Should I sell my B5?

**zxvf** · 06-19-2008 05:26 PM

Not looking to be flamed, I know this is a B5 owners board on an Audi forum, but I thought you guys could help me rationalize my situation. I did a bit of searching, didn't really see much I thought was relevant so if I'm missing something and you want to point me in the right direction I'll just close this thread.

I drive a 98.5 1.8tqm with about 140,000 miles on it. I don't know what maintenance has been done on it before I bought it, I didn't replace the timing belt or the water pump but I was promised by the dealer I got it from that it had been done at some point though they didn't have the records (I got it in October). This is my daily driver. I'm a college student, and so far this car hasn't been the most reliable. I am at a spot right now where I can sell it and get something newer, or start putting a bit of money into this car.

My question for you is, what do you recommend? Is this car going to last me if I take care of it? Or is my turbo going to blow and my engine going to start giving me problems like my friends are all telling me? I paid 4k for this car, and I've had a couple offers for $5,000. Should I take one of these people up? Or alternatively, what kind of preventative maintenance steps should I take? A lot of this probably seems like common sense to you people I'm sure. Any insight you could give me would be appreciated.

**solowb5** · 06-19-2008 05:30 PM

I would sell it if you are worried about maintance. It will probally end up needing control arms, possible turbo, coil packs, icm, clutch, and maybe wheel bearings.

**zxvf** · 06-19-2008 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by solowb5

I would sell it if you are worried about maintance. It will probally end up needing control arms, possible turbo, coil packs, icm, clutch, and maybe wheel bearings.

control arms... check
cv joints
power steering rack
an axel assembly
ruined a brand new set of winter tires (the steering rack thing fucked upt he allignment and killed hte tires)
all in the past 6 months :D

I guess I'm trying to estimate a dollar amount for keeping my car on the road for a few more miles. I don't know how realistic it is to think I can do that though. I am a poor college student, but I am doing really well with my summer job and I've got the cash to spare right now. I'd love to keep this car, I love this car. I dont' want to sell it and buy something practical like a ford escort >:(

**ILoveT** · 06-19-2008 05:41 PM

Sell it to me, it's junk.

**solowb5** · 06-19-2008 06:04 PM

Well then it seems like you have answered your own question.

**Naex** · 06-19-2008 06:14 PM

I would keep it. I'm at 140k right now as well, just turned. But I would do the timing belt for peace of mind :)

**VTAudiA4** · 06-19-2008 06:27 PM

Sell it. You would need to do a timing belt again and that would run you 1k alone. Its not worth it. Sell it for 5K and buy yourself something with less miles. Don't rack your debt up by buying something brand new and expensive. There are tons of cheap cars that are reliable and have low miles. The key is patience as well as luck. Just take your time, see what you want to have as a car and dont buy on impulse.

**LDetter** · 06-19-2008 08:21 PM

If he has a dealer do it it will cost him a grand. If he has any mechanical abilitys/tools he can do it himself and will only cost around $300 for the kit. I did mine a few months ago and it wasnt near as bad as i thought it would be. I would never pay a grand for a dealer to the job, only took me about 6 hours. If you realy like the car i say keep it, i know i plan on keeping mine till its rots away to nothing, lol

**Naex** · 06-19-2008 08:55 PM

I thought the timing belt was pretty easy.. the hardest part was getting the bumper off lol

**D's Avant** · 06-19-2008 09:16 PM

I would sell the car. An Audi with 140K + miles will be needed some mait. for sure. I would only keep it if you have the time, some money for parts and the skills to work on it yourself. I drove a 1990 GLI 16v in college and only did regular mait on it. Nothing broke on that car for 140K + miles. Can't say that about my B5 with 78K. You will miss it when its gone.

**UN-PIMP-Z-A4** · 06-19-2008 09:18 PM

SELL it and save $2k to buy my car. only thing you have to do is pick it up.
Timing belt doesnt need to be done for another 20K (installed @ 99k)

**DrFeelGood** · 06-20-2008 02:55 AM

I feel you dude. I am thinking about doing the same thing. I have a 97 2.8Q with 118,000 miles on it. I know I will have to do a Timing belt soon among other problems I am having like the Rear Control arms are squeaking badly. Seems that no one sells the kit for the rear of the car. Every where I checked they just have the kit for the front. I love Audis but they are not cheap to upkeep esp. over here in Germany where everything is in euro. Euro rate is 1$ =1.59 euro. I also just came from the dealership the other day to get Transmission fluid changed. They told me they charging me 300 Euros ($477). So I feel you dude. If you’re not happy, get rid of it.

**1a9u9d8i** · 06-20-2008 09:03 AM

sell it, since you can get $1000 more for it than you paid last fall. Then buy something without a turbo and is relatively inexpensive to maintain like a civic or cavalier or something. You're in college (like me) and will have plenty of debt to deal with when you're done anyways so get a car that will last you a long time.