Any Audi owners?

[don911]

Wahoo, my first OT post!

I'm getting ready to replace our second car. My wants and Audi A4.
Does anyone also have an Audi? I tried to find a similar Audi bbs but had zero luck finding much at all on Audi except dealer sites.

We're thinking about buying a used 2000-2002 but may get a 2003 depending on price difference.

I'm looking for any feedback on the A4. Likes, dislikes, items to look out for in a used car, etc...

We're thinking about the 1.8T but I'd prefer the 2.8 or 3.0 car.

Thanks!

[Paco Anton]

I own an Audi TT, although the wife claimed it when I bought the SC (little price to pay ) . It is well built, comfortable (for a 2+2), and perceived quality is very high. Have friends with A4s who swear by them

Do not disregard the 1.8T. I have it on the TT and it has a lot of power. It is probably one of the best engines around. It is the same engine used in VW Golf GTI, TT, A3, A4,... even SEATs and Skodas (I think). They change the turbo and the intercooler and get between 125 and 225 hp depending on the mods.

[RallyJon]

Try the forums at www.audiworld.com. My wife drives an S4 Avant and we love it. My sister has an A4 1.8T Avant, and loves it too. My sister's car is for sale if you want an automatic silver wagon.

Newer Audi's have a very high level of fit and finish, especially compared to the "German Camry" that low-mid-level Mercedes have become. Like all cars these days, they're way heavier than they should be. If you're tall between butt and head, you may have headroom issues in a pre-2003 A4/S4. The newer version has a roomier interior and more headroom.

[nostatic]

mmm....S4 Avant. I've always wanted one of those (although I'd take an S6 Avant or RS6 too).

My wife has an A8 we bought used. It has had a few minor issues, but it is a damn limousine that can cruise at 100mph and take the twisties in the wet.

[emcon5]

Some info on changing the clutch on a 00 Audi S4 (caution, colorfull language).
http://forums.corner-carvers.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8643

I passed a new Allroad at lunch today. Pretty cool looking little station wagon.

Tom

[gearhead290]

I know a guy with a low 13 sec. S4. Too bad he blows up more stuff then me.

[RallyJon]

It cracks me up that people drag race 3600-3700 lb Audis. Can you imagine the stress that launching an S4 hard would cause? The car is pretty overbuilt (compared to, say, a Subaru) but c'mon, a dozen or so 13 second runs and you'll be replacing everything from the flywheel to the lug bolts.

I prefer to focus on the monsterous 50-150 accelleration. I got some magazine in-gear times from a Boxster S and did some informal comparisons on deserted highway in northern Vermont last summer. The S4 was about 30% quicker--that's right, 3 out of 10 seconds!) than a Boxster S at highway speeds and above.

[gearhead290]

Originally posted by RallyJon
It cracks me up that people drag race 3600-3700 lb Audis. Can you imagine the stress that launching an S4 hard would cause? The car is pretty overbuilt (compared to, say, a Subaru) but c'mon, a dozen or so 13 second runs and you'll be replacing everything from the flywheel to the lug bolts.

I prefer to focus on the monsterous 50-150 accelleration. I got some magazine in-gear times from a Boxster S and did some informal comparisons on deserted highway in northern Vermont last summer. The S4 was about 30% quicker--that's right, 3 out of 10 seconds!) than a Boxster S at highway speeds and above.

The funny part about that is one of the things he's killed off is the first 2 gears, so he drove it has a 4 speed for awhile. Still would have KILLED my 944! The Audi dealer was a b!tch to work with from the way he made it sound. He took off all of his goodies and the dealer in Sioux City, IA still wouldn't fix it because they said he raced it. So he ended up bringing it all the way up to Sioux falls, SD to get it done, and the dealer here did it without a question. Actually, one of the things Dano liked was a 120-140 mph roll on...that's where he was god!

[LeeH]

We had a 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro. Plug in a new chip and your 150 hp car is now at 200! Fit and finish were great. Try out the seats for a while before you commit as many people find the standard "comfort seats" very uncomfortable. Mine had the optional sport seats which I loved. Some passengers thought they were too hard.

My major complaint about this car was that it lacked feel. To me if was like driving a remote control car. The accelerator, steering, and clutch were amazing in the level of feedback they lacked. The brakes were not as bad. I'm not saying this was an unpleasant car to drive. It was extremely quiet and comfortable at speed. But, if you like the connected feel your Porsche gives you, you'll surely miss that in the Audi.

Audiworld.com is a great source for info. I read about a lot of people having control arm problems on these cars. I didn't keep mine long enough to have any trouble. Initial depreciation is steep making a slightly used A4 a good buy.

I drove my A4 from Phoenix to Amarillo, TX one Christmas while my wife and daughter flew. My father in law commented that I made great time. Then he realized I lost two hours due to the time change!

[don911]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd like to get a really nice used A4 or possible A6 but we like the 2002/3 body style. From the ads I've seen, there isn't a lot of difference in price so why not get a new one. I've seen some better prices in the 1999-2001 years. There seem to be a lot of A6's for sale but not many A4's. I'm also trying to convince my wife that the 6spd is the way to go....not having much luck with that one.
The search begins....
Thanks,

[nostatic]

careful with the A6's, as there were lots of little problems, and some big ones (the 2.7 turbos liked to explode). The 2.8 is slower but reliable. The A6 4.2 is pretty sick...same 300hp engine that's in my wife's A8.

2003 is a new body style for the A4, and while I like both, I read that the new chassis is stiffer, stronger, etc. Also the new 3.0L V6 is much gutsier than the old 2.8.

[don911]

Thanks for the tip on the A6's. Maybe that's why there are a lot of A6's for sale and not many A4's. Sounds like the 1.8T A4 is fairly bullet proof.

[Nabeel]

I have an old '96 A6 Quattro with 75K miles. I love it, the Quattro is amazing in the winter. After driving this car, I think all my future sedans will be AWD. Sure beats an SUV for daily driving, imho. My biggest complaint about the car is lack of power, but the new models are substantially more powerful, so you needn't worry about that. Oh, and Audiworld.com is great, but I'm sure you knew that already.

PS- watch out for some of the A4 boys over there, they can get feisty!