Looking at buying a a3 1.8t around 98

[mac456]

Hi all,

I have about 2k to spend on one at the end of the week. is it possible to pick up a decent one for this price? im worried about buying a dog

most i seem to see are high milage, like 105000, is this high for the car with full service history?

what is to check for when viewing?

do they rot?

how bad is the oil pressure thing? and how to check for the problem?

Also the cambelt, should i get it change if it hasnt beend done? when are they due? and if so how much does it usually cost to get done? audi garage and normal garge?

[merlin2002]

I got one for my girlfriend for that price with 120k on 1999 plate
thinks to look out for

Clutch slip
knocking from rear
knocking from front
DIS lcd screen
cambelt evidence for around 50k and around 100k, £300 ish to get done depending wat other bits you get done
rust along roof gutters
glovebox opens and closes okay
make sure fans work when engines hot
If theres lack of power could be N75/recirc valve/air flow meter
Listen for air leaks/hissing (this is a recall on AUDI=FREE FIX)
If a car is lacking history, you can phone AUDI with the reg and they can tell you the miles and date they have serviced the car.

If I were to buy again I would take a laptop and Vag-com to check for error codes

Regards
Rob

[mac456]

thanks mate, that guide will be a excellent help.

so the cars are good for alot of miles?

vag-com, this just software?

thanks again

[merlin2002]

thanks mate, that guide will be a excellent help.

so the cars are good for alot of miles?

vag-com, this just software?

thanks again


There fine as long as they have history, I would rather a high miler with history than a low miler with no history, obviously you can tell if its been well looked after by the general condition of the car.

get a cheapo vag-com cable off ebay, thats what i done, no problems with it at all

regards
Rob

[mac456]

thanks mate.

Just checked ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-VAG-COM-409-1-OBD-2-II-CABLE-LEAD-AUDI-VW-VAG-COM_W0QQitemZ230335003811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Dia gnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item35a1093ca3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A13 08|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

on the compatable list it says a3 (8p) is not compatable, im guessing this is not the model of a3 im looking at?

[SEMKY]

The 8P is the latest shape, you are looking at an 8L, which that cable should be fine for...think it may be the same seller I bought mine from in actual fact.

Jim

[merlin2002]

thanks mate.

Just checked ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-VAG-COM-409-1-OBD-2-II-CABLE-LEAD-AUDI-VW-VAG-COM_W0QQitemZ230335003811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Dia gnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item35a1093ca3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A13 08|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

on the compatable list it says a3 (8p) is not compatable, im guessing this is not the model of a3 im looking at?

That one is the same type as mine, so will work fine

Regards
Rob

[GeorgeBoy]

Quick question on this one guys...if i were to gte one where would i plug it in? I have an 2000 A3 1.8t Sport.

Cheers.

[merlin2002]

Quick question on this one guys...if i were to gte one where would i plug it in? I have an 2000 A3 1.8t Sport.

Cheers.

right hand side of steering wheel, look down under the light switch an keep going...you will see a purple socketin the dash, thats where

regards
Rob

[GeorgeBoy]

Cheers ill have a look later.

[Confused]

Hello, just reading this thread and was surprised to see mentioned what I think may be the same problem I have.I bought my wife one at auction yesterday, and the computer display is stripey and unreadable, (hadn't noticed it!). Just saw "DIS lcd screen" on the reply above and suspected it to be the same, i.e a common problem. What is involved in fixing this fault? I assume bits are expensive, but is it likely to be the screen or a computer problem? Any help gratefully received. Regards, John. P.S. the spare wheel was missing also!.

[merlin2002]

Hello, just reading this thread and was surprised to see mentioned what I think may be the same problem I have.I bought my wife one at auction yesterday, and the computer display is stripey and unreadable, (hadn't noticed it!). Just saw "DIS lcd screen" on the reply above and suspected it to be the same, i.e a common problem. What is involved in fixing this fault? I assume bits are expensive, but is it likely to be the screen or a computer problem? Any help gratefully received. Regards, John. P.S. the spare wheel was missing also!.

HI mate

yes DIS lcd screen, its the screen, which becomes de-bonded, nothing to do with the ribben inside, its possiblt buy the lcd for £60ish quid, but fitting will need to be done with someone with patience and a steady hand

regards
Rob

ps spare wheel is a space saver can be found on ebay

[Confused]

Thanks Rob, yer a star. LCD from main *******, or will GSF sell them? Also, how do you get at it , is it as buried in the dash as it looks? I was an electronics engineer before seeing the light and getting a proper job, so fiddly stuff shouldn't be a problem. Bidding on wheel as we speak! Thanks, John.

[merlin2002]

Thanks Rob, yer a star. LCD from main *******, or will GSF sell them? Also, how do you get at it , is it as buried in the dash as it looks? I was an electronics engineer before seeing the light and getting a proper job, so fiddly stuff shouldn't be a problem. Bidding on wheel as we speak! Thanks, John.

well theres only one place you can get the LCD from which is here
http://joseisi.tripod.com/index.html

getting the clocks out is pretty easy, lower the steering wheel and pull forward, there is a piece of trim on the lower of the clocks where the column is, this pulls forward and reveals 2 very tight screws, undo those and it pulls out, there will be 2 or 3 connectors in the rear to un clip, what ever you do dont turn the ignition on or lock the car with the clocks removed from the car.....or you will not be able to start her again, as the immob is built in to the clocks and married up with the ECU and detecs when the clocks are removed, so ive been told, so not gona risk turning ignition on with clocks not plugged in


if you do a search on here, im sure theres a PDF on how to remove, some people try fixing the DIS other ways, But I had no luck, some people think its a problem with the bonded ribbon on the glass, however its infact the glass separating.

regards
Rob

[Confused]

Thanks again Rob, I will have a go and let you know how I get on. Regards, John.

[merlin2002]

Thanks again Rob, I will have a go and let you know how I get on. Regards, John.


No Problem

Regards
Rob

[ters73]

I have a 99 1.8t and the plug is in the centre console under the ash tray.