Shopping for a A4, need advice
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1
Shopping for a A4, need advice
Hello,
I am selling my oversized gas guzzling SUV for something that makes much more sense an audi wagon.
I am new to audi's and would like to know if there is a FAQ or a website that can lead me in the direction on what to lookout for when looking at these vehicles. I am looking at higher milage 1999 A4 Avant Quattro wagons for reference.
My girlfriend owned a 99 VW Jetta and it was a horrible car so I am a little leary of getting an audi becuase I know they share a lot of platforms, parts, etc. How is the reliability of the A4?
I've been working on my Rovers and Jeeps for years so I'm not afraid of a wrench but my time is also limited these days and I do not want to have to spend my weekends in the garge either.
Thanks
Justin
I am selling my oversized gas guzzling SUV for something that makes much more sense an audi wagon.
I am new to audi's and would like to know if there is a FAQ or a website that can lead me in the direction on what to lookout for when looking at these vehicles. I am looking at higher milage 1999 A4 Avant Quattro wagons for reference.
My girlfriend owned a 99 VW Jetta and it was a horrible car so I am a little leary of getting an audi becuase I know they share a lot of platforms, parts, etc. How is the reliability of the A4?
I've been working on my Rovers and Jeeps for years so I'm not afraid of a wrench but my time is also limited these days and I do not want to have to spend my weekends in the garge either.
Thanks
Justin
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 948
From:
RE: Shopping for a A4, need advice
Welcome to the forums!! 
The only thing to look out for are parts that wear out, thats what its like with all cars. One thing that really needs to be replaced is the timing belt... the ones that came with the B5's (96-01 A4's) wore out easily. Old or high mileage timing belt parts are dangerous because if any one part fails, you loose your engine or at best loose all your valves in the cylinder head.
As for everything else, this is the most important part for an older Audi... if its been replaced, your golden. I have had my Audi since 50k miles... its been 2 years and Im at 80k, I have had no major issues.
Since you can work on cars... more power to you, everything is cheaper. The nice thing too is you can always come on here with any question.
The only thing to look out for are parts that wear out, thats what its like with all cars. One thing that really needs to be replaced is the timing belt... the ones that came with the B5's (96-01 A4's) wore out easily. Old or high mileage timing belt parts are dangerous because if any one part fails, you loose your engine or at best loose all your valves in the cylinder head.
As for everything else, this is the most important part for an older Audi... if its been replaced, your golden. I have had my Audi since 50k miles... its been 2 years and Im at 80k, I have had no major issues.
Since you can work on cars... more power to you, everything is cheaper. The nice thing too is you can always come on here with any question.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,508
From: South Bay
RE: Shopping for a A4, need advice
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...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...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...
