1998 A4 2.8, A good buy?

[Card49]

I'm new to the forum and wanted to see if I can get some advice. I have the chance to buy a 1998 A4 with a 2.8 and a five speed. The seller says the problem with the car is 2 stuck lifters. It has 123K on it. He wants $550.
I honestly don't know much about the cars and thought I could get some help from people who are familiar with them. This would be a daily driver. So I would like to know if this would be a good buy? What would I have to do to get the car running and reliable enough to be a daily driver? Any other help would be appreciated guys. This is the link. Let me know. Thanks all https://offerup.com/item/detail/687042697/

[Jhb5]

Prepare to fix more than just the lifters, the b5s are getting old. Have spent an arm and leg getting mine to good condition and I’m still paying tons of money. Be prepared to change wheel bearings, hoses, gaskets all sorts of stuff. I’ve changed 2 wheel bearings and both have been hell. Had to replace a coolant hose that had about 40 bends in it as well. If this car has been treated well it may be a good buy. But if it hasn’t your wallet better be ready. I’ve learned my lesson.


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[b5v6]

Why do you want a 20+ year old car as a daily driver? Though considered a classic, OBDII vehicles are far from the easily maintainable classic your dad wanted. Too many things to fail, and they will. Mid 2000s there was a saying, "it's not an Audi/VW unless the check engine light's on." That was when they were relatively new, add another 15+ years to the one you're looking at or any B5 for that matter.

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[Blazius]

No, an 1.8T is simpler, more reliable.

[Ian Shire]

Unless you have deep pockets and are mechanically inclined. An old b5 might not be your first choice for a daily driver. The 2.8 when maintained correctly is pretty reliable with very little issues. But that said, you will have things such as, timing belt, water pump, old dried hoses, brake lines, fuel filter, gaskets, many many bushings, possibly a clutch, brakes, and wheel bearings to name a few. Don’t get me wrong I love the b5 platform. But they do have problems. I used my b5 as a daily for about 4 months after I bought it before problems started. I have since retired it to a project. I’m the last six months I’ve spent more on restoring my b5 than I did buying a 2014 Ford Focus.

If you’re yo the the challenge, I say go for it.

Oh yeah... and $30 eccentric bolts 🙄

[Card49]

Thanks for the input guys. I do appreciate it.

[dmode951]

If your up for the task. Take it on
You can always part it out if it gets to much for you

[turbo3]

I have the exact same car with 214K on it now that I daily. It was maintained pretty good when I bought it years ago with 172K. I beat the living shit outta this car all the time and it hasn't let me down yet. All I've ever done is just the scheduled maintenance. It's not a mod friendly motor but it's very reliable.

[PZ.]

Even with 2 stuck lifters, the V6 would start. If lifters are down, it would run rough, if they are pumped up too much, it would have bent 2 valves but it would still run. Plan on an engine replacement. The V6 is reliable if maintained. Oil leaks are the most common issue. I expect either the CCT skipped from running regular oil or the timing belt skipped.