What is Audi A4 like to run

paulie.walnuts

What is an audi a4 like to run I was looking at a few of this model type as an example. I don't need specific comments for this car but just what peoples experience of the model is. Do they often give problems and are they expensive to fix
Thanks guys!

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=744244

rebel.ranter

Herself had a 1997 A3 which is essentially the same car with no boot. It had a lot of electrical problems in the time we owned it.
- Central locking control unit gave up
- The instrument cluster kept lighting up like a christmas tree for no apparent reason, turning the car off & on again seemed to resolve it temporarily (dropped it into a diagnostics specialist & Main Dealer, neither could figure out what was causing it).
- Airbag light was constantly coming on due to poor design of wiring to seat mechanism
- Some speed sensor went too intermittently causing the car to run very poorly
- Electric window mechanism broke (the cable in the mechanism of the winder snapped)
- The suspension on all Audi/Golfs/Boras of this period 1997-2000 seem to have very soft suspension. Despite renewing the shock absorders the sump hit the ground & cracked, I've since found out the same happened to the current owner of the car. We had a good few Golfs & Boras 1999/2000 & they all got new sumps, some got more than one sump!
- In general I found the parts a bit more expensive than the BMW equivalent.
- I also noticed that the parts counter in the dealer here in Cork (Turners Cross MSL) to be very poor. There was always delays on parts, if i here the words "it's on back-order" I just laugh & think of my dealings with MSL!
- Also in relation to dealing with getting booked into the service department, it was painful in comparison to my dealings with BMW, Toyota & Ford garages.

These are only my experiences I'm sure there are many who have had trouble free motoring.

Other than that it was a nice car to drive

yop

I have 02 TDI 130 BHP.

I have it now for about 15 months and find it spot on. Very nippy and great of fuel economy.

I on average about 600 miles to a fill, I have got it up to 60 mpg but that was maybe twice and behind a hearse!!
It averages more or less 45-50 mpg.

I got it serviced at a local "street garage" for 160 notes.
I have 17" alloys so the typres were 180 euro a piece.

I have replaced about 4 bulbs in it since I got it, but there is 95k miles on it, so it has to be expected.

No issues besides, very solid car.

Thats a lovely model of car there.

bazz26

Avoid the 1.6 litre version. It is slugish and a very old unit, still sold in the 2007 Audi range which is joke considering Audi are preceived as a "Premium" brand.

The 1.8 litre 20 valve VAG petrol engine had a recall a couple of years ago where the coil pack should have been well replaced by now. No harm in checking this though. The 1.8 litre was also available with a turbo with 150bhp afaik, badged 1.8T.

The 1.9 110bhp TDi was probably the best of the range at the time in the MkI A4. Usual VAG issues with central locking having a mind of it's own, also watch out for Mass Air Flow (MAF) and lambda senor issues.

Just on a side note I think €6,500 for a 9 year old petrol A4 is very optamystic indeed. I would not be gone on that aftermarket leather either but that is me.

Anyway, there are plenty of them around for sale, so it is a buyer's market.

TychoCaine

Sorry Rebel Ranter, but an A3 is not essentially the same car with no boot. The A4 is built on the same platform as VW's Passat and Skoda's Superb. the A3 is built on the Golf/Octavia/Leon platform. The only differences are cosmetic and engine tuning. The Golf is notorious for dodgy central locking, dash electrics etc, where as the Passat and the A4 are fairly good in that regard but have front suspension issues, water pump and timing belt issues.

Make sure the timing belt has been changed as they're known to snap at 70k-80k which destroys the engine. VAG dealers are notoriously pricey. A mate of mine got charged 850 notes a couple of years ago for a new timing belt on a 1.8l A6. The parts are common across 1/2 the VW, Skoda and Seat ranges, so you don't have to go to the Audi dealer for repairs/servicing.

paulie.walnuts

Guys thanks for all that feedback it's very informative
I was surprised to hear about so many problems that are more expensive to fix than a bmw :eek:
Anyways i will look at some different cars
thanks!

maidhc

TychoCaine wrote:

The Golf is notorious for dodgy central locking, dash electrics etc, where as the Passat and the A4 are fairly good in that regard but have front suspension issues, water pump and timing belt issues.

The 1997-2000 passat had a very bad rep for electrical problems.

Having said that my grandfather had 6-7 Audi A4s since 1995 and now has a Passat. None have given any appreciable problems (although the passat is finicky enough.)

louie

The Audi A4 are in general very good cars. Nice to drive, handle very well and kept right should give much trouble.

I am after a black one myself and had one before which never gave me any major trouble, but the usual things.