I have got a 1997 A4 QM and Im about to approach 120k miles, its my commuter car, 70 miles a day, to and from work in crappy bay area california congestion and have since...

1) replaced the clutch
2) change oil regularly (synthetic now)
3) timing belt at about 75k
4) tie rods replaced a long time ago (heard this to be a problem)

Im thinking that I will need...

1) tranny flush
2) belts hoses redone
3) replaced rear brake pads
4) replaced air filter
5) id rather not go to audi for them to charge me 800 dollars for crap like checking the tire pressure

Anything else im missing? Ideally, i would want to run this car into the ground. How long is this car expected to last? It still drives VERY VERY STRONG and suprisingly smooth.

Please advise...


Fritz

 

You don't say what engine you have:

I would wait to replace the belts, as this can much easier be done when you do the timing belt next time (assuming you changed your belts the last time you did the timing belt.

Flush brake fluid if it has been more than 2 years.

Spark plugs?

If you haven't done it (and you dont say whether you have quattro) it would be a good time to change center, rear and front differential oil.

Change power steering fluid and refill with pentosin 11.
When is the last time you did cabin filter?

Sometime soon, it will probably be advisable to change the fuel filter (I'm at 135K miles on the original).

 

as per the bentley manual:

engine oil
engine filter
check fluid
reset service reminder
check battery
dust/pollen filter replace
lube sunroof rails
check trans leak
check diff oil level
check brakes
check boots on drive shafts
obd-check dtc memory
lubricate door hinges
replace air cleaner
check dust seals, ball joints, tie rod ends
replace spark plugs
replace brake fluid - every 2 years regardless of mileage
be sure all belts are in good shape (make sure you check the timing belt, its nowhere in the maintenance schedule)

 

thanks all. how long should my audi last as far as mileage goes?

 

forever.... haha no but a real long time... i had to completely dismantle my motor cuz of a broken timing belt, the honing marks in the cylinders are still very visible, all bearings and everything in the head looks amazing for a 100k mile car (or even a 10k car), well except for my bent exhaust valves... but anyway, if cleaned of carbon the motor will probably look about the same as it did when it left the factory, which is one hell of an accomplishment for an engine builder.

 

My Audi mechanic has an S6 with 400k on it and he says a few customers with more than that. That's probably pushing it a bit for an A4 but I'd definitely expect well past 200k if you take care of it.

 

if u ever get the chance to look at the internals of your motor, do so, if you are **** about taking care of it it should literally go forever... there are plenty of ppl out there with bmw's and benz's with well over 1,000,000 miles.... why cant an audi do it?