Depending on how you drive..... Like anything! The more you do to it, the more unreliable it will become. . . . In theory.

 

Parts are expensive compared to Japanese cars. Dealers are even more expensive. Turbocharged cars are complicated and need more maintenance than a Honda or Toyota.

All cars require ongoing maintenance (Oil, brakes, spark plugs.

If you buy a used car, the first thing is to swap out ALL the fluids and replace with fresh AUDI specific fluids (Gear oil, differenatial, power steering, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid).

The timing belt. tensioner, idler pulley, and water pump should be done by 80K to be safe, although Audi of America is covering engine damage for timing belt failure before 105K miles.

You may want to invest in a VAGcom cable from Ross-tech as it will save you money in the long run.

If you are buying used, then make sure you get the radio code. If you are buying from a used car lot, have them get it before you buy the car. Otherwise NEVER disconnect your battery unless you have a backup power supply.

 

Hey Y'all,

So is it being said that the timing is at 60k and not the factory recomm. 90k?

PS. All cars can creat oil sludge especially if you use cheap oil and cheap gas.

Awol

 

Good post David. I did not se that before the last one. The info about the timing belt is essential.

One thing I can say is for sure on reliability is that some electronic things may go in particular the center LEC screen.

By the way has anyone had issues with the side mirrors loosing there dimming ability in some parts?

Awol.

 

Find an independent mechanic

www.audifans.com

http://1.8t.org

Buy parts from

www.rockauto.com

www.ecstuning.com

 

Yes, at the top edge of my driver's side mirror, the dimming has dipped about 2mm in one area. I assume that there is a small separation and the the liquid crystal or whatever, has settled.

 

I use an independent audi-only mechanic who has an S6 with 425k miles and several customers approaching that. He thought my B5 would last well into the 300k's. I mean you're definitely gonna have to replace some stuff along the way, but I don't think they're any more unreliable than other cars. I drove a 96 Eclipse for like 4 years before I came to my senses and that thing was the definition of unreliable. Don't be scared of the Audis.

 

David always has very informative posts

 

you guys have good points on the timing belts, maintanence, etc. Every car has schedules for them...I'm about to get a 2004 A4 3.0 tip with the Ultra Sport package...sick car! I steered away from the 1.8/2.0T because...at some point there's maintanence and its more expensive with a turbo than with the 3.0/3.2.
I like the turbos too..I was torn between the 3.0 and an '01-02 S4 (by the way I found a 2004 S4 for $37- blue). One point my mechanic made long ago was if turbos are so reliable why doesn't every car have them? They're better, and Audi's are great..I dont think either of us will regret having one..

Mark

 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but 01 is when they started to mess with a few things I think. I would either go an 03'B6 or an 00'B5, the reason for this is, it isn't the first of the series (what I like to call the prototype). It happens with every single car manufacturer in the world. The 01' was the first B6 I think, therefore is known to have more fu.ckups as thats the one they learn from. Then they refine a few things and bring out next years model.

Thats the way I see it.