don't have any plans to do any serious modding but will consider solid after market items when/if certain parts need replacing over time. Having said that, prior to me giving the car a final/thorough going over next Wednesday, are there a few areas I should focus on? Any specific questions I should ask as to weak areas, specific maintenance schedules or recall items? I'm not a noob to buying a car but with the aid of key points to consider, it would make the process much smoother and more re-assuring.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice given.
Cheers,
John
04-12-2008, 09:14 PM
#2
Audi Forum - Posts like an RS4
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Etobicoke
Posts: 864
Re: Destination - Audi A4
Hi John, welcome to the forums.
How many km does the car have on the odo?
The 2.8 is a reliable engine that doesn't have too many engine mods available which seems to be exactly what you want. Sounds like a very nice car, a few things to check would be whether the timing belt/water pump have been replaced (depends on mileage) as well as I would make sure to check the CV joints as they're known to rip and leak on our cars. Also check the cam seals to make sure they aren't leaking, not an expensive part but a PITA to replace.
Service records are the most important thing as i'm sure you know, a car that has been well taken care of will have less potential to kill you with repair costs down the road.
Are you buying from a dealer or from a smaller shop?
How many km does the car have on the odo?
The 2.8 is a reliable engine that doesn't have too many engine mods available which seems to be exactly what you want. Sounds like a very nice car, a few things to check would be whether the timing belt/water pump have been replaced (depends on mileage) as well as I would make sure to check the CV joints as they're known to rip and leak on our cars. Also check the cam seals to make sure they aren't leaking, not an expensive part but a PITA to replace.
Service records are the most important thing as i'm sure you know, a car that has been well taken care of will have less potential to kill you with repair costs down the road.
Are you buying from a dealer or from a smaller shop?
Last edited by wailshark; 04-12-2008 at 09:16 PM.
04-13-2008, 12:19 AM
#4
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Frankford, Ontario
Posts: 25
Re: Destination - Audi A4
Hi John, welcome to the forums.
How many km does the car have on the odo?
The 2.8 is a reliable engine that doesn't have too many engine mods available which seems to be exactly what you want. Sounds like a very nice car, a few things to check would be whether the timing belt/water pump have been replaced (depends on mileage) as well as I would make sure to check the CV joints as they're known to rip and leak on our cars. Also check the cam seals to make sure they aren't leaking, not an expensive part but a PITA to replace.
Service records are the most important thing as i'm sure you know, a car that has been well taken care of will have less potential to kill you with repair costs down the road.
Are you buying from a dealer or from a smaller shop?
How many km does the car have on the odo?
The 2.8 is a reliable engine that doesn't have too many engine mods available which seems to be exactly what you want. Sounds like a very nice car, a few things to check would be whether the timing belt/water pump have been replaced (depends on mileage) as well as I would make sure to check the CV joints as they're known to rip and leak on our cars. Also check the cam seals to make sure they aren't leaking, not an expensive part but a PITA to replace.
Service records are the most important thing as i'm sure you know, a car that has been well taken care of will have less potential to kill you with repair costs down the road.
Are you buying from a dealer or from a smaller shop?
I believe he said something in the neighbourhood of 126,000 kms. It's from a Euro shop in Belleville who specializes in MB, BMW, VW/Audi/Porshe, Jaguar etc. They also have a very small inventory of used cars only. The owner is very selective of what he wants to sell. He routinely makes trips to the states to pick up classics to sell or for customers - mostly Porshe's.
Of course I'll inquire about past history and service records. The car is originally from Toronto and he will be replacing a front wheel bearing and new pads/rotors all around. He never accepts anything but quality used cars and places little mark-up so as to keep any used car invetory low. His primary focus is on repair and maintenance rather than sales.
John
04-13-2008, 10:21 AM
#5
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Frankford, Ontario
Posts: 25
Re: Destination - Audi A4
After more research I understand there are a few issues pertaining to the b5. Of those, the key ones were sunroof switching/switches, power window problems (is it true these are not motor driven but rather vaccum controlled?)
If not included, I'll want to get a factory shop manual so I'll need a good source for that.
I couldn't find the set service time/mileage for the timing belt change either.
As a matter of self assurance, I was considering a full cleansing of almost all fluids. Not a drain and flush but an actual pressurized clean/flush/fill. There's only one shop in the Belleville area that can do a pressurized clean and fill of the engine oil, coolant, power steering and transmission. I did this on the last used car I bought and it sure made a noticeable difference, but it gets pricey.
Are there any specific grades or brands of certain fluids that Audi is ademate about?
If not included, I'll want to get a factory shop manual so I'll need a good source for that.
I couldn't find the set service time/mileage for the timing belt change either.
As a matter of self assurance, I was considering a full cleansing of almost all fluids. Not a drain and flush but an actual pressurized clean/flush/fill. There's only one shop in the Belleville area that can do a pressurized clean and fill of the engine oil, coolant, power steering and transmission. I did this on the last used car I bought and it sure made a noticeable difference, but it gets pricey.
Are there any specific grades or brands of certain fluids that Audi is ademate about?
04-13-2008, 10:58 AM
#6
Audi Forum - Posts like an RS4
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Etobicoke
Posts: 864
Re: Destination - Audi A4
After more research I understand there are a few issues pertaining to the b5. Of those, the key ones were sunroof switching/switches, power window problems (is it true these are not motor driven but rather vaccum controlled?)
If not included, I'll want to get a factory shop manual so I'll need a good source for that.
I couldn't find the set service time/mileage for the timing belt change either.
As a matter of self assurance, I was considering a full cleansing of almost all fluids. Not a drain and flush but an actual pressurized clean/flush/fill. There's only one shop in the Belleville area that can do a pressurized clean and fill of the engine oil, coolant, power steering and transmission. I did this on the last used car I bought and it sure made a noticeable difference, but it gets pricey.
Are there any specific grades or brands of certain fluids that Audi is ademate about?
If not included, I'll want to get a factory shop manual so I'll need a good source for that.
I couldn't find the set service time/mileage for the timing belt change either.
As a matter of self assurance, I was considering a full cleansing of almost all fluids. Not a drain and flush but an actual pressurized clean/flush/fill. There's only one shop in the Belleville area that can do a pressurized clean and fill of the engine oil, coolant, power steering and transmission. I did this on the last used car I bought and it sure made a noticeable difference, but it gets pricey.
Are there any specific grades or brands of certain fluids that Audi is ademate about?
In terms of fluids, do not use anything but Audi approved fluids in the cooling system (G12 coolant) and approved mineral oil in the power steering. As for oil, use a good full synthetic. Transmission is a subject that has much debate about it. Some say that the fluid is good for the life of the car but a fluid and filter replacement is often a good idea on an older car.
04-13-2008, 11:13 AM
#7
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Frankford, Ontario
Posts: 25
Re: Destination - Audi A4
I don't know if a full flush is needed; as long as the car was taken care of you should be fine. At that mileage, the timing belt should have been done, it it hasn't it should be very soon and that is an expense you'll have to factor in.
In terms of fluids, do not use anything but Audi approved fluids in the cooling system (G12 coolant) and approved mineral oil in the power steering. As for oil, use a good full synthetic. Transmission is a subject that has much debate about it. Some say that the fluid is good for the life of the car but a fluid and filter replacement is often a good idea on an older car.
In terms of fluids, do not use anything but Audi approved fluids in the cooling system (G12 coolant) and approved mineral oil in the power steering. As for oil, use a good full synthetic. Transmission is a subject that has much debate about it. Some say that the fluid is good for the life of the car but a fluid and filter replacement is often a good idea on an older car.
From what I'm led to believe, the A4 is in excellent shape. His go-to-guy in Toronto who's getting it for him said it's in the same condition/shape as a previous 02 BMW 330Xi that was acquired by that shop. I personally got to give that 330Xi a good looking over and it was in pristine shape - almost showroom condition. So that's a good start.
You're probably right about "all" of the fluids but I like to start with a clean slate and that pressurized cleaning system (which I've witnessed first hand) does a remarkable job. I did it on a 3 year old Protege and the difference in the colour of the fluid that was cleaned and then vacated was eye-opening.
The shop where I'm purchasing from carries all of the necessary fluids and even carries Motul which I believe is probably the best type of "REAL" fully synthetic oil around.
Good to know about the G12 and power steering mineral oil. I'll also look into cleaning/flushing/filter the transmission since I'm not 100% comfortable with the lifetime advertisement. It couldn't hurt it in my mind.
Thanks again Marco,
John
04-13-2008, 11:18 PM
#8
Re: Destination - Audi A4
Yeah but some things are left better untouched 
I changed the fluid in my older car and a whole bunch of CEL's came on and the mechanic checked it charged me an arm and a leg and replaced the tranny. the codes ended up coming back and never solved the problem and I sold the car
I changed the fluid in my older car and a whole bunch of CEL's came on and the mechanic checked it charged me an arm and a leg and replaced the tranny. the codes ended up coming back and never solved the problem and I sold the car
05-04-2008, 03:25 AM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Frankford, Ontario
Posts: 25
Re: Destination - Audi A4
Well I finally picked her up a week ago. I'm thoroughly impressed with the the car. It handles like a dream and it's steering is so tight it feels like new. The condition inside and out is fantastic. I've noticed on the highway that it's so easy to creep past 140 - 150 kph without really noticing it.
I had all of the 160,000 km maintenance done now at 124,000 kms (timing belt, water pump, thermostat, ancilliary belts, oil change, filter, etc) just so I'm starting from a clean slate. It also had one wheel bearing changed, new rotors and pads front and rear, a new drivers side interior door handle replaced and complete interior and exterior detailing done prior to delivery. Normally, black is low on my list for desirable colours because of their inherent need to be constantly clean. This being my first black car, I must say I'm quite enthralled by how it looks (when it's clean and waxed).
Appointments;
Cold Weather Package
Sport Package
Convenience Package
Sideguard Inflatable Side Curtain Airbags
Sport Front Seats?
Leather interior
6-disc CD changer
A nice small comfortable compact for daily driving with a little touch of class was all I needed.
I had all of the 160,000 km maintenance done now at 124,000 kms (timing belt, water pump, thermostat, ancilliary belts, oil change, filter, etc) just so I'm starting from a clean slate. It also had one wheel bearing changed, new rotors and pads front and rear, a new drivers side interior door handle replaced and complete interior and exterior detailing done prior to delivery. Normally, black is low on my list for desirable colours because of their inherent need to be constantly clean. This being my first black car, I must say I'm quite enthralled by how it looks (when it's clean and waxed).
Appointments;
Cold Weather Package
Sport Package
Convenience Package
Sideguard Inflatable Side Curtain Airbags
Sport Front Seats?
Leather interior
6-disc CD changer
A nice small comfortable compact for daily driving with a little touch of class was all I needed.
05-04-2008, 11:40 AM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Canada
Posts: 711
Re: Destination - Audi A4
Nice A4, clean and straight, looks great!
One fluid to consider that alot of ppl miss is the DOT4 brake fluid. Audi recommends replacing brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. I use a manual pump pressure bleeder and it works great. I use a vacuum fluid extractor to empty the reservoir first (pop the screen out), then fill and bleed system to ensure fresh fluid thru-out.
One fluid to consider that alot of ppl miss is the DOT4 brake fluid. Audi recommends replacing brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. I use a manual pump pressure bleeder and it works great. I use a vacuum fluid extractor to empty the reservoir first (pop the screen out), then fill and bleed system to ensure fresh fluid thru-out.
