S4Mountaineer

Geez, it's been ages since I posted on this site. So long, I had to create a new account and new screen name (which should make it obvious what my next car purchase will be!)

Anyways, my 1998.5 A4 2.8 is going on three years old this April 24th. I plan to get an S4, but I have a dilema (or two!).

First, there is a small (2inch), but unsightly, indentation in the front bumber caused by a trailer hook - long story... $600 to fix.

Second there is a faint, but perceptable, low frequency 'rasping' sound which develops after traveling >50miles at a time. It is associated with pressing the accelerator. The dealer says it's a loose bearing and that to fix it might entail more trouble than it's worth (i.e. engine-disassembly).

My question is this: What would you do in this situation? 1) Fix the bumper cover ($600 out-of-pocket), make the dealer try to fix the 'rasping' sound under warranty, and sell the car yourself (more $$$) or 2)Say to hell-with-it and make a trade in, take a hit in the wallet, but save the grief associated with #1 above. or 3)some other solution.

Obviously, there's no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious as to what you think based on any past experiences. Thanks.

Bill K.
Hib red A4 2.8QMCS
working on Silver S4, loaded.

Alec

The trade in vs. sell question is something you would have without regard to perceptible sounds or visable defects. If you listen to the car salespersons at Audiworld you might want to sell it yourself, but what a pain. From what you've said, the diagnosis of the sound seems kind of flippant-- maybe I'd get a second opinion.

KrautRice_A4 atl-atl

I would make the dealer fix the rasp and sit out the wait, then fix the bumper, and then sell it yourself. Then you'd have a huge downpayment. Ive lost too much money from trade ins in my short car owning life. I like to do things right the first time.