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Also, didn't some other "inexpensive" Korean brands had reputation for very expensive parts as well?
And to repeat a query on another thread that may not get answered there:
What's the primary difference between HALDEX and TORSEN AWD?
restored serenity to the A4's cabin. The second unscheduled visit occurred just after the A4's year had concluded. The standard Audi Symphony radio with integral six-disc CD changer suddenly stopped working, and the display began to glow red. A new radio was installed. Several other owners reported the same problem and had either the fuse or the entire radio replaced.
We expect small luxury sedans such as the A4 to provide
If no valve clattering, next thing you need to do is screw in an actual oil pressure numerical gauge and get a reading to find out actual oil pressure, Probably anything below about 15 lbs (one "bar") would trigger the light, and if it's that low you may have problems.
Some warranties don't even cover a worn clutch because it's considered "wear and tear." Sort of like brake pads, as Mr_Shiftright said.... Even if you were under warranty, would your particular car have been covered for clutch wear anyway?
Wanted to ask you about your gas pedal response issue. Currently own a 2001 Audi A4 2.8L Quattro. When I first start the vehicle and place it in drive, I go to take off, and with my foot steady on the gas, the rpm's jump up and down. Almost seems like the engine cuts out for seconds at a time, but it remains running. This lasts only for the first couple of minutes, then seems to correct itself. Is this similar to what you experienced? Also, my exhaust gases smell "rich". Very "Gasy"? Very hard to describe. But definately not normal. Anyone else experienced this problem at all? Had the engine and tranny scanned, no codes. Recently had the engine coolant temp sensor changed.
I just bought an Audi yesterday. Its a 1999 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Automatic (thats a mouthful) which i got by trading in my 2003 Hyundai which had ran very well(owed $6k on it, dealer gave me $2k for it..so $4k + $7.5k Audi + tax, etc=$12k loan), and i only had maybe 2 or 3 problems with, which were covered by the warranty. I usually wouldnt, but as it turned out, i went to a tiny used car dealership which was ran by two very young guys...and got the car As Is. I usually dont make decisions on the spot, but for some reason i did(i guess i was just so in the mindset of getting a car with more features..like cruise and ABS and i had been mildly looking into selling/trading my car for Months now).
The Audi ran decently enough, but the inside/drivers seat felt cramped, and the ceiling is So low!! Anyway, I had read up on used car sales/what to ask and look for..and the type of Audi that i was going to see. I mainly looked up specs and recalls, not consumer's comments. I didnt see the (abundant) negative reviews as far as things falling apart - such as the timing belt - until After I got the Audi.
I didnt drive it home because the tiny dealership said they were going to fix a couple of cosmetic things (gear shift area was all cracked/torn apart, and the cloth area that runs along the inner front windshield was falling off) and get the state inspection put on. They said i could pick it up today, but then they called me yesterday saying it wont be ready until tomorrow. Im kind of excited. But im moreso apprehensive. They couldnt fit a warranty into the loan amount - since it couldnt go over $12k. Im thinking of getting AutoServiceWarranty.com's warranty though, since they have a payment plan (they only offer the 2yr one for that specific Audi, at its mileage, and it would be $1,400 or so..but with a $299 down payment, it would be $100/month for 1 year of the 2yr coverage). Well anyway, I cant say much about the Audi as of yet, since ive only ben able to experience it during the test drive, but i should have it tomorrow...and i'll check back in with you all to give you an update on how its doing. It did seem kind of "suspect" that it was being sold for $8,000..as is at that. But i looked up other 1999 Audis with around the same mileage, and saw many for about $9k or so..so i figured $8k is nothing to be skeptical about. The dealership did give me a spoken warranty, so i asked them to give it to me in writing. In writing, they simply said the engine and transmission would be covered..verbally they had said "If anything happens within 30 days you can just bring it back to us and we'll fix it. We have a mechanic. But its an Audi...nothings going to happen in 30 days" Well, sounds like Audi doesnt mean perfection, based on what i've read on some online forums. I hate to have traded in a pretty good/solid Hyundai for a "high end" car that is going to be crap. That would be ridiculous. Well, i've typed long enough. Just thought id say hello and let you all know my situation, in case you have any suggestions for me as far as maintenance and such. The dealer didnt have a manual or maintenance book for the Audi, but im resourceful I just looked up 1999 Audi Maintenance and found some Bentley Publisher website or something that has the files online ready for print out. From the looks of it, there a H of a lot of maintenance to be done at 80k miles, which i dont know if it was done or not. One person told me i can go by an Audi dealership and they should be able to pull up the cars service records on the computer. So i'll do that. Really, it looks like much of the maintenance is stuff you "check" and replace only if necessary, so thats good. And much of it looks like the same stuff i had to get checked/replaced on my Hyundai..its just that it'll cost more. *sighs* Ah well. Its done now. Maybe my Audi will be good to me. It'll be about the first time i've ever had good luck. Thanks for reading. I'll try to come back to check any replies and give you guys an update.
Take care.
~Shevi
P.S. One of the guys at the dealership told me that the car has new brakes and new tires. When i later asked for the reciepts/paperwork, in case i want to use it's tire warranty or something, they said they dont get paperwork with it, cuz its all done by some mechanic they deal with, at wholesale. He said "We dont get paperwork for that wholesale stuff..there usually isnt a warranty on it" Sounded like a bunch of crap to me, but what can you do? So i didnt push the issue.
**Anyway, as i was doing the test drive, i saw that the red, circular Brake light was on,and i inquired as to why that was. The guy told me that according to the mechanic who did the brake work, thats normal for Audi A4s when new brakes were Just put on. Is this true to your knowledge?** Thanks for your help!
We are currently taking her car back to the dealership for the 4th time to resolve this issue. NC Lemon Law allows the dealership 4 attempts. During the sales process, this particular dealership (not the beforementioned) touted that they have the #6 and #7 ranked Audi technicians in the US in their dealership. These idiots can't even fix a headlight and warning light from coming on.
This is an easy decision for us when my wife's lease ends...NO MORE AUDIS!!! Hello BMW!
I had an 89 Jeep Cherokee that lost its clutch within 2 years or so and the dealer refused to cover it. I took them to small claims court and rather than spend the time to appear they decided to settle for half the repair. That alone might be worth a try, as the small claims court costs are usually very reasonable.
Of course, the cost for the Jeep repair back then was nowhere near the $2300 you are talking with for the Audi, so the dealer may very well decide to come in and contest your suit. If they do, I don't think you will prevail.
A new clutch after 5 years isn't unheard of, but the cost of the repair and the parts kind of takes your breath away. That is why I dumped my 01 A4, I just didn't think I would be able to afford the maintenance required to keep it running well.
I would still give it a try, but just wouldn't be too optimistic about the chances.
Good luck.
TB
Not sure about the exhaust.
Am trying to decide whether to lease or buy Audi. If Parts are very expensive, may make more sense to lease.
Parts for Audis aren't that much more if purchased on line, atleast for the smaller maintenance type items, but the larger major stuff such as alternators, air conditioning compressor, starter, are probably 20 to 30 percent more than some of the more popular Asian and Detroit makes.
Also, there are less shops around than can work on an Audi, and this makes for a more expensive repair overall.
Leasing will be smarter if you tend to change cars often, drive less than 35 to 40,000 miles in 3 years, can write the leasing expense off your business, and take good care of what you drive. At lease end, you will be charged up for excess miles and unreasonable wear and tear to the vehicle.
Congratulations on the buy, I personally would have stuck with the newer car but seems you got a good price. I have a 1998 audi 1.8TQM :shades: , and that red brake light definitely means something. Either of two things your brake fluid is low, not good, or whoever did the brakes did not get the ones with the sensors on them. I noticed you posted this twenty days ago so hopefully this problem has been resolved.
Lastly I would definitely take your car to either a Audi dealership just for a good inspection so anything wrong can be fixed before your 30 day warranty is up or another mechanic who you will be going to regularly for services. Trust me it will be worth the $70-$100 your going to spend just to double check the car.
E-mail me if you need further feedback.
-----> David
TB
If perhaps the smoke you see is light blue and not actually white, then you might have leaking valve stem seals or worn valve guides--not such a serious issue. A cylinder leakdown test is a way to test for this condition.
Thanks again for taking the time to give me some helpful hints David. I had written about the car on a different website - heres the link to it if you want more updated/complete information...and have some time on your hands. lol. I wrote two reviews, one is called : "Small Interior..." http://www.carsurvey.org/review_89324.html and the other one is called "Great performance and features" http://www.carsurvey.org/review_89425.html I'll revisit this Edmunds website to check for replies (apparently i get a notice via email of any posts that occur anyway). Well, so far, im loving my Audi. I hope you guys are loving yours. And feel free to talk to me! Thanks.
*By the way, is there a REPLAY button for CDs (I have the 6-disc CD changer in the trunk)?? If so i havent read about or found it yet. The battery went dead the other day. I was late for work, but i was SO relieved that it was just the battery - an easy fix...once you find somone with jumper cables. lol And it was probably my fault - long story. But its a 99, so im thinking it was probably due soon anyway. I'll buy a brand new one for my baby soon.
Now our A4 has a new problem. I started it up and moved it into the garage and the ubiquitous "load noise" started to come from under the hood. I cant tell where the noise is coming from due to the plastic engine cover. It sounds like air rushing. When I tried to turn off the car, the ignition switch didnt want to turn off. The car shut off as usual, but it felt like something was holding back the key from turning all the way off. I turned it all the way off, took the key out, and the radio remained on and the car beeped as if the key was still in the ignition. This one feels a little more troublesome than the usual oxygen sensor problem. Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this?
Jan 2002: Replaced left front outer tie end.
Mar 2002: Replaced both front stabilizer links.
May 2002: Took car into dealership because the front suspension was still making load "clunking" noises. Nothing was fixed as the mechanic would have to "replace the entire front suspension to fix the problem."
Aug 2002: Front lower ball joints "noisy" diagnosis by Audi mechanic. Nothing repaired as "everything would have to be replaced."
Jul 2003: Replaced right front tie rod assembly.
Apr 2005: Replaced right front CV axle.
With all this work, the only difference I could feel or hear was the first repair. By 2002, I had given up on solving the problems. We now drive the car(when its running) with constant stretching and clunking noises coming from the front suspension. So, is it dangerous to drive your car with tie-rod problems? I cant say, but the experience with my car my be informative.
Suzy
Truthfully, My wife and I owned Audis, I had a 98 A4, my wife an 01 A6 4.2. We had so many problems with the A4, we sold the A6 before the warranty was up. We now drive Civics. I know, not the status symbol you would think of going to, but I must say, impressive gas mileage, great handling and a track record that will tempt the enthusiast who is tired of spending their 401K on car repairs. Audis are fun to drive, nice looking and provide a class factor, but dont fall in love with the vehicle, it will wring your last dollar from your Swiss bank account. PS, my A4 was eventually totaled by my stepson, but I was paid $870 for the oil sludge class action and also, surprised one day when there was a $3450 check in my mail box for a class action regarding timing belt rupture that I didn't think I would get. Add this to the insurance company not being able to read my odometer and guestimating 75,000 miles on it, when in fact there were twice that many miles, I was paid a decent $13,000 on the total loss of the car. We bought a Civic, and now are considering a new one but will wait to see what Honda will add to the cars features on the 07 model. By the way, we never admitted to my step son that he actually did us a favor by putting the Audi to rest. I would probably still be pouring cash into it.
P.S. Why in the heck do dealers charge $1200 per converter and you can be them online for $350? Has anyone bought them online and have someone install them???
I have a 2005 1.8 A4 6M which I purchased on 1/11/05. This is my first German car (always drove Japanese, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan). As for the feel, drivebility and egornomics of the car, The A4 is a blast. It is fun, handles like no other car I've owned, and that interior is just to die for (in my opinion). But here is the punch line...... I will never, ever ever never, buy another Audi or other German car. My car has been in the shop four times due to engine light keep coming on. This last time, I stalled right in the Middle of the lincoln tunnel coming from NY into NJ (yes right in the middle of the Tunnel in a new car!!!!) After towing the car back to my house and then the next day to the dealer, they found that they had to replace the gas tank and all the lines. The car is still in the shop (one week and counting). The service dept say that it will drive like new again, but I have a meeting with a Lemon law lawyer in NJ to discuss my options. I had it with this lemon.
Depending on the outcome of my case, I will either have to drive another Audi until my lease experies (in 24 more months) or if they refund my money, then I will go for the Infinity G35, Acura TL, or the new Toyota Camry. I will remain japanese till the day I die. I rather have reliability and excellent customer service rather than the "German driving experience" and constant trips to the shop. Even the guy that picked me up in the tow truck told me that he picks up more Audis, BMWs, VWs and MBs than any other brands of cars....and remember that there are more Japanese and American cars on the road..go figure :mad:
I know that others probably have had a much more positive experience than me, but I am literally paranoid about driving or even starting my car once they give it back to me.
This last trip to the dealer is the last straw for me...If I were you, I'd go for the civic, honda, toyota and you will not have as many problems.
Good luck in your decision, let us know.
R
p.s. just one last thing, two of my best friends also own German cars: 2004 Mercedez s500 (seven trips to the dealer since March 2005) and the other owns a 2001 BMW 525 since December 2004 and he has been to the shop at least 4 times; and none of those repairs were scheduled maintanance (oil change, brakes, tune up, etc)
I am new to this forum and is a long time admirer of Audi. I am planning on getting a 2003 A4 3.0 Quattro with about 54k miles. A little high on the mileage but at a pretty good price.
I am wondering about the followings,
1) What's the reliability of these batch of A4?
2) What about resale value? Does the A4 holds up pretty well?
3) Please share any personal experience with this particular year and model of A4. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!!!