Ok, so the saga continues. I found a 1999 A8 with 60K on the clock! According to all reports, it appears clean. Great price of 15K too. BUT, I found that it may need the following:
Left Side CV
Oil Sending Unit
And possibly a Torque Converter

The Latter may be covered by the after market warranty.

Thoughts on this?

IMHO--I would ask the seller to fix the CV and the sending unit (these are pretty easy fixes), and I'd buy the warranty to cover the TC if it is bad. To cover the TC, have the seller pay 1/2 of the warranty. Seems fair for a $15K price. Look on e-bay and check the selling prices of similar cars if you want leverage.

Negotiate, and prevent regrets. Once you buy, you'll find more things guarateed. These cars are wonderful, but they have a horrible mid-life crisis followed by a wonderful Paul Newmanesque retirement.

I would stay away from that one.

I always thought it was particles from the clutches, not from anything having to do with the T/C. Are you thinking that when the T/C is damaged, the fluid tends to get "burned"?

...I will get a high-end warranty which covers just about everything bumper to bumper. Thanks to all you fellow enthusiasts, most of the minor stuff (including the timing belt) I can fix myself.

I do not see many with this kind of milage and price anywhere. It seems rare. What really helped was when I called two Audi dealers with the VIN. One told me all the problems with the car since they had it for pre-sale inspection. The T/C problem showed 'codes' on the VAG machine. I am not sure exactly what that means, but I will be sure to have it looked at immediately. There are SOME great Audi dealerships still left in the country. My hat is off to them.

And thank you to everyone replying to these. It helps.

Hello,

Find out exactly what the warranty will cover.

Will it cover oil leaks? You can expect a few from places like valve covers, transmission output shaft, rear differential, etc.

Will it cover electrical things like cruise control, head rest motors, heated steering wheels, etc.?

I bought an extended warranty it only covered the major mechanical things like engine and transmission.

Good luck,
Barry

My 'FAMILY' car is a Porsche 993. I bought it with an extended warranty similar to the one being offered. They offer levels of protection for a price. I intened to get the best I can...I dont want to deal with all those goofy little problems for the first couple of years. I think it is good insurance. Thank you for your feedback!
James

If the TC lockup control is bad ( pressure regulator valve, valve for lockup, hunting.... )the TC will slip and burn the clutch in the TC. The TC rebuild is around $150, tranny out and back in is $600 - $1500. Here is the bad part. Mineral fluid mixes with that black, burnt mud and fills up the valve body causing all kind of problems. Synthetic fluid does not mix with the dirt just transports it to the pan and the filter cach it. Here is a picture of my valve body after 3 fluid changes. That time I believed in Audi fluid.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/80919/dscn1103.jpg">

Did you buy it? What kind of a deal did you strike after all of this?

This is all you need to know: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF PURCHASING AN A8 OLDER THAN A 2000. PERIOD.