Hello,
I'm thinking of getting a 92-94 100 cs 5-speed. I've been driving an 80's BMW 5 series the past couple years and know them inside and out, but know nothing about Audi's. Can someone please tell me what to look for, and how reliable these are? The bimmer cost about $50/month to maintain. Is that the case with a 100cs? Any additional info would be most apprecaited. They seem like great cars.

Mark - in Madison, WI

Beyond that, yeah... $50/month if you do the work yourself. More like $100/month if you're nice to it and use an indie/German repair shop.

It's key to buy a car that has had all major services done and the usual oil changes. It's also worth paying a couple hundred more for a car with RECENT (within 10-15k) services of the:

Timing belt/water pump ($500-$600)
Brakes ($350-$400ish for the fronts)
Tires ($300-$600)

Personally, I like having the timing belt done myself, since it's such a critical service, I like to know it's been done and done right.

Expensive things to watch out for when buying:

Steering rack (if it groans or leaks, move along)
A/C compressor (loud clicking noise = not good)
Suspension (squeaks)
Cracked CV boots (messy and time-consuming to replace)
Ignition switch (if it sticks when you start the car, it's bad)
Oil leaks (very common, no big deal usually... unless it's the head gasket. GASP!)
Rear differential leaks (cheap seal, lots of labor)
Electronics (they're all expensive and they do tend to go out from time to time. The more that are operational, the better)

Overall, VERY reliable and very tight. You can count on them to go 200-300k with proper maintenance.

Please do yourself a favor and post the age/mileage/condition/history of the car you're looking at before buying it. This forum can save you from buying a problem car. =)

I'll start looking around and certainly post any potentials.

I don't mind doing the repairs myself. I've done all of the above on the bimmer (including the headgasket). Not that I'd ever INTENDED to do this work when I bought the car...

Mark.

Muhammed, did you look at my "to do" list before that post?? I've just bought a tight, beautiful 1996 A-6 that needed a lot of those things you mentioned. I'm hitting them one at a time cause it looks like the car is worth it. BTW when I had the timing belt done he also did the thermostat, water pump, tensioner, cam gasket?? and some other stuff in there- and the serp belt- so I shouldnt have to worry about the front of the engine. Next is struts, wheel bearings and any other front end stuff (oh yes the strut mount). The car has 150000- your post made me feel like I can reasonably expect to get another 100,000 with some care. I think I got it for a good price so a few thousand in it as "part of the original cost" seems worth it.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was anxious to share some of this game plan...your familiarity with the trouble spots got me!!

Mark- this car is a pleasure to drive and feels solid and safe- good luck on your search!!