Audis have the longest-living (european) engines with decent power output. A 98 Avant is basically a great car, we have them in Germany everywhere. What engine does it have? For the US, I would expect a 1,8T or a 2,8 V6. Both are great engines, with the V6 doing over 400K km (220k miles) with no bigger issues...if maintenance kept (timing belt and water pump at 120K km). Of course, it´s not a US 5L V8 with 120hp eating Jack Daniel´s...it needs good fuel for good results: 190hp with 2,8l. Make sure the front suspension is in good shape, it´s the weak spot of A4, A6 and Passats. They eat a lot of rubber bushings. The rest is bullet proof. Regars Raimund
Am 17.04.2015 um 23:21 schrieb Stuart MacMillan: > Audi's are good cars, but parts are not cheap. 135k is the time where stuff starts to fail--alternator, starter, exhaust, water pump, tires, battery, brakes, etc., often for the second time. If the price is right and some of these things have been replaced recently, it could last you a long time with no major problems. > > Before you buy it, do an oil analysis: www.blackstone-labs.com. It will tell you a lot about the engine. > > Stuart > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Gene P > Sent: Friday, April 17, 2015 12:03 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Fryday NVC - Audi opinions? > > Thinking of getting a German cousin for the ol grey wolfsburg to give him a break, let him stay in some in the winter, etc. Vehicle is a 98 Audi A4 Avant (little wagonlike hatchback) with 135K miles. Upside is one owner and I know the owner, so confidence in how it's been driven and maintained. Downside is unknown, am I jumping into a money pit with a needy vehicle I won't be able to maintain? If any of y'all have experience or opinions with these things, I'd like to hear. > > Thanks, > gp |
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