I'm looking for some helpful advice on my next purchase please.
I currently own a UK '99 A6 1.8T, 115,000miles (70,000 miles when purchased). It was my first Audi purchase and have had the car just over 2 years. Love the way it drives, performs etc. but the running costs in my opinion have been quite excessive (£3,500 including servicing over the 2 years, although one was the 80,000 mile cambelt change).
The costs have been made up of lower suspension arms, front & rear being replaced at 76,000 miles, water pump at 90,000 miles and then cam chain adjuster at 110,000 miles plus some other stuff like CV boots and brake hoses. Now have a knocking from the right hand side suspension when slowly going over bumpy surface (suspension arms again or something else??, advice on this would be helpful as well, thanks)
The question is does this sound excessive for the age/mileage? I'm keen to get another A6 (2.4 maybe or even chip another 1.8T), perhaps a lower mileage example but am hoping I was just unlucky with this one. The alternative is a A4 1.8T Sport (probably 1999 or 2000 model).
What sort of things does the A4 suffer with. Does the A4 suffer from the same suspension problems as the A6?
Would love to stick with Audi but need some re-assurance the one I have now needed more work than usual, and that it may have be the exception........ hopefully!!
Would appreciate some feedback.
Thanks
Ian.