Advice please - Audi Cab 2.0

[Key Walshe]

Hi, wondering if anyone can offer some advice...

My cousin is going looking at an Audi Cabriolet 2.0E tomorrow, its a green 1994 model with 101,000 miles on it. It's on Autotrader for £1450 (link might not work as its using the mobile site link here) and is in the Shipley area near Bradford.

He's already got an A4 1.8T B6 saloon as his daily driver, this will be a second car. Is there anything to look out for with these cars, anything to check for or anything that should have been replaced by now?

Any help much appreciated

[Audi Parts Guru]

Top mounts, wishbone bushes are the usual suspects for the 80 based cars

[hibby]

Someone posted a link to this car on Classic Audi today

http://www.classic-audi.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=16038

Although that doesnt really help much with what to look for.

[Key Walshe]

Thanks Guru, so no major mechanical issues with these? I've seen a friends C5 model A6 2.0 with about 300,000miles on it with no issues so that a good sign. Is there anything to check with regards the roof and its motors, as I imagine that would be a costly repair should it go wrong...

Thanks for the extra info Hibby, not exactly what I was after but still helpful with the pics and opinions of those who've seen it

[Tap Towers]

Is it manual roof or leccy?
to be honest, the manual is quick and easy, so no worries about motors. the roofs also seal very well, so try it in a jet wash, because you dont want a car that fills with water.
Dont worry too much if the rear screen is faded, they zip out and a new one zips in, but cost about £150.

Usual mechanicals, strut top mounts etc, but still a looker with the roof down.
The 2.0 struggles with power as the cabrio is quite heavy, but its more for chilled relaxed driving anyway.

Berst of luck.

[quattrostyle]

I think the electric roof is much better, I read a lot of problems with the manual roof, the knob in the door opening doesn't work in quite a few cars due to problems with the bootlid etc.
I've got my 2nd cariolet now and with electric roof again. Only problem I got so far is a leaky hydraulic pump in the boot, so that has to be fixed.

[Key Walshe]

Just viewed the car now, and its a manual roof, its okay for the money but it does have issues.

When cold it was very jittery when under acceleration, it cleared up when warm and could be through lack of recent use. The fuel gauge doesn't work, and neither does the water temperature gauge. The heater only works on setting 4 (resistor problem?) and the aerial motor makes a horrible noise when going up. The windscreen wipers didn't self return either, is that a stalk problem?

Bodywork seems in good condition, though slight dint on nearside rear quarter panel, and the odd mark here & there, but no visible rust or bubbling. The cloth interior needs a good cleaning, and there's no mats on the cream carpet - not good! There didn't appear any major leaks with the roof, just a small one near the seatbelts on each side were the roof folds up. Rear screen is a little cloudy but nothing major. Plus its only MOT'ed til May...

Not quite what he was after but could be a bargain cab for somebody

[macspring]

Key,

Just watching this thread, to be honest he's better off not choosing this particular one.

The issues affecting the car are curable, but if you both keep an eye on the Cabrios on Pistonheads, there are some that lead a very cosseted life and would have none of those issues for not very much more money.

Additionally, lots of them are V6 automatics, which are lovely to drive. Not sure if mpg are an issue for your mate, while not that much faster, it is a much nicer drive, as well as the sound. Bit like the difference in feel between a 2.0L Avant and a standard S2 Avant. Don't be put off by the automatic either it suits the nature of the car, cruising rather than racing. I use mine a tiptronic when becomes second nature after a week or two of everyday driving.

The powered roof is generally only affected by the cracking of the two cables on either side of the boot that crack inside their respective plastic sleeving due to the acute nature of the angle of the wires when the boot is opened and shut. (This problem can also affect the rear hatch of Avants).

You might have a look around "audifans.net" as they have a micro forums specifically for B4 Cabrios, which while not as trafficked as this forum, it does have all of the info / problems that come up on a reoccurring basis for newbie cabrio owners, when you do a couple of searches.

btw, late models are good as they have a flip key and alarm, adjustable delay on the front wipers, but have a speedboat front bumper, rather than the 94,95, 96 years which have an S2 front bumper. Only buy one with ellipsoid headlights. A silver, dark blue or dark green would be the order of my own preferred choice of colours.

HTH a bit.

Kind regards.

[80Quattro]

I've had a final edition 2.8 cab since May and have been using it everyday. Common problems are the same as any B3/4 so wishbone bushes, top mounts etc. The only problem I can think of which is exclusive to the cab is the electric roof, broken boot wiring looms are very common. My car only had 58k miles when I bought it but the boot would not unlock once the roof was open which was due to a broken wire in one of the boot looms. I also had to replace 2 of the hydraulic cylinders and they are not at all cheap so check them for leaks.

I wanted a final edition for the extras it has but most are not important, I found a car with just about every option possible which certainly makes it more pleasent. I only considered a V6 and really wanted a 2.8, it is a heavy car and needs the torque of the V6, a revvy 4 pot just wouldn't suit it as far as I'm concerned.

As I found there is a huge range in the condition of the cars for sale, so take your time to find a decent one.

[macspring]

I've had a final edition 2.8 cab since May and have been using it everyday. Common problems are the same as any B3/4 so wishbone bushes, top mounts etc. The only problem I can think of which is exclusive to the cab is the electric roof, broken boot wiring looms are very common. My car only had 58k miles when I bought it but the boot would not unlock once the roof was open which was due to a broken wire in one of the boot looms. I also had to replace 2 of the hydraulic cylinders and they are not at all cheap so check them for leaks.

I wanted a final edition for the extras it has but most are not important, I found a car with just about every option possible which certainly makes it more pleasent. I only considered a V6 and really wanted a 2.8, it is a heavy car and needs the torque of the V6, a revvy 4 pot just wouldn't suit it as far as I'm concerned.

As I found there is a huge range in the condition of the cars for sale, so take your time to find a decent one.

Exactly -

[Key Walshe]

Cheers for the tips & pointers Dave & 80quattro, some excellent words of wisdom there...

He's seen sense and is on the lookout for either a nice, tidy V6 80 cab or a sensible A4 Avant B6 to go with his 1.8T saloon B6. His Dad owned a very nice V6 cab a few years ago so was hoping for something similar but within a set budget, which he now understands needs to be raised should he want a similar spec to what he remembers.

Many thanks and we'll bear in mind what you've said for future viewings