Well, I dont know exactly what is wrong with them ( I could find out). But I know a mechanic that has worked on Audis for 30 years, and he told me to avoid the '96 at all cost, and try to avoid the '97s, but they are better than '96. '98s are a good year, they're just not the best year. There isn't much wrong with the '98s. However the '96s for sure should be avoided.

 

Pirali,</P>


FYI, 2002 and early production 2003 A4's currently have a coil recall. Anything produced in the past few weeks have new coils. So, as long as your car was made after January of '03, you should be fine.</P>

 

Ahh...reading this crushes my dreams. As a college student the 96 1.8T Quattro is so affordable, while the 99 is not. What to do what to do <IMG style="WIDTH: 17px; HEIGHT: 16px" height=24 src= smileys/smiley11.gif>

 

97s and 98s are reasonably priced, i got my '98 1.8T fwd for $10,700.

 

I'm in the same position as a lot of ya'll on here are. We're looking for an A4 to replace our Eclipse Spyder due to an impending baby. We're looking for the 2.8 and quattro. Been looking at 99 and newer. I've seen that the 99.5 is the best. How can I tell if it's a 99.5? Do they have the different dash with the cig. lighter by the handbrake and the triangle shaped hazzard lights? We've been considering one that is that way, the owners manual shows a different dash so I'm assuming it's a newer one.</P>


What options are there to look for? </P>


Thanks - Bryan</P>

 

Ive had my 96 a4 2.8 quattro 5 speed for a year now, and i drive HARD, and i have no problems no complaints, i also owned a 99 a4 1.8t quattro 5 speed and that thing gave me way more problems under hard driving. IMO the 96 has no problems because its givin me no problems and im at 191,xxx miles! Only complaint is the lack of 1 peice headlights and hidden sprayers. Thats about it though.

 

Holy 8 year old thread.

 

I'm confused as to why would someone want a earlier year model,opposed to the latest year model.

I say get the latest model A4 B5 2001,each year has improved over the previous year.

 

the 99.5 is drive by cable, has bigger intake ports and stronger rods from the factory plus has the facelift parts(1 piece headlights, double din, fogs in bumper, clear side markers, matching side view mirrors ect.)

 

hmm....interesting....very interesting indeed.