I was looking at this 01 z28 A4 that's been sitting at the dealer for like 2 months now. Asthetically perfect (only 16k) but the accessory belt makes a lot of noise. It looked to me like it was on correctly but when the engine started, that was all I could hear. The only other cars I've looked at have been SS or WS6 where I didn't hear this but the exhaust was much louder. The car still has a warranty until like march or may but something could be really wrong with it. It still made the noise after I turned the AC off-it was not extremely loud either, just noticable. This is all at idle. Completely stock.

I find it hard to believe that something could be wrong after only 16k but who knows. I'm a little suspicious b/c the 99 SS I went to Chicago to check out had only 42k on it but BOTH power windows had probs.

This is the one of the few LS1s I've seen for sale in my area w/o driving to Chicago which is a PITA. It also has the same color as my 93 which is pretty cool. I didn't drive the car b/c it was stacked behind about 4 vettes and a WS6 and the salesman was... a car salesman.


Thanks for any help.

 

If it was just a whistling noise it could be the tensioner pulley bearings. I've had them go bad on other cars before. Easily replaced/fixed. If it was squeeking... it could be lots of things. Either way though I would think the warranty would cover whatever the cause is. Just look for crash repair evidence, check the carfax report and take a test drive. I wouldn't pass up a good car just because of a noisy belt.

However, I'd offer a couple grand less than their asking price and keep throwing excuses about how much that belt noise bothers you. You might get a steal of a deal. You never know.

 

Just be cautious...to have a belt go after only 16k miles could be a sign of the engine seeing higher revs. It's possible the belt just needs to be changed. If the previous owner got on it a lot/all the time, that would cause the belt to wear faster. But, before you go putting a stock replacement on it, check out the underdrive pullies in the aftermarket and get a few hp...given you buy the car to begin with. Just my .02

 

This dealer said "we dont do carfax" If I'm gonna buy it they will though. I'm pretty sure it wasn't wreched. They want 20k for it, kbb value is about 23k, was thinking about offering 16k b/c it's been sitting for 2 months and I can get a comprable SS in Chi town for 18k. They won't take it at first, but they may call. I understand that the general rule for dealers is that they lose money after 3 months on a car sitting on the lot-if they have to borrow money from a bank to pay for it. Even if they didn't they should be ready to move the thing fast.

I just wish the WS6 they have was in my budget: 02, 6sp, convert, black, 1400 miles! 31k- OUCH!

 

Generally when a dealer gets a used car like this they change the belt-this reminded me of the tensioner. They could have not put the new one on right. This dealer is usually good but some around here are AWEFUL. I doubt that the car saw a lot of high revs but u nvr know.

I wouldn't replace it myself anyway- I'd just use the warranty until it's up. These things (Ls1s) look SO much better to work on than my LT1. Can't compare in power at the moment though . Not until I SLIGHTLY mod it. Gotta love that LS1 engine.

 

FYI there are 2 cherry SS's for sale here. It's probably worth the drive if you are really serious.

Silver 00 SS Convertible MN6 - $18,000
Pewter 00 SS TTops MN6 - $19,500

 

it's not worth the drive for 2 cars. Florida is way too far to go for something like this-it's not an exotic-it's a discontinued domestic. Neither one of those is priced low enough to make the trip anyways. Louisville has plently and I dont really want to drive there. Chicago has a lot but they sell fast and I've seen '01s at that price.

 

Sorry. You made it sound like pickings were slim. Besides everybody comes to Florida this time of year anyway. I just figured...

 

try autotrader.com

 

looking on autotrader. the only prob w/ it is that most of the good cars on the site-the ones i want anyways-are sold very fast. I think I may have found a good one tho: '01 TA M6 17k miles for 19.9 (asking) from dealer. It's copper color tho and I havent seen/driven it yet.