Audi A4 2004 and earlier

lauk0dg · August 2002

Which one do you guys use and recommend? Or not recommend? Obviously I had mine for a while and companies which only allow you to buy the extended warranty when the car is new is not an option for me. Thanks.

Billy

markcincinnati · August 2002

I have not tried in the past two years so I do not know if what I am suggesting is still an option -- but there was an "extension" from 50,000 to 75,000 miles available from Audi of America. It was the FULL regular normal Audi waranty just 50% longer. It was not free.

This would be my choice.

lecram777 · August 2002

My warranty on my 99 avant just ran out and I need an oil change. The delear wants 89.95( they're high), can I just take my audi to jiffy lube? it's an a4 with 1.8T.

lauk0dg · August 2002

Thanks Mark.....but do you or anyone know of a good one that goes up to 100k and includes everything like timing belts, water pumps, etc.? As y'all know, the recommended time to change those is at 90k although a lot of owners in AudiWorld are saying they'd do it at 60k.

Billy

kosmo69 · August 2002

Can anyone comment on the preformance (acceleration) difference b/w a 1.8T stick vs a 3.0 auto? thanks...

greggsa4 · August 2002

My warranty ran out and at 38000 miles i had to replace the turbo($1800). I changed the oil every 3000 miles and let the turbo cool for at least 30 seconds after driving it. I hope you have better luck but it's some food for thought. I would try to buy an extended warranty. Audi was not willing to help me with any repair costs even though i had all of my records. P.S. Is 777 as in Boeing 777?

andys120 · August 2002

My Audi CPO warranty ran out @ 75k (never used it)
and I got a phone call offering an extension to 100k /2 more years at $2,000!

If figure a warranty should cost less than a horrific repair bill so I passed. If anyone knows of a more reasonable deal let me know ('98 A4Q
Avant/tip-85k).

lecram777 · August 2002

So does that mean I should take it to the dealer instead of a jiffy lube? I'm looking into an extended warranty, it's $2100 bucks at the dealer. But I think my insurance company offers something too. I gotta look into it. Thanks for the advice.

dl7265 · August 2002

Did your model have intercooler ? and did they say if it was due to oil coking or not ? that sounds awfully early for a turbo failure especially after the care you took.

DL

greggsa4 · August 2002

I don't know. I'm not very well versed in automotive mechanics. The dealer never said and I was none the wiser to ask. I had several other problems with the car also. I put about $2800 in it in a six week period. This prompted me to get rid of it. Although it was a great looking car, it was the worst car I ever owned. I went back to Toyota where I've had nothing but great experiences (I know, why didn't you just stay with a Toyota?) I got sucked into the looks of the vehicle and thought the Audi name was supposed to be such a good product. My mistake.

jaydoll · August 2002

kosmo6,

The 1.8 T is a great 4 cylinder engine and is pure driving fun. As I have mentioned in other posts, IMHO, the only negatives I could come up with were the bog on the bottom end until the turbo kicks in (approx 3200rpm) and the fact that the engine turns about 4000 rpm on the highway doing 80 and can be a little bit noisy. The 3.0 has more bottom end torque off the line, is smother and abit more usable horsepower (170vs220). Remember that that the 3.0 will cost a few more pennies. Now if you can find a 3.0 6 speed, I believe that you get the best of both worlds. Remember, there is no substitute for cubic inches or in this case, liters. hope this helps.

dl7265 · August 2002

Sorry that happened to you.

Jaydoll. i thought max torque on the turbo kicked in at a very low 1850 rpm ? at least thats whats allways been advertised.

DL

lauk0dg · August 2002

I got XM installed in my car. It is way cool to pick the stations you want and knowing what the heck they are playing. It's also very nice to have 10 news channels so you can get the news right away. It had some issues while integrating the XM system with the FM system because Audi boosted the FM signal through the antenna on the glass and the XM signals are kinda fighting it. Changed the boosting antenna cable on the FM modulator and everything works perfectly now. I have the Pioneer system so you can use the existing Symphony system, in my case the Bose system.

Billy

mejjbishop · August 2002

Hi - I am looking at purchasing a 2002 A4 3.0 and came across the premier purchase option on the Audi website which appears to be a combo lease and traditional financing option with a balloon payment at the end. It offers a lower monthly payment than traditional financing and you build equity with your payments. Has anyone done this? Would you recommend?

uwscarguy · August 2002

Are you able to integrate the readout into the standard faceplate of the existing stereo or do you have one of their appendages mounted somewhere? Curious....Thanks.

lauk0dg · August 2002

Nope.....for the Pioneer system there's a separate faceplate. I just velcro'ed the little remote Pioneer control unit above the existing radio as there's a nice spot for it. I don't think you can integrate that into the existing stereo unless you take the existing out and put in the integrated CD player/XM player. More money and "destroy" the peace of the center console, unless you plan to gut out the whole thing and put in your own DVD/entertainment system.

Just curious, what does that UW stand for? Univ of WI? Just curious.

Billy

tiredofmanual · August 2002

I'm using the Premier Purchase with my A4. There really isn't much difference between it and a lease. In areas such as Chicago leasing has some very distinct disadvantages (extra taxes and such) and the premier purchase option is a way to get around them.

uwscarguy · August 2002

UWS = Upper West Side (as in Manhattan). I did go to college in midwest however. Not UW though. Thanks for the XM info.

nyccarguy · August 2002

me too, I'm in the low 80's between broadway & amsterdamn.

uwscarguy · August 2002

I'm a bit higher....100's & Riverside. Nice to run into other Manhattanites. (although "run into" probably isn't the best choice of words on a car chat sight)!

nyccarguy · August 2002

very nice! It is very strange to run into other people from Manhattan on a car site (especially since we live in a city where an automobile isn't necessary).

I remember you mentioning (either here or on the A6 board) that you wouldn't buy a car in Manhattan because of the arrogance of the dealerships here. They do have a captive market after all. I've never bought a car here, (I usually get my cars either in Jersey or Rockalnd County where I'm from) but I have had one very pleasant service experience with Zumbach. I found their labor prices (and prices for service in general) very high ($120 per hour for labor), they definitely did me well. I have a 2000 Saab 9-3. Right around the 20,000 mile mark, I got off the FDR at 132 & Park Ave (I used to live on the east side), swerved around a cab and steered my car directly into the mother of all pot holes. I always service my car in Jersey, but didn't want to drive that far as my steering was off and the car was making weird clunking noises. I was given an appointment at Zumbach within 2 days for this problem and for the 20,000 mile service. The service rep was willing to work with me (I slipped him a $20) and covered a cracked strut, broken thrust bearing, and an alignment. I had to eat the cost of a new wheel and the 20,000 mile service (obviously). My car was ready as promised and they had the parts in STOCK.

uwscarguy · August 2002

I've been prejudiced against NYC dealers ever since I leased my first car at Potamkin many years ago. When I was shopping for my A6, I also compared MB, BMW. I didn't care for the C class MB at all (the weird speedometer reminded me of my dad's Olds 88 circa 1983). It was also expensive, slow and cheap feeling (I'm probably opening myself up for a barrage of "why.." "whaddya mean.." "how dare you.." but so be it-I can always ignore them). At BMW they were just....unfriendly. Period. Zumbach didn't return my calls. A salesman at Mohegan Lake Motors in Westchester did return my calls. He got the business - it was that simple. Mind you, none of the people I dealt with committed any egregious acts, but first impressions across the board were indicative of so many other NYC high-end purchase endeavors. That is to say, unless you're wielding bags of cash, they don't wanna know ya. I cannot judge Zumbach on service as I've not tried them yet - But thanks for sharing your experience. I will feel better having them service my car if ever I don't want to trek up to Mohegan Lake.

nyccarguy · August 2002

Potamkin...I've known to avoid them like the plague! That place is the poster child for all the bad that people say about car dealers!

"That is to say, unless you're wielding bags of cash, they don't wanna know ya." Sad, but true!

dtwleungnyc · August 2002

From my own experience and others that I know. The Potamkin group should be avoided.

dl7265 · August 2002

just quoted me a $50.00 increase in the 2003 MY, in addition, the premium package is $1600.00 with moonroof, homelink and REAl leather, otherwise you get cloth, no more "ette".

DL

lauk0dg · August 2002

Actually that's not bad.....considering the leather on the 01.5 A4 2.8 was something like $1250.....so for $300 you get a moonroom and homelink. Of course that's assuming you want all 3.

Billy

gfelker · August 2002

Hi all-great forum. Am in the market for a 1.8A4 w quattro--was looking at the 02's but now the 03's are arriving (I don't mind the odd looking trim as much as many others seem to!)

Anyone had any experience with how far below MSRP (don't know the invoice pricing yet) these are going for? I assume as they are hot off the press they will be in demand and discounted very little from sticker? (I'm in North Carolina for what its worth). Would take a good deal on an 02 I guess but I like the real leather over the leatherette.
Thanks in advance
MDH

wie_gehts · August 2002

My dealer offered me $1000 below MSRP for a 2003, but not sure if this is such a good price. You should try carsdirect.com. Their prices are really good. Don't know about the service though, but I don't think trying it out has a lot of risk to it.

Another question, I was looking into buying a 2003 A4 Quattro 3.0l 6 spd but now I saw at edmunds that at the end of 2003, an A4 coupe will eb available as a 2004 model. The coupe looks so much better! I am pretty sure now that I am going to wait for the coupe, even if it takes a year. I am just wondering, does anyone have any updated information on when the coupe will be available?

dl7265 · August 2002

I did not ask AOA about the coupe debut , not that they allways have the most updated info anyways. You might try vwvortex.com.

Billy, yea i think its a cheap package. Strange the 3er went from fiberglass trim to aluminum and now the A4 is doing the reverse. I guess both suppliers will stay in business.

DL

parker19 · August 2002

dealer offered to sell me 2002 a-4 1.8 quattro, auto, sunroof, 16 inch wheels, bose, heated seats at 28,800 plus tax and tags which ... is this a good deal or because it is a year end model could i get it for less? keep in mind this model has more options than what i wanted and not the exact color though i am fine with this color but this is what they say is the closest they have to what i want

nyccarguy · August 2002

what is the MSRP and what is the Dealer Invoice of the car?

parker19 · August 2002

dealer offered to sell me 2002 a-4 1.8 quattro, auto, sunroof, 16 inch wheels, bose, heated seats at 28,800 plus tax and tags which ... is this a good deal or because it is a year end model could i get it for less? keep in mind this model has more options than what i wanted and not the exact color though i am fine with this color but this is what they say is the closest they have to what i want

parker19 · August 2002

Invoice $28,761 MSRP $31,520

nyccarguy · August 2002

So you're getting the car pr5etty much for invoice. Sounds like a good deal to me. Anybody else?

parker19 · August 2002

Invoice $28,761 MSRP $31,520

dl7265 · August 2002

Sounds good , but if its not really what you want i wouldnt get it.You could order a 2003 with the exact color, options ect, maybe for more, but also have a 1 year newer car. thats a hard call . good luck with your choice.

DL

markcincinnati · August 2002

If you are leasing, remember that an 03 will probably have a higher residual and perhaps a lower monthly payment. If you're buying IN CASH -- go for the 02 unless resale value is a big deal. If you are financing and your interest is more than 1.75% -- run away, don't look back and don't buy it.

The thought about the 03 on order and getting exactly what you want has merit.

gfelker · August 2002

Having the same dilemma re the 02 vs. 03--I finally decided to go with the 03 for 2 reasons-- I could order it exactly how I liked, and 2, i liked the real leather available in the O3.

Markcincinnati, 1.75% seems like an outlandishly low financing rate unless part of some special deal--is that available through Audi or something?

markcincinnati · August 2002

My point was that it is better to pay cash than finance and if you can't pay cash it often makes the most sense to lease. It gets attractive to finance only if the rate of interest is the then current fed rate which at this moment is 1.75%(or less). I realize that a lot of us do not pay cash for cars -- but the leasing alternative works pretty well unless you drive well in excess of 15,000 miles per year. Audis at 0% would be pretty interesting don't you think?

With the lease you can pay for the use of the car, not the ownership -- and when the lease is coming near term, if you really like the car you can then buy it and theoretically at least know what you are buying.

The problem with these high buck European cars is that they depreciate so fast and cost so much to repair out of warranty. It might be cheaper to live with them and not marry them -- to underscore the point.

Also if you make the full payment for the car as if it was financed, it is possible to actually come out ahead (the current state of the economy notwithstanding).

MSRP $30,000:

Lease the car for 36 months $524 a month
Buy the car for 36 months $885 a month

Difference $361 x 36 = $12,996
Residual 45% = $13,500

The difference is close if you assume that the $12,996 was put under your pillow.

If you invested $361 a month for 36 months and you could get any "appreciation" at all, you would at the end of 36 months have more than $13,500 in cash or its equivalent and every day it would still grow. If you bought the car it would be worth less every day and be more difficult to convert to cash -- and if you loved the 36 month old car you could probably buy it for $13,500 (which you would "have in the bank") and pocket the amount you had gained in appreciation (even in a money market fund at today's paltry rates, you would still come out ahead -- only those who pay cash will beat this scenario -- generally speaking).

cennis1 · August 2002

Yeah, except that I've never heard of a 45% residual after 3 years. Is that example based on a Yugo. I think 60% would be more accurate.

mbnut1 · August 2002

I tend to agree 45% sounds pretty low.

dl7265 · August 2002

I could have leased my 3er for some 500-600 per month. instead i purchased at 6%. the return is the current residual if you will is 75%!! based on my last offer.So it brakes down to about $200 a month to purchase.Big difference in my case.

DL

regfootball · August 2002

current ads with 2k down suggest you can lease a 2k2 a4 1.8q for 325 or so a month

markcincinnati · August 2002

Are you saying then that leasing would be preferable?

And, BTW, I took the numbers in my made up example from Audis web site -- the spirit, if not the actual example, was the point of view I was portraying.

And the best residual TODAY on a new A4 @ 36 months is:

A4 residual 51% 3.0
A4 residual 55% 1.8T

BTW, putting any money down on the lease defeats the purpose of leasing. If you put the money that you would put down on the car into an investment, then added to it the differential between the cost of the lease per month and the cost to finance per month, and used 51% as the residual, the numbers IMHO, still favor leasing over buying, but not over paying cash.

Buying a [Audi] car "on time" -- and you can't buy an Audi at 0% -- is a "false economy," generally. As they say, why buy the cow when all you want is the milk?

Finally, the best way to buy or lease or acquire or "drive" the car -- is the way YOU think is the best not what someone else (like me) thinks has merit. I have purchased one Audi a 1987 5000CS turbo quattro -- in cash. All the others I have leased -- my basis for doing so was/is a boss I once had (he was a CPA) who said rent what depreciates, buy what appreciates. My current CPA, who works for me, says the same thing.

To each his/her own.

cmnott · August 2002

Just lurking in here and thought I would throw in my 2 cents on leasing. It really doesn't matter if you put money down or not because in the end you always pay the same. I have checked on this for a few cars and i would only aqdvise putting money down if there might be a chance of buying it.

Right now I can get a 2002 Explorer EB for 0.9% lease, that is an incredible deal. on the swing side, the residual is only 35% so you still have to make up the difference. that residual also ensures a hell of a deal if the EB is good to me!

cennis1 · August 2002

The lease vs. buy debate has been had way too many times to have it again. I'm not saying that either is "better." It will always be a matter of personal preference and needs that determines what is better for whom. My opinion is that if all the terms are reasonable, the rest is just math and will be a reasonably good deal regardless of which way you go. It will always involve some estimation on future values of cars, interest rates, etc. so saying one is better seems a little silly to me. I have bought 3 new cars, one was lease, two were paid for in cash.

For a number of reasons I am currently considering leasing a new A4. I was at the dealer in San Francisco last Saturday and they quoted me a 3 yr residual of 58% on a 2002 A4 1.8tq 5-speed, so I would have to say that 55% is not the best residual as of today (unless they have changed in the last 5 days, may have).

Then again, the "best" residual in lowering your monthly payments is the "worst" residual if you for whatever reason want or need to buy the car at the end (which I personally think is usually a silly thing to do).

Of course, this is all just my personal opinion. As you said, to each his own.

markcincinnati · August 2002

While I was typing my prior post, I was on the phone with the Audi dealer who gave me the residual "as of today." He also said that the residual is different for every car in the line, even the 2 A4 Sedans are not the same -- I suspect since he said sedans, that the avants might have different residuals. Also, I thought he said that the lease terms change regularly and frequently -- and I did not ask if that meant daily, weekly, monthly, etc.

Also I agree with your post in that "better" is in the eye of the beholder.

uwscarguy · August 2002

manufacturers EVER offered 0% financing or anything close?

greggsa4 · August 2002

Due to excessive repair bills incurred during my aforementioned ownership of an A4, I can no longer afford the electricity to run my computer. I was hoping Audi would change their minds and offset my costly repairs but my phone was disconnected due to delinquency of payment. I hope other Audi owners have better luck and do not end up in the financial situation I am in. Sarcastically bitter in Pittsburgh greggsA4

greggsa4 · August 2002

I know I said it before but....AUDI WAS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED

Audi A4 2004 and earlier

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