I've had my Audi for three years the day i sold it (apr25/09).
Just wanted to say i enjoyed all the knowledge from reading all the posts here. All the help and best of all, the DIY articles, which probably saved me thousands over the years.
I had a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T (trip) and only thing i did was GIAC, K&N, Exhaust. I picked up for 9500 dollars CAN at 125000KM which was about 4 grand less than going rate.
First two years were great just oil changes and spark plugs, never knew why people thought audis were high on maintanence costs.
Within the last year of owning the audi i had, rear main seal leak, which the mechanic fixed by taking the engine out. during the engine removal he recommend head gasket change, because it was sweating. Did the timing belt same time, alternator belt pulley was slightly bent, so rebuilt that and the starter. Change the oil pan gasket while at it. so after that mechanic started the car and looked inside and called me told me i need a new oil pump no pressure he thinks the timing might have skipped a few teeths. new oil pump. ask him more in detail why the oil pump, he said the guage inside showed no pressure. Told him to go double check what the guage reads (oil temp) so obviously when you start the car its going to be at zero. so he bit the bullet there and took the cost of the oil pump off the labour he was charging so i got that for free.

Finally on reinstallation of engine he used the same stock bolts for the torque coverter,which stripped because according to audi they are one time use. after revving the engine to find out where the problem might be, he gave up and i got it towed to transmission shop. they quickly told me that the torque converter was being held on by one bolt which was swinging violently, took a chunk out of the engine block. All this lead to transmission failure.

So now i have a lawsuit against the mechanic for the transmission bill 3200.

Car has never been the same, the mechanic also reversed the cable that connects to the n75 valve with the same style valve on the top of the air box, this puzzled all mechanics as to why the turbo was always on. the turbo was red every time i drove hard or light driving. (fun expirement for anyone to try temporarily)

so all in all rough last year. i went from no car knowledge to doing most things on my own, which im thankful for learning. I sold the car for 8250, after three years which was a good deal i thought. Hopefully the lawsuit goes through and i get the transmission money back and ill be happy with the whole ordeal.

Would i do it all again, probably. But now im looking for G35 coupe, 6 speed this time. again thanks for all the help over the years and i hope the forum keeps growing and people like me get the knowledge they looking for.

 

have fun! my buddy juuuust got one... its white with the performance (or something) package, which gave it brembo breaks (which look sick) and different 18" wheels. very ballin car!! and 298 hp!! go for it you wont regret

 

This is why I hate mechanics and have never used one in my life, even when I had to change an exhaust valve in my civic.