Thinking of getting an Audi, shoudl I go 1.8t or 2.8?

Let me give you guys a starting point right now. I am selling my current car, and thinking of getting a B5 A4.

The ONLY concern I would have is the cost of maintenance. I did a few searching around, and found common problems like rear wheel bearings, tie rods, control arms, timing belt tensioner, and timing belt.

Finxing these is not a problem, but the difficulty of the repair job and the cost of parts is what I am more concerned about. I read about some people mentioning that the 6 cylinder is mor reliable, but it harder to work on. I just want something that is easy to work on and repair. I know what a hard repair is. In my MR2 turbo, for example, it is easier to remove the engine when changing the timing belt, and if you try to remove it while it's in the car, it's about a 10-12 hour job (a few days for a first timer), and that's IF you're lucky. I don't want to be messing with another time consuming repair. I heard that the front end on the 2.8 needs to be removed for the belt to be changed. Is it really difficult to do, or is it easier than it sounds? How difficult is changing a timing belt on the 1.8t? I am NOT planning on modifying the Audi all!

Onto the questions

1- Which engine is easier to work on? 1.8t or 2.8?

2- I read about the 2.8 being more reliable than the 1.8t. There's a bunch of that on this forum. One thing I haven't read about is reliability from the 1.8t. How reliable are these in 100% stock form compared to the 6 cylinder?

3- Do any of these 5 speed transmissions have any grinding problems?

4- Do these cars require any special and expensive service tools like BMWs? For example the BMW tool for aligning the dual vanos (which constantly change camshaft degree while driving) costs $500 and the job CANNOT be done without it. Not to mention BMW has a lot of other really expensive special tools that a mechanic will NEED.

5- How is the used parts market for these cars, and what is the BEST place/website for sourcing used parts?

6- Are there any sensors that fail early on these cars?

7- Weird question, but I've heard of timing belts breaking as soon as 90-100k miles. I know that's when they are supposed to be replaced, but the window for replacing these should have been bigger. For example, Lexus recommends their belts to be changed around the same time, but their belts still last up to 150++ miles without breaking (even though that's borrowed time). Did Audi by chance take care of the issue with a revised belt, or do they always have to be replaced before 90k miles?

8- I have only seen pictures of the AWD Audi, but it looks as if the engine is mounted longitudally (front to back instead of side to side). Is is the same for the FWD? Usually changing clutches in a vehicle with a longitudally mounted engine is much easier than transverse set-ups. How diffucult is it to change a clutch in an AWD VS the FWD?

9- How many have driven their cars problem free (aside from regular maintanance of course) for WELL over a year?

10- Is there anything else that you would refer to a new Audi buyer?

Thanks a ton!

David

i bought the 2.8 1998 im not to happy im selling it and getting the 1.8 it has more upgrades. yes its a v6 but limited hp. the turbo, sky is the limit.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SW20FL


Onto the questions

1- Which engine is easier to work on? 1.8t or 2.8? not exactly sure, but i have a 1.8 and i find it easy to work on. both cars need the nose removed for big jobs like timing, and its not that hard to take it off.

2- I read about the 2.8 being more reliable than the 1.8t. There's a bunch of that on this forum. One thing I haven't read about is reliability from the 1.8t. How reliable are these in 100% stock form compared to the 6 cylinder? if its well maintained they are just as reliable as the 2.8

3- Do any of these 5 speed transmissions have any grinding problems? i havent had any and my clutch is in badd shape.

4- Do these cars require any special and expensive service tools like BMWs? For example the BMW tool for aligning the dual vanos (which constantly change camshaft degree while driving) costs $500 and the job CANNOT be done without it. Not to mention BMW has a lot of other really expensive special tools that a mechanic will NEED. not exactly sure on this one, only tools ive needed that i didnt have were the torx drivers. it was like $25 for 5 sizes.

5- How is the used parts market for these cars, and what is the BEST place/website for sourcing used parts? www.shokan.com has a ton of parts, and i havent had a hard time finding OE parts.

6- Are there any sensors that fail early on these cars? the spedo sensor failed on mine. its a $10 sensor.

7- Weird question, but I've heard of timing belts breaking as soon as 90-100k miles. I know that's when they are supposed to be replaced, but the window for replacing these should have been bigger. For example, Lexus recommends their belts to be changed around the same time, but their belts still last up to 150++ miles without breaking (even though that's borrowed time). Did Audi by chance take care of the issue with a revised belt, or do they always have to be replaced before 90k miles? not sure but its better to do it before it breaks. im gunna have mine done soon and im at 75k.

8- I have only seen pictures of the AWD Audi, but it looks as if the engine is mounted longitudally (front to back instead of side to side). Is is the same for the FWD? Usually changing clutches in a vehicle with a longitudally mounted engine is much easier than transverse set-ups. How diffucult is it to change a clutch in an AWD VS the FWD? honestly no idea on this one.

9- How many have driven their cars problem free (aside from regular maintanance of course) for WELL over a year? havent had it for a year yet, but i have had NO real problems(knock on wood) so far. my windshield wiper motor went bad, and it took me about 45mins to replace and ive never done it before.

10- Is there anything else that you would refer to a new Audi buyer? search around this site, it has EVERYTHING you need to know. and even though you dont plan on modding it, dont spend all the money you can on the car, if you can put a few bucks aside you will be thankful (for mods or just repairs). and dont buy an Audi if you cant afford it. not to sound rude but if moneys tight an audi may not be a good idea.

Thanks a ton!

David

1) I'm not sure, the 2.8 is a long of engine crammed into a small space, so it's probably trickier.

2) Probably less even in stock form because there are more moving parts to fail.

5) It's pretty hit or miss. I live in Houston and there are tons and tons of junk yards, but I've only found one that always has a few A4s on the lot. Finding a local place would be your best bet.

6) The coolant temperature sensor fails pretty commonly.

7) I think they improved the design of the tensioner or some aspect of the assembly in 2000 or so, but that still they shouldn't be pushed past that 90k mark.

9) No one. Look, these cars aren't reliable. Period. People say, "Oh, if you take care of them then they'll take care of you," and obviously that's true to an extent, but a similarly maintained Honda or Toyota will have WAY fewer problems. I heard this quote recently: "I'd rather push the Audi than drive a Ford." So, yeah, you won't make it a year without problems, but we all think it's worth it.

10) Check out the Newbie's Guide.

1.8t = tunable
2.8 = less maintance

Thanks for the info guys. Money definitely isn't an issue. If I wanted, I could go out and buy a 2008 BMW if I wanted, but I'm trying to be extremely conservative with my money at this point in time, and I'd prefer a car that is fun to drive and rides nice, but is paid off cash so I can avoid any monthly payments and intrest and continue saving. I just don't want to blow half of my saved cash on maintenance stuff all the time.

I'll pass on the Audi. I'll probably stick with Toyota/Lexus. I really appreciate the info guys.

David

 hey SW20FL i dont know if im allowed to do that, but i just want to let you know that i have an a4 b5 1.8t stick for sale 98 95k and pearl. i want 7000 for it and im from NJ, no problem with it. timinig belt cchanged 2k miles ago with the water pump. i took  great care of it, so let me know if your interested.

I don't want to be an a-hole here... But...
 
We get these threads everyday! Read the stickies, I'm pretty sure there is a write up in there that is "Which is better for me a 1.8t or 2.8, which is pretty damn close to your thread....
 
Just my .02

quote:

ORIGINAL: Texas_Pete

I don't want to be an a-hole here... But...

We get these threads everyday! Read the stickies, I'm pretty sure there is a write up in there that is "Which is better for me a 1.8t or 2.8, which is pretty damn close to your thread....

Just my .02

i dont think he's coming back, haha

if anyone is wondering...the engine on ALL models are mounted longitudinally.