Good things / bad things about the A4 quattro

I can't compare A4 to BMW or Saab, since I never owned the latter two. But I think that A4 is less expensive used than BMW. And A4 is probably somewhat less expensive to maintain (those things gotta be proportional).

We have two cars, an A4/2.8Q and a Subaru Outback Wagon. Although the Subaru is an automatic [and A4 is manual], it still gets better mileage. Two reasons: we don't drive the Subaru as a sports car, keeping RPM high[er], and 2.8 is a bit larger than 2.5. Well, "we" is a bit overstatement, my wife doesn't drive the Audi... Besides, Audi requires at least 93 octane gas. So the Subaru turns out to be an economy car compared to the A4. Just so that you're aware.

One thing I know, though. An A4 Q with a 3-litre engine is surely a lot of fun to drive. Do get one. Just make sure you get it from an Audi dealer, and get some kind of warranty, so that if there is any hidden problem (which will become known in the first year), you could bring it back for repair and not pay through the nose [again].

Good luck with your decision!

Victor

As an Audi quattro owner for nearly 18 years, I feel I can comment knowledgeably. I currently have a 98 A4 quattro 2.8 sport with 66,000 miles that I have owned since new. My experience with Audis is that they are great drivers' cars that have strong reliable drivetrains but suffer in comparison to other vehicles in the reliability of lesser components. Fortunately, they do come with very good warranties, and I certainly made good use of mine. Repairs as you would expect for a German car are expensive e.g. timing belt and associated parts change will typically run you $1000 and should be done every 70,000 miles or so to avoid catastophic engine damage. Count on replacing brake pads - and usually rotors - every 40,000 miles or so depending on your driving habits. I have the sport version which has different wheels and slightly stiffer and lowered suspension - I recommend it. If you haven't already done so, check out audiworld.com for a wealth of info on these cars.

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 17:36:17 GMT, "Victor Bazarov" wrote: [snipped]

If this is a North American built, I don't think that's correct. A minimum of

91 octane - which is most commonly found being sold as "Premium" - would be more likely...

/daytripper '00 s4 6spd

lots of good feed back from what I have read so far. My input is alittle diffrent. I used to sell Audi's and the B6 (2002-current) is a nice car. If you want a 3.0 you have to get teh 02 and newer. But don't over look the

2.8. I have a 98.5 2.8 quattro. I love it, spent 4 years looking for it and have had it for 3 so far. This SE and sport thing is up to you on what trim level and options you want. (never heard of and Audi A4 SE?). If I were you and I am not. I would go for the A4 3.0 sport pak with everything but phone and nav. Black on black, that is a hot car. To compare to BMW everyone is right a 4 year old BMW will cost as much as a 2 year old Audi. The Saab on the other hand is alittle cheaper at times. But with the Saab there is no V6 just the 2.0/2.3L turbo. The new 9-3 is really nice but I love and live by quattro.

A few things to keep in mind while shopping for a car,

Does it fit in the budget? Does it offer features that you need?

and the most of all, IS IT FUN TO DRIVE?

when buying a new car or anything for that matter. Always keep in mind that you have to drive/live in/wear/see this item tomorrow and from there on out for a long time. Is it really what you want?

I hope you find the right car/Audi for you. Audi is the worlds second oldest auto manufacture ( auto union and horch motor company 1890 i think ). If they really are the second oldest then they have to be doing somthing alot of other companies are not. Quattro true and real all wheel drive.

alt.autos.audi

just my opinion, I could be wrong, or right for that matter.

Jim

Thats really helpful Jim

the B6 being the current version i presume? how does it differ from previous versions?

so there was no 3 litre quattro prior to 2002?

Bob

That's correct, Bob. The 3 litre was introduced with the new model - in Europe that was in early '01, but it may not have been until the '02 model year in the US. The largest engine in the old model was a 2.8 V6, but the

3.0 V6 is a completely new engine with double overhead cams on each bank and five valves per cylinder. I've not driven one - though I intend to do so, since like you I am thinking of buying one.

I had a first generation A4 (1.9 tdi). Anyone care to comment on how the current car compares with the older model. It certainly *looks* much better.

Regards

Jonathan

The 2.8V6 in the B5 version was also DOHC, 30 valves. There was an earlier version that was only 2 valves per cylinder, and made (IIRC) 172 hp vs. the 190 hp of the never version. The 3.0 V6, meanwhile makes 220 hp.

-- Mike Smith

I would look at the 1.8T great over all engine, very little turbo lag, and his very similar numbers to the 2.8Q.