Hi Gang -

I'm considering an 89 S4 A/T. What do you think my costs will be for the following. I would try do this stuff myself with parts from, well you guys probably...

- drivers side fog lamp assembly is smashed.
- drivers side window is unreliable.
- drivers seat has inoperable "up and down" switch.
- shifter lever is loose and can rotate in circles.
- ABS warning light comes on intermittently.
- Dash cracks - the usual
- oil leak - the usual
- hatch gasket leak - minor
- needs spare tire and tools

Thanks,
GW

 

Fog lamp .... $$$$
Drivers side window likely switch but of course could be something else more spendy
Seat - yet another switch, can repair the one you have or buy a new one
Shifter - Is it just the handle that rotates ? Time to do Jaeger upgrade
ABS - Relay or wheel sensor
Dash - Thats a spendy one, either new or used or just put up with the cracks
Oil Leak - Lots of seals and hoses and the obligatory pan gasket
Hatch - $200 seal
Spare tire and tools - spare tire go ebay, tools eithe 928intl or just carry a bag of your own

Chris

 

Fog lamp trim - $20
Fog lamp new/used - $175/75
Window motor new/used $175/100
Window switch - $49
Seat switch - $115
Shifter - just tighten the nut
ABS warning light - can't estimate...it's a gremlin
Dash pad overlay - $129
Oil leak - no such thing as "the usual". Where is it leaking from?
Rear hatch seal - $198
Spare tire - used $150
Tools - Get them from Sears.

 

I just happed to be looking at Performance Prods catalog last night. They are higher than the big 3 I think, but the fog assembly is $240.00. I would be calling 18th Street, or the other salvage houses except Part Werks, now selling on ebay as "Blonde" I believe they changed their handle b/c of a bad rep.

 

Looks like it is pretty easy to spend $1,000 ! with no labor.

 

It's hard if not impossible to get a nice car for limited money. I still think you should get a "starter 928" and in a year or two or three upgrade to the one you plan to make perfect and keep long term.

 

You better throw another grand in the mix for timing belt, water pump, rollers, etc, since the car you're describing sounds like it's been kind of neglected. That thousand doesn't include labor, either...

 

Just figure $5,000 because once you get started you'll find other things that need to be done. I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just being realistic.

 

I'll see that 5 and raise you another $5,000. Once all the original stuff has been taken care of, the torque tube will make that nasty grinding sound, then the steering rack will leak, and then you figure you put all this money into maintenance you may as well throw in a few extra grand and enjoy some nice upgraded 17" rims and a few other interior modifications. I'm right at the steering rack and 17" rims by next summer.

 

With labor - My Guess 2.5k

 

It's a slippery slope, because if you're here--and you stay here--then pretty soon you're wondering about a stroker or an SC. Then exhaust. Then suspension. Then a new interior. It can become an obsession.

 

I agree these can get expensive fast.....first repair this, then that...then restore this, then that...then upgrade this.....then something breaks so repair this, that and the other thing....back to upgrades.....its an endless circle, but we all do it

 

Then the ac craps out and it's 1.5k. Need tires? $700-1,000. T-belt replacement with water pump - might as well do everything while your in there - $800sih. Oh yeah, need a belly pan? $500

But wouldn't trade the car for anything else!

 

Is this the same car that had the timing belt failure that you referred to in your other thread? If so, I think you need to consider a different car unless there's something truly exceptional about this one to justify the mammoth repairs ahead.

 

I haven't had any timing belt failures. Car's running perfect. Both of 'em. It's just time mileage wise to do the belt on the '87.