2003 1.8T Quatro
95xxx miles
"Lots of service records, including timing belt and water pump at 58k, valve cover gasket, camshaft adjuster/ valve cover gasket replacement at 48,188k, head gasket and fuel pump replaced at " <--- not sure the last mileage there

I don't know much about these cars, and am wondering if there is anything in particular I need to look for?

Appreciate the help.

 

Honestly you should either look at all of the usual stuff, or just have a mechanic do it. With that much work, and with the owner being that proactive on the timing belt, it should be a good car. Auto or manual? Either way, you should try to steal it!

 

It's a manual. With those taken care of, is there a whole lot else that typically goes wrong with these cars? I read everywhere that they aren't that reliable, but are they once the above repairs are taken into account?

 

Is it 1.8t or 3.0 the 1.8 in that year has sludge problems. I have a 2002 same thing. This one is the third I have owned and this is the only one that has given me any problems. And they aren't cheap problems. If its your first Audi I would look at a different model or year. You have to remember that when owning an Audi the maintenance is also expensive so you don't want to have to do unwanted repairs.

 

1.8T. If it's only had synthetic oil used, is sludge still a problem? what problems does sludge even cause...?

 

Yes, even if you only use synthetic oil. you must use a fully synthetic oil in the 1.8t. Do a search for oil sludge in the A4 and you will see it everywhere. the 6 cylinder in that year doesn't have the sludge problem. Sludge can cause a variety of problems. basically if your engine gets sludge you have to replace it.

 

Check out my profile/threads. I have my 02 up for sale and luckily had a cheap mechanic who specializes in vw and audis go through and I told him to take it and make it run like new without giving him a price limit. I found out my main problem was a little $10 plastic elbow connected to the coolant system that was cracked, but he did all maintenance that should have been done after 100,000miles. To make it run "like new" like i told him he replaced the timing belt, changed the water pump to the more durable metal fin type, cam chain tensioner needed changed to keep everything in sync, plugs were changed, engine mounts, coil packs changed to more durable version(via audi recall for free), brakes and bearings changed, royal purple synthetic oil changed, plus all turbo system and coolant hoses that were bad were changed. This car has a garret gt2871r elim kit w/550cc injectors, ATP turbo manifold that i had ported for better air flow, cat delete, full neuspeed exhaust, EVO racewerks competition FMIC($1300!), atp turbo intake hose, forge hybrid bov/dv, south bend stg3 clutch, plus a short throw shifter and a boost guage with steering column mount.
I lost my liscense and job recently so i didnt get to use the car with the mods for long, plus about 85% of the miles on the car are highway miles. My mom paid $3500 of the $33,000 put into the car, but she wants her share and I cant afford the car anymore. I am selling it at the blue book price so basically you get about a $13000 upgrade bonus. The eliminator kit retains stocklike drivability until you spool the turbo up. Once Revo gives me a working tuner you can make up to 3 custom settings which will allow u to make one that is tuned way down to get 30+MPG, or regular mode which it is in now and that produces 350HP on 93 octane, or u can go extreme and make a setting with race gas, increased fuel,boost&timing and produce 400HP. WIth about$3-4000 more you could have the fastest audi in town by getting forged internals or the 2.0stroker kit. with that you can use race gas and get the full 450HP the turbo is capable of without blowing the car up.
Sadly i have to let it go but at the price somebody will get a great deal. feel free to call @ 765-430-7796 & i can provide any additional info.