What would you do?

[TonyMc]

I have a 1996 1.8 A4, it has a good service history with regular belt changes and fluid changes and it has 148, 000 on the clock. The car runs well but needs the followng done; new tyres brake pads and the lower suspension arms need look doing as they are knocking. As you are probably aware that would cost the best part of £500 or more.

Bearing in mind the mileage and age of the car would you;

1. Just fork out and get the job done?

2. Try and do the bushes instead of the complete arms and generally cut corners where you can?

or

3. Just leave it look for a newer motor?

[zollaf]

personally, i would do it. i would do it myself mind, but if the car is good and reliable, whats the point in not doing it. you could go and spank a load of money on a newer car that ends up costing you a lot more money 6 months down the line. your old a4 will then go to someone who will do the work and end up with a well looked after motor thats cost peanuts and probably go on for a good few years. i wouldnt bother messing around with bushes, just get the arms. by the time youve paid for the bushes to be pressed out and new ones pressed in, it will have cost more than the whole arms, and you get new ball joints thrown in.

[cusford]

personally, i would do it. i would do it myself mind, but if the car is good and reliable, whats the point in not doing it. you could go and spank a load of money on a newer car that ends up costing you a lot more money 6 months down the line. your old a4 will then go to someone who will do the work and end up with a well looked after motor thats cost peanuts and probably go on for a good few years. i wouldnt bother messing around with bushes, just get the arms. by the time youve paid for the bushes to be pressed out and new ones pressed in, it will have cost more than the whole arms, and you get new ball joints thrown in.

+1 i would just fork out the cash and get it fixed :) i just bought some part worn tyres today.. 205/15/16's and cost me £30 each. discs and pads up front are £48 on ebay, and rears around £35. dont know about the bottom arms though i'm afraid. try eurocarparts.com or a local motor factors :)

[fourringsrus]

Sort it out your self if you are able, it should come in well inside £500 if you do it yourself and at least when done you know the car is good and will go on forever,so I totally agree with the above posts
STUART

[avspider]

With the knocking, I would persoanlly check exactly which one is knocking, I have had a knocking recently & it was the top rear suspension arm.
I would recomend for ease of changing to change the arm, as often the bushes need to be pressed out with a machine.

[paulsa4]

If you can do it your self it will cost no more the £250 you can get a complete set of arms on ebay for £120-150 and front and back discs with pads for £78 just bearings to do on the back , should take no more then a day
So dont get rid repair