Howdy Folks,
I am looking at purchasing a 1999 Audi A4 2.8T Quattro. I was just wondering if anyone out there might want to share their experiences (good & bad) with Audi cars… if you could I will be forever in your debt.
Thanks & Have fun in the ATL,
Matt
My Audis Past:
1990 Audi 100 Quattro (5-speed) - bought used (2nd owner) with 30-something,000 miles. Had 230-something,000 mainly trouble-free miles on it when I got t-boned by a radio-tuning pickup. Still had its original AC, alternator, axles, PS. Other than normal wear items, I had to replace two fuel pumps, one multifunction stalk (lights, turnsignals & cruise), the driveshaft, ventilation fan and a couple of window switches. Not too bad for 200,000!
1991 Audi 90 20-valve (5-speed) - bought used (3rd? owner) with 95,000 miles. Traded in with 275,000 miles on it. Had to have the transmission rebuilt at 165,000 and it was going again when I traded it - a very unusual problem for these normally-bulletproof boxes. I replaced the driveshaft (common problem with that vintage Audi), the multifunction stalk and the alternator brushes, but everything else held up.
And Present:
2001 Audi S4 Avant (6-speed) - bought CPO with 42,000 miles, and now have 89,000 on it. This model is known to be fast and fragile, and Audi’s warranty has paid for a lot of little parts and will soon be paying for a turbo (leaking oil seal), leaking valve cover gasket and an as yet mysterious coolant leak. An O2 sensor and a motor mount went right after delivery while the fuel pump and serpentine belt tensioner failed earlier this year. While these problems would probably put it at the bottom of a Consumer Reports worst buy list, I’d buy it again in a flash - if one was available (Audi built less than 1,500 of these little beasts) - it’s that much fun to drive.
I also have two B5-series VW Passats - a 1999 1.8T (5-speed, bought as-is two weeks ago) and a 2002 V6 4motion (Tiptronic, CPO a year ago). They have most of the same running gear as an A4. The '02 has been mainly troublefree, though I did have to replace the temperature sensor (a common problem part).
The B5 Audis (A4s & S4s) and VWs have a reputation for “electrical problems”, though some of these are actually check engine indications due to too-tight sensor margins and short-lived sensors. You said you’re looking at a '99 “2.8T” (no such thing unless it’s a custom job) which I presume is a typo for a 1.8T. That motor has a very good reputation for reliability and balance between performance and economy - as long as you keep to the factory service schedule or better (I change oil & filter every 5,000 instead of 8,000-10,000, timing belts at 80,000 instead of 105,000). If you plan to work on your car you’ll want to buy a VAG-COM so you can talk to the car’s computer. You need it for everything from troubleshooting check engine lights to bleeding the ABS.
For more info (of every kind - good, bad, insane…) than you can possibly use, check out the A4 B5 model thread at AudiWorld.
Disclaimer: I might be considered slightly biased toward VAG products - YMMV
Hey Pete,
Thanks for the quick and comprehensive reply! My family has mostly owned American cars (excluding a newly acquired Honda Accord) with varying degrees of luck. I am mostly concerned about the cost of repairs and parts availability.
-mk
I drive a 1998.5 (yes, .5) A4 1.8T Quattro. I personally love it. With a GIAC chip its putting out more power than the 2.8 (17lbs of boost spiked) but if you lay off the throttle it still gets good gas mileage (20-23mpg).
Are you getting a 99 or a 99.5? The 99.5s have some exterior modifications, mainly one piece headlights as compared to the earlier model 2 piece. You can clear corner (with S-YO bulbs) and throw on some HID ballasts for a more modern look.
If you’re looking at modding the car, make sure to get the 1.8T. Like I said, a GIAC chip (around $500 all said and done) will put you to around 205hp at the crank. Throw on an exhaust, some injectors and other small stuff and you can easily get to 230ish. If you really want some balls you can go BT (big turbo) and get in the 350+ wheel horsepower range.
Check out Audizine if you want to know some more.
EDIT: Like Pete mentioned, make sure that the car has had the timing belt done. If it hasn’t, factor that into the buying price. Audis run interference engines, so if your timing belt goes the valves will smash into the pistons and you’ll need to rebuild your head. Around a $3,000 job compared to a $800 (with labor) timing belt job.
Repair costs are comparable to Japanese, and parts are easy to get on the net. Local parts availability varies, but generally isn’t as good as the more popular brands. As with most manufacturers, dealer prices are ridiculous - usually 150 ~ 200% of the same OEM part from independent sources.
I buy almost all my parts from shops with web sales such as Blau, ECS and German Filters.
Well I got an A6- I love it!
Hey Matt, great choice:D look at what I drive 
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/iBeenOnMars/DSCN0007noplate.jpg
I spy a FIRST logo 
PS. visit www.audiworld.com
Nice!
I really love this new car. I purchased it from an Audi Enthusiast who had every receipt down to every time he filled up his tank with Premium!
Although this is not really my thing- It has a brand new Alpine deck in it, as well as 3 amps subs and kenwood speakers all the way around.
The pain is pretty flawless with an interior to match- the timing belt has already been replaced as well as other work done to it.
After seeing and driving my car my parents are considering getting a new A4 for my mother instead of an Accord.
pff accord :rolleyes:
is yours manual?
I have the same car, same year currently. I probably replace or repair something every month, but when its working its fun to drive. Mine has 224,000 on it. No transmission problems, except slow syncros in temps below 20 degrees F.
There is no problems with mine whatsoever. I’m saving money to get a full body treatment. The previous owner was rear ended and I guess the paint job was worse than the original so the rear left wing rusts just a bit. I have 260000 km on mine
I am planning on changing the oil in the Audi this weekend. Do I have to buy from a special outlet or will they carry what I need @ Wally world?
Depends on the season what oil mix to use. I run ESSO extra 5W 30. Now, Exxon in the US is the same as Esso in Canada, and yes, Walmart should have it, Sam’s too
I am looking to buy some of the original 15" rims for the A6/S4… does anyone know of any available. I have a guy out in California but he is not willing to ship.
You have the A4 ones right?
You can either get replicas or I guess find some original ones. If you were to buy new rims would you be interested in selling yours?
