Audi itch, LOL !

[Mark J. Besso]

Fay,

As tempting as it might seem, stay away from the Passat 4Motion with the 
W8 engine.  It is the forbidden fruit of Volkswagen ownership.  They are 
out there and might even seem affordable, but the cost of ownership is 
leagues more than the 20V, 1.8t or 30V, V6 models.

A common issue to watch for on 1.8t models is infrequent oil changes and 
use of cheap, non-synthetic oil when it was changed.  The resulting 
"sludging" can be very expensive to remedy.  The 30V, V6 engine is 
amazingly smooth and has plenty of power.  While it may be slightly more 
expensive for maintenance, it actually requires less overall attention 
so the bottom line will be similar to the 4-cylinder.

~Mark



On 7/23/2010 10:34 PM, Ed Kellock wrote:
> I agree with the VW Passat recommendation.  They were originally made out of
> a stretched A4 chassis and the "4-Motion" Passats are good-ole Quattro.  You
> can get a 4-cyl turbo or a V6 and you won't have the "added value" when it
> comes to service time.
>
> Ed
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On
> Behalf Of Kent McLean
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 6:13 PM
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Cc: Fay Kelley
> Subject: Re: Audi itch, LOL !
>
>
> Fay Kelley wrote:
>    
>> And I would like to stay away from problem models.
>>      
> I don't think Audi made one of those. :)
>
> I paid $6K for my '99 A4 a few years ago. With the driver information
> display
> LEDs burnt out, I missed a low oil warning (if it even gave one), which cost
> me a new-used engine. Ka-Ching! I just had a leaking transmission seal
> replaced. Ka-Ching! I've easily put about $6K in repairs into my $6K A4.
>
> My A4 has me considering an early 2000s Passat, V6, with 5-speed manual if I
> can find one. No turbo, no touchy automatic, and the GLS has round knobs for
> the HVAC (no electronics). I think that would minimize the problems. That or
> a Ford Taurus, so I can get parts anywhere and any Tom, Dick or Harry can
> fix it.
>
>