I looked at an '06 A6 new for the last year or so... but couldn't cogitize the close confines with the price & drooled several times over A8s but didn't have any business in that price range . However while shopping for a winter ride I came across, what I feel, is a very fair deal on a '98 A8 Qautro in very good condition and not outragous milage.

Came in looking for advice on what/how to go through it as an initial inspection and where to get manual, codes, parts, etc...


Looking forwar to picking this up tomorrow and getting into it.


Jim

 

Hey Jim. Hope I'm not too late. I've got a '99 A8, teh D2 model, same as yours, but a year younger. had mine for about 2 years, so far, going on 3.

In general, mileage and maintainence, just like any other car, are what makes or breaks an Audi. Some (but not all)KEY items to check on an older A8 are:
[ul][*]If it has had it's timing-belt service done at or before it's 90K mile mark.[*]Check the front inner & outer cv boots for cracks & tears.[*]Drive it and see how smooth/hard it shifts. Shifts should be firm, but not harsh. Is it a TIP? Bumping it up or down should give you the same "feel" as when it shifts on it's own, unless you're STANDING ON IT, in which case it should shift a little more briskly. In "TIP"-mode it will shift from 1 - 2 on it's own, and hold the gears longer (almost to redline, if not actual redline) before upshifting, unless you "bump" it up before redline, that is.[*]check to make sure EVERY BUTTON and switch in teh cabin does what the pictograph says it should. ESPECIALLY check that all foru headrests move up AND down, but don't worry, if they haven't already failed, they soon will, and are sorta easy to fix. Still, it's annoying.[*]See if you can talk teh seller into replacing teh cabin filters (just above teh firewall, under teh hood), before YOu buy it. Make up some lame story about how you heard the old ones cause mildew and you think you smelled some... It's lame and piddling, I know, but, replacements are, like $60-$90, depending on where you can find them.[/ul]
If I can think of any others I'll add them, later...

 

Thanks for the reply... a little belated, but better late thannever

I did pick up the car. 1998 Quatro with 130k on it. In nearly pristine condition; actually considering the miles and that it is a Michigan car pretty outstanding condition.

Always serviced either by a local euro shop (http://www.steveseuropeanauto.com/) or the Stealer in Birminham, MI (Fred Lavery).
About 12 or 13 very small (approx 1/64 - 1/32 inch) nicks in the clear coat, a small ding from a rock in the hood lip, and one cracked (L/F) signal lense.
Interior is about 95% with minimal steering wheel wear and a few kick stains on the drivers door inside lower cloth panel.

The only interior button that doesn't work is the seat head rests Already printed the repair proceedure.

Tire all have slow leaks, Springs and Shocks are about shot, & there is a jittering when braking at highway speeds (Not noticable if tire pressures are up and equal).

I'm going to get it up on a rack and check out the suspension, dismount the tires - clean & seal the rims - then remount them. As the tires have probably run with low pressure I'll run them until spring or after I evaluate and get the suspension up to snuff and aligned.

The car has a cheap aftermarket pioneer stereo, but the stock one and the disk changer are in the trunk.

I love the car, nicest 7k car I ever bought.

Jim