I signed up for this forum about a year ago when I was considering the purchase of an A4. I have always wanted one, but frankly, the stuff you read about them on the interwebz scared me away every time. I decided it was time to take the plunge when someone offered to buy my indestructible 97 Bonneville. Figured I got enough money out of it to buy some winter wheels and tires.

Found a 2004 1.8T with a 6 speed in Chicago, made the 3 hour drive to look at it and brought her home.

I have made many drives to and from Chicago, but this was the first one I actually enjoyed. I drove it like I hated it's mother down I294 at 5pm and it never missed a beat. Hit the Indiana Toll Road, set the cruise at 80 and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and quiet it was. Not as smooth and quiet as the wife's Lexus, but I expected a lot worse.

I have always done my own maintenance and repairs on everything from farm equipment to the wife's Lexus. The way I look at it, Audi parts can't be anymore expensive than John Deere parts.

It matches the wifes RX350 pretty well. Just need to get me a John Deere plate like hers.

 

Nice pick up man glad everything is working out. I have that same one but I'm having a lot of issues with it already . But glad your not.

 

Oh, mine has it's issues. Traction control light is on, some oil dripping from the drivers side of the motor towards the front. I only got the few hours of seat time in it yesterday, so I'm sure more issues will pop up. I will be ordering a timing belt kit shortly, since nobody could give a better answer as to when or if it was changed than, "well, it looks new".

Mine also has a host of cosmetic issues, mainly interior stuff. It has a bubbly spot right behind the passenger side rear wheel that will need a trip to the body shop before winter.

It's been awhile since I had a car that I was looking forward to tearing it apart. I have always been a pushrod motor, no substitute for cubic inches kind of guy, but I am anxious to see what makes that little 1.8 tick. The mechanical stuff looks pretty easy, it's the computer/electrical gremlins that I hope stay away.

 

Yeah I hear ya. My wipers don't work and the hazards randomly come on when I'm driving it. Also I Accidently left my lights on last night and when I jumped the car this morning the gas gauge said Empty and I had half a tank before the incident.

 

I spent 15 minutes looking for the gas door release at a busy gas station in 97 degree heat yesterday. I the process of doing that, I must have hit the trunk release, which my wife kindly informed me of as we were going 80 MPH down I294. She was following me and noticed the trunk bouncing up and down slightly.
I pulled past the gate at the first toll booth, jumped out, shut it and jumped back in without even getting honked at.

 

Lucky. I just don't know what could be causing all the problems I am having. I think there are some short fuses.

 

put 5 to 10 dollars into your tank. You will see the gauge wake up! If i were you and you have a cell take it to autozone and have them scan it for free. Thats the only way to truly know whats wrong with the car.