mikeclark111

Hey guys, I am thinking about buying a 1999 Audi A4 1.8T 5spd with 50k miles. It has had 5 different owners, I think two of them were dealers. They say it has never been modded in any way. I got to drive it yesterday and from my first impression I thought it was a really solid car for the price. Low miles was nice as well as the interior was in pretty good condition. ANYWAYS, I just was wondering if there was anything I should know before I buy the car. I dont have time to take it to a mechanic so I dont know if there could possible be any problems with any of the mechanics. Like I said, I did get to drive it around and from that everything sounded and felt fine, but if there is anything I should know, something I should check, or something I should watch out for, PLEASE let me know so that I can make the right descision(sp?). Thanks guys


PS: Oh ya, and about how long do you think the car will last before some major problems start? I need to get about 30K or more miles out of it. Also, It has a fog light button...but no fog lights.....?? and its not the rear one cuz i see that button next to it. Thanks again.

BJC::wokka wokka

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2494241.phtml">here.</a></li></ul>

freakness

1999.5 and on cars have the separate fogs down below.

Five owners in eight years with only 50k miles ? Sounds kinda bizarre. I would feel better knowing the car was sitting in a garage for a while and/or one of the owners hardly ever drove it. Otherwise it could be a lemon car. I'd be very careful and you really should have a mechanic check it out. It's an OLDER car now despite the low mileage.

How much are you going to offer the owner ?

PeteSly1

Hits just about everything you should look for.

RKA

I could tell you to check a bunch of things, but what it really boils down to is you should take the time to bring it to a mechanic so you know what you're getting into. It's your money though...if you want to gamble with $8K...roll the dice.

My advice is to do some homework on AW. People have written countless pre-purchase inspection threads that cover this topic in detail. Once you know what you want to look out for, hand it to a private mechanic, and make sure he covers your points of concern...and if everything turns up okay, THEN make the purchase. Yes, it's work...but again, it's your $8K to spend...do what you wish.

FSuperDuty

That sounds suspect to me. I saw that you said you don't have the time to take it to a mech, but here's a story for you - my brother was interested in a 2000 like mine, he didn't want to go to a mech and spend the money but I STRONGLY urged him to. $150 later he learned that the car needed $2000 worth of stuff done to it (window regulators, control arms, blah blah).

He didn't buy it. So I would suggest you find the time to take it to a mech.

And if you do, I would take the time to get the oil analyzed by Blackstone labs http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ or another reputable lab to see if it's been abused. An oil analysis can tell you a whole lot.

There are some serious problem cars out there and you want to do all you can to avoid them!

freakness

Big D'OH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mikeclark111

wow thanks for all the help guys...this was my first post and i didnt think i was gonna get any feedback. That link helped alot. That was exactly wat i was looking for. Now its too bad i dont have the time to look for the car with the list in front of me. I think I might just have to let this one go..im not sure wat to do.

freakness

...og it teL

TristanP

There are plenty of others