I'm looking into buying an A4, I've read the stickies up top and been talking and researching and am still unsure if I should buy one so I was wondering about everyone's opinion. I know I'm asking a bias board but I want everyone to be straight with me. I'm looking for an 98+ A4 1.8T Quattro in either 5 speed or auto for under 10k with between 50-90K miles. I haven't heard much about Audi's automatics but I've heard that the manuals hold up pretty well. I know the perferred years are 99.5+ because of certain revisions. My questions is, are they pretty reliable, maintnance free cars? Are theyTHAT expensive to repair? I know they require preventative maintnance like any other car, but is it the problem of constantly fixing things? I am a mechanic and do my own work, I've never worked or have driven an Audi but I've heard from a few satisfied owners that they are awesome cars. I've owned american cars (be easy on me) all my life and I want to step up to a nice german car. Be easy on the newb, it's not that I haven't read, I just like to get everyone's personal opinion

Thanks

 

Yes this is a biased forum, but consider it as the number of people on this forum are people that love audis. I have a 99.5 auto and I have had no problems with the tranny it's solid. (I'm at 91,000miles) Yes they are more expensive IF you have someone else work on the car, if you do it yourself they cost about the same as any other car. Parts aren't as easy go get ahold of as american cars, but there are enough websites to get everything you need. I'm in the same boat as you, I used to only work on american cars and harleys. Just do the research on this and other sites and you can learn everything you need to know. And I'm not going back to american cars.
P.S. you will have to buy meteric tools.

 

thanks for the reply man, actually I forgot to add I do own a Honda accord, just for gas though, it's completly stock. There is a local parts store that specializes in import parts only so hopefully they will have parts if I need them. Did you buy your car new or used? How many miles have you put on it since you've owned it? BTW, I do have metric tools, half the stuff on american cars are metric now!

 

hey man i would definatley recommend getting and a4 1.8t QUATTRO. You can never go wrong with all wheel drive! The 1.8T engine is flawless and lasts for a long time. One MAIN concern you should look into is the timing belt. Before you buy one, make sure you find out that the timing belt has been changed, if not do it immediatley! It is a common problem on these cars that it snaps early and F's up the whole head (if been through the whole story). I have had 3 A4's now....98', 99', 2001. First one the timing belt snapped and after buying a rebuilding the head it never drove the same....sold it. Second one, a buddy totaled it. Third, still lovin it! I have been satisfied with everyone, just take care of it. It is also a plus that you can do you own work instead of wasting money at the STEALer. That is the reason why there are so many rumors about how audis are EXPENSIVE to maintain. Hope it works out for you.

 

Definitely check the timing belt, and also check for oil sludge. For the 1.8t engine, if you do your own oil changes, stick with synthetic oil. The regular dino oil will cook your turbo, and before you know it, you'll be paying $$$ to fix your engine. Looks like you've worked on your own cars, and Audis are not much different from others. If there's any issues with the car, it's much better to DIY rather than take it to a stealership.

 

Sweet! That's what I like to hear! Yea I figured why people say they are expensive to repair is because of dealership labor prices. My dad is a dealer for Amsoil synthetic so I will be running that in it. I don't plan on modding it extensively, probably just springs/struts, modify intake box, chip and exhaust, this will be a daily driver, so don't want to dump a lot of money into it. Oh yea probably do 17" rims if I find one with rims I don't like. Thanks for all the replies, it's helping me out