going to see a 1998 2.8Q - Need Advice!

[Hofmiester]

Hi Guys,
I'm off to see a 1998 "R" 2.8 Quattro tomorrow. This is to replace my 2.4 V6 that was trashed on Saturday.

The dealer says its a trade to clear car but it has full service history and 80K miles. Also has 8 months MOT left and cream leather.

Price is £1200

Does that seem stupidly cheap or about right?

Its got a horrible wood effect dash trim

Is there anything specifi i should look for other than cam chain tensioners and the rear springs?
Anything specific to the Quattro etc?


Cheers

Ron

 

[Blue_Thunder]

Strip the headlights and other nice facelift bits of your green car first!!!

 

[heymynameismark]

That kinda price could be about right for a dealer. They don't want big petrol cars sitting about to shift as not many people are after them any more.

Good miles, good service history. No leather. Price sounds really good.

Check out the front control arms too.

How much tax and test?

 

[rasA4]

you sure you wanna go to pre face? no harm in looking if close. cam chain? they have Timing belt check if that has been changed as im sure this needs to be changed at around 60-70k. I would also recommend along with water pump, thermostat & tensioner.

 

[aragorn]

They have a timing belt and a cam chain, just like the 1.8T

Price sounds ok. Certainly not bargain cheap, but not too excessive either. You often see V6 Quattros for sale on ebay going from 500-1000quid.

 

[Hofmiester]

I know what you mean about the pre-face lift........nowhere near as nice as the facelift cars!

Unfortunately the Green one is gone already off to the scrappers a few days back but the insurance settlement has been decent.

The dealer says that the car has FSH and had the cam belt and water pump changed at 64,000.

Dealer seems pretty genuine as he was saying he mainly deals in much more expensive cars and this was a PX that he just wants to shift ASAP to make room.

It has 8 months MOT and 1 month of tax.

Will let you know how I get on.


Ron

 

[heymynameismark]

Don't dis the pre-facelift crew!

Let us know!

 

[Broken Byzan]

The quattro system is purely mechanical, so as long as it drives smoothly with no clunks or groans it's all good.

The wood effect can be painted if necc to tone it down, and the dash and lights could be updated if you wanted. Assuming you had a reasonable payout, then you should have money left to mod, or drive her as is and enjoy the quattro

 

[Dan Gliballs]

Don't dis the pre-facelift crew!

I hear ya brother

 

[rasA4]

Don't dis the pre-facelift crew!

Let us know!

I hear ya brother

Aint Dissing you guys, still a B5

 

[Nitro]

Check out the clutch, they are pricey on quattros, audi quote £620 parts & labour

 

[jcb]

nah, cost me £400 all in.

there is a ali interior trim for sale on rs246 to ditch the wood. I would be VAGComming any car I buy as a matter of course. £12 ebay cable and a free download could save you a bit,

 

[Nitro]

What is VAGComming?

 

[jcb]

plug in a diagnostic computer program, runs to the ECU and pulls up any fault codes and readings like MAF etc.
you could drive into any decent garage and get it done pretty quickly for a £10 and some biscuits. any seller shouldn't have a problem with it being done unless they know of a problem that is going to be shown up

 

[Nitro]

Thanks, I have a 2000 model 2,8 q would it be worth having this VAGComming done even if it runs fine

 

[jcb]

probably not but the thing is if it has fault codes like airbag or ABS nasty feckers used to just pull the bulbs out for that symbol on teh display!

if it is easy I would do it. probably not worth driving to an audi dealer for it though

 

[heymynameismark]

How did you get on with it?

 

[Hofmiester]

I'm afraid it was sold before I got chance to see it

I also did a very very wrong thing that I feel terrible about........... I went to see a 2003 Passat 1.8T Sport which has FVWSH and 80K on the clock, very nice condition, the guy was keen to sell and we struck a deal at £2700.

I feel like a snake in the grass

 

[Broken Byzan]

Has the belt been changed and is it on Variable servicing? The 1.8t's in the later cars are more prone to sludging, so make sure you keep on top of the oil changes etc. In fact my advice would be to change oil and filter half way through the service interval for the relativly small cost.

 

[Hofmiester]

Yep, it had the cambelt, water pump etc all changed last year.

Its coming up to 10K since its last service so I need to do that, it was part of my price negotiation. I couldnt find another in the trader for that kind of money and spec so i think its a good deal.

Still a B5......or a B5.5