Another collection thread on the way, RAC maybe needed on this one.

[Vince70]

I've just been given a second chance offer on good old eBay for a late low mileage ( 58000)slightly broken Aldi A4 B5 which has a ticket to next year and a months tax.

 

I really don't need it as I already have a nice early example of the same car in poverty spec but it seemed a good idea to buy it at the time and at £222 it seemed a steal even though I don't know what to do with it but I guess I now have the garage roof repaired so I will have somewhere to store it.

 

I will be driving back about 140 miles in the old girl this is the list from the advert of its problems.

 

Cons

- Recent engine power loss problem

Garage has diagnosed as either one of the engine sensors or catalytic converter

Engine managment light is on. The car has never broken down or failed to start. Just lacks power.

The car is perfectly driveable any distance but is particularly sluggish when cold.

The problem could be fixed for a few £100.

- Scuffs and scraches on the bodywork (cosmetic)

- One key (no remote central locking)

The drivers door opens with the key in it. The other doors open when the ignition is turned on.

All doors lock when you lock the drivers door via the key.

 

Grab a bargin vehicle with MOT & TAX & the potential to be a brilliant car again.

 

So do you think it will make it back and is it fixable and could the running issue be an OMG Vag Maf air flow meter problem.

 

So train station and petrol station pic's to be taken on Saturday

[twosmoke300]

Does it have the standard underwater convienience control module?

[Vince70]

I was wondering that I bet it's a complete bugger to get a matching one second hand

The first thing I'm going to check if it's got blocked drains.

 

On my old one all I did to resolve the problem was to chuck the drain bungs away and it's never had an issue, I think on the later one there's a gauze panel on the bulkhead to remove.

 

I do hope it's not the convenience module and if it is I think I could see the bridge looming for this one.

[twosmoke300]

Pollen filter foam seals on that side too. I resqued a couple by drying them right out

[Vince70]

Cheers two smoke. This will be the first thing I will look at.

[Cavcraft]

Is it really a Passat in a shiny suit? If so probably worth taking the battery off and just shoving a screwdriver into the rubber bungs below and pushing them out altogether. We silicone round the pollen filter on mine, too.

It was still utterly, utterly shit though.

[Vince70]

I guess the worse thing that can happen is I loose about £50 and have to bridge it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will get me back ok and if things work out I may even use it for a week or two.

 

If I do end up sending it to the bridge I will take the lights out and fit them in my early one as the lights on the early and mid 90's VAGs are absolutely terrible and I think the later ones were improved..

[Jazoli]

I have recently bought a B5 A4 tdi and its a solid old bus, the central locking problem can be sorted out with a laptop, a copy of ross-tech lite which is free and a £5 vag kkl cable from ebay, easiest way to check the maf is to disconnect it and see if the car runs better and also use the cable above to read and check the control modules for fault codes.

 

I'm really liking mine, its runs on fresh air (well it seems to after my 528i) has awesome climate control and still looks smart, the kids moan that its too small in the back but I don't really care!

[RoadworkUK]

What enjin in this one? My 1.8t is in dry-dock at the moment for a cambelt change. If you do happen to break your new acquisition I'd be interested in the headlamps and, if it matches mine (but, er, works) the A/C compressor...

[Vince70]

It's the 1.8 but a non turbo one, I really wanted the the 1.6 as I have the lump in my old one and it's an absolute fab engine and quite basic and all that 5 valves per cylinder stuff scares me.

 

If I break it I will let you know but hopefully I will get it running well and looking nice again, I wouldn't mind but my older A4 was supposed to be my backup car so this one will be the backup car for the backup car lol