potential buyer...tell me im reading this right

[martink]

guys
i've long been considering one of these B5 RS4's and regret not buying the one i test drove in 2009..
wanting to do a bit of homework to see how my wallet will be affected. so if you can tell me if my homework is right id appreciate it.


would be happy to keep on top of D/V's, EGT's, MAF's and O2 sensors myself assuming there all simple enough to change myself. as for personal skills, im happy enough with engine changes in the past on various front and mid engined cars so surely i can tackle sensors here and there.?

i read the following:
DV's are a doodle really, under the carbon trim on top of engine, and relatively cheap and fast to change-out iirc...
EGT's are 1 = easy and 1 = more difficult and cost a couple of hundred for the pair if bought from the right place?
O2 sensors (i think theres 2 of them too) are similar? the left hand (i think it is) is the more difficult of the 2?...how much for the parts?

Nick Johnson was telling me the other nite a good ball-park figure is a grand a year to keep them tip-top... some years less and some years more (say if a belt change is due) so average a grand a year....seem reasonable?#does warranty direct cover the things like failed sensors?? would be nice wouldnt it..


im currently running a 61 plate Clio RS200, which should (cough cough) see me a few years of trouble free motoring. but the gearboxs can let go on them at very low mileage so i appreciate you cant win with any car....ps anyone with a solid B5 fancy a swap / p/x with a clio let me know

thanks in advance for the help.

[neckarsulm]

All sounds spot though£1k a year is fine if you start off with an up together example
Some people have bought from specialists for good money, gone to MRC for an inspection not long after purchase and found themselves needing £4k of work there and then
Camshafts are the big issue too so insist on a check before purchase if there is no receipt.

[guy]

Agree with necker slum, about a £1k I right. Some years can be a service and that's it, then every few years you'll have a bigger bill. I suppose it depends on annual mileage!

Some nice ones up for sale at the mo. have a look on audisrs, cars for sale section. Most of the b5 boys are there.

Hth

[martink]

thanks for the info...i will check out audisrs...not been there before.