I'm looking to buy a 99+ A4 1.8T Quattro. I would love to get the 1.8t over the 2.8 but have a few questions before I decide to splash all my money into one.

If I get one it would probably have between 80k-120km on it. What kind of repairs am I going to probably doing at this point of the cars life and what is the cost? I don't want to buy a car and have to spend thousands fixing it up.

I know some things are for sure will be need to be changed from what I read around this kilomage. The timing belt and the turbo later on.

What are the cost to changing the belt? Why does the turbo go so quickly? Can it not last the length of the engine? How much is a complete install?

Thanks a lot. Let me know all the things common to go wrong with this model and year. Thanks again.

... here are some of the more common items to fail that you might have to deal with:

timing belt and all the various parts that go with it $1500
failed ABS modules $2000
failed ABS sensors/reluctor rings/CV joints $650 each
failed front control arms for set $1500
failed rear swaybar uplinks $300
broken window regulators $150 each

You could get lucky and only have to deal with the TB change or better if you get a car that already had a TB change. If you're unlucky, you'll end up paying big for some of the repairs.

Then there are the oil changes $100 every 8000km plus tires and brakes every so often plus a set of snow tires and rims.

As Don said, you'll spend thousands fixing it up.

Kirk

I have worked on many A4s, and all have had these failures at just over 100k:

Wheel Bearings (especially the rear): I've done 4 sets, all cars had less than 130K. The fronts can last much longer. Bearings are less than $90 each, but labour will be at least 1 hour per corner. Be prepared to replace the ABS sensors when you get this done, unless you do them yourself and are very carefull not to break the rears when you take them off. The fronts can be left on the steering knuckle, as they are plugged in at the fender/firewall area.

Control arms: If the car is an early '99, expect to replace most of them before the car reaches 150k, if it is a newer (1999.5)one, the lower ones will need replacing, but not necessarily the top ones. If one goes, and no others have been replaced, buy a complete set, and do them yourself. It is not that hard, and you'll save hundreds on the installation costs.

Ignition output stage module: also known as the ignition amplifier. Again, I have replaced three of them, all on cars with less than 120K on them. $600 at dealer, $300 elsewhere.

Those are the major items, and are very common. Other items, such as a fading trip computer are very common as well, although most people just live with it.

Watch the rubber moldings at the bottom of all four doors. They rust out quickly. I replaced all four for less than $150 from the dealer.

The turbo should last well past 200k, if the car has been properly maintained. I have seen chipped A4s with 200k on a stock turbo, but don't take my word for it. It is all in the maintenance, proper warm-up and cool-down, and driving habits. Use synthetic oil. Have a look at the back of the engine for signs of leaking oil. The camshaft end seals are one of the first places where oil will start leaking, but don't be too alarmed if it looks a little greasy in there.

In my opinion, a car with a full service history with the common items replaced is worth another couple of grand, depending on what has been done to it.

If you are mechanically inclined, buy yourself a few tools, if you don't already have them, and you will save thousands on repair costs. Audiworld has been the best resource for diagnosing problems with my car, much better than any repair manual as far as I'm concerned. Buy a VAG-COM too.

Hope this helps.

timing belt
and the one i have i also has to fix the oil system couple times good its all under warranty
they changed the whole oil systems for me
and i blew one of the gasket because of the oil system, the oil can't get into the engine

<img src="http://ber929.mypicgallery.com/carnewcar/newwhite_large.jpg">

How do you guys live with these know costs? I want one so bad but I can't bare myself to spend so much on repairs.