I'm currently looking at a 1993 Audi 90s. It has some prett
significant problems, but the people are selling it for a ridiculou
price so I'm terrifically tempted

First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to b
replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a prett
standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is a
122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with th
brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind o
don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car i
you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oi
leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, bu
enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater contro
switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged
etc

What I'm wondering is this; is this something I can take care of an
get at least a couple good years out of the car, or is thi
indicative of many more problems ahead? What I mean is...does thi
sound like something that's more of a normal set of issues with a ca
(particularly this one) at this age, or do these symptoms spell th
decline of the car overall

I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possibl
this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type o
setting...but I thought it was worth a shot. If I've left ou
anything that would be of help in answering please feel free to as
and I'll try to give any other info I can

Thanks

 

> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.

Cats are probably just a straight replacement. What's the condition of the
rest of the exhaust system? Might be worth changing the whole system

Brakes may just need freshening up i.e. new fluid, pads. The flexible brake
lines could well be past it by now and if the disks need replacing it could
get expensive. Also, the calipers could probably do with an overhaul.

When you say oil leakage is that related to the brakes or are you talking
engine/gearbox?

Heater switch should be simple. Aircon may be expensive. Does it blow any
cold air? If it's been without gas for a long time then the seals may have
perished. If you get it recharged then all the gas may just leak out again.
It happened to a colleague of mine. Can't remember what needed to be
replaced but he ended up having to pay out ~£400 instead of £80 for the
recharge. If the compressor is knackered then you may be looking at big
money. Ours went on our Bora and would have cost £900 was it not for the
warranty.

> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting..

No disrespect intended but you may be better to stay away from this car and
buy something with less faults! You could be looking at a couple of grand to
put everything right - is it worth the hassle?

I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who knows what
else is wrong.

HTH
Dave

 

> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.

Cats are probably just a straight replacement. What's the condition of the
rest of the exhaust system? Might be worth changing the whole system

Brakes may just need freshening up i.e. new fluid, pads. The flexible brake
lines could well be past it by now and if the disks need replacing it could
get expensive. Also, the calipers could probably do with an overhaul.

When you say oil leakage is that related to the brakes or are you talking
engine/gearbox?

Heater switch should be simple. Aircon may be expensive. Does it blow any
cold air? If it's been without gas for a long time then the seals may have
perished. If you get it recharged then all the gas may just leak out again.
It happened to a colleague of mine. Can't remember what needed to be
replaced but he ended up having to pay out ~£400 instead of £80 for the
recharge. If the compressor is knackered then you may be looking at big
money. Ours went on our Bora and would have cost £900 was it not for the
warranty.

> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting..

No disrespect intended but you may be better to stay away from this car and
buy something with less faults! You could be looking at a couple of grand to
put everything right - is it worth the hassle?

I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who knows what
else is wrong.

HTH
Dave

 

> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.

Cats are probably just a straight replacement. What's the condition of the
rest of the exhaust system? Might be worth changing the whole system

Brakes may just need freshening up i.e. new fluid, pads. The flexible brake
lines could well be past it by now and if the disks need replacing it could
get expensive. Also, the calipers could probably do with an overhaul.

When you say oil leakage is that related to the brakes or are you talking
engine/gearbox?

Heater switch should be simple. Aircon may be expensive. Does it blow any
cold air? If it's been without gas for a long time then the seals may have
perished. If you get it recharged then all the gas may just leak out again.
It happened to a colleague of mine. Can't remember what needed to be
replaced but he ended up having to pay out ~£400 instead of £80 for the
recharge. If the compressor is knackered then you may be looking at big
money. Ours went on our Bora and would have cost £900 was it not for the
warranty.

> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting..

No disrespect intended but you may be better to stay away from this car and
buy something with less faults! You could be looking at a couple of grand to
put everything right - is it worth the hassle?

I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who knows what
else is wrong.

HTH
Dave

 

Dave wrote:
>
> I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who
knows what
> else is wrong.

I'd have to agree. If they were giving it away for free, and the body
was pristine, I'd give a go at putting it right. Otherwise, stay away.


E.P.

 

Dave wrote:
>
> I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who
knows what
> else is wrong.

I'd have to agree. If they were giving it away for free, and the body
was pristine, I'd give a go at putting it right. Otherwise, stay away.


E.P.

 

Dave wrote:
>
> I'd say the bottom line is that this car sounds neglected so who
knows what
> else is wrong.

I'd have to agree. If they were giving it away for free, and the body
was pristine, I'd give a go at putting it right. Otherwise, stay away.


E.P.

 

Ray,
Run away...don't walk!!!!
Most Audis that are neglected by their owners are money pits. I should
know - I bought my '87 5ktq from someone who knew "Oil goes in there" and
little else about the car. Since then I've been continually fixing things.
see: http://www.audifans.com/registry2/car.php?carid=34
If you want a decent Audi, do your homework on the quirks on each model, and
look to places like Audifans where many sellers keep a huge file of records
on their cars. Many records means a thorough owner, means fewer suprises,
means more happy motoring.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"Method Man Ray" <dmcalister@wi.rr-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:uKWdnUsDY63vxvrfRVn_vg@giganews.com...
> I'm currently looking at a 1993 Audi 90s. It has some pretty
> significant problems, but the people are selling it for a ridiculous
> price so I'm terrifically tempted.
>
> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.
>
> What I'm wondering is this; is this something I can take care of and
> get at least a couple good years out of the car, or is this
> indicative of many more problems ahead? What I mean is...does this
> sound like something that's more of a normal set of issues with a car
> (particularly this one) at this age, or do these symptoms spell the
> decline of the car overall?
>
> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting...but I thought it was worth a shot. If I've left out
> anything that would be of help in answering please feel free to ask
> and I'll try to give any other info I can.
>
> Thanks!
>

 

Ray,
Run away...don't walk!!!!
Most Audis that are neglected by their owners are money pits. I should
know - I bought my '87 5ktq from someone who knew "Oil goes in there" and
little else about the car. Since then I've been continually fixing things.
see: http://www.audifans.com/registry2/car.php?carid=34
If you want a decent Audi, do your homework on the quirks on each model, and
look to places like Audifans where many sellers keep a huge file of records
on their cars. Many records means a thorough owner, means fewer suprises,
means more happy motoring.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"Method Man Ray" <dmcalister@wi.rr-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:uKWdnUsDY63vxvrfRVn_vg@giganews.com...
> I'm currently looking at a 1993 Audi 90s. It has some pretty
> significant problems, but the people are selling it for a ridiculous
> price so I'm terrifically tempted.
>
> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.
>
> What I'm wondering is this; is this something I can take care of and
> get at least a couple good years out of the car, or is this
> indicative of many more problems ahead? What I mean is...does this
> sound like something that's more of a normal set of issues with a car
> (particularly this one) at this age, or do these symptoms spell the
> decline of the car overall?
>
> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting...but I thought it was worth a shot. If I've left out
> anything that would be of help in answering please feel free to ask
> and I'll try to give any other info I can.
>
> Thanks!
>

 

Ray,
Run away...don't walk!!!!
Most Audis that are neglected by their owners are money pits. I should
know - I bought my '87 5ktq from someone who knew "Oil goes in there" and
little else about the car. Since then I've been continually fixing things.
see: http://www.audifans.com/registry2/car.php?carid=34
If you want a decent Audi, do your homework on the quirks on each model, and
look to places like Audifans where many sellers keep a huge file of records
on their cars. Many records means a thorough owner, means fewer suprises,
means more happy motoring.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"Method Man Ray" <dmcalister@wi.rr-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:uKWdnUsDY63vxvrfRVn_vg@giganews.com...
> I'm currently looking at a 1993 Audi 90s. It has some pretty
> significant problems, but the people are selling it for a ridiculous
> price so I'm terrifically tempted.
>
> First and biggest issue is both catalytic converters need to be
> replaced. From the research I've done, this seems to be a pretty
> standard thing for these cars at around 120,000/miles (this one is at
> 122,000). Secondly, there is some kind of "unknown" issue with the
> brakes; there's no noise, no pulling or anything, they just kind of
> don't so much work. They *work* insofar as they will stop the car if
> you literally stand on them, but not otherwise. There's also some oil
> leakage, nothing terribly significant from what I understand, but
> enough to be pointed out. A couple minor problems...heater control
> switch needs to be replaced, air conditioning needs to be charged,
> etc.
>
> What I'm wondering is this; is this something I can take care of and
> get at least a couple good years out of the car, or is this
> indicative of many more problems ahead? What I mean is...does this
> sound like something that's more of a normal set of issues with a car
> (particularly this one) at this age, or do these symptoms spell the
> decline of the car overall?
>
> I'm (clearly! ) no expert on such things, and it's wholly possible
> this isn't a question that can even be answered in this type of
> setting...but I thought it was worth a shot. If I've left out
> anything that would be of help in answering please feel free to ask
> and I'll try to give any other info I can.
>
> Thanks!
>