Reliability of A4 over Model Years

[Dan DiBiase]

I can certainly comment on the reliability of my 2004 A4 1.8T, which I have owned since new. I've spent almost $14k in maintenance and repairs since Ipicked it up in September of 2003. While it hasn't left me stranded more than once or twice, it HAS been expensive to own and maintain, and considering I haveput very little mileage on it for the past 3 or 4 years, it would probably be worse if I was still driving it 12k or 15k miles a year. I currently have 133k miles on thecar. I am religious about changing the oil every 5k miles.

This also does not include a couple of major warranty items, like replacing first gear in the 6-speed transmission and a new exhaust system from the center mufflerback. And it also needs a new exhaust now, as the center muffler is corroding. I'm also looking at a timing belt (etc) change in about 20k miles, that's a $1k job.

All that said, I love the car and don't ever want to get rid of it. It has everything I want, is still solid as a tank and drives and handles great. It also looks so muchnicer than the new Audi design language with the gargantuan grilles and squared-off lines. My car has the Sport Package, which lowers the car a bit and really givesit a great stance.
The earlier cars with the 1.8T engines ran into sludge issues - although I suspect any car still running has either not had that issue or has been remedied. Personally,I would not buy an older used Audi unless I had the ability to fix most things myself or a large checkbook balance.
Hope this helps.

Dan D'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6Central NJ USA

      From: Einhorn Hofmann <einhorn.hofmann at gmail.com>
 To: Quattro List <quattro at audifans.com> 
 Sent: Thursday, May 5, 2016 8:58 AM
 Subject: Reliability of A4 over Model Years
   
I'm currently shopping around the city for used audi options to replace my
current Audi 100.  I'm wondering if anyone could offer opinions on A4
models across the years.

There's an A4, 2001 for sale, Turbo quattro, 1.8L engine with 5 speed
tiptronic transmission for $3600.  The owner has spent close to $6000 on
repairs in the past two years.

I can also find an A4 2006 for sale, quattro, but no Turbo.  I'm looking
for more details but its listed for $4000.

I have to admit, I haven't followed Audi's beyond the 1980's to very early
90's.  They're so much simpler with less things to worry about, other than
the occasional unintended acceleration :-)

MC
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