schilling2290

Im looking at buying a 2001 S8 with 170,000mil for $5500. I know it has the original transmission but I test drove it and it shifts fine and everything works down to all the head rests and vent flaps don't click. I need help knowing what to look for with this many miles. Stuff that breaks/wears out. My last car was a 2000 A8 with 130k that played bridge pinball when my kid thought it was ok to go 85mph in an ice storm. Gave him the car to fix because it still drives fine but had damage on pretty much every panel and has a new transmission with 600mil on it. I have to drive a minivan right now........

needforsleep

Go to audipages.com. You'll find everything you need plus a buyers check sheet.

Razman

Make sure the intake flaps work by pulling the engine cover and having someone else rev the motor and watch them. Vacuum hoses would be another check list item. Can't speak for much else as my car has low miles but if I were to get another I'd have them on my list.

schilling2290

Thanks for that website it helped a tun! I'll make sure and check the flaps and hoses!

S8ilver

While those items do wear out (the flaps freeze shut and the hoses rot away), they're very cheap fixes (clean the pivot points and spend $20 on new hose).

I'd make sure the bigger ticket items were done at some point, otherwise you could easily double your admission price early on. Transmission service history? Oil cooler water pipe replaced (a good $1k in a shop to do)? Suspension arms replaced ($2k)? Struts are probably shot if originals as well. Cam chain tensioner pads new-ish? Fuel pump? Timing belt?

CME's01S8

Is that oil cooler water pipe a pain in the *** to do? Seems pretty labor intensive. I think I got a leaky one. How much leaks definitely seems to be outside temperature dependent.

S8ilver

Yeah it takes a whole day to do...I could do it way faster if I ever had to do it again. But like any uncommon job, the first time is also the learning time. It's just nuts and bolts and common tools with a lot of swearing involved. I replaced with the aluminum pipe off Ebay so hopefully never have to change it again.

CME's01S8

Yeah. Leaks are very inconsistent so I will continue to top off coolant until the weather breaks and change it then.

You getting any of that big storm out your way yet Silver?

S8ilver

Not yet...it's 54 degrees and quite pleasant. I guess they're calling this storm "Titan."

I still haven't put my all season tires on yet (chances are I won't get to it this year). Conti DW and Quattro doing just fine so far.