I am looking at two A4's.

Car #1: 2003 Quattro Auto 3.0 with 97000 miles for $8495.

Car #2: 2003 Quattro Auto 1.8T with 106,000 for $8000.

I was wondering if there what the difference between the 3.0 and 1.8T. How reliable are both engines? Is one better on maint. or doing your on work?

I don't have much information on both engines, yet. As for as timing belts, water pumps, etc. being replaced. I am waiting to hear back from the party's with that info.

Thanks,

 

I chose the 3.0 when I bought mine. I also have a 2003. The engine is great, plenty of power, and reasonable gas mileage at the same time - I can get 25-26 highway. No turbo to fail, which I think is good. It has been an excellent car for me. Right now I have close to 130,000 miles on it, and with the exception of a fuel pump replacement on recall, it has needed nothing. I have followed the service recommendations in the maintenance section of the manual, and used the dealer for all service, they have actually been pretty reasonable.

 

Whichever one you choose is going to be a bit pricey to maintain. Coilpacks, catalitic converters ( the 3.0 has 2 vs 1 on the 1.8 ), brakes, fuel pump/filter, trunk latch, etc... 1.8 has a lot of problems with vacuum leaks, but the 3.0 does not have any upgradeable parts other than a chip and exhaust.

 

Where the hell in the country are you? 8 grand for a B6? Damn man they still cost 10K here for a decent B5, god california sucks.
I personally hate the 3.0L motor and the repairs on it (when it does go south) will run much higher than that of the 1.8T.

 

I have the 3.0 and love it, i decided to go with that because i knew i would start modding the the 1.8t motor and i have another car for that. The 3.0 has very little performance mods like someone else stated just exhaust and tuning, the tuning doesn't do a lot but i had mine done and really liked the improved throttle response.

If you are looking for a car to mod then i'd say the 1.8T is more what your looking for. Turbo cars have a lot of potential and can be seriously upgraded. But with that comes reliability issues. With my 3.0 i haven't had any major issues but then again I only have 39k on the clock so these guys with 100k have more on the reliability.

But like any Audi regular maintenance stuff like brakes and rotors will be more expensive then a some American sedan. Both cars are great DD's but more a preference to what you want

 

I looked at both and ended up with a 2003 A4 3.0l MT6. Many more options than the 1.8T, rode and accelerated smoother (albeit not the turbo rush of power), and I don't have to worry about the turbo dying. Had 69k miles and now at 77k, with the TB replacement planned for next summer. No problems other than an occasional CEL for misfire, which goes away after a few miles. You prices are attractive - I paid $13k last August.

 

I Have a 2005 3.0 and i love it... what i did was put a Full exhaust system, Intake. other then that there not too much you can do for the engine.... but i think the car is last enough... and After putting in the Intake believe it or not i have noticed a Huge difference and not in just sound.. Good luck

 

the 3.0's with cold weather package all have heated rear seats right? thats always a plus for your friends.other than that i really dont know much about the 3.0s

 

I have a 02 1.8T cold weather package has the heated rear seats as well. I would have to say the way to choose would be if you want to mod or not. 3.0 is great for drivability and the 1.8t same but you have options of bigger turbo if you want. Both are great cars!

 

yea i found that the 3.0 has less Mods then a 1.8