Audi haters need not apply.

[71T Targa]

I've been searching for a sport wagon Sport wagon for less than 10k. and keep going back to Audi. I really like the look and feel for these cars. So I finally pulled the trigger and picked up a 1999.5 A4 Avant.

It's got everything I was looking for: Less than 10k, reasonable gas millage (1.8T), Quattro, 5 speed, sport suspension and sport seats, ALL of the maintenance done and done on time with a binder full to prove it.

I picked it up on Friday and I love it. I still have the snow tires on so I haven't pushed it, but I can already tell that I am going to be very happy with the way it handles.

Here's what it looked like last year. It has OEM 16" wheels now.


I am very happy with it, so if you want to bash Audi's head back to Jim's thread.

[Scott R]

Enjoy, I drive my Allroad everyday, have never regretted a single day of ownership.

[Palum6o]

Don't tell Jim Cesiro

[DaveE]

We've had at least one Audi since the early '90s and love them. Great cars!

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by Palumbo

Don't tell Jim Cesiro

I am exercising great restraint. If you can read through my thread and think when things go wrong your in good hands then by all means get one.

If you think they are easy DIY cars just ask Tim Hancock how much he likes working on his '01.

I have always said mine was a love hate relationship, they are awesome cars and none other on the road drives as nice, handles so well in the wet and the snow and is as safe. I will miss those qualities after mine is gone.

If you have one that is problem free good for you.

[JavaBrewer]

I'll bet most Audi experiences fall somewhere between mine (terrific) and Jim (nightmare). Probably not all that different from most other car brands. The key is to stay far away from the dealerships for service work unless it's under warranty. My wife drives a Land Rover Discovery, which if you believe everything you read, is the most problematic vehicle to ever put 4 tires to the ground. Once we moved to an independent shop our nagging issues went away and the service costs were far more reasonable $$. YMMV.

I really like the 1.8L turbo. Chipped it moves along pretty well and when you stay out the big boost range the car get's excellent mpg. Good luck with your wagon.

[71T Targa]

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

I am exercising great restraint. If you can read through my thread and think when things go wrong your in good hands then by all means get one.

If you think they are easy DIY cars just ask Tim Hancock how much he likes working on his '01.

I have always said mine was a love hate relationship, they are awesome cars and none other on the road drives as nice, handles so well in the wet and the snow and is as safe. I will miss those qualities after mine is gone.

If you have one that is problem free good for you.

I have read through your thread. Several times in fact. I'd like to think I'm at least going in with my eyes open.

I have no intention of going to the dealer except to order a part I can't get from anywhere else. And I have two trusted shop in the area that I'll use as needed.

[Seric]

Have the same vintage Audi in my driveway, it's a great car.

[BlueSideUp]

Great looking car! I had a '99 Passat in the same color. They are in fact great DIY cars, I loved working on mine as it was very well thought out. I grew up working on computerized vehicles so I am used to it, for those that grew up on carbs and distributors the transition may be more difficult.

[nostatic]

I got my A3 as a CPO car with 13K miles. I now have 29K and had a bad flapper valve throw a CEL. Fixed by the dealer in 2 days. Warranty good until 2012 or 100K miles.

There are some bad ones, but I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything. Until the warranty runs out

[onewhippedpuppy]

A4 Avant is hands down the best looking sport wagon money can buy. That's a very unique interior, I don't think I've ever seen cloth sport seats. Overall it's a sweet looking car.

I had a '99 A4 FWD 5 speed sport, it didn't give me any trouble. Of course, the PO had just dropped $2k rebuilding the head and replacing the t-belt after it snapped 10k before the change was due. Oh, and the dealership had to eat the cost of replacing the turbo. Great motor though, very smooth and linear, with excellent MPG. I hope yours is one of the good ones.

[71T Targa]

The timing belt, tensioner, water pump were changed @60k and it's got 80 now. So I should be set for another 40k or so.

The cloth seats are unique. And the interior is so clean I really hated to let my kids in it.

[87911jon]

We have a 2001 A4 Avant 5speed/ black and tan. Bought it used with 40k-ish on the odo. Just turned 102k. No problems. Great car. Good luck.

[Seric]

Originally Posted by 87911jon

We have a 2001 A4 Avant 5speed/ black and tan. Bought it used with 40k-ish on the odo. Just turned 102k. No problems. Great car. Good luck.

Get ready for a timing belt change, factory mileage is 105k. I'm WAAAYYY overdue :P

[vash]

JP911 and i changed his timing belt a few months back. 1.8T. it wasnt bad at all. i think it took six hours from start to finish. i did find some DIY tech article (complete with pics) online that was a huge advantage. most satifying job i ever participated in. we charged in there overly confident, and didnt get our butts kicked. if anybody wants the tech article, i bet i can find it again.

[71T Targa]

Originally Posted by vash

JP911 and i changed his timing belt a few months back. 1.8T. it wasnt bad at all. i think it took six hours from start to finish. i did find some DIY tech article (complete with pics) online that was a huge advantage. most satifying job i ever participated in. we charged in there overly confident, and didnt get our butts kicked. if anybody wants the tech article, i bet i can find it again.

That would be great!

I am also looking for good tech sites. I know none will compare to Pelican, but there must be something out there.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Jim Cesiro

I am exercising great restraint. If you can read through my thread and think when things go wrong your in good hands then by all means get one.

If you think they are easy DIY cars just ask Tim Hancock how much he likes working on his '01.

I have always said mine was a love hate relationship, they are awesome cars and none other on the road drives as nice, handles so well in the wet and the snow and is as safe. I will miss those qualities after mine is gone.

If you have one that is problem free good for you.

Ha! Mine is on the lift right now! I too will attempt restraint and second Jim's opinion that they are nice cars to drive. All I can say is that every other German car I own is MUCH easier to change anything on the front of the engine (the whole front of the car needs to be pulled away to get at ANYTHING on the front of the engine: power steering pump, alternator, air conditioner compressor, timing belt etc). I don't even want to think about what will happen when one of my turbos goes bad (the engine must be removed to get at them). I own a lift and I have yet been able to see either turbo or the power steering rack I purchased a VAG-Com code reader, so I can work on the car, but I truly get depressed when the wife tells me her car is acting up and wants me to work on it ..... BMW or Porsches... not so much.

If you are DIY'er, the car can be repaired, but it will take more time. If you have to pay to get it worked on, parts are a bit more expensive and more labor will be charged on average due to having the additional task of removing the front bumper for many repairs.

[nostatic]

Maybe "Audi" is German for "Italian".

[BlueSideUp]

I've done two 1.8T timing belts and can say they are very easy to change. The front of the car comes off easily.

[beepbeep]

I bought my S4 -93 daily beater for small money (~3000 USD). Had to do some wrenching. UFO-brakes and uprights were swapped out for V8 items, suspension overhauled, fluids changed. Then I did a chip+E85 thing. Now it works as a charm and goes like a stink.

They are a bit complicated to wrench on but parts aren't so pricey here in EU so it's worth it.

Very quiet and great long-distance car.