buying a 1.8T Limited Edition

[recardo]

Hi Folks,

I'm buying a 2004 1.8T (163) Limited Edition Avant (has S-line body kit, sports suspension etc) today,

I have a few questions I'd like some info on before I hand over the cash at lunchtime;)

* Key - car only has 1 key, can keys (inc remote fob thingy) be purchased from ebay or audi specialists? what sort of costs are there?
* cambelt - is this due at 60K or 70K?
* mpg display - do these models have a mpg display (or can one be retro fitted)? I didnt really understand what the buttons on the r/h/s of the dash did. ones on l/h/s changed the time and date ok.
* Audi Concert RDS stereo radio CD - will this have an aux port for an MP3 player?
* the car has wind up windows - is it possible to convert these to electric? is it worthwhile or too expensive / difficult?
* is there anything specific to check on the 1.8T? Test drive was fine, no strange noises, engine pulled fine etc.
* is £4700 for an 04 60K 1.8T avant OK?

thanks in advance!

[Dark Horse]

1. You can get a new one from the Audi dealer but it's not cheap (around 170 quid). The number should be on the back of the existing key and you'll need to take proof of ownership, logbook and all that as well as the chassis number.

2. Cambelt is every 60k

3. Mine has an MPG display and is controlled by a button on the right stalk. The controls on the left and right hand side of the dash are for changing the date time and viewing the status of the EMS and service schedule. I think you can retrofit these, remeber seeing some threads about it (use the search on the forums).

4. Mine doesn't and I've not seen one on a B6.

5. Don't know about retro fitting leccy windows, would have thought it'd be expensive. Surely cheaper to just get one with the spec in the first place? Unsure if you can actually get a B6 with all factory electric windows, mine just has electric fronts.

6. Check when cambelt was changed and also the turbo if you can (no clouds of smoke or weird noises or lack of boost).

7. No idea, check eBay and Autotrader for prices :)
6.

[slackboy]

keys - you can buy them on ebay but they'll need to be coded by a dealer. i don't think it can be done by vcds.

a 2004 model should have had a cambelt done by now (60k miles or 5 years) if not budget £300-400 to get it replaced. you should do the tensioner and waterpump at the same time

radios don't come with an aux in. you can get various gadgets (dension gateway etc) that give usb, bluetooth and aux connections for about £120

generally check for:

* water in the passenger footwell - can affect central locking, lights etc
* water build up under battery area - causes the above
* suspension noises, creaks etc that suggest worn bushes. apparently the suspension arms on A4's don't last much longer then 70k - 80k
* clutch - if the biting point is high it means the clutch is worn and needs replacing. this means doing the dual mass flywheel as well (£800-£1000)

pricewise - parkers suggests between £4500-5500 for a private example so that sounds about right.