Buying 4.2 Quattro A8- Am I mad?
Discussion
Good evening,
I haven't really been in the market for a car for a while, but became sorely tempted by an ad on t'Internet. Spookily, when I rang up the car was within 5 miles of my mum's house in Somerset, where I was staying.
I went to see it and now I'm sorely tempted to make a purchase.
It's a 1999 (S) in Aubergine on a private plate (To be negotiated...). 120k or thereabouts. All normal toys including Sat Nav, which all seem to work. It's being sold by an old boy who has owned it for a few years, and is clearly somewhat of a petrolhead. Apart from being stood up for several months (Which I suspect might mean the AC needs attention) it's in mint condition. Genuinely. Memory on driver's seat does not work and one mirror needs replacing as it's delaminated.
Probably looking at a purchase price of around £3K.
Would this be an entirely stupid thing to do? What tends to go wrong on these cars, and how much will it cost? I won't be doing much mileage at all, and it'll have a new MOT. It's an auto.
I can't quite get the bark of the V8 and the way it accelerates out of the decisionmaking process!
I haven't really been in the market for a car for a while, but became sorely tempted by an ad on t'Internet. Spookily, when I rang up the car was within 5 miles of my mum's house in Somerset, where I was staying.
I went to see it and now I'm sorely tempted to make a purchase.
It's a 1999 (S) in Aubergine on a private plate (To be negotiated...). 120k or thereabouts. All normal toys including Sat Nav, which all seem to work. It's being sold by an old boy who has owned it for a few years, and is clearly somewhat of a petrolhead. Apart from being stood up for several months (Which I suspect might mean the AC needs attention) it's in mint condition. Genuinely. Memory on driver's seat does not work and one mirror needs replacing as it's delaminated.
Probably looking at a purchase price of around £3K.
Would this be an entirely stupid thing to do? What tends to go wrong on these cars, and how much will it cost? I won't be doing much mileage at all, and it'll have a new MOT. It's an auto.
I can't quite get the bark of the V8 and the way it accelerates out of the decisionmaking process!
Lost soul said:
Who can say , it sounds cheap (i think ) but some anorak will come along soon and tell me you can buy them for 50 quid 
I ran a 2003 4.2 for a year and it was a great place to be on any drive , i just love them to bits
It is always a lottery innit
The price seems cheap compared to others around. It is aubergine though. I'm happy it's a "straight" car, just wondering what the usual pitfalls are!I ran a 2003 4.2 for a year and it was a great place to be on any drive , i just love them to bits
It is always a lottery innit
Carreauchompeur said:
The price seems cheap compared to others around. It is aubergine though. I'm happy it's a "straight" car, just wondering what the usual pitfalls are!
From some of the threads you see on here it could be anything at any tim going wrong on any make of car , like i say it is a lottery If you feel good about it go for it , after all you could buy a 996 TT or 997 and have it go bang at any time likewise any TVR BMW or Merc
there are no rules are there If the old girl drives nice as you say she did its worth a go innit
Lost soul said:
If you feel good about it go for it , after all you could buy a 996 TT or 997 and have it go bang at any time likewise any TVR BMW or Merc there are no rules are there
If the old girl drives nice as you say she did its worth a go innit
Very close, very close... there are no rules are there If the old girl drives nice as you say she did its worth a go innit
In terms of fuel consumption, are we talking mild pain or full-scale unlubricated anal interference? Particularly around toon!
I bought a 2000 model year 4.2 Quattro Avant two years a go which now has 130k miles on it. IMHO the front suspension is rather over-engineered with too many linkages/bushes and trouble-shooting any knocks or rattles in this area is a 'mare so pay attention on a test drive. Otherwise I think you should budget around a grand a year on servicing/replacing worn components on a car of this vintage. Rear wash/wipe also appears to be a weak point so make sure you try this and check for leaks around the tailgate; the washer should *not* rotate with the wiper, it should point straight-up the window. If it rotates, it is on it's way out.
HTH!
HTH!
Edited by bluetone on Tuesday 17th March 18:31
Lost soul said:
Carreauchompeur said:
Thanks for all the advice, hopefully picking the beast up next weekend following MOT test and oil change
And dont forget to check the rear wash wipe 
The only fault I can see is that the driver's seat memory does not work. I can live with this since no other bugger's going to be driving it!
I do need to get hold of an OS wing mirror glass though... Any ideas?
Plotloss said:
By aubergine do you mean Merlin Purple?
If so, thats a special order colour.
I'm not sure TBH... http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C20506 It does look a bit "Old man" I reckon, but that increases the sleeper effect If so, thats a special order colour.
Derestrictor said:
Ask Plotters, he knows everything about Audi and I'm sure would offer his blessings.
Wonderful, wonderful cars.
Thanks, I'm glad that the VAG end of the forum is positive about my purchase, I've been comprehensively slated in the P and P for daring to purchase a vehicle that I cannot immediately fund in cash. And apparently it's "wrong" not being a Sport model.Wonderful, wonderful cars.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff