maintenence nightmare?

I've been thinking about getting a used Audi A4--probably somewhere between 1998 and 2001.

I have been hearing really horrible things about the reliability of these cars. Are they really in the shop all the time? Are the very expensive to maintain and break down a lot?

Also, about how many miles would you say the engine lives to, and about how many would you recommend purchasing it at?

If you own an A4 from those years, please let me know if it has given you much trouble. Thanks.

had my A4 for about a month. love it thus far. BUT having a MAJOR electrical problem. my info gague is beeping every 5 minutes telling me about light failures that SEEM to go away in the middle of my trip. im starting to freak out about this vehicle's realibility. on the road, the thing rocks out, but another trip to the shop would seriously make me question the purchase.

I've heard about that electrical problem! Apparently, quite a few people are having it, but I think it's only on the newer (2002-2004) models...?

I hope they are reliable because I think they're one of the most eye-catching cars on the road, and really fun to drive. I took my family friend's A4 2.8 tiptronic to 110 mph. SUCH A THRILL! I really want to get my own.

Unfortunately, he'd bought the car used and it turned out to be a lemon; he had a rupture in the gas tank (!) and some other problems. He traded it in for a new one. We haven't been in touch lately but he seemed pretty pleased with it.

Problems like electrical issues or a screwed up radio or broken antennas I can deal with. I'm just concered about my engine being safe and not breaking down every thousand miles.

Yes they have problems,all vehicles do!!!!!If your gonna buy an Audi, stay away from the 1.8 turbo, go with a 2.8. And yes they can be very expensive to maintain!!!!!!! P.S. I'm an Audi Technician. Good luck with your purchase!!!

Yes they have problems,all vehicles do!!!!!If your gonna buy an Audi, stay away from the 1.8 turbo, go with a 2.8. And yes they can be very expensive to maintain!!!!!!! P.S. I'm an Audi Technician. Good luck with your purchase!!!


..if you're gonna stay away from the 1.8t...dont even bother getting an a4 then..

to the audi tech... Comsumer Reports noted more electrical problems with the A4 than the average car. if i had the means and was a horsepower junkie, i would have purchased an S4.

PS- Wasted Ready... but the mechanics are tite. the engine is a legit 250K engine. if you dont treat it like a drag car and dont mod it, the Audi warranty should cover your ass with any maintanence. rule of thumb is 13.5K for every year on the road. '02 -> the 1.8T Quattro should go for $24K and up. add $2K per year and about $4K for the 2.8.

To gillsparanoid, I never said they were a good vehicle, I know all about the problems they have.To marked001,I see more 1.8 turbo's with oil pressure problems.The 2.8 ,2.7& 4.2 do not have that problem!!!! So I can't understand why ya'll think the 1.8T is so great!!!!!!

Oh yea, I would rather replace waterpumps on a 2.8 than have oil pressure problems with a 1.8!!!!! And it's not just neglected vehicles that have the problem!!!!!

So I can't understand why ya'll think the 1.8T is so great!!!!!!

...I'm speaking of the 'fun factor' ;)

Fun is an S4 2.7T, Fun is a RS4 4.2!!!!!! I don not think the 1.8T is Fun. Not that the 2.8 is any ball of fire. And I drive them every day of the week. But that is just one person's opion.

RS4 4.2??? The RS4 is a 2.7tt.

The speculations you hear in the news of a B6 RS4 4.2 V8, is just that, speculation.

If there's proof of such a vehicle, I'd like to see it.

I have had the 1.8T. I love so many things about it but the oil & engine problems are legit. See my post about why.

To dstech, I'm sorry it wasn't an RS4 I preped it was an S4 4.2, and they are FAST!!!!!!!!!!

To dstech, I'm sorry it wasn't an RS4 I preped it was an S4 4.2, and they are FAST!!!!!!!!!!


No problem!!! I've been hearing a lot of rumors that the next RS4 will be a turbo charged 4.2 V8, and thus far I don't think anyone can confirm anything. I would love to see Audi bring any RS4 (current or new) to the USA. Personally I think people here in the States would be happy with the current one if it was available!

Not me I could just imagine how much of a pain in the *** they will be to work on with a 4.2 turbo shoved in that hole!!!!!!!!

I have a 98 1.8T Quattro. I've put almost 30K on it and have had no problems at all. It is not heavily modified and it is not the fastest, but I love it to death and would recommend it to anyone. Also, anyone that works on one brand of car will always see the problems with that car, that doesn't mean that it is a bad car. Cars are investments(poor one's at that). Personally, if you want a good car that can be modified as far as you want to go, the 1.8T is an easy way to go.(find good mods for a 2.8... they don't exsist!)

I own a 99.5 A4 1.8TQ. It is a nice car WHEN it is not in the shop. Compare to my brother Acura and Lexus, my Audi has many more problems. Also the repair cost is rather high and I usually have to wait 1-2 weeks to get the problem fixed.