hello all, im new to this sight, and well new to euro cars. Ive driven american SUVs for the last 5 years, and now with gas going up and all, im tring to find something more fun to drive with better MPG. I love the way the audi looks, i was thinking about getting a 2006 A3, but thought that im 21 only making 30,000 a year and going to school full time... i thought it best not to spend that 25,000 for a car...lol Well i found a very nice 2001 A4 with 40,000 miles with a 5 speed, (1.9 turbo i think) for 10900. The car looks to be in good shape, its about 130 miles away so i havent driven it yet. i was going to do some more reaserch before i made the trip. well when i did start to some research on them, and found that many people have had problems. Having to have there audi towed to the dealership. I live in Wichita Kansas, and the nearest Audi dealer is over 150 miles away. So im a little scared to buy it. Ive also heard that there money traps.... please tell this is not truw.....lol. I had also been looking at BMW, Volvo, and Saab.. what do you guys think about my situation. I like the audi the best of them all, just dont want to have it in the shop all the time, and im not even sure if theres a shop around.


Thank you guys
Dusitn

 

Not at all. When they're not taken care of properly they become money traps but a properly cared for one you wont have many problems. If you buy an audi be sur ethe previous over took good care of it and you should be fine. That seem like a pretty good deal for that a4 so i would definitely look into it, and you can probly work him down a little bit. One thing you gota remember tho is that audi's are not like other cars. They can't be worked on anywhere and their more expensive to work on. They require a bit more attention but i believe are worth it. The 1.8T are great engines and i've seen many hit the 200k mark with little problems when properly maintained. The one thing you gota do though is keep sythetic oil in it and the timing belt and water pump have to be changed out every 80-100k miles. In many cases people have gone longer on them but its just not worth it. If the timing belt goes, there goes your engine pretty much. The dealer being so far would be my only conern for you. Look around to see if there are any places that can work on euro cars, otherwise you might find yourself in a jam. If i were you though i would defintely get the a4.

 

i worked at a chevy dealership for a couple years doing odds and ins. Can most of the basic maintice be done at home i.e. oil changes, and other stuff like that. what should i look for when/if i do go and look at the A4? i just want to make sure that it doesnt die on my going to work.... and then not beable to fix it. We do have a VW dealer here. you think they work on them?

 

Dustin,

Do a search please for A4 reliability, 1.8 or 2.8 or sometihng like that. This is talked about several times every week by people asking the same question.

If the car has complete maintenance records, test drive it and see if you like it. The 1.8t gets excellent fuel economy, but watch out for oil sludge. As for maintenance, Audis aren't some magical car that you need ot take it to the dealer when sometihng goes wrong. Many maintenance items you can do yourself, and save a bundle in doing so.

If you need sometihng reliable get a Volvo 240....

 

ask him for maintainence records and what kind of oil and gas he put in the car. always keep synthetic in it and run premium gas. oil changes are easy as cake and routine stuff isn't that much different from other cars. its just the major repairs that only a euro place could do. a vw dealer should be able to do almost anything on the car. they share the same engines and vw owns audi so u'll be good there. i doubt the car will just die on you. if you really want reliablility go with the 2.8 30v v6. it is very reliable however there are like no mods for it and the only ones for it are expensive and dont give much power. it does come with 40 more horse stock than the 1.8T but it is a little bit heavier.

 

If you are mechanically inclined, go for it. You can do most anything yourself.

If you want even more reliability, go for the v6.

 

So the V6 is more reliable, but less aftermarket... What are some of the usual problems with the 1.8 turbo? I tried using the search tool on this sight and for some reason it wont work. O yeah, are they FWD or RWD, i know they come in AWD too...

 

they are FWD but you want quattro. get the 1.8T. if you are mechanically inclined you should be able to do anything to this car. plus the guys in here are a huge help. there's numerous DIY intructions for just about anything. are you into speed and modding/tuning? the 1.8T can be less reliable due to the turbo system but with low miles you shouldnt have to worry about that they're built to last well over 100K. and you'll be happy with the turbo + 93 chip and DV pushing 214 hp and quattro is great in the rain/snow. Volkswagon shop is def. the way to go for your location. they'll fix anything and will charge you less than audi.

 

This would be my 1st that i would be able to mod. I dont think id so to much. Chip, intake blow-off valve... stuff like that. thats where the volvo lacks is the aftermarket... and i like the audi over the BMW. Does it take alot of money to make these things run a ok 1/4 miles.... like a low 14????

 

theyre not slow.. the 2.8 has some nice takeoff