A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
Hey guys I am about to buy a 1998 1.8T A4 for $7,000 with 93K miles. I am wondering about any opinions you guys have on the differences between the 1.8T and the 2.8? I heard the 2.8 is more reliable (which is actually pretty importnat to me since I am a student) if this is true how much more reliable and in what ways? Are the turbo chargers dying out or something? Also what are the speed differences between the two? I want a luxery SPORTS car, so would the 2.8 be a lot faster? And if you guys have any other advice on the differences too please let me know!
Also I think my deal is pretty decent right?
Also I think my deal is pretty decent right?
Site Moderator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,664
RE: A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
Get the 2.8 if you want a car that doesnt need a lot of attention. THe 1.8t is not less reliable than the 2.8, it just requires more attention/precaution to maintain. There were some issues with maintaining the 1.8t in the past that include oil sludge issues which can ultimately casue premature engine failure, but that has been ironed out with using an updated larger oil gilter and using synthetic oil. So you have to make sure if you get a 1.8t that it has been serviced that way in the past. They both have their little known issues such as control arm failure, info dash led display getting distorted on later models, and a haunted sunroof. The only bad thing i can really say about the 1.8t is the timing belt tensioner on pre 2000 models needs changed or it/your engine can break bellow 70k miles. The 1.8t is slower than the 2.8 stock, but the 1.8t can be made faster with a chip which costs about $550. For about another $1500-2000 it can be made VERY fast. The 1.8 engine is extremely tuneable. Your options as far as power go with a 2.8 are very limited unless you drop $3000+ for a supercharger. The stock turbo's should last a long time, at least 100k miles. Actually id recomend that you not get an audi.. They arent a good car for most students. Students should be driving honda's or toyota's. Unless your parents are gunna maintain it for you like some others do round here. Audi's are way more stylish and pleasing to drive than a honda or toyota, but the cost to have work done on these cars is a lot compared to most others if you dont do it yourself. I wouldnt be able to afford my a4 if i didnt do all the work on it myself and im not a student. The Audi dealer by me charges $95/hour just for labor... And most other places that do good work on Audi's charge at least $65-70/hour....That makes me throw up just thinking about it... So thats the best i can sum it up for you... Go find a Honda Civic.. i bet you could go through college, and onto graduate school without any issues.... Again, unless you can do most of the work yourself, if you can get an audi youll love it.. But someone recently said "as soon as you look away it will kick you in the nuts"... Thats true.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,133
From: New Orleans, La
RE: A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
Dude that needs to be a sticky thing, that pretty much answers the whole 1.8 2.8 question that is asked at least once a day
ORIGINAL: onepoint8tee
Get the 2.8 if you want a car that doesnt need a lot of attention. THe 1.8t is not less reliable than the 2.8, it just requires more attention/precaution to maintain. There were some issues with maintaining the 1.8t in the past that include oil sludge issues which can ultimately casue premature engine failure, but that has been ironed out with using an updated larger oil gilter and using synthetic oil. So you have to make sure if you get a 1.8t that it has been serviced that way in the past. They both have their little known issues such as control arm failure, info dash led display getting distorted on later models, and a haunted sunroof. The only bad thing i can really say about the 1.8t is the timing belt tensioner on pre 2000 models needs changed or it/your engine can break bellow 70k miles. The 1.8t is slower than the 2.8 stock, but the 1.8t can be made faster with a chip which costs about $550. For about another $1500-2000 it can be made VERY fast. The 1.8 engine is extremely tuneable. Your options as far as power go with a 2.8 are very limited unless you drop $3000+ for a supercharger. The stock turbo's should last a long time, at least 100k miles. Actually id recomend that you not get an audi.. They arent a good car for most students. Students should be driving honda's or toyota's. Unless your parents are gunna maintain it for you like some others do round here. Audi's are way more stylish and pleasing to drive than a honda or toyota, but the cost to have work done on these cars is a lot compared to most others if you dont do it yourself. I wouldnt be able to afford my a4 if i didnt do all the work on it myself and im not a student. The Audi dealer by me charges $95/hour just for labor... And most other places that do good work on Audi's charge at least $65-70/hour....That makes me throw up just thinking about it... So thats the best i can sum it up for you... Go find a Honda Civic.. i bet you could go through college, and onto graduate school without any issues.... Again, unless you can do most of the work yourself, if you can get an audi youll love it.. But someone recently said "as soon as you look away it will kick you in the nuts"... Thats true.
Get the 2.8 if you want a car that doesnt need a lot of attention. THe 1.8t is not less reliable than the 2.8, it just requires more attention/precaution to maintain. There were some issues with maintaining the 1.8t in the past that include oil sludge issues which can ultimately casue premature engine failure, but that has been ironed out with using an updated larger oil gilter and using synthetic oil. So you have to make sure if you get a 1.8t that it has been serviced that way in the past. They both have their little known issues such as control arm failure, info dash led display getting distorted on later models, and a haunted sunroof. The only bad thing i can really say about the 1.8t is the timing belt tensioner on pre 2000 models needs changed or it/your engine can break bellow 70k miles. The 1.8t is slower than the 2.8 stock, but the 1.8t can be made faster with a chip which costs about $550. For about another $1500-2000 it can be made VERY fast. The 1.8 engine is extremely tuneable. Your options as far as power go with a 2.8 are very limited unless you drop $3000+ for a supercharger. The stock turbo's should last a long time, at least 100k miles. Actually id recomend that you not get an audi.. They arent a good car for most students. Students should be driving honda's or toyota's. Unless your parents are gunna maintain it for you like some others do round here. Audi's are way more stylish and pleasing to drive than a honda or toyota, but the cost to have work done on these cars is a lot compared to most others if you dont do it yourself. I wouldnt be able to afford my a4 if i didnt do all the work on it myself and im not a student. The Audi dealer by me charges $95/hour just for labor... And most other places that do good work on Audi's charge at least $65-70/hour....That makes me throw up just thinking about it... So thats the best i can sum it up for you... Go find a Honda Civic.. i bet you could go through college, and onto graduate school without any issues.... Again, unless you can do most of the work yourself, if you can get an audi youll love it.. But someone recently said "as soon as you look away it will kick you in the nuts"... Thats true.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 134
From:
RE: A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
Damn, that has to be the best 1.8T vs 2.8L post I've ever read. Seriously you should stick it.
But the onepoint is correct. Audi's for students are a PITA if you don't do it yourself - i should know bc i'm in college lol. I'm still lerning lots of stuff and at least for now, I'm getting by w/o major expenses, except tools lol but those will last.
But it's also true that the audi is a badas$. If you test drive it you're gonna get hooked like I did :P Also, from what i've been gathering so far 1.8 get really really fast with relatively low cost. But one point wasn't adressed in the "god like" post from onepoint : insurance.
Im not really sure what's the difference between the 1.8 and 2.8 in insurance, but it's much lower than i expected for a car like this. I drive a 2.8L. Not sure if there's any difference, but check into that.
Also, the 2.8 doesn't seem to have the same probs of the 1.8 when it comes to oil sludges and from what I've been reading, you just have to keep an eye on the 1.8, because you hear a lot of complains here in the forum lol
A note in favour of the 2.8 is that for 3-4k you can supercharge it - 295hp and 260 ft/lb
So far the 2.8L is doing just fine. No major problems, except for a windshield washer pump that leaked (15$ online in parts) and no major DIY. However, the autoshop asked for 25$ just to locate the leak - i'll reinforce onepoint's argument: if you don't DIY, don't buy it period.
Good luck on your car hunt!
But the onepoint is correct. Audi's for students are a PITA if you don't do it yourself - i should know bc i'm in college lol. I'm still lerning lots of stuff and at least for now, I'm getting by w/o major expenses, except tools lol but those will last.
But it's also true that the audi is a badas$. If you test drive it you're gonna get hooked like I did :P Also, from what i've been gathering so far 1.8 get really really fast with relatively low cost. But one point wasn't adressed in the "god like" post from onepoint : insurance.
Im not really sure what's the difference between the 1.8 and 2.8 in insurance, but it's much lower than i expected for a car like this. I drive a 2.8L. Not sure if there's any difference, but check into that.
Also, the 2.8 doesn't seem to have the same probs of the 1.8 when it comes to oil sludges and from what I've been reading, you just have to keep an eye on the 1.8, because you hear a lot of complains here in the forum lol
A note in favour of the 2.8 is that for 3-4k you can supercharge it - 295hp and 260 ft/lb
So far the 2.8L is doing just fine. No major problems, except for a windshield washer pump that leaked (15$ online in parts) and no major DIY. However, the autoshop asked for 25$ just to locate the leak - i'll reinforce onepoint's argument: if you don't DIY, don't buy it period.
Good luck on your car hunt!
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9
RE: A4 2.8 vs. 1.8T
Thanks for the advice. But are you serious when you say that the turbos might only last 100k miles!!! Thats really shitty IMO. Should I look for anything in particular about this car's turbo charger?
And yes the t-belt has just been done along with the 90k service but no pumps were replaced yet. I am assuming the water pump will last until it needs its next t-belt...
And yes the t-belt has just been done along with the 90k service but no pumps were replaced yet. I am assuming the water pump will last until it needs its next t-belt...