Audi the car for me?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,356
From: Jersey (orig. NorCal)
RE: Audi the car for me?
Very nice car you have there. Single turbo.
quattro + winter tires = snow plow. That pic was taken at Tahoe.
Don't underestimate the reliability of the 1.8t. There's people on other forums hitting 200k with some small, well know issues popping up every now and then. Most are on the 2.8 as well. For what you have in mind, I'd be more inclined to get the 1.8t. The avant (aka wagon) would probably suit your needs the best with all the room it has. Since I'm unsure of how much stuff you will actually be carrying, take a look at the trunk space on the sedan. There's a ton of room in there.
The ideal model year for a B5 is the 99.5. It has the styling of the 00 and up without some of the less desirable additions that were made in 00. Like throttle by wire and the secondary air injection system (which is retarded).
The 2.8 is very limited on the engine mods compared to the 1.8t for obvious reasons. The only substantial upgrade is a supercharger. The company that makes them (PES tuning) is rumored to be going out of business though. As far as suspension, brakes, and all the other fun parts you can pour money into, the 2.8 and 1.8t are virtually the same.
With maintenece issues, if you can turn a wrench, you'll save a lot of money. The timing belt needs to be replaced at 70k - 80k intervals. Keep that in mind when looking at some higher mileage cars.
Here's a quick list of maintenance items that are pretty common-
timing belt, water pump, cam seals: $600-$1,200, parts alone are around $300 Doing the work yourself will take about 4 hours.
control arms: about $70 for a single arm and up to $500 for a complete set. There was a recall on them, but has ended.
wheel bearings: $150 each with labor. Bearings alone are about $60 and have to be pressed in.
differential seals
CV boot
A more serious issue known with the 1.8t is engine sludge build up. The best way I've heard of to prevent it is synthetic oil. VW/Audi has released a bulletin with a list of approved oils.
People have also used Royal Puple and Amsoil (sp?) with no known issues.
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ORIGINAL: HardHitter
I might lean towards the turbo more because I'm going to want some good zip in the car. Would the 1.8T be best for me? Also, bringing these cars up to Tahoe (snow) would be okay? If I got the quattro.
I might lean towards the turbo more because I'm going to want some good zip in the car. Would the 1.8T be best for me? Also, bringing these cars up to Tahoe (snow) would be okay? If I got the quattro.
Don't underestimate the reliability of the 1.8t. There's people on other forums hitting 200k with some small, well know issues popping up every now and then. Most are on the 2.8 as well. For what you have in mind, I'd be more inclined to get the 1.8t. The avant (aka wagon) would probably suit your needs the best with all the room it has. Since I'm unsure of how much stuff you will actually be carrying, take a look at the trunk space on the sedan. There's a ton of room in there.
The ideal model year for a B5 is the 99.5. It has the styling of the 00 and up without some of the less desirable additions that were made in 00. Like throttle by wire and the secondary air injection system (which is retarded).
The 2.8 is very limited on the engine mods compared to the 1.8t for obvious reasons. The only substantial upgrade is a supercharger. The company that makes them (PES tuning) is rumored to be going out of business though. As far as suspension, brakes, and all the other fun parts you can pour money into, the 2.8 and 1.8t are virtually the same.
With maintenece issues, if you can turn a wrench, you'll save a lot of money. The timing belt needs to be replaced at 70k - 80k intervals. Keep that in mind when looking at some higher mileage cars.
Here's a quick list of maintenance items that are pretty common-
timing belt, water pump, cam seals: $600-$1,200, parts alone are around $300 Doing the work yourself will take about 4 hours.
control arms: about $70 for a single arm and up to $500 for a complete set. There was a recall on them, but has ended.
wheel bearings: $150 each with labor. Bearings alone are about $60 and have to be pressed in.
differential seals
CV boot
A more serious issue known with the 1.8t is engine sludge build up. The best way I've heard of to prevent it is synthetic oil. VW/Audi has released a bulletin with a list of approved oils.
ORIGINAL: clconversion
this is a technical bullitian that I recieved from Audi about the sludge problem we are having but here is the list of recomended oils in North America
Castrol, Castrol Syntec 5W-40
Chevron, Chevron Supreme Synthetic 5W-40
Elf, Elf Excellium LDX 5W-40
Kendall, Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40
Mobil, Mobil 1 0W-40
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Pennzoil Quaker State, Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Seventysix Lubricants, 76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40
Texaco, Havoline Synthetic 5W-40
Total, Total Quartz 9000 5W-40
Valvoline, Valvoline Synpower 5W-30
Valvoline, Valvoline synpower 5W-30
this is a technical bullitian that I recieved from Audi about the sludge problem we are having but here is the list of recomended oils in North America
Castrol, Castrol Syntec 5W-40
Chevron, Chevron Supreme Synthetic 5W-40
Elf, Elf Excellium LDX 5W-40
Kendall, Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40
Mobil, Mobil 1 0W-40
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Pennzoil-Quaker State, Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Pennzoil Quaker State, Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Seventysix Lubricants, 76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40
Texaco, Havoline Synthetic 5W-40
Total, Total Quartz 9000 5W-40
Valvoline, Valvoline Synpower 5W-30
Valvoline, Valvoline synpower 5W-30
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,556
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RE: Audi the car for me?
Definitely look into an Audi w/ quattro. If space is going to be an issue for you, I might suggest the mid-size A6. Those are nice cars as well, just a bit bigger. Both the 1.8T & 2.8/3.0 engines are very reliable. The 2.8/3.0 is a bit more reliable, but there's hardly any mods to it. The 1.8T is a strong engine in itself, and there's way more potential on these engines. Quattro would be the only way to go if you intend on driving up to Tahoe this time of year. I'll probably be up there sometime these next few weeks with my A4. BTW, nice RX7.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,356
From: Jersey (orig. NorCal)
RE: Audi the car for me?
The 99.5 is a 99. However, Audi didn't swap everything on their assembly line over at the same time. All the body panels were changed at the same time, but some minor things inside the passenger comartment and engine bay differ slighty. The easist way to identify a 99.5 is the one piece headlights and side markers.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,291
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Audi the car for me?
The 1999.5 models have addition to the engines and some interriors.
Yeah, I think it will be better for you to decide your self which engine you preffer.
Good luck finding the right car for you.
Anyway, nice FD you have there. Are those the stock headlights?
Keep us updated!
Yeah, I think it will be better for you to decide your self which engine you preffer.
Good luck finding the right car for you.
Anyway, nice FD you have there. Are those the stock headlights?
Keep us updated!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 33
RE: Audi the car for me?
Yea stock headlights on the FD. There is an "intake vent" on the passenger headlight but it's mostly for looks than functionality.
And sorry, what do you mean one piece headlights? Is there usually a split on the headlights?
EDIT: I think I see the difference? There is a split in the lens cover for the non 1999.5 A4's?
And sorry, what do you mean one piece headlights? Is there usually a split on the headlights?
EDIT: I think I see the difference? There is a split in the lens cover for the non 1999.5 A4's?
Site Moderator
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,356
From: Jersey (orig. NorCal)
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,291
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Audi the car for me?
Just to make it more clear.
The 1999.5+ headlights are one piece: http://www.audiworld.com/news/99/ger...y/dsc00007.jpg
1999.5 under have corners: http://www.20thstreetauto.com/cars/car232/front.jpg
Also check out the orangesidemarker on the second link as it is clear on 1999.5+ A4's.
The 1999.5+ headlights are one piece: http://www.audiworld.com/news/99/ger...y/dsc00007.jpg
1999.5 under have corners: http://www.20thstreetauto.com/cars/car232/front.jpg
Also check out the orangesidemarker on the second link as it is clear on 1999.5+ A4's.