scary.
I have a 2001 2.7t with 62K miles. It runs perfect and still has an extended warranty for another 14 months and 14K miles.

Hope the alternator goes so that I can have the front end taken off before it expires.


Otherwise, a pleasure to drive every day...

I find it funny that someone gripes about a coolant hose needing to be changed after nearly 140,000 miles. Reckon that hose is original?

I find it even more ironic that Tim suggests that he should have bought a BMW instead. Yeah, the brand that is infamous for the newer generation of radiators failing about every 60-70,000 miles.

I've owned a slew of Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, etc. and I can tell you that Audis aren't worse than the rest. Go buy an S-class Benz and see what happens.

Sorry for your pain, sort of...
JR

You'd never have to use a crane to remove the front end of a BMW to replace a coolant hose or radiator.

I just did a water pump on my 2005 330i. Amazing how simple, common sense, and easy to work on that car is for being relatively "modern."

So a BMW needs the front clip removed to replace the radiator, I just pulled the radiator on my sons E30 and it was a breeze as well as a myriad of other DIY items.

My E46, while not intimate with it yet, seems to be as straightforward as the E30.

Tim, I feel your pain and yes inside, deep, deep down, I have a smirk on my face. I am on vacation right now and my Audi is rightfully languishing in a Sheraton parking lot in Orlando waiting for my return after 12 days, then on Saturday it is being handed back to the dealership as we drive off in our E46 with huge smiles on our faces. (my wife and I)

Good luck with the DIY and be glad you have the shop and tools and space to do it. Patience? I think any Audi can wear that out.

and poorly made if you are replacing a water pump after 3 years!

the water pumps are a bit of a weakness on the E46, although it does have close to 60K on it.

But $65 and an hour to replace, not bad.

I changed the radiator in my 1984 MB 20K ago it took 1 hour and 2 screws and 2 clips.
Oh yeah a drip pan, water pump still fine after 150K.

I'm not sure you match that even with a Honda....

The bug numbers for BMW and Mercedes were just as high if not higher than Audi (admittedly JD Powers/early in ownership)

I have a '99 Passat with the 2.8 V6. I just did the control arm suspension work indicated in that previous post TODAY!! It is not terrible, but it is frustrating dealing with the way things fit (lower shock bolt), and yes, that through bolt gets FROZEN in the swing arm. I killed an impact socket using a BFH pounding on it for 15 minutes solid, each side!

Oh, and Tim, I can almost guarantee that your oil leak that is causing burning smell at idle is our cam seals. They seem to be ok when new, but when whoever does the first timing belt changes them, they seem to leak. I had my leaky one fixed under warranty, but now it is leaking again!! Probably $1K to fix that leak at the dealer.

Mine has 120K on it, and has been a fantastic car. Not a SINGLE issue, other than routine maintenance. Unfortunately, I believe it is now getting to a place where it will require a fair amount of repair, and given how difficult they are to work on, it would be a great time to get rid of it!! Problem is, I want a 996 Turbo for my next daily driver, and I am having a hard time committing to a $55K outlay when I am driving a $5K car that is paid off.

Good luck with your repair. Interested to see what the source of that oil leak turns out to be.

JA

Even if that's true, with the BMW or MB, at least you are driving a BMW or MB.

An Audi is just a VW with a nicer interior.

i have a 5 year old lexus with almost 60k on it.......everything is still perfect from the day we bought it new.


My new to me 2000 audi on the other hand..........tons of issues when i bought it but now they are fixed and i love the thing.





I don't think many vw's are all-aluminum......:rolleyes:

Doesn't matter what it's made of, it's still disposable.

BMWs and MBs last. There is still interest in BMWs and MBs from the 60s, 70s and 80s. SLs, 2002s, M cars, 6 series, even 80s 5 series, MB coupes, and others.

Audis? You rarely see a 60/70/80s Audi on the road. They are junk that no one cares about.

These current "all aluminum" Audis are no different. After 10 years on the road, they'll be off to the recycler to be made into soda cans. Disposable junk.

Nobody bought those audi's in the first place- they started life as junk.

60s/70s/80s/90s/00s audis are junk. That's what I've been saying!

I'd give both my left nuts for a Mercedes c230 sports coupe's or a bmw 318 ti!

my buddie's b6 Passat - I actually took a sawzall to that damn one bolt to remove the alternator then made a run to the hardware store.

screw removing the nose.

rjp

I could not say it better myself, my MB's have over 230K on each of them. Ones a 1991 and a 1984, they dont leak, everything works, the air blows cold I drive the crap out of the both of them. Sure they are maintained, but that said i probably can drive them for the rest of my life. I'm 50

More important than CAN drive them the rest of your life, they are the types of cars you'd WANT to drive the rest of your life.

Who in their right mind would want to drive an 80s or 90s Audi for even a day? Yuck.

Doing some of the repairs on a BMW 750il 12cyl will also make you loose your religion!!!!!

I forgot about applying a liberal dose of pottymouth to get bolts off.... :D