[Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
The newsgroup alt.autos.audi has a current thread called "A4 Life Expectancy" that you should read. I have made some comments there, so I won't repeat them here.
Also, please explore the AudiWorld.com forums to get some (admittedly biased) info. The Tech section will give you an idea of what sort of problems these cars have. Control arm bushing failure is one important problem area.
The earlier (pre-99, I think, but don't quote me) A4 has to be taken to an Audi dealer to reset the service reminder light, or you must invest in a service tool or laptop-based service program, like the Ross-Tech one, to reset it yourself. Later cars had this bug fixed. If you do your own oil changes this is an issue.
The earlier A4s do not have particularly good headlights. A Euro headlight upgrade is a popular mod. The late 99 cars (really a MY 2000, but called MY 99.5) had xenon headlights as an option. These are fantastic!
The 1.8T is a wonderful engine, and in the manual car you can do some really fancy stuff with it, but the tiny turbo is the major weak link. There is an extensive Audi aftermarket parts and accessories infra-structure, unlike with Saab. You can easily go up to 1 bar (up from the stock 150 hp/ 170 ft lbs to about 200 hp/ 240 ft lbs) as long as you don't seriously race the car, and it makes for a terrific increase in the grin factor. If you want more than that you have to start figuring in a bigger and better quality turbo, a larger front-mounted intercooler, and a bigger exhaust system, and that can cost a lot of $$$. A hot-rodded 1.8T quattro is an absolute blast to drive really hard on twisty roads, and you may be tempted to go this route. Just be aware of the costs. http://www.goapr.com will give you some ideas about performance upgrades.
My personal opinion? I would rather own any A4 than an older Saab. But I would rather own a 9-5 Aero Wagon than any Audi except the S6 Avant, which I cannot afford. Audis are very good cars. They will last a _long_ time with proper preventive maintenance, but they can be horrendously expensive to fix if they break. They cannot be driven and ignored, like a Subaru. I suggest an extended warranty. But if you chip the car, that will be a problem. Choices, choices...... What is your risk tolerance?
Have you considered an slightly newer Audi Assured used car? That will give you a good warranty right from Audi, and there will be no hidden surprises.
Good luck.
posted by 64.38.15...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
