To Keep, Mend or Scrap

[ulfilias]

Hi There,

I have a 2001 D2 S8. 222k miles. Silver with black leather/alacantra.

It's just failed it's MOT

Fails

2 (near & off) rear tyres
Offside steering rack gaiter split
2 (near & off) front anti-roll bar linkage rubber mountings deteriated with excessive movement
Nearside rear caliper small leakage

Advisories

Nearside front upper radius bush deteriated (not excessive movement)
Offside front lower radius bush deteriated (not exessive movement)
Parking brake force only just met requirement
N/S door mirror slight deteriorated

The paint work has a few chips and the odd scratch but is ok for age. It's missing a couple of trim bits (passenger door & 3" bit just after front wheel). It's a cat C or D iirc from before buying, rear end and while almost everything is perfect, there is a slight dip in the lower panel between the rear arch and passenger door. You need to know it is there, but...

The interior lights work, but don't automatically work. If you leave them on overnight and start the car them come on until you lock the car, have never found why. The arm rest red light, the mirror red light, glove box and boot lights all work though. It's a trigger thing rather than a fault.

There is a speed sensor out on one of the front wheels. It is probably a spinning speed band. I've replaced both sensors bits. The ABS sometimes comes on at slow speed breaking which gives a boing. It got nicknamed zebedee. Ocasionally the traction control flickers

I have an intermitant cat fault. Forget the code but it brings on the check engine light (i have, and it is still there!). It passed emmitions and takes a few weeks of running to occur.

Good bits.
It's LPG'd. Prins system. Never had a problem with it. Big tank in boot. Actually takes 72L. I get 220-250 miles on a tank. at 70p. Starts on petrol and if you really gun it/ get low then it drops back. But day to day driving and cruising only your wallet knows it is there. AVP engine.

I love my stereo. It's a kenwood KVT-829dvd. It's a two box system, A head unit and one in the boot. Standard size with slide out screen. Modular system. I have a Garmin sat-nav (with speed cameras), a phatbox with 120gb flac drive, a BT phone (though never use it). Glove box has iPod *AND* usb connectors.

Private S8 TNK reg

It's been a great car. I've owned it for about 4+ years and since 135k miles. I've not had many problems (Fuel pump, engine chain lifters (also did belts/chains), a few bushes and cv joints, brake caliper, wiper motor) and she has never really let me down. Fun to drive and great to cruise.

The question is NOW WHAT ????

Is it worth repairing her and getting an MOT. Would selling/scrapping her now versus selling after recoup the costs. Should i keep and run her for 6 months after the MOT to get value from the repairs.

I've been toying with the idea of a new car for a while. I have some money from a bonus. 6k maybe 8k. I've seen some 2003-6 D3 A8s for that cost. Some LPG, some diesel that may be comparitable and fun.

So ideas, opinions, advice please!

Lee

[The_Laird]

IMHO, the MOT issues look like reasonable wear and tear and nothing too expensive at a decent Audi independent if you can't DIY.

Even if you want to get rid, it must be worth more as a runner with a new MOT. And the trim could be sourced at A8 Parts to make it look better.

Not sure what it's worth as scrap, but not a lot I'd guess.

[Singh]

Please sell it to me rather than scrap it? I've been without a D2 of my own for too long.
Also, you know it would go to a good home where it'll be loved.

[ulfilias]

Hi There,

I've got no idea of value on it....Am guessing for parts and bits it is worth more than as a running car given the mileage.

The issue with MOTing it is that you're looking at £220 for tyres and 3-4 jobs. I can see that totalling £600-£800 the way garages go. It is very easy to eat cash in repair bills and not really recoup it.

I'm in quite a quandary. Luckily I have a loan of a car for a week to try and sort stuff

Lee

[Singh]

I've ran a HPI, I hope you don't mind, you were unsure of the category listed so I figured I would add it here.

It has come up with the following.

Category C Insurance Loss. Vehicle extensively damaged but repairable - Insurer decided not to repair - 9/5/06

According to the GLASS guidebook. A running one, that wasn't a write off on 222k miles has a trade value of £1,050.

Is it on it's original gearbox? When will the cambelt need doing?

I don't want to nick it, but am genuinely interested in buying it if we can work out a mutual price, I'll be putting it where it belongs again, back on the road.

[notorious]

Amar, you're the man!

[ulfilias]

Hi Amar

I did say :

It's a cat C or D iirc from before buying, rear end and while almost everything is perfect, there is a slight dip in the lower panel between the rear arch and passenger door. You need to know it is there, but...

So I knew about that. To my knowledge it is on the origional gearbox. I haven't done anything with it since owning and it has always seemed fine.

engine chain lifters (also did belts/chains)

The cam belt and even chains had been changed about 20-30K prior to this from what I recall, so i'd guess at 160ish. There was plenty of life left in them, but since the engine was apart an extra £100ish seemed logical sense to bring them fully up to life. I have the part worn belt though when quite anyone would use it I don't know, but i'm a bit of a hoarder. I have the origional audi cd & changer and a few odd bits too!

[Singh]

Ulfilias, I know you had mentioned it initially, that was what prompted me to HPI it, as you were insure whether it were C/D, I HPI’d it, to help you/us. Anyway, let me know what you decide.