BillBlank Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 (edited) Hi All, Armed with the Audi pages checklist I've just purchased a '96 4.2 Quattro with the four speed tiptronic box for £2k off my wifes boss. Lovely car with a couple of minor niggles that one would expect of a car that age with 94K miles on it. Or so I thought. Having done a search on this forum I am now awaiting the imminent demise of the box due to hearing a slight cavitation noise at startup. Opinion seems to vary as to the seriousness of this depending on whether one has the four or five speed box. Can I make this go away with a simple fluid and filter change possibly and if so does anyone recommend a firm in Kent that they've used as my trusted mechanic does not touch auto boxes? I also noted a slight, intermittent click/knock through the steering wheel in the first revolution in either direction. There was no obvious ejection of grease at the front end so I took it to most likely to be a ball joint failure. I now note a slightly uneven wear rate on the outside of the front tyres as well, not much, 1-2mm max. Have I been a numpty? Again. The car's up on a ramp at the end of this week to check more thoroughly for leaks and what not. Aside from that I really enjoy the car, It's replacing a GSXR750 that my wife believes thirty two year olds should not be riding other than on a track. I just pray I haven't bought a shed. EDIT: Forgot to add the simple joy of out accelerating a nasty BMW Z3 this afternoon that had been tailgating me in a 30 limit without my wife noticing and moaning. Also depending on driving style the temp seems to hover at 80 -90, as the water pump was recently replaced I'm not worrying about that. Should I? Thanks for any replies, especially if you can recommend a gearbox person. I worked in the motor trade as a teenager and therefore have a healthy distrust for the majority of it's practitioners. I'm off to hide my head under a pillow and think of good ways to tell my wife that I may need to spend a bit more on the car :smashfreak: Bill Edited July 14, 2008 by BillBlank Insomia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
encee Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Sorry Bill, can`t help you in any way with your dilemma, but as a former Gixer 750 owner myself (x 2, the "H", and then later an " S-RAD"), I`d just like to welcome you to TNS. Somebody`ll be along at a better hour, no doubt, to help you out, as they`re a great bunch on here, and very knowledgeable. Enjoy !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Welcome to TSN Bill Sounds like you grabbed a bargain mota there, but one of the recommendations we would make to anyone buying an '8 is to have the gearbox filter and oil change pretty much as a matter of course. The cavitation may indeed disappear once you've changed the fluids, if not, don't despair. A8 Parts will have a serviceable gearbox in stock, I'm sure, and they don't charge your first born for one :D (maybe the second ) As you've pointed out, the car has done 94k (not bad at all for the age of the car, mine's done 167k ), so expect a few niggles along the way. Find a good independent specialist, and you'll be laughing all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Sounds fairly simple to me, you might find that the gearbox fluid just needs topping up, but everyone on here would recommend a fluid and filter change for peace of mind. As for the knock, I suspect one of the multi-link arms needs replacing, cheap enough to fix, its just a bit of a pain trying to work out which one. Try and decide which side the knock comes from and go from there. The arms generally dont show any playsitting stationary, its only when under some form of load. My garage uses the brake rollers to help show up the failing arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Yep I echo what everyone else says. The good thing is that yours is a 4 speed auto and they are pretty indestructible compred to the 5 speeds (at least thats what Ian at A8Parts reckons and he's our local guru)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 At £2K you cant really go wrong. We have *never* seen a broken 4 speed box yet, so get the fluid changed by any reputable gearbox specialist (NOT audi !) and you may see an immediate improvement there. The knocking could be CV joint, suspension arm etc - But not the end of the world, they're built like tanks and will pretty much go for ever so go ahead an enjoy it - Get some photos posted if you can, we all like a good perv at a new motor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloss Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 so get the fluid changed by any reputable gearbox specialist (NOT audi !) Argh! My local Independent in Aberdeen didn't want the gearbox oil and filter job so I had to give it to the Main Stealer..... expensive but no argument on whether it needed it or not.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 I didn't have any issues with my main stealer changing my fluid and filter. Took 9 or 10 litres of the stuff and they under charged me as they had it on fixed pricing. I think I was the first bod to have it done, so they did not really know what to expect! However, they completed a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Welcome to TSN Bill! Congrats with what sounds like a gr8 deal! I can only repeat what the others have said; get the fluids changed. That's pretty much a must for everyone of these fine cars. Wish you much pleasure on the board and on the road alike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Welcome to TSN and the 8 Forum. I reckon you have an absolute bargain there. Hope you have many miles of happy and fast (when safe to do so) motoring. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillBlank Posted July 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 I haven't seen a response to a first post this pleasant or useful since I joined a gun forum. Photo's will be posted when I find the usb lead for the camera. The 8's black with a grey interior. I'm a complete cynic and didn't completely trust the poor guy selling it (sorry Andy ) but it looks like a good deal. His only blot in the copy book was mismatched tyres, Kuhmo (blergh) and Conti (also blergh) on the same axle. That and the fifty cent, Christina Aguilera etc that he pulled out of the changer. He is the wife's boss though and mine too indirectly so I musn't be rude and truth be told despite the 15 - 20 mpg he's really helped us out if it lasts over a year. I still struggled not to call him Mandy at work after seeing those cd's though. I have a sneaky feeling he's a member here as well so thanks Andy, enjoy the diesel Golf. RASSSSSSSSSP:roflmao: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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