What's up everyone. I'm very excited about buying an A4, and would like some help/opinions on what to buy?

Here's the background: I've been driving buckets my whole life and am finally in a position to buy a new car. I'm looking to buy a USED A4 02 - 04, manual, dolphin grey. My price range is 18K to 22K. My most important criteria is getting a model that will give me (or at least tend to give me) less major problems...since the price range I'm looking in probabaly won't have much warranty left.

Questions:
1. I've heard the 1.8T '02 tend to have problems. I've also heard the first year of any new body/engine tend to have problems? Is this true and if so are 1.8T 03's more reliable? Is it worth getting the 1.8T '03?

2. How reliable are turbos? Will it start giving me problems around 70K, 100K? What's the lifespan on something like that?

3. Is the 3.0 a better/more reliable engine? Does it run smoother, longer? If this is the case, I would put out the extra money and extra gas cost.

4. How do you feel about Certified Pre Owned A4's? Is it worth the extra money for the CPO and extended warranty?

5. Since I'm buying used, do you have an opinion on the max amount of miles I should look out for? 40K, 50K, 60K? Also, 02's are most likely out of warranty. Is that more reason to spend the extra money for the 03, so I can have about a year of warranty left (assuming it has less than 50K)?

6. Sporks Kit: I plan on putting some 18inch RS4 (or RS4 type) rims on the car? If this is my plan, should I plan to get the sport suspension now? If I don't get the sports suspension, will the car look too high with larger rims, therefore forcing me to lower it?

7. Any general advice/tips or things I should look out for when shopping and test driving?

Any insight will be much appreciated.

 

1. Havn't really heard this. The 1.8t engine is tried and true and is virtually the same one introduced in 1996.

2. Hard to say. If the driver beat it up then 70k, if not then 200k! Really can't help you.

3. Yes the 3.0 will be a more reliable engine. It's not nearly as fun of an engine though. If you plan on modding then the 1.8t is the way to go. You can get a chip and be above 200hp. And then you slap on a new turbo and be around 300 hp!.


6. Yes aftermarket wheels will look rediculous on stock non sport cars. Even with sport suspension it looks kinda tall. I'd spend money on an aftermarket suspension.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

I am on my second Audi A4 Q 1.8T. The first was a brand new 02 and I was interested in the cheap "bang for the buck" mods I could do to the 1.8T. Reportedly more than 40 hp for ~$500 w/ a chip upgrade on the turbo version. However, I never did that as the turbo is actually pretty powerful stock. I recently bought an 03 w/ 33K miles, still under warranty. My 02 required a lot of maintenance at 90K miles ($2500) and I was worried about future costs. So, I went on eBay and found a clean one just off lease for a steal, ~$4500 below retail NADA. I am real happy with it and will decide what to do when the warranty is up. I may sell it and buy a newer one under warranty as I had no problem selling my 02. The warranty has worked great, I get a loaner and they fix any & everything with no cost to me. I would definitely suggest a 1.8T manual with the sport package. Keep in mind those performance tires on the Sport have gotten me between 20K and 28k miles and they are not cheap, $500K plus. Good luck.

 

Hey mate
Just thought I'd let you know I have just bought an A4 TSE 1.8 and its a great car apart from the prob I had (see my message)
Mine is silver with 18" rims xeon headlights, dual exhaust and goes like **** off a shovel......
I love the car although I have little technical advice I can give.All I can say it was that or a merc and just by sitting in her the Audi won.
Good luck in you hunt.
Jerry