I'm a Porsche guy trying to help my son.I owned Audis before but itwas in the 80s; I love the car but don't have one now. My daughterhas a2003 FWD A-4.My sonwants to buy a used A-4 Quattro either 2001 or 2002 model and probably wants a 5 spd manual. He lives in the Seattle area, and he has noticed a big price jump between 2001 models and the 02. Is there some explanation for this. Also what preferences do people have for the 1.8 T vs the V6? What are the major things to look for when purchasing a used quattro; I know that there are a lot (11 I think) CVjoints on these things, and I advised him to have a good shop look at it even if it cost him a coupla 100 to do that.

Any help on MTF (mean time to failure) for large componets like the following would be helpful:

Transmission/Clutch
Brake Cylinders
CV Joints
Valve Train and Head Gasket repairs
Engine life
Turbo life
Running gear including the AWD coupling and differential/transaxles
Steering gear and links

Any advice and help would be most appreciated. Besides us Porsche guys may own you soon (LOL)!

 

wheel bearings
timing belt
sterring componets all plus shocks

The major price jump is it is a differnt model years and design. That was right at the refresh. The 02 has a lot more bugs worked out along with a stronger frame. The V6 will last longer the 1.8t will be more fun to make power easier and cheeper.

 

Turbos go out sometimes, but can easily be replaced with a K04.

Timing belt is going to be done eventually no matter which one you buy.

And, if you get a 1.8T, just beware of engine sludge. I'm not too worried, but enough to often wish I'd bought a 2.8. I do love my 1.8T, though, don't get me wrong.

I'd say go with a B5 ('01), simply because I think they are sooo much better looking.

 

Isn't the 01-02 the split year between the b5 and b6? The b6 is the newer generation so its expected to be more expensive. Only on the b5 S4 came in both 01 and 02. I could be wrong though. The drivetrain is solid on both 2.8 and 1.8T. Common problems are torn CV boots (well thats common on every car), bad control bushings after 100k, wheel bearings after 100k, sludge issues leading to blown turbo on the 1.8T, and the infamous lost pixels in the gauge cluster display screen. Both the 2.8 and 1.8T are reliable but the 2.8 can be less of a hassle. The downside is its an underpowered V6 and difficult to make hp out of that motor.

 

Is that all that the sludge leads to?!?

Sludge, I mean K04, FTW!!

And yes, '02 was the beginning of the B6.

 

Thank you all for the post and the information. I am also a little concerned about the turbo-lag. I know on my daughter's 2003 1.8T w/5sp Auto is a bit sluggish to the point of being scary if one is pulling into heavy fast traffic say from a gas station. I assume the T-lag is easier to manage with the manual 5 spd?

 

Yeah the 02 only has 170hp and with a auto you cant really get on it as quick.

 

I would personally go with the 01' assuming every other aspect of the cars are about equal. I had to make a similar decision not long ago.

 

i would go with an 02 for one reason.

it keeps it's value because everyone loves the B6. B5's are not wanted like B6's and the value of the car has dropped considerably compared to the B6.