Might be getting a 98 A4 2.8 Quattro, have some questions.

[YINucsd]

n00b alert!!!

hi everyone, i was referred to socaleuro from awjunkies.com because i have questions about a car i might be getting.

so i have an opportunity to get a good deal on a 1998 A4 2.8 Quattro with sport package, MT, 54k miles. its in immaculate condition. my only worry is the future cost of maintenance. is there anything i have to watch out for that will cost me a whole bunch of money? are these notorious for any engine problems?

ive already started a thread at awjunkies.com and got some interesting responses: http://www.awjunkies.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=34527#34527

thanks in advance.

[YINucsd]

cmon guys dont be shy ;)

[Mr. Nobody]

I can't help you out, I am more of a vw guy, but welcome to socal.

I am sure someone will chime in, just give it some time.

[Satan4]

Make sure its a 98.5, the 98's are ok but only have the 12v motor. The 98.5 have the 30v motors and they drive so much better! I have a 98.5 currently

[Satan4]

I also just read the posts on awjunkies. Those guys are idiots and have no idea what they are talking about.

[YINucsd]

haha nice satan4. thanks for the insight. yeah its a 30v motor. i just drove it this weekend. its nice and all. not as fast/fun as my current car, but waaay nicer, cleaner, more features, and still fun. this is going to be a tough decision.

[bugzy]

i honestly dont know much about the 2.8 30v motors ... but they are torquey ;)


and the PES supercharge makes that thingy nasty ;)

Welcome !

[bugzy]

I also just read the posts on awjunkies. Those guys are idiots and have no idea what they are talking about.
i dont htink they are idiots, just bias

i find it so interesting that so many people dont give a unbiased opinion ...

most of the time, i try to give both sides of the story for an opinion ... because in all honestly ... there's always balances

the WRX definitely will be better bang for the buck if you want performance ... but if you want luxury and classiness, the Audi is going to be better

so, just depends what you want out of the car ... that'll help you decide

the 2.8 is a good NA motor .. but doesnt quite put out crazy #'s

[Satan4]

I got a total kick out of, the motor leaks oil and is garbage. I drove mine to death and my brother drove his car like it was a rental and it held up like no other. You cant go wrong with that car. I have also driven the PES blown setup and OMG its just as fast as my current v8 S4.

[myaudibaby]

n00b alert!!!

hi everyone, i was referred to socaleuro from awjunkies.com because i have questions about a car i might be getting.

so i have an opportunity to get a good deal on a 1998 A4 2.8 Quattro with sport package, MT, 54k miles. its in immaculate condition. my only worry is the future cost of maintenance. is there anything i have to watch out for that will cost me a whole bunch of money? are these notorious for any engine problems?

ive already started a thread at awjunkies.com and got some interesting responses: http://www.awjunkies.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=34527#34527

thanks in advance.

[mike]

the valve cover gaskets leak oil, seen a few front crank seals too but very unlikely if the car has had regular oil changes, water pumps go bad, clutch isn't exactly cheap or DIY, timing belt SHOULD be changed at 60K not really DIY either (replace water pump when you do the T-belt.....trust me) and the occasional axle boot. thats really the only trouble spots on the car. Its a great engine, smooth, powerfull and reliable. gearbox wont break, quattro system is pretty indestructable. great car.

[Satan4]

The only time I had a slight leak was when I switched to synthetic in one of the 2.8's that I had. Using the normal 5w30 had no issues.

[YINucsd]

thanks everyone for the advice!!! i think i am going to get the audi... so it looks like ill be on here more often.

now where should i get springs and shocks installed for a good price in san diego / socal???

[bugzy]

thanks everyone for the advice!!! i think i am going to get the audi... so it looks like ill be on here more often.

now where should i get springs and shocks installed for a good price in san diego / socal???
Try Mike Kim @ PureMS.com ... or Group5motorsport.com

There's couple good places up in LA area too.

[Jewel]

n00b alert!!!

hi everyone, i was referred to socaleuro from awjunkies.com because i have questions about a car i might be getting.

so i have an opportunity to get a good deal on a 1998 A4 2.8 Quattro with sport package, MT, 54k miles. its in immaculate condition. my only worry is the future cost of maintenance. is there anything i have to watch out for that will cost me a whole bunch of money? are these notorious for any engine problems?

ive already started a thread at awjunkies.com and got some interesting responses: http://www.awjunkies.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=34527#34527

thanks in advance.


Well, everyone pretty much said it, but I'll give my .02!

Audi, classy, refined, an interior that is beautiful. The 30v V6 is a good engine as long as you take care of it! The 1.8T is definitely more sporty and tuneable. oh yeah, whoever said the A4 2.8 weighs in at 4000 lbs is wrong, it is a lil lighter than my porky S4 which weighs in at 3456 I believe. Still a pig, I know.

WRX, definitely faster. Definitely less expensive to work on, lighter, more tuneable. But you give up some in the quality of the interior etc.

I will argue the handling on these cars for days, so we won't waste bandwith

I love subies, but I love Audi's more (that's why I have 5!)

So you just have to decide what is most important, speed or comfort?

[Ted_E]

hey you guys are cool...someone asks about the V6 A4 and you guys are actually giving good advice and info unlike one infamous VW site that puts down pretty much everything that isn't 1.8T. The 12v V6 is a good reliable engine but if you have driven a MK3 VR6 car before, the Audi will feel much slower than the VR6 due to the additional weight of the car. But the 30v on the other hand is a much more powerful machine!

[LaserRed]

Just some points to mention. At 54K you will need to do the T-belt soon. Thats gonna set you back about $600 for parts and labor at a fair independant shop. And if you plan to mod, don't expect lots of gain in power unless you put down serious $$$ for a supercharger. Also check out the suspension closely, control arm problems seem to be common. Although i can't tell you what to look for...maybe check if it squeaks, haha :) Overall cost of ownership with the will be more than a subie (dunno if thats what your also considering or your old car), but parts are more expensive parts and insurance is higher.

[Audi30vDM]

I love my 98.5 A4. I bought it from Keyes, with Audi Assured warranty, which was definitely the way to go.

I got the car with 65k miles in November 2002.
I now have ~114k miles.

Things that I have had done so far:

Under Warranty:
ABS pump & reservoir ($1000 part)
Instrument cluster ($400 part)
Tie rod ends
Cruise computer, switch, vacuum servo & vacuum hose
All O2 sensors

Not Under Warranty:
Both head gaskets ($800 job at Euro-Tech motors)
Timing Belt ($650 job at Euro-Tech motors)
Front rotors and pads ($150 parts from pure motorsport, installed myself)
New engine fan
New coolant tank
New spark plugs

Still Needing repair/replacement:
Bank 2 catalytic converter (Going to get CatCo high-flow for both)
Rear brakes probably need to be done
Upper control arms being replaced this month, along with shocks & springs ($1400 parts)

[German_Audi_Pro]

hey, i have an audi. its a: 20011 Audi A4 V6 2.8t Turbo Quattro AWD ts. They handle very nice. fast take off, luxurios, and nice price. Im selling mine for a:

2001 BMW ///M3 V8

Configuration8-cylinder V naturally aspirated engine with 90 degree bench angWeight1100 kg / 2425 lbsValvetrainFour upper camshafts, chain drive, mechanical bucket tappetsLength4612 mm / 181.6 inDisplacement3997 cc / 243.9 cu in Width1900 mm / 74.8inPower335.6 kw / 450.0 bhp @ 7500 rpmHeight1320 mm / 52.0 inTorque479.96 nm / 354.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpmWheelbase2731 mm / 107.5 inBhp / Liter112.58 bhp per litreFront Track1609 mm / 63.3 inBore94 mm / 3.7 inRear Track1602 mm / 63.1 inStroke72 mm / 2.8 inSteeringRack and pinion steering with electro hydraulic power supportRedline8500 rpmBody / FrameUnitary construction steel body with welded safety cell made ofTransmission TypePulled triple disc carbon fibre clutch; straight cogged six-speeFront BrakesSix-piston monoblock aluminium callipers; inner-vented grey cast1st Gear RatioNot AvailableFront Brake Size380 mm / 15.0 in2nd Gear RatioNot AvailableRear BrakesFour-piston monoblock aluminium callipers; inner-vented grey cas

[bugzy]

2001 BMW ///M3 V8

Configuration8-cylinder V naturally aspirated engine with 90 degree bench angWeight1100 kg / 2425 lbsValvetrainFour upper camshafts, chain drive, mechanical bucket tappetsLength4612 mm / 181.6 inDisplacement3997 cc / 243.9 cu in Width1900 mm / 74.8inPower335.6 kw / 450.0 bhp @ 7500 rpmHeight1320 mm / 52.0 inTorque479.96 nm / 354.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpmWheelbase2731 mm / 107.5 inBhp / Liter112.58 bhp per litreFront Track1609 mm / 63.3 inBore94 mm / 3.7 inRear Track1602 mm / 63.1 inStroke72 mm / 2.8 inSteeringRack and pinion steering with electro hydraulic power supportRedline8500 rpmBody / FrameUnitary construction steel body with welded safety cell made ofTransmission TypePulled triple disc carbon fibre clutch; straight cogged six-speeFront BrakesSix-piston monoblock aluminium callipers; inner-vented grey cast1st Gear RatioNot AvailableFront Brake Size380 mm / 15.0 in2nd Gear RatioNot AvailableRear BrakesFour-piston monoblock aluminium callipers; inner-vented grey cas
wow !! you got a V8 in that sucker !! ill bet its an Audi 4.2L S4 V8 huh ;)

thats a sweet transplant ...

[mario]

okay...here's a lil bit

>30v motor is solid...based on very solid, proven engineering.
>maintenace as with any euro car is expensive.
>maintenace items are pretty much the same as other VAG cars...timing belt and the associated accessories....other than that, the motor is solid and reliable.
>no real "quick-fix" mods available for the motor....just the basics that won't improve performance much more.
>supercharger available but i've heard/seen mixed reviews


any specific questions on it?

[oc-audica]

you can go about 20,000 more miles then will need:

(possibly cam seals as these are very common and about $1100 fix at the dealer- most shops will recognize it as a valve cover leak, it's not)

timing belt/serpentine belt replaced

i am at 120,000 and have yet to replace the water pump but its on the list

i changed the tie rods at about 110.000 as these (stock) are known to go flimsy

i am currently in need of a camber adjustment and will do so when my H&R race springs settle on the new Koni's and the Febi/Bilstein control arms (all 8)

upgrading the weels to 18s is a must too!

i will be blown with the pes kit in january

also, i know someone selling an a4 with the pes kit and other mods for $8500

[jr_scheiBe]

It is DEFINITELY more expensive for maintance and general upkeep. I love mine but it does provide its headaches from time to time. Having a VAG COM and ppl here to give advice helps.

If money isnt a issue go take the plunge.....

....i had a Accord before a freind of mine decided for me that it was time for it to go (totaled it on the 8)

[Kid Zelda]

Hi guys/girls (?)

New here, but thought I'd give my input.

Things to check for (some already stated )

Cam seals front and rear and both banks
Tensioner seals
Valve cover seal/spark plug gasket seal
Driver side outer CV boot
Tie Rod ends
Cat
Timing belt is recommend at 60k, you can go for a good 90k then I would change it
Water pump
Ribbed belt
Rear shocks blown
Cup holder broken
Glove box shock faulty


Let me know if you need any parts .. OEM parts that is .. I may be able to help :)