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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 64,490
    Oh, you don't have an antenna over the wheel well do you? I can't recall your set up.

    Also could be the trunk lid seal but that's rather rare.
  • archer2archer2 Posts: 4
    No, no antenna. But thanks for the suggestions. Have you seen this happen before?
  • zmweaverzmweaver Posts: 1
    You were asking auto-mechanics to predict the severity of failure. The only person that might be qualified to make that determination is the engineer that designed the suspension system. Obviously, the control-arm will eventually fail, but it is very difficult to know exactly when. The opposing opinions you received are likely a result of conflicting interests in the automotive repair industry. A "grease monkey" must balance his honest opinion along with Dealership repair-policys and, in some cases, commission incentives. The mechanic that told you it would be safe to drive on it was likely correct. He probably looked at you, noticed your attention to the problem, and knew you would not drive it if the problem started getting worse. However, there is an extremely small chance that catastrophic control-arm failure could occur. If you ran over something large at 100mph, there is a chance you could lose some or all steering control. Dealership management wants to avoid legal responsibility, so they encourage mechanics to point out all problems and always offer to replace. Management is not around when customers are asking the mechanic, should I replace...? or why?.
  • bklyncandy1bklyncandy1 Posts: 1
    I had the same problem with the timing belt and all other parts that broke cost me around 1200 call AAA I found my mechanic through them thats audi prices
  • slugdriverslugdriver Posts: 16
    Cneff,

    Fair enough. If the pathetic customer service you received was one of a few, I would probably look beyond it. However, with the "Audi customer service sucks" theme all over the Internet, think it best to take my hard earned dollars elsewhere. Appreciate your reply and honesty. Cheers.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 64,490
    Oh yeah, trunk leaks are fairly common, especialy as the car ages a bit.
  • angryaudiownerangryaudiowner Posts: 4
    Thanks for your message... I spent the last three weeks looking for a new car to buy. Turns out the shaking was the first indication that the electrical system was going bad... they fixed it, but the service manager told me that "Audis last 60,000 miles, you have 63,000" which I found appalling.
  • jds3jds3 Posts: 6
    I won't be back....my last posting here. Three weeks since I traded my '99 A4 (owned and plagued from new....see postings #909 and #728) for a new '05 Infiniti G35X and I'm still grinning. My wife and I exchange high fives when we remember the Audi is gone from our lives. Audi is a con job - a fragile fashion statement, crooked dealers raking in the service $$ and, when all is said and done, not much of a driver's car either. Congrats to those who also choose to dump this brand. Don't look back!
  • drumnutdrumnut Posts: 2
    :( I purchased An 99 A4 1.8T a short while ago. I changed the oil every 3k. OIl light comes on. Car looses power on freeway; engine smokes, exhaust too; car dies on side of road. No oil pressure. I just heard theres an extra extended warranty being issued for this particular prob.someone in the field told me it has something to do w/ the turbo and the bearings; and the oil doesn't pass through to the engine. The car never got hot. I think I should have stuck w/ Saab.
  • charlieocharlieo Posts: 1
    there is a bower running during after engine shut down which is draing the battery. It is loated in the lower front corner of car on passenger side.
    It sounds like it is charging the system, then it stops and sarts like it is leaking air or somthing.

    Any ideas before I bing it to the shop?

    Thanks
    Charlie
    Wheaton, IL
  • craigp1craigp1 Posts: 17
    I think Audi has changed a lot since the nineties (as all manufacturers have). I had a 2003 A4, and now have a 2006, and aside from a minor issue here and there, trouble free as can be. And the service from the dealer has been first rate. (beyond belief in my experience). In fact, the service was so good, it sealed the deal for buying another audi. But like ALL cars today, trade them in before the warrenty is up.
  • drumnutdrumnut Posts: 2
    My 99 1.8 t died. No oil pressure. now I must prove I changed the oil every 5k. Well, I only had the car for 1 oil change! what in the world could I do? It sat at the original dealer for 8 months. that should alone been a bad sign. Im talking to them to get records. Any ideas??
  • mgamblemgamble Posts: 2
    Anyone know how to get the rear light cluster off an 2003 1.8 T Audi A4 Avant??????? please please please
  • audi_2000audi_2000 Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I am thinking of buying a used 2000 Audi a4 quattro and will get it inspected from the audi dealership - what is the general opinion of the car .. .?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 64,490
    I'll give you a few brief non-owner observations. The quattro system is bulletproof so no worries there but maintenance and repairs are not cheap on any Audi, and you are out of warranty, so you'd best get a very very thorough check before you buy and not minimize any defects that are found (that is, assume the worst case scenario for any potential repair and negotiate accordingly).

    They are great snow cars and will put many a large SUV in the snow bank.
  • abs3abs3 Posts: 1
    Has anyone purchased a part online such as a Catalytic Converter?

    I had the O2 sensor repaired in July and the check engine light went out for a while but it starting coming on again last month. It's already failed emissions so I'm looking to find the part and pay for labor to help save on costs. I've also been surfing sites like JCWitney and http://www.autopartswarehouse.com has anyone shopped them before?
  • dano01dano01 Posts: 1
    Charlie.

    I had the same blower problem. I took a look and noticed the hose that runs to that unit had slipped off and as a result created the vacuum sound. Simply re connecting the hose fixed the problem.
  • qship22qship22 Posts: 2
    Hi Mr. Shiftright,

    Can you point to evidence that the quattro system is bulletproof (reliable)? I want to get a better understanding of the reliability of an AWD vs. FWD/RWD. There are more components so I would simplistically think that an AWD system would be less releable but I have read others argue that since there is less torque being pushed to each wheel that reliability should be the same as two wheel drive systems.

    If I do get an AWD drive, I can't wait to go out in a Nor'Easter ;-)

    Thanks
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Sonoma, CaliforniaPosts: 64,490
    Well if you went to an Audi repair specialist they'd tell you that they rarely work on Quattro systems. This is of course anecdotal but if you think about it Audi has been doing this longer than anybody....they really have AWD down.

    My advice about AWD is don't buy it if you don't need it but if you do it's a great option.
  • rick77grick77g Posts: 8
    Is there a noticeable difference in handling on dry road with Quattro compared to FWD?
  • bdr127bdr127 Posts: 950
    If you floor it from a stop, you'll notice a difference -- wheel spin in the FWD, torque steer... Taking a hard corner, you'll notice the difference for sure. Classic understeer on the FWD; neutral for AWD -- you'll feel the back-and-forth between over and understeer.

    Driving them yourself will show you better than anything. :)
  • btenekbtenek Posts: 3
    I purchased a 2002 Audi A4 in March that was just off lease. It had 50,000 miles on it The used car dealer provided (at my request) a clean service record that he got from the local Audi dealer. The Audi dealers name was clearly printed on the fax. I started to experience "funny" things with the transmission & scheduled a service visit with the local dealer---there was a 3 week wait. They recommended replacing the transmission at a cost of $9,213.32. I paid $18,000 for the car. I appealed to the GM at the dealer for some help in getting a replacement transmission but all he could so was "Sorry, the warranty is over" I will NEVER again invest in an Audi.
  • fast_eddyfast_eddy Posts: 2
    I have a 96 A4. Just bought it a month ago (and already had an engine light go on - $1,000 already given to the repairman). At the time the light came on - i started to feel small vibrations periodically in the gas pedal. This still is here - Any ideas? Also - now - every once in a while at around 40 - 45 mph, in 4th gear - i get a car vibration (like suspension problem) that occurs for maybe 10 - 15 seconds, then disappears. Has happened maybe a few times also at higher speeds. Doesn't occur all the time, but at least a few times a day. Shaking can be subtle, or can be very noticeable (and worrisome).
  • btenekbtenek Posts: 3
    Don't. I bought a 2002 Audi just off lease and it lasted until 61,000 miles. Audi of American and the Audi dealer don't want to have ANYTHING to do with it with the exception of charging me $9,213.32 for a new transmission that has a technical service bulletin out on it. Their service is, without a doubt, the worst available. It took months to get a spare key made because their computer was down. Takes 3 weeks to get a service appointment.
  • btenekbtenek Posts: 3
    Is it an automatic tranmission? I am in the process of getting mine replace for a cost of $9,213.32. Audi controls the market on their replacement transmissions and it sounds like you may have a transmission that isn't shifting properly. Sell it while you can!!
  • bbg74bbg74 Posts: 1
    Hi pvphan

    I am having the same problems with the ABS light on my 2000 A4 Quattro. Brakes work fine but that damn light is still flashing! Did you come to any resolution with your car? Did you use the refurbished Bosh module ?

    Any info would be much appreciated !

    Thanks in advance!

    Brandon :shades:
  • fast_eddyfast_eddy Posts: 2
    no its a manual. Transmission seems good. I suspect somethign on the sterring / suspension. I shodu l add - the steerign wheel has a lot of play in it as well.
  • dpna4dpna4 Posts: 1
    I also have a 2003 A4 1.8T with the CVT transmission. I have already had it in once for work on the trans and it is in today with another problem. I only have 150 miles left on my warranty so I am concerned as well.
  • mryeh17mryeh17 Posts: 4
    Any idea how to install a replacement key in an 2000 A4 remote ? I'm talking about the metal piece that flips out when you press the button. The local Audi dealership will order the part for me ($95 without the remote, ouch!), but I'm not sure they'll put it into the old remote (which I got from a relative who used to own an Audi) without charging me a technician's time (another $50 at least).

    I can get the remote apart to replace the battery, but I can't seem to take apart the part with the physical key...
  • subieseekersubieseeker Posts: 3
    I'm just wondering if I'm alone. I have a 2003 A4 Avant 1.8 T, approximately 51,000 miles. I love the way the car handles, but I have never had a car that's spent so much time in the shop or that has stranded me so frequently on the road--twice to date. The manual tranny went in the 30Ks, and there have been air conditioning problems, many "minor" glitches, and a recurrent "check engine" light. I just had it in today for inspection, and was charged for the dealer running the diagnostic to get the engine light check to disappear, even though they didn't find anything. And to top it off, it came on again three hours after I left the shop. To think I bought the Audi because I was told it was so much better built than the Japanese cars I had been considering! My husband has had several problems with his TT also, though not as major. Where's that quality German engineering?
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