As long as you buy something with basic longitudinaly-mounted incline-4 and proper Quattro (not Haldex), I think you're quite safe. They are as reliable as any of modern car.

Just don't get a twin-turbo V6 or V8 crammed with crowbar and vaseline into space made for I4 .

That's the idea. What is Haldex?

Haldex Traction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another forum worth visiting is Quattroworld. If you can get passed the archaic kawf format, you'll find a knowledgable enthusiast base where good cars frequently come to market.

It's an afterthought to VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat etc in order to graft 4WD in what is essentially FWD car. It's a electronically operated wet clutch between rear and front axle. There is no center differential involved and car is FWD until needed. Saves fuel and manufacturing costs. Rather popular nowadays.

As long as engine is mounted longitudinally, you have center differential (=Quattro).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416174654.jpg
2005 allroad, the last of the A6 based cars. not much has gone wrong with it but only 56K miles and i have a full warranty so things shouldn't break :rolleyes: If you look for common replacement parts you will see there around the same price as every other car out there. The 2.7 TT engine is great for a tuner to get +300 HP out of it easy. great DD IMHO.

VW Will Bring An AWD Manual Diesel Wagon To America

I'm going to say wait couple years? Personally if you can't find what you want, I would build one. slush box to standards aren't too bad of a conversion, the awd would be hard, but you'll probably break even compared to the inflated prices of the subies.

That's awesome but you can bet they've been selling that configuration in Europe forever. What's the big deal selling it here?

Bmw is now selling the 5-series wagon w/ the torque-monster straight-6 TDi motor and AWD, if not mistaken. But only automatic.

EDIT: checked their website, it's only the 3-series wagon w/ 4-cyl TDi but yes on AWD.

Europe has all the fun toys. ie the bmw 1 series diesel. hahaha
It's all political as you already know. The whole emission legal in 50 state spiel.

Hey Speeder! did you get an Audi?

December bump

Denis, did you end up getting an Audi?

No, I'm needing to go the 4wd truck/SUV route for now due to a slight change in plans for the winter. Good thing gas is cheap! :)

...so far about 8500 miles on wifey's new Q7 TDI
She says she won't drive a gas vehicle again. ...great.
Two trips from Atlanta to WI and back so far. Pretty nice ride, I think.
29mpg on hwy.

I've had an '02 A4 quattro turbo and we currently have a '03 FWD TT turbo.

Both bought second hand, both immensely reliable over 40,000+ kms each, only had only consumables replaced. Servicing through Audi horrendous, through a Audi specialist relatively cheap. The TT now has 145K on it, cost about $275 each (minor) service. It drives like a champ, not powerful, but torquey, tight and still fun to drive.

Also have a BMW 335i - electronics a nightmare and expensive (ABS unit $3500, Steering angle sensor $1,500 in last 24mths). Also had a VW Passat 2.0 TDi from new, DSG failure ($10k under warranty), and injectors ($4,500 80% under warranty).

964 best! Owned for 3 years, minor servicing (about $2,000 all up), nothing major.

Will always buy Audi from now on and will never sell the 964! :D

I have an '01 A8 that I bought about a year ago. I haven't had any REAL problems with it, yet, but I also don't drive it all that often--typically about 4-5 days/month.

My B5 S4 is really falling apart now but should hit 200,000 miles July-ish. I still use it for a 50-mile commute several times a week. The 2.7T engine is not universally loved but is fundamentally stout, torquey and smooth - it's the packaging (crammed in the car) and the ancillary hoses and sensors and other crap that cause the probs. Mine has never been opened-up and is on the original turbos; trans is also unopened; 1 clutch replacement. It was a nearly $50K car that I bought for $35K virtually brand-new in 2002 as the owner was deployed with the military overseas and had left the car behind. The car has not been without some headaches and expensive issues but I drive my stuff hard and definitely got my money's worth out of this one.

I just had the oil in my '08 A6 Avant changed at the dealer. No issues to report at 87,500 miles, and believe me, they looked. It had about 81K on it when I bought it in December. I really like this car a lot.

I still miss my D2 S8. If only it had a manual transmission.....