I'm strongly looking into buying a used Audi A4. This is my first car and I'm 18. I drive everyday about 30 minutes to school and back and also to work. I'm wondering if there are any good tips on what to look for/stay away while looking at them. Is there any models/years that are better than others? I'm probably going to try and stay under $6,000. Anything helps thanks!

 

Hallo there. I just bought Audi A4 1.6 2002 recently. The car is wonderful and comfort. I had to change a crankcase breather hose in the third day which I haven't seen when I bought it. Neither did the previous owner informed me. The breather hose itself costed me 129 dollars. I wanted to replace it myself, but I couldn't cause working on Audi engine is challenging. If you want to change something you got to remove some other parts in order to reach the part you wanna replace. I called the dealer, they told me. The part you wanna replace is a hard job that is gonna take us an hour. But before they replace the hose something like the dynamo must be taken out. It's gonna cost you 371 dollars. I had no choice to take the car to friends that I know who can fix cars. They own garages but never wanted to take the risk. So I took it to Audi specialist. It's my second week that I possess the car. This B6 2002 A4 with 1.6 engine is very slow. Cause the car is very big and with little engine, so it gets underpowered.
So the only advice I will give you is. This cars are very expensive to fix. Not because of the parts but because of labour. If you are 18 and studying this is not a car that suits your situation. Get some other types of cars maybe with little engine. That is gonna be economical for you. Then later when you graduate and you are on your feet. Fancy of buying this cars the likes of Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. Germany cars are grate but they got ticking bomb too. Like the timing belt that needs to be changed after every 65000 miles. Have you seen in YouTube the way the timing belt is changed with a time lapse video? You will hate to own this cars.
By the way the above price is Norwegian price. We live in one of the most expensive country in the world. As a foreigner you won't dare buying coffee or a cola with the money you earned from another country. If you live here it's another story. Cause we earn triple than what other EU countries earn. Hope I helped. It's just an opinion. Cheers!

 

Go to the top of this forum, click on the B5 subforum, and read the sticky posts at the top. They'll give you everything you need.

 

im also looking at this car to buy, and sadly, I have always heard they cost to much to fix...I also heard they have good engines and they are good cars but electrical problems plague them. this is only what I have heard so I dont know....

 

They tend to be more needy than most Japanese cars but the work itself is within the capabilities of many people. We and other sites have excellent DIY articles written by members to walk you through most things you'll ever encounter. Take a walk through the DIY subforum, look at the jobs, and you can decide if they're within your grasp. As with anything, take your time, take pics before you disassemble something so you have a reference, and take notes, and you'll be ok. You may have an experienced fellow owner or a Euro car crew in your area, and often guys will pitch in and help for a few bucks, or even pizza and beer.

 

Hallo there. It's only you and you yourself who knows your pocket. Every car you see out there has and will have some issues. Especially when you buy it used. Buying new one is another story and the guarantee of the dealership will cover your expenses.
Audis are fantastic cars. Comfort and reliable. It's only the labour of fixing the car not the parts that are very expensive. Electrical problems will be there when you are not lucky. What do you expect of a something made by man and a machine he made. Mistakes will be there. When using things in daily life parts in it will wear and will need replacement. The thing is you can't rule a country when you are not president. What am trying to explain is. Get a car that will fit the money in your pocket. Cheers

 

I have heard of the older models having a lot of electrical problems as well. ONe of the reasons I went with a newer model. I will let you know if I hear anything else.