Possible future A4 owner. What are typical A4 issues?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Possible future A4 owner. What are typical A4 issues?
I've had a 'thing' for these cars for years. My highschool prom was in '98 and my dad's friend had a silver '98 2.8 Quattro, he let me use it for prom night. Ever since then, I've wanted one REALLY BAD.
But, I've owned a few Ford Probe GT's over the years and got to know them really well. Still driving a '95gt. But it's gettin old, and I'm looking for a newer car and thought an A4 would be nice. But with Probes, I know they have problems with the rear calipers seizing up, noisy HLA's, #6 rod oiler causes problems sometimes, but the V6 responds well to boost and can handle 350 hp+ on the stock internals (some over 410 hp).
What I'm wondering are the typical "issues" with A4's. Wheel bearings? Power steering racks? Notching gear boxes? Ignition problems? Just wondering what to look for when I find one I'm interested in. Thanks for all the input!
But, I've owned a few Ford Probe GT's over the years and got to know them really well. Still driving a '95gt. But it's gettin old, and I'm looking for a newer car and thought an A4 would be nice. But with Probes, I know they have problems with the rear calipers seizing up, noisy HLA's, #6 rod oiler causes problems sometimes, but the V6 responds well to boost and can handle 350 hp+ on the stock internals (some over 410 hp).
What I'm wondering are the typical "issues" with A4's. Wheel bearings? Power steering racks? Notching gear boxes? Ignition problems? Just wondering what to look for when I find one I'm interested in. Thanks for all the input!
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,580
From:
RE: Possible future A4 owner. What are typical A4 issues?
Make sure the timing belt has been done unless it's under 60K. Some cars have control arm issues, I think there's a recall. Some cars have oil sludge issues, I think there's a recall. If you want a car that is modifiable, don't get a 2.8. Get the 1.8T version. I can't think of any other issues off the top of my head, but I bought a good car that was well maintained, so I don't have very much experience with the annoying maintenance issues.
Stock 1.8T internals are capable of handling about 350-400 crank horsepower.
Stock 1.8T internals are capable of handling about 350-400 crank horsepower.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
RE: Possible future A4 owner. What are typical A4 issues?
Cool, thanks for all the input guys. Oil leaks should be easy to spot. Any car I look at I take to my friend's shop and look underneath it pretty good so I'll be able to spot that.
But there doesn't seem to be any major problems, just little annoying things. Thanks again :tup:
But there doesn't seem to be any major problems, just little annoying things. Thanks again :tup:
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,508
From: South Bay
RE: Possible future A4 owner. What are typical A4 issues?
ORIGINAL: bentframe
make sure the suspension is good....worn control arms will squeak, tie rod ends will clunk when you hit bumps, cv joints will click during low speed turns (if you're on the gas), open up the oil cap to look for signs of oil sludge (this is especially important with the 1.8Ts)...do the same for the power steering fluid, as well as the coolant. sometimes people top them off or refill them with regular fluids and that can cause big problems including sludge issues....test the cruise control, the switches are known to fail (typically it's an easy fix, a good way to knock a few bucks off the price
). make sure the sunroof is fully functional as well as windows (check each door's switch individually)..listen on the freeway for a humming/grinding sound for failing wheel bearings..oh, and leave the radio OFF during the test drive, test the speakers before or after driving....also consider the mileage on the timing belt, they need to be done every 60-90k miles....search the forums, there are TONS of threads on all this stuff...
make sure the suspension is good....worn control arms will squeak, tie rod ends will clunk when you hit bumps, cv joints will click during low speed turns (if you're on the gas), open up the oil cap to look for signs of oil sludge (this is especially important with the 1.8Ts)...do the same for the power steering fluid, as well as the coolant. sometimes people top them off or refill them with regular fluids and that can cause big problems including sludge issues....test the cruise control, the switches are known to fail (typically it's an easy fix, a good way to knock a few bucks off the price
). make sure the sunroof is fully functional as well as windows (check each door's switch individually)..listen on the freeway for a humming/grinding sound for failing wheel bearings..oh, and leave the radio OFF during the test drive, test the speakers before or after driving....also consider the mileage on the timing belt, they need to be done every 60-90k miles....search the forums, there are TONS of threads on all this stuff...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
