Alright so i've never had an Audi but i'm looking into buying an older A4 ('96-'99) for about 5k.

I've just got a couple of basic questions:

How's the reliability? My previous car (volvo) was in the shop more than it was out.
Do these cars have the longevity of say, volvos or saabs? (i.e., over 150,000-200,000 easily)


also, do you have to put premium fuel or can you just use regular?

Thanks

 

which engine are you leaning towards?

 

I have no idea! Whichever is more reliable, also, the gas mileage... i really don't even know what there is to choose from!

 

1) The car is as relaible as any other car that is properly cared for. It's more expensive in terms of preventive maintence then a civic in that you must use synthethic and unlike a civic goin 20k miles between oil changes using the cheapest regular oil you can find and having to worry about your engine not hitting 300k miles your car won't last another 2k. ONLY BUY CARS WITH FULL MAINTENCE RECORDS.
2)Any modern engine can use 87 octane despite what anyone on here is gonna say. The computer will automaticaly retard the timing,thus you lose power/fuel economy, but it is safe 2 do so. The tradeoff prob isn't worth it in terms of lost power/fuel economy especially on a 1.8 where u only have 150 crank in top running car to haul its 3300lb self around.

 

The 2.8 is more idiot proof maintence wise. The 1.8 will last as well as it was cared for. The 2.8 gets around 17-18 city and 25-26 highway real world. My 1.8Tquattro gets 23-24mpg NYC city driving and 29-31 mpg @80 and 34-35 mpg @ 55-60 chipped,and about the same unchipped. I'm not the worlds most gentle driver either.