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Looking to buy a Audi A4 B5 Help!
Looking to buy a Audi A4 B5 Help!
Hi, I'm a 18 years old and I'm really really thinking of getting an Audi A4 as the title says I'm thinking one with an Auto, and the 1.8T.. so the question is would this be a good car for a person my age I understand they're more maintenance on these cars then other cars I could buy but I love the style, the fancy's, the AWD, is this good move for me? 
What all could go wrong? I'm under the understanding is that they need special oil changes, and High Octane fuel basically I'd be going to college next year so It needs to be generally reliable but that also gives me time to do work on one before I set off haha.
What all could go wrong? I'm under the understanding is that they need special oil changes, and High Octane fuel basically I'd be going to college next year so It needs to be generally reliable but that also gives me time to do work on one before I set off haha.
Last edited by TylerHartman; Jul 16, 2012 at 09:19 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
You'll find few people here who will talk down the B5, but let me ask you a couple questions to try and help you out.
1 - are you good with wrenching on cars, or do you have access to a decent stockpile of money to pay for repairs? These cars can be maintenance-hungry and temperamental, especially the 1.8T.
2 - assuming you can wrench, will the place you'll be living allow you to wrench on the car? Most schools and many apartment managers won't allow people to work on cars on their properties, so wrenching skills may not matter.
If you're in the typical situation going to college (ie, not made of money and modest support from family), by all means get a B5, but get a 2.8 no older than 98. You'll have the stronger 30v engine, which is smoother and more in keeping with the image of Audi as an upper-level car. It's nowhere near the 1.8T as a money-eater, gets good mileage, and runs forever. It uses conventional oil rather than synthetic, so it's $25 for an oil change instead of $50. And it's very smooth. All B5s have issues with wheel bearings, headlight switches, and control arms, but the engine is extremely reliable, without the temperamental failures that the 1.8T has.
Get a 2.8 30v Quattro, get through school, make money, and then move to the boosted engines when (I'm assuming) funding will be more disposable.
1 - are you good with wrenching on cars, or do you have access to a decent stockpile of money to pay for repairs? These cars can be maintenance-hungry and temperamental, especially the 1.8T.
2 - assuming you can wrench, will the place you'll be living allow you to wrench on the car? Most schools and many apartment managers won't allow people to work on cars on their properties, so wrenching skills may not matter.
If you're in the typical situation going to college (ie, not made of money and modest support from family), by all means get a B5, but get a 2.8 no older than 98. You'll have the stronger 30v engine, which is smoother and more in keeping with the image of Audi as an upper-level car. It's nowhere near the 1.8T as a money-eater, gets good mileage, and runs forever. It uses conventional oil rather than synthetic, so it's $25 for an oil change instead of $50. And it's very smooth. All B5s have issues with wheel bearings, headlight switches, and control arms, but the engine is extremely reliable, without the temperamental failures that the 1.8T has.
Get a 2.8 30v Quattro, get through school, make money, and then move to the boosted engines when (I'm assuming) funding will be more disposable.
RE
1: well yes and no but i've got my dad to help me out and he does work on his and my mom's car so i've got some sort of help, I work for myself I do pretty good at that so.. My plan is to have a about a thousand dollars in cash ready in case it something does go bad, Also me and my dad do the family oil changes so I wouldn't be paying full dealer/ or service center prices on that for sure.
2: I'll be living at home, so 2 is irreverent haha
so verdict is if I decide on a Audi A4 B5, get the 2.8 V6 no older then 98 model year.
are you aware of the Auto tranny's being of any issue?
2: I'll be living at home, so 2 is irreverent haha
so verdict is if I decide on a Audi A4 B5, get the 2.8 V6 no older then 98 model year.
are you aware of the Auto tranny's being of any issue?
You'll find few people here who will talk down the B5, but let me ask you a couple questions to try and help you out.
1 - are you good with wrenching on cars, or do you have access to a decent stockpile of money to pay for repairs? These cars can be maintenance-hungry and temperamental, especially the 1.8T.
2 - assuming you can wrench, will the place you'll be living allow you to wrench on the car? Most schools and many apartment managers won't allow people to work on cars on their properties, so wrenching skills may not matter.
If you're in the typical situation going to college (ie, not made of money and modest support from family), by all means get a B5, but get a 2.8 no older than 98. You'll have the stronger 30v engine, which is smoother and more in keeping with the image of Audi as an upper-level car. It's nowhere near the 1.8T as a money-eater, gets good mileage, and runs forever. It uses conventional oil rather than synthetic, so it's $25 for an oil change instead of $50. And it's very smooth. All B5s have issues with wheel bearings, headlight switches, and control arms, but the engine is extremely reliable, without the temperamental failures that the 1.8T has.
Get a 2.8 30v Quattro, get through school, make money, and then move to the boosted engines when (I'm assuming) funding will be more disposable.
1 - are you good with wrenching on cars, or do you have access to a decent stockpile of money to pay for repairs? These cars can be maintenance-hungry and temperamental, especially the 1.8T.
2 - assuming you can wrench, will the place you'll be living allow you to wrench on the car? Most schools and many apartment managers won't allow people to work on cars on their properties, so wrenching skills may not matter.
If you're in the typical situation going to college (ie, not made of money and modest support from family), by all means get a B5, but get a 2.8 no older than 98. You'll have the stronger 30v engine, which is smoother and more in keeping with the image of Audi as an upper-level car. It's nowhere near the 1.8T as a money-eater, gets good mileage, and runs forever. It uses conventional oil rather than synthetic, so it's $25 for an oil change instead of $50. And it's very smooth. All B5s have issues with wheel bearings, headlight switches, and control arms, but the engine is extremely reliable, without the temperamental failures that the 1.8T has.
Get a 2.8 30v Quattro, get through school, make money, and then move to the boosted engines when (I'm assuming) funding will be more disposable.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,002
From: Toronto
I originall voted no, but after further reading, I think you should be fine if you get the V6.
I'll say though, do not get auto. Going manual makes it more flexible if you want to do more things to the car. I have the auto/tip, I dont hate it, but wish I found a manual. It was hard to find at the time I needed a car.
The first couple years of owning the car was quite expensive. After all the maintenance was done it was pretty much smooth sailing. A few scares here and there so always keep money aside. Its just frustrating knowing you have some cash aside, and would rather spend it on some mods.
I'll say though, do not get auto. Going manual makes it more flexible if you want to do more things to the car. I have the auto/tip, I dont hate it, but wish I found a manual. It was hard to find at the time I needed a car.
The first couple years of owning the car was quite expensive. After all the maintenance was done it was pretty much smooth sailing. A few scares here and there so always keep money aside. Its just frustrating knowing you have some cash aside, and would rather spend it on some mods.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 351
From: Oakland, CA
get the v6 man... from what i know the 2.8 is more reliable than the 1.8... unless you're trying to build a track beast then i would reccomend the 2.8. 12valve or 30valve doesnt matter to me... one has less moving parts and the other has more... more moving parts = more chances of failure. less moving parts.... you get the idea. and get manual just to get that extra MPG... its also fun too dont get me wrong... it takes time my friend you'll find the right one
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 134
From: Texas
If you need a reliable, economical, low maintenance daily driver to get you back & forth to college and/or job... I would not recommend an older B5. I would instead recommend to get a good used Toyota/Honda/Mazda/etc for use as a transportation appliance. The last thing you want is expensive repair or maintenance problems when you're late for class on an exam day at school. An older Audi can be an expensive toy/hobby vehicle unless you happen to find a very cherry one.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 351
From: Oakland, CA
agreed ^^^ get a little toyota corolla or a civic or something as a daily driver... then come home to a awesome audi a4 b5 5 speed sitting in ur driveway.. then take the a4 to ur local college partys and roll in style and get all the b***hes
haha, I so would be a B6 is a lil out my price range :/
