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I can tell you that all 4 of my coils have been replaced once, and two have been replaced twice – a total of three visits to the dealer for this problem. I can also tell you that in 2002-03 fall/winter, my car was at the dealer on two occasions having coils replaced. Each time, my car was at the dealer for 3 weeks while they waited for parts, totaling 6 weeks without my car. Furthermore, the dealer performed extremely poorly in addressing the situation – I had to argue to get a loaner at one visit.
If you want advice from someone who has had this car for three years, don’t buy this car for the long-term. Not so much to do with general mechanical unreliability, but Audi’s incompetence to solve recurring issues.
For Gasoline, you always get more spunk with super and better gas mileage and I find the diference in price worth it. Also, in the long run, it keeps your fuel injection lines and plugs clean. If you use regular or even mid grade, you should add a small bottle of fuel injection liquid to your tank every 5-6 fill-ups. The extra cost is about $3per bottle. The super gas has this additive and so the cost of super will not be that much more in long run.
2001.5 A4 1.8T Quattro... There is no way it could loose to a stock G20 (140hp)... IS THERE?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Thanks.
Brian
Also, I have an offer on the table for $750 over invoice for a 2005. Dealer processing fee is $100. From a follow-up e-mail, I get the feeling there might be some room to negotiate. They do not know that I have a $500 off certificate from Audi, and will not find out until after we have agreed on the price. Any feedback on negotiating strategy would be appreciated.
Brian
Know, however, that you may have to pay for a new set of tires if you turn the car in with 30K on the clock and baldies on its feet.
More is in the 2005 A3 topic
chrisducati "2005 Audi A3" Oct 30, 2003 7:44pm
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
First question - what is the best tire pressure for handling and traction (I live in Atlanta)for the Perelli 17" P6 tires - I've looked at the old message and have seen anywhere from 30 to 38.
Second question - My A4 came ready for XM radio (have the right face plate and antenna) all I need is a receiver - do I need to buy the Audi receiver or is there a cheaper third party brand?
Thanks for all your help
Tires: check and set when "cold" -- not after you have driven the car (difficult sometimes to make this happen, but if you have a gauge check it after the car has been parked over night, write down the pressures and then add or substract air at nearest pump.)
Tires: under inflation ((at the low end of the recommendation on the gas filler door) is probably NOT what I would do, but the ride will be softer and the gas and tire milage will be lower).
Tires: setting them to the highest number indicated for the fronts and -2 for the rears would be OK if you want maximum handling, tire and fuel consumption minimzed, etc.
Tires: try this - 37 front, 35 rear. And, rotate your tires at the first required check up.
XM: personally I would take the Audi factory set up (it has a list price of "$350" doesn't it?); you ought to be able to negotiate something off of that -- then you will have a "perfect" fit.
XM: on the other hand, someone, somewhere will almost certainly find something that would work for less money -- if it is a perfect fit and match, you might at least consider that option. As I said, I'd just go the Audi route, then the full Audi advantage will apply to it (4 year warranty, etc.)
The P6 tires, in my experience, will handle well and won't last long -- less than 20K miles. The higher inflation numbers above will give you the best these shoes can give, however.
Thanks
See a dealer or experienced auto HVAC tech.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
At 123k+ this is still an attractive and serviceable car..
http://www.concordmotorsport.com/printable.asp?ID=30501
I have had it off the road for unscheduled service only on a couple of occasions since I bought the car with 53K in Fall 2000. It's put up with commuting, bad weather and long trips and taken them all in remarkable stride.
As of our parting the only discernable mechanical flaws were these:
-Airbag light came on at 122K+, cause still undetermined.
-Oil leak at front of engine, attempted repair (gaskets replaced) unsuccessful. Leakage was minimal with perhaps half a quart consumed between oil changes every 5K.
I was impressed by the longevity of the basic systems of this car, I never replaced a single component of the exhaust system, put in only a single new battery and one set of brake pads and rotors (@95k). The timing belt was replaced @ 70K as was the serpentine belt. An auxiliary cooling fan was replaced @ about 75K and again @120k due to damage to the wiring caused by mice (!)
That's pretty much it for mechanics. On the cosmetic side--
-Paint still had excellent gloss and smoothness, the car was professionally waxed yearly. The re was an area of chalking and blothchiness on the passenger side which my detailing guy was sure could be cured by a good buffing.
No rust appeared anywhere on the exterior of the car.
-The interior held up very well with the leather showing no signs of cracking, tearing or other distress. Seat cushions held up well.
There was wear and tear visible on the drivers side door pull and on the rotary knob that controls the moonroof.
I conclude that if you take care of your A4, it'll take care of you, good luck with yours gentlemen. They are fine cars, I'm sure I will rejoin the Audi family at some point probably with a DSG equipped A3/3.2
Be sure and check out the article in Road and Track about the B5 A4s...
http://roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=7&article_id=1- - - 501&page_number=1&preview=
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I purchased the Bose speakers and am happy with them. The XM radio is fantastic. I have not listened to a CD since I got it so it saves me the price of CD's. It frees me from all commercials. And I especially like that it shows the artist's name and the song name. This has helped me get a better feel for classical music. Now I know Mozart from Beethoven.
Thanks.
This was a great car -- but I do not think it would be impressive with this engine and a 5spd tiptronic -- not enough torque.
With the 6spd and the ultra sport, this thing, while NOT a BMW killer, would be (mostly) a BMW keeper-upper-with (thinking of a 330"x", for example) -- and the BMW cannot be had with ultra sport.
I'll wager the new 2005.5 A4 ultra sport 3.2 with a 6psd manual (and MAYBE even the 6spd tip) will be quite impressive.
The dealer can do things, however that you can't or won't do to make the purchase more attractive (the dealer MAY do these things). That means that the "only" incentive you can give a prospective buyer is a lower price. Time also factors in this deal, too.
If, for the sake of argument you think you have a buyer "on the line" for some number OVER wholesale, take it IMMEDIATELY. One of my co workers tried e-bay and lost the sale, the first time, by a $50 dollar reserve difference. So, he reposted the car on ebay for some smaller number and the process started all over again. The cost was "weeks" and several false starts (time wise, that is).
He didn't care, the car was paid for and the insurance was paid for a couple of months and the plates didn't expire until 12/31/2004 -- so for him the "waiting game" was no biggie.
If, for whatever reason, your car is "not hot" the dealer may offer you less than wholesale -- if you have the option to go to another dealer (a VW dealer for instance) you may find that you have some choices.
I have only bought a car ONCE from a private owner and sold one ONCE as a private owner. I never felt the time I had to put into it was "worth" the savings since in my direct experience I was not buying from a distressed seller and when I was selling, it was just to opt out early from a lease before the invention of swapalease.com.
I -- personally -- have neither the inclination nor time to try to "sell by owner."
But that is just me.
Remember, the dealer may offer a warranty -- and that may be the difference you cannot make up.
My 2000 MB C230 Kompressor that I returned to the dealer this month was getting 22 mpg with the same driving. Any suggestions? JOHN
If the A4 wasn't used much while it belonged to your mother (as evidenced by the chipmunk nest), I would check all belts, hoses and seals to make sure there are no cracks and/or leaks. If they are good, then give it some time to get the mileage back up to where it should belong.
gnawing on the wiring and the windshield washer hose!
The cure is camphor balls under the hood, don't use too many!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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John
Luckily, I walked away without a scratch...just a sore neck and bumped knees. The A4, IMHO, is a very safe car.
Now, the real fun begins. Obviously, this car sustained major damage. The trunk is 1/10 its normal size. The rear seats are now pressed against the front seats. The rear bumper is pressed up against the rear tires, to the car won't drive. There's ripples in the hood from what appears to be a severely bent frame. The doors don't open or close without major effort. It looks like the gas tank may have been ruptured too (leaking fluid?)
On the front, the front bumper is smashed into the radiator. It dropped what looks like all the coolant when the radiator was ruptured. The hood is badly damaged on the right side. Overall, it looks like a total loss to me.
So my question is, will insurance declare it a total loss? What do I get, value-wise, if it's a total loss? I have a lien against it right now, and I'm afraid the insurance might actually try to repair it. Any advice from people out there?
Overall, I'd say that despite my reliability issues, I was so happy the A4 was such a safe car. You can't put a price on that.
We'll see what folks here think, but you might also want to check out our insurance discussions over in Smart Shopper. If you use the keyword search for "insurance" they will be easy to find.
Good luck with it.
So, it now looks like I'm going to buy a new car. It's sad to say goodbye to the Audi family, but enjoy your A4s! They beat the heck out of these rental cars you get!
I might try to take the spare tire with me. It was a brand new SP8000. Might get some $$$ from it on ebay.
My first question:
I came home today, tired. Forgot that my car was in D (Drive) and turned car off...Tried to take key out, wouldn't come out, tried turning the car back on, wouldn't turn on. Until I put it in P (Park) then it would let me take the key out and turn on my car.
My question is as fallows: Will/Can turning the car off while in D gear mess or ruin anything car related? Thanks.