98-01 4cyl turbo engines

[Alex Cagann]

Is it true that these engines are known for blowing up easily?  The reason I
ask, I have just heard of the 4th one in the past year to go in my circle of
friends. All of them have gone before 100k miles, and they have been A4's
with the 4 cylinder turbo engine years 98-01. The latest one, a 98, just
went last week, this one blew a head gasket and overheated. A good fried of
mine who is a euro tech, told me he sees these engines going all the time.
He said if the engine doesn't go first, then the turbo will...because you
MUST use synthetic oil in these (again..these are his words). Well...what's
the real story here?  If this is true...what can owners do to curtail
problems?

Alex C.