Considering a 2000 or 2001 A4 avant

[Jon Linkov]

My wife and I leased a 2001 1.8t tip avant for 3 years and it really was
nice. Yes, an autobox with a 170 hp turbo isn't THE fastest car out there,
but I really don't give a darn about having the FASTEST car out there. It
was plenty quick for merging, passing, etc. Sure, maybe you have to pay
attention when driving and plan your quick lane changes, but it never hung
me out to dry.

The steering-wheel mounted tip buttons are great.

We never had a problem with the major recall, and it seems by '01 Audi had
figured out the big problems with the control arms (at least on our car).
FWIW, my 1996 A4q has gone through 2 replacements (3 sets total)..all paid
for by AoA.

I think by '01 Audi figured out the big faults so, aside from that giant
recall (what engine part was it?) the car, in my experience, was solid. The
2002 redesign went back to poor Audi reliability. They didn't straighten
that out until the 2004 models.

Jon


> On 10/12/05 8:58 PM, Wallace White <wallacewhite at gmail.com> wrote

> Now, I'm considering an ur-A4 avant, and I'd like to know what I'd be
> getting myself into. Note that my wife will drive this car more than
> I, and we have a new baby, so my goals for reliability are much higher
> than the old 5k ever dreamed of.
> 
> Here's what I'm looking for:
> - side curtain airbags (optional in 2000 and standard in 2001, I gather)
> - Tiptronic (unless you can convince my wife otherwise). Steering
> wheel buttons in 2001? I drove a 2002 that rev-matched on downshifts,
> which is a nice condolence for the missing clutch.
> - 1.8T (for better mileage and handling). 170 hp in 2001? Was that
> just a max boost change or something more?
> 
> I'm not familiar with these cars--I haven't even driven an ur-A4
> yet--so I'd like to understand the common issues, what to look for,
> and even if this would be a reliable-enough car for my aims. Here are
> a few issues I've heard about:
> 
> - Failed tie rod seals: did they get this under control by 2000?
> - 1.8T oil sludge: what oil regimen should I be looking for?
> - Cracked exhaust manifolds (I saw this on an ad or two): please say
> this isn't as chronic a problem as on the 5kcstq's MC engine?
> - What else?
> 

> Part of me says we should get a boring Legacy wagon
> and hold off on the "fun" car till the new baby is, uh... in college?
> But my wife is already eyeing minivans as our next newer car, so I'd
> like to get a satisfying driver's car like the A4.
> 
> Is the 2002+ A4 more reliable? Or perhaps the 2001 S4 avant is really
> the most prudent choice. ;)