older (96-98) audi A4's
Discussion
Hi chap(esse)s,
I've tried searching a bit, but drawn little blood. Any assistance appreciated.
I've got about 1.5K to spend on a 'hack'. Ideally cheap to run & insure and have hit upon the idea of a 96-98 audi A4, probably either the 1.9Tdi, or the 1.8T. It looks to be either a mondeo, or the A4... but I much prefer the A4 on looks. I can't think of any other saloon/estates around this price point that inspire - any more suggestions welcome (saabs ruled out due to reliablility, volvos are a potential however)
Is this a silly idea at this price point? I've seen a few that look OK - is it possible to get an OK one for this cash, and is there anything in particular I should look out for?
I've sort of gleened that the TDI in the early a4's isn't the same as the later PD, which is a shame, and that the 1.8T's sound like they may be more trouble than worth re: turbo's going and various electrical niggles.... but the sports pack is very nice on the A4's and makes them look fab.
So, is this a sensible idea, or should I stick with a mondeo?
Thanks in advance,
stu
For example:
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1225517.htm
or
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1219242.htm
I've tried searching a bit, but drawn little blood. Any assistance appreciated.
I've got about 1.5K to spend on a 'hack'. Ideally cheap to run & insure and have hit upon the idea of a 96-98 audi A4, probably either the 1.9Tdi, or the 1.8T. It looks to be either a mondeo, or the A4... but I much prefer the A4 on looks. I can't think of any other saloon/estates around this price point that inspire - any more suggestions welcome (saabs ruled out due to reliablility, volvos are a potential however)
Is this a silly idea at this price point? I've seen a few that look OK - is it possible to get an OK one for this cash, and is there anything in particular I should look out for?
I've sort of gleened that the TDI in the early a4's isn't the same as the later PD, which is a shame, and that the 1.8T's sound like they may be more trouble than worth re: turbo's going and various electrical niggles.... but the sports pack is very nice on the A4's and makes them look fab.
So, is this a sensible idea, or should I stick with a mondeo?
Thanks in advance,
stu
For example:
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1225517.htm
or
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1219242.htm
Edited by stuthemong on Tuesday 15th September 16:56
Edited by stuthemong on Tuesday 15th September 17:02
I've pretty much done exactly this, recently aquiring a '99 Avant TDI with 108k on it for £1.5k. I think I did quite well on the purchase, although my example is in need of some TLC which is currently progressing.
I was looking for a diesel estate around 100k miles and had primarily set my sights on a Focus thinking they would be the cheapest common choice. Bizarrely that wasn't the case, and I was contemplating either upping my budget to nearer £3k or going down the route of things like Pug 306 or Xantia/Xsara estates when the idea occurred to check Audi out. Never thought they would be remotely within budget (e.g. early E46 320d estates were commanding £5k) but was pleasantly surprised. Only advice I'd give on that front is to hit Autotrader with an open mind and see what's available for every car model that fits your criteria.
Regarding engine choice, the mpg decided for me that it had to be a diseasel unfortunately. You're right, the earlier diesels, mine included use a rotary distributor pump direct injection rather than the later PD system, but I'm totally happy with that. Look at the number of 1.9 TDIs in Autotrader with 150k to 200k on the clock. The more fangled diesels get the less I like them.
What follows is probably highly subjective but I think you stand a better chance of getting a good car by looking at an Audi. I've shopped for Mondeos before and seen some utter heaps. I think that by being a cheap Ford, they arrive sooner at the point where owners don't want to spend anything on them, whereas by contrast my A4 had Audi main dealer FSH until the last oil service earlier this year.
I was looking for a diesel estate around 100k miles and had primarily set my sights on a Focus thinking they would be the cheapest common choice. Bizarrely that wasn't the case, and I was contemplating either upping my budget to nearer £3k or going down the route of things like Pug 306 or Xantia/Xsara estates when the idea occurred to check Audi out. Never thought they would be remotely within budget (e.g. early E46 320d estates were commanding £5k) but was pleasantly surprised. Only advice I'd give on that front is to hit Autotrader with an open mind and see what's available for every car model that fits your criteria.
Regarding engine choice, the mpg decided for me that it had to be a diseasel unfortunately. You're right, the earlier diesels, mine included use a rotary distributor pump direct injection rather than the later PD system, but I'm totally happy with that. Look at the number of 1.9 TDIs in Autotrader with 150k to 200k on the clock. The more fangled diesels get the less I like them.
What follows is probably highly subjective but I think you stand a better chance of getting a good car by looking at an Audi. I've shopped for Mondeos before and seen some utter heaps. I think that by being a cheap Ford, they arrive sooner at the point where owners don't want to spend anything on them, whereas by contrast my A4 had Audi main dealer FSH until the last oil service earlier this year.
lukeb,
Very interesting you went along the same lines. Focii / 3 series are significantly more pricy for what I'd deem a 'similar' car - the A4's seem like somewhat of a bargain in comarison.
You mention the injection type on the early TDi's - I assume parts & mechanics to fix stuff are easy to find. Are there anythings in particular I should look out for with these cars (I'm aware of Cambelt@60K interval being expensive)?
Interesting point about A4/mondeo previous life- the logic seems fair to me, although the a4's are all slightly older which doesn't help
Cheers,
Stu
Very interesting you went along the same lines. Focii / 3 series are significantly more pricy for what I'd deem a 'similar' car - the A4's seem like somewhat of a bargain in comarison.
You mention the injection type on the early TDi's - I assume parts & mechanics to fix stuff are easy to find. Are there anythings in particular I should look out for with these cars (I'm aware of Cambelt@60K interval being expensive)?
Interesting point about A4/mondeo previous life- the logic seems fair to me, although the a4's are all slightly older which doesn't help
Cheers,
Stu
Bear in mind I had no VAG knowledge prior to this car, in the course of my research into the A4 I recall hearing of some problems with PD units. Can't remember what they were and no doubt many people have no problems at all, but along with the complexity and newness of the PD technology, it was enough to make me actively seek the older style engine. In the same vein I was looking at TDDI rather than TDCI focii.
I'm a home mechanic so for me it's important to have an engine that I can easily diagnose & work on without having to pay other people. However, even if you're not spanner minded the benefits are that any mechanic who's been in the game a few years will know how to fettle these engines, and parts & services will be readily available. For example, the VP37 pump on this engine is a common type of rotary distributor pump that I'm sure could be reconditioned by one of the diesel service businesses rather than bending over for a replacement part. Of course the downside is that these older diesels never make great power and sound like a tractor, but I guess your budget wouldn't stretch to a PD anyway.
The cam belt - yes, that's a sod to do and be sure to check it early. My belt had done 50k and 5.5 years and was in tatters. Local Audi dealer was quite reasonable for the job, £359 to do cam & aux belt replacement. I did it myself in the end (posted a thread on this recently) and serviced a few more things while I was at it - but no nasty surprises. Turbos and clutches are the only things I'd be inclined to worry about, but you could say that about all cars. I'm pretty satisfied that these engines don't have any fundamental gremlins that prevent them doing high miles (e.g. Laguna diesel manifolds, Rover K head gaskets). Other than that it's just the usual due diligence when looking around a car.
Overall I'm ecstatic. I had no enthusiasm for a Focus and never even found the motivation to go and look at one. My A4 OTOH is every bit as nice as the E46 320d I had 3 yrs ago. You're right, Audis really shouldn't be this cheap.
I'm a home mechanic so for me it's important to have an engine that I can easily diagnose & work on without having to pay other people. However, even if you're not spanner minded the benefits are that any mechanic who's been in the game a few years will know how to fettle these engines, and parts & services will be readily available. For example, the VP37 pump on this engine is a common type of rotary distributor pump that I'm sure could be reconditioned by one of the diesel service businesses rather than bending over for a replacement part. Of course the downside is that these older diesels never make great power and sound like a tractor, but I guess your budget wouldn't stretch to a PD anyway.
The cam belt - yes, that's a sod to do and be sure to check it early. My belt had done 50k and 5.5 years and was in tatters. Local Audi dealer was quite reasonable for the job, £359 to do cam & aux belt replacement. I did it myself in the end (posted a thread on this recently) and serviced a few more things while I was at it - but no nasty surprises. Turbos and clutches are the only things I'd be inclined to worry about, but you could say that about all cars. I'm pretty satisfied that these engines don't have any fundamental gremlins that prevent them doing high miles (e.g. Laguna diesel manifolds, Rover K head gaskets). Other than that it's just the usual due diligence when looking around a car.
Overall I'm ecstatic. I had no enthusiasm for a Focus and never even found the motivation to go and look at one. My A4 OTOH is every bit as nice as the E46 320d I had 3 yrs ago. You're right, Audis really shouldn't be this cheap.
excellent stuff luke. There are one or two really nice A4's out there, so I'll have a look around.
Saw a STUNNING 2.8 quattro - absolutely mint at 1.8K, but it went in a day, not surprised. Probably good for me that it went (but it really did look stunning condition)
Probably go and look at a couple tomrrow, there is a very nice 1.8T with cream leather near to me.
With the A4's some of the more sporty interiors look very modern and absolutely fine, some of the lower spec early cars are looking quite dated, so it's a case of my happening on the right car I think
as a side re home 'meching, I replaced a coolant hose on the cerbera today and feel like a hero. reminds me, I deserve a beer.
Saw a STUNNING 2.8 quattro - absolutely mint at 1.8K, but it went in a day, not surprised. Probably good for me that it went (but it really did look stunning condition)
Probably go and look at a couple tomrrow, there is a very nice 1.8T with cream leather near to me.
With the A4's some of the more sporty interiors look very modern and absolutely fine, some of the lower spec early cars are looking quite dated, so it's a case of my happening on the right car I think
as a side re home 'meching, I replaced a coolant hose on the cerbera today and feel like a hero. reminds me, I deserve a beer.
Edited by stuthemong on Wednesday 16th September 22:28
h of a job or just expensive parts? That issue didn't come up on my radar.I don't think it's as bigger deal as it was when the cars were newer (horror stories of £xxxx bills). Indys can do it, and full arm sets for both sides can be had for $600 from the states, that's like 6 pairs of struts.
I've gone through my invoices and see a few single lower arms have been replaced and CV boots too over the years, so I'll keep an eye on it
If your car starts knocking going over speed bumps etc, then you need to get 'em checked
I've gone through my invoices and see a few single lower arms have been replaced and CV boots too over the years, so I'll keep an eye on it
If your car starts knocking going over speed bumps etc, then you need to get 'em checked
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff