FiftyFive

How is the reliability of the 97-99 Audi A8 4.2 and A4 both 2.8 and 1.8T, manual?

Just wondering.....

TIA!

Sarlacc

not so great...at i know 97 A4s are blacklisted by consumer reports.

Sick of your RHD car already

FiftyFive

not really, looking for an everyday driver

FiftyFive

really black listed? how about 99? how bout the 8?

Sarlacc

probably better...not sure about the 8.

All I know is I almost bought a 97 2.8 stick....had a deposit and everything. Then saw it was totally blacklisted by CR...found out why when I drove it to my mechanic...electric shit failed on me on the way over, and the differential was leaking.

I'd say stay away for generation of A.

FiftyFive

stay away for generation of A? shit i need a good semi luxo daily driver, anyone else?

Sarlacc

I would stay away from THAT generation of A4s...research the 8's...dont care for those years models myself.

FiftyFive

yea sorta tight on money dont have enough to throw down for a newer one and i like the interior, shit

Crazy Bimmer

2.8 is a shit engine from what i hear.

Get the 1.8t if you do get the B5 A4. You handy with tools and troubleshooting? Hope so....

demolition_x

i had a 99 1.8t A4. loved the car hated repairing it, if it wasn't for warentee i woulda been in the whole a few grand.

get the 12 valve or 24valve 2.8 they were pretty bullet proof yet sporty.


i will never own an audi unless it is leased or a business car.

FiftyFive

so i guess the audi reliability is a no, huh

Crazy Bimmer

Meh lots of small things can come up. But dont you like doing your own installs and such?

Get a maxima. Cheap and nice interiors.

Ol Blue Eyes

EDIT: see below

Ol Blue Eyes

hans, your av is somewhat dated............

3PUTT

i know someone selling a decent B5 S4 AT in NJ. email me if you are interested. he is selling the car since he just purchased a B6 S4. i think his asking price is in the high teens.

send me email if you are interested. i will refer you to him.
2putt.s4 at gmail dot com.

pimpravi

njzprettyboy

maxima, or tl..............

F23A4

....and if it's the 02-03 Maxima (VQ35DE), just know that you'll probably have to:
- replace the MAF and crank sensors (covered under recall)
- replace the HU (Bose and Non-Bose have some issues)
- replace the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE92s with ANY other tire.

Once those are done, the Maxima will return many a smile per mile for its driver.

Back on topic, I am not keen on the idea of buying any used German cars specifically due to maintenance/repair frequencies and costs.

FiftyFive

i just checked consumer reports, seems that the audi a4 96-98 and o1 and o2 has problems, maybe ill look for a 99, and as far as the a8 doesnt seem to have eough problems for them to say avoid it

Yumcha

Then again, so's VW too.


from the VW/Audi apologists...

05TLTony

I'd probably stay away from the brand altogether. I have a friend whom has an 2000 S4. He had to get new gaskets for his engine at 20K miles! I've also heard the same problem from someone else as well.

SPUDMTN

My understanding is that A8s have tranny problems...