Checklist for Reliability of Older Audis

[Michael Veglia]

On small chassis cars (maybe big ones too?) check the rubber bushings that connect the throttle cable to the accelerator pedal and the rubber bushings that connect the short shifter link that connects between the top of the transmission and the shift rod. I have lost the throttle bushings on both my '86 4kq and my '83 Ur-Q, and more recently lost the ability to select any gears except 3rd and 4the on the Ur-Q. There are upgraded (not rubber) bushings still available for the throttle, but the shift bushings and/or link rod are NLA. For the shift link a short piece of threaded rod and a couple of ball sockets (like on the ends of trunk support struts) from McMaster Carr fixed it right up for less than $15 including shipping.

Of the 13 Audis I have owned to date over the past 25 years, or so, the most reliable by far has been the 4kq, but it doesn't get a lot of miles. The one Audi I put the most miles on was the '95 A6q avant, and it is still going strong for my nephew. It may just be the best car I have ever owned.

Electrical and rubber stuff all goes with age. The biggest problem I see with older Audis is the lack of spare parts support from Audi, especially for the Ur-Q. Doesn't matter how reliable it is if the simplest of maintenance items (like ball joints, shift links, etc.) are long since NLA.

Mike Veglia