I have a 2005 Avant with 136K. Great car - bought it new. It is however, an expensive car to fix. I did the timing belt myself which basically requires taking the front end of the car off. Doh! That was a fun weekend. Timing belt in a shop is around a $1200 -$1900 job depending on who does it. 

My Avant needs a water pump - $1100 - and a clutch in another 10K or so ($900). If your seller hasn’t replaced either one of those, plan on doing them soon. 

I don’t know if the ’98 has a coolant flange, but that’s another weak point in the coolant system that fails and is expensive to fix because it’s buried at the bottom of the engine. I had the driver’s door window regulator go south a couple of years ago and that was around $700. ABS sensors are rather pricey as well from what I hear. 

BTW - these are independent shop - not dealership - prices I am quoting, although I live in the Bay Area and mechanic’s labor prices tend to be higher here.

I’m hoping that when the new A4 platform is revealed in August, that there will be a diesel Avant with a stick shift and Quattro to replace my ’05. Hey Audi - is that so much to ask?  = )

Jeff in Marin

> On Apr 17, 2015, at 6:36 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> -----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