![]() |
|
|
|
Targa, Panamera Turbo
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 22,366
|
Tell Me About the Audi A4...
May have the opportunity to get a 2006 with 130K on it. What should I look for in terns of issues?
__________________
Michael D. Holloway https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Holloway https://5thorderindustry.com/ https://www.amazon.com/s?k=michael+d+holloway&crid=3AWD8RUVY3E2F&sprefix= michael+d+holloway%2Caps%2C136&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
That model is used a lot by Uber drivers here in the UK, and its sisster under the skin Skoda Octavia is used by many taxi drivers; they must think they are dependable.
__________________
1986 924S bought new. Now used for AutoX and street. Chipped, throttle cam, highflow filter in original airbox/snorkel, 14mm rear sway Hyundai Ioniq hybrid daily driver Vindicator Vulcan V8 spyder, street legal sports racing car (300hp,1400 lbs kerb weight) used for sprints on circuits, and hillclimbs |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of You
Posts: 9,160
|
Subscribed...I've been sort of looking at them...
__________________
"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
Posts: 3,722
|
DO NOT, I REPEAST DO NOT buy the 1.8 model. That engine is plagued with severe issues. I do not know when they moved to the 2.0, but the 1.8 is horrible due to oil coking problems.
|
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 458
|
I have a 2005 1.8T wagon to beat on in the winters. Love it. Super high maintenance car and quite complex compared to others at the time. Change the oil frequently and there will be no sludge issues (at least on mine anyways). 2006 is very similar and has the 2.0T that is a better engine from what I've heard. Get the special expensive Ross-Tech cable to diagnose and clear codes that you WILL be having. See if the belts/WP/Thermostat have been done. Every ~100k miles you'll have to do this:
![]()
__________________
'87 911 GP White "casper" '79 930 Copper Brown Metallic "beast" '93 968 Amazon Green Met "moby" '97 Esprit V8 "flat eric" '97 993 Speed Yellow "tbd" |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lawrenceville GA 30045
Posts: 7,379
|
I see a collection of DIY articles on the Audi a4 being published in the future....
__________________
Mark '83 SC Targa - since 5/5/2001 '06 911 S Aerokit - from 5/2/2016 to 11/14/2018 '11 911 S w/PDK - from 7/2/2021 to ??? |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Registered
|
I had a 2006 A3 w/ 2.0. no issues and traded it in at 170k miles.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule" - Mark Twain |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Oxford, Ct.
Posts: 2,297
|
I would pass. Nice car that's entering a very expensive stage of it's life
__________________
07 GT3 Cup S 4.0, 00 986, 78 911 old school gt car 77 BMW R100S 99 Ducati 996S 04 BMW R1150R DanielJacobsLLC.com |
||
![]() |
|
Cars Ruined My Life
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Right in your face
Posts: 1,881
|
Run away
|
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Woodlands TX
Posts: 3,948
|
hmn an a4: is like a decent car, only worse
Not sure if I want the text to be green or not
__________________
84 930 07 Exige S |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 5,862
|
I love Audis, but buying a 10 y old Audi with high miles is asking for trouble. Is it quattro at leat ? Otherwise if FWD you might as well buy a passat ;-(
|
||
![]() |
|
Checked out
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: On a beach
Posts: 10,127
|
Risk reward ratio seems way out of whack.
|
||
![]() |
|
Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
Posts: 3,892
|
Kinda like getting offered a great job on the Titanic no?
__________________
87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: trumpistan
Posts: 9,910
|
It's like this IMHO. You can buy and drive some mundane reliable appliance, or something more entertaining that requires occasional work.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Enemy of the State Brandolini’s Law: It takes hours more time, research, and writing to debunk misinformation than it takes to spread it. |
||
![]() |
|
Fleabit peanut monkey
|
I am due (2nd time) on my 2003 Passat 1.8L for the water pump/timing belt at 185k miles.
That whole front end thing tear out is sissy work (very, very do-able if time is not an issue). On the up side, after the sissy grunt work, you have outstanding access. I'll take that over tearing your forearms up on a 1.8L Turbo Beetle for the same job. Buy the metal water pump from ECS Tuning. It ain't the timing belt that will go. Now, coking. Yes, Sir. That probably will happen. Switch to a heavier oil and at every oil change use a "flush" for a few minutes to start to break down the crud. I have 30k of bonus miles since my first oil starvation warning. When I say switch to a heavier oil, I mean like what you would use in your early 80's 911. Castrol 30W-50. This is not based on science, it's based on experience.
__________________
1981 911SC Targa Last edited by Bob Kontak; 07-21-2016 at 03:51 PM.. |
||
![]() |
|
Fleabit peanut monkey
|
Quote:
Remember this when you are in the trunk pulling the fuel pump because it crapped out. It will. DO NOT buy the el-cheapo for $57.95. Buy the $200+ unit and be done with it for a while. Also, you do not have to buy the Ross Tech diagnostic unit. You can, and it will serve you well. There are $30 VW/Audi/Scoda code readers on ebay. They point you in the right direction and have way more latitude than the basic OBD readers. ABS included. Get used to the check engine light. Lot's of coolant temp sensor codes which include the thermostat.
__________________
1981 911SC Targa |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,354
|
Everything you always wanted to know about Direct Injection but didn't have the wallet to ask!
Is Carbon Buildup a Problem With Direct-Injection Engines? » AutoGuide.com News |
||
![]() |
|
Fleabit peanut monkey
|
Quote:
When I had the first inkling of an issue, I let it ride and my lifters started clattering. After heavier oil and "flush" product at oil changes, nothing more. Did I do it the correct way? Doubt it. Still gets 33mpg if driven at 65mph. 80mph gets 28 mpg. I may invest in a gallon of seafoam. I am serious. I see no reason why my car can't last until 250k. Some in the gas, some in the oil.
__________________
1981 911SC Targa |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,187
|
Not just no, F no. To quote my (former) A4 driving buddy, "it was like this bad relationship that I kept thinking would get better."
Every person I know who has owned an Audi ended up hating them.
__________________
2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: bottom left corner of the world
Posts: 22,767
|
Used ones (OK, outside of their warranty ones) are almost free here in New Zealand.
|
||
![]() |
|