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Re: I once saw a '99 A4 w 100K with a $10,000 repair bill Posted by Bill Homer [Email]  (#3427) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Bill Homer) on Mon, 26 Jan 2004 20:25:12
In Reply to: I once saw a '99 A4 w 100K with a $10,000 repair bill, No Snaab, Mon, 26 Jan 2004 15:51:10 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
A $10K rear differential job on a car with 100K miles is the main reason I try to avoid the Audi dealer for our other car – an A4! Totally irresponsible action by the dealer, I’m sure there are plenty of low-mileage rear differentials at “auto recyclers” for a fraction of that cost! Audi may even have a rebuilt differential available if the dealer was inclined to look for it – but I suppose they make more money on the $10K job. By the way, I had my rear differential seals replaced under warranty – I guess they are a weak link. Obviously that owner didn’t understand what those puddles under the back of their car signified.
You also wrote: “Bills in the $3,000 to $5000 range [on the Audi] were not uncommon”. Ever priced a 9000 automatic transmission job? It seems that every single one will need that $3000 - $4000 job sooner or later! I have never heard of an automatic transmission failure on an A4, although I’m sure there are cases, most likely “chipped” 1.8 turbos driven irresponsibly.
The Audi A4 is a very different beast than the SAAB 9000 – remember, it was designed in the 1990s vs. the 9000’s roots in the 1980s. I can’t stand working on our A4, as EVERY single job on it is a hassle, right down to having to remove eight hard-to-reach screws on the belly pan just to change the oil – we take it to a quick lube place to avoid that issue (vs. never for my SAABs)! And it’s true about getting to the thermostat – you might as well change the timing belt (yes a BELT!) and water pump while you’re at it, it’s a major job. You can’t buy a ball joint, it’s part of a suspension arm assembly, which costs ten times as much! But in over seven years of ownership, there have been NO electrical problems, not exactly the 9000’s forte.
When I do work on it, though, I am absolutely amazed at the incredible packaging of the components in such a small area. Four unequal length front suspension arms, independent rear suspension and all-wheel-drive produces a ride and nimble handling that the 9000 can’t even be compared to – sorry Scott! And there are lots of tricks to get more performance out of the chassis and the engines, especially the turbos – VW/Audi is a much more attractive target for aftermarket tuners.
posted by 68.72.91...
, Mon, 26 Jan 2004 20:25:12 <-- Viewing This Message
, Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:36:15
, Sun, 25 Jan 2004 17:43:31, Sun, 25 Jan 2004 18:58:16
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