Long term reliability of an Audi

[Arkaign]

Hmm, realized I didn't answer the OP's other questions. If OP is not a DIY type with the available tools AND wants to keep this past the 90k-110k mileage mark, I think other options would be better.

Obvious :

G35 Coupe or Sedan can both be found for very good prices loaded up with leather/navi/premium audio/etc. They're really excellent vehicles, and other than the interior on the Audi being better, I honestly prefer the G35 for what you pay. Unless you're talking 335i/S4, or modded turbo Audi (bleh), there is no comparison on power.

Less obvious :

Loaded Legacy GT
Milan/Fusion V6 (2010+ is really very very nice)
CTS 3.6L (divisive styling, people usually love it or hate it, good car overall though)
Minty 4G TL-S

I'd probably have to choose the G out of the pack for a good balance of power/luxury/cost/reliability, but all of them, even the Audi, have their merits and might strike a chord. Some people really just love driving the Audi, I had a co-worker that had an '04ish black A4 sedan that gave him TONS of hideous trouble, and guess what he bought to replace it? An '09 Black A4 coupe, which has proceeded to spend copious amounts of time getting warranty service for various weird failures, including a complete transmission replacement. He still loves driving it though.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Go into Halik's S4 thread...


...now imagine paying someone $100/hr.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::whiste:

 

[holden j caufield]

everyone I've talked to who has a german liked it in the beginning and have always noted

1) if you get one with electrical gremlins you're fked. Not all of them have it but German luxury cars seem to have lots of things that can be done manually controlled by little electrical parts/sensors.

2) design does not lead to easy access for DIY, or they mentioned it seemed to prevent DIY activities. I've heard VWs simple battery replacement isn't very simple.

But almost every one has complained about electrical stuff. And if you dealt with cars electrical gremlins are perhaps the most time consuming and frustrating.

 

[Excelsior]

That would be the fanboys. Same ones that will put $1000 in a car in a couple months but then call it "maintaince" or "part of ownership" and not a major repair.

I like european cars, in fact the next 4 door car we get might be a MB/BMW, but I also know they have not and are not on average anywhere near as reliable as most Asian/American cars.

It isn't about being a fanboy. It is about folks who have actually owned a car telling the truth about it vs someone hating on a particular brand or making financial suggestions that don't make sense.

I like plenty of american cars, euro cars, and american cars and I try to be objective as possible. I haven't seen anyone call $1000 spent on a car within a few months maintenance or part of ownership unless the car is an oddball. The guy in the passat thread that kornphlake is referencing was having to spend more than that not because of maintenance but rather lack thereof.

And I wouldn't get the B7 Audi A4 just because the B8 is that much better.

 

[Excelsior]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::whiste:

S4 that needed engine work from the get-go vs used A4? Does not compute.

 

[Malak]

Agreed. I'd like to see the number of people that actually own/owned a recent VW/Audi, say MY 98-Present on this forum. And not just basing their opinions of anecdotal evidence from a cousin's best friend.

I own a 2004 A4. Truth is, I've done more repairs on it in the year that I've owned it than in the 7 years I owned my Lancer, but that isn't saying much actually. Brake sensors went bad, power steering leaked and was replaced, some electrical issue concerning the airbag system. Ignition coils got recalled. I have a warranty for a reason. I was expecting at the mileage I got the vehicle that it was a good idea to get it, I got it at 65k.

 

[cyclistca]

Wow thanks for all the input. I've owned nothing by cars/trucks built by Asian car companies. Nothing out there recently has me interested from the far East.

For the poster that suggested the 2009+. Yes everything I've read says that it is a better car. I'm not crazy about the styling, though I do like the front lights. I prefer the styling of the B7 over the B8. Plus there are a lot more out there. I expect it's because they are coming off three year leases.

I'm thinking of going the pre-owned route so I get the extended warranty from the dealer.

This is the craigslist ad that got it all started.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/1907824388.html

 

[holden j caufield]

lol at people owning euro cars at 40k,60k and not needing service. You really shouldn't don't need any service on any car at that mileage cept for oil changes. And if you bring your car in for major service at 30 or 60k you're getting ripped off. Save for a brake job which isn't even major. Small jap cars usually are very light and I've seen some go 80k without needing a brake job. I'm no fan boy I buy the best bang for the buck car.

 

[jinduy]

very few ppl keep german cars for over 5-6 years... not sure if that's attributed to reliability or just their choice to keep getting new cars

 

[PricklyPete]

Wow thanks for all the input. I've owned nothing by cars/trucks built by Asian car companies. Nothing out there recently has me interested from the far East.

For the poster that suggested the 2009+. Yes everything I've read says that it is a better car. I'm not crazy about the styling, though I do like the front lights. I prefer the styling of the B7 over the B8. Plus there are a lot more out there. I expect it's because they are coming off three year leases.

I'm thinking of going the pre-owned route so I get the extended warranty from the dealer.

This is the craigslist ad that got it all started.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/ctd/1907824388.html

My wife prefers the B7 styling as well...and while I really like the B7 styling...I am a bit more partial to the B8...and every day I leave for work and see the car sitting there I think to myself that it is a beautiful car. One really awesome thing about the B7 is that you can get a manual wagon...can't get that in the B8. If my wife had been willing to drive stick...that would have been in the running.

The 2.0T engine in the B7 is more than adequate to power the car (you might want to check out getting it tuned by a company like APR if you want additional power for cheap), but I'd be tempted to get a 3.2 V6 (actually 3.1L...but that's a different story). It would be a little harder to work on due to space restrictions, but there has been a good bit of talk about carbon build up in the valves in the new direct injection Audi/VW engines (2.0T). Honestly I don't know how much merit there is to the problem...but of course there are a few people freaking out about it on some forums. Some people with high mileage have noted lacking performance and others have theories that you need to regularly clean it with Seafoam to keep it in tip top shape.

As I said, we'll likely keep the A4 through the warranty period, I'll see how well it has held up and what are plans are at that point. I do love the car, and the upgraded 2.0T in the B8 is just wonderful.

You mentioned some good resourcses, forums at Audiworld and Audizine are good.

 

[DivideBYZero]

lol at people owning euro cars at 40k,60k and not needing service. You really shouldn't don't need any service on any car at that mileage cept for oil changes. And if you bring your car in for major service at 30 or 60k your getting ripped off. Save for a brake job which isn't even major. Small jap cars usually are very light and I've seen some go 80k without needing a brake job. I'm no fan boy I buy the best bang for the buck car.

lolwut?

 

[ViviTheMage]

lolwut?

yeah ... my head hurt after that one, haha.

My A4 has been aweeeeeeesome. It makes me want an RS4 though ... but if I get an RS4, I might as well get an M3, BAH!

Maintenance wise ... buddy up with a good/reputable german EU local shop after warrenty/CPO runs out. You'll need to do a timing belt on it eventually (75k if i recall? or is it 115k still?), and a clutch. I've had very minor issues with my A4.

If you can, get a CPO...might be worth it, I haven't had to use mine, but i'd assume if I did, i'd be happy as shit it was only an extra 1100.

There is a lot of stuff you can DIY, this thread is very good for B7's ;
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/267071-The-*NEW*-B7-FAQ-New-Member-Guide-v2-A-MUST-READ

also, a great thread on some common problems ;
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/153392-Common-B7-A4-Problems-Issues-amp-Solutions


For the record, I have a 06 A4 2.0T 6 speed.

 

[alevasseur14]

www.vwvortex.com is a pretty good forum. I know the name has VW in it but they cover Audi as well.

 

[StageLeft]

I think he meant service as in repairs.

 

[Gibson486]

My coworker is leasing a 08 Audi (not sure which one). His eats oil. He brought it in to the dealer and the dealer said that it was normal.

He is not gonna lease/buy an Audi again...

 

[AsianriceX]

My coworker is leasing a 08 Audi (not sure which one). His eats oil. He brought it in to the dealer and the dealer said that it was normal.

He is not gonna lease/buy an Audi again...

That's unfortunate. Most turbo cars will consume a little bit of oil and I believe the owner's manual tells you to check your oil level regularly. How much was his going through?

 

[AsianriceX]

yeah ... my head hurt after that one, haha.

My A4 has been aweeeeeeesome. It makes me want an RS4 though ... but if I get an RS4, I might as well get an M3, BAH!

Maintenance wise ... buddy up with a good/reputable german EU local shop after warrenty/CPO runs out. You'll need to do a timing belt on it eventually (75k if i recall? or is it 115k still?), and a clutch. I've had very minor issues with my A4.

If you can, get a CPO...might be worth it, I haven't had to use mine, but i'd assume if I did, i'd be happy as shit it was only an extra 1100.

There is a lot of stuff you can DIY, this thread is very good for B7's ;
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/267071-The-*NEW*-B7-FAQ-New-Member-Guide-v2-A-MUST-READ

also, a great thread on some common problems ;
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/153392-Common-B7-A4-Problems-Issues-amp-Solutions


For the record, I have a 06 A4 2.0T 6 speed.

For my MKV GTI, the timing belt is supposed to be replaced at ~115K miles. I'll be doing it at some point between 80K and 100K.

How many miles do you have on your A4?

 

[Gibson486]

That's unfortunate. Most turbo cars will consume a little bit of oil and I believe the owner's manual tells you to check your oil level regularly. How much was his going through?

I think he said a quart a month.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I think he said a quart a month.

That's perfectly normal for a 1964 VW Beetle.