View Full Version : Anyone know anything about Audis?
I am considering buying an Audi A4.
I am wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with Audis.
thanks.
My experience: I want an RS4.
My best friend picked up a used A4 (off lease) stick with the S-Line package. Solid car. Comfortable, peppy, handles VERY well. He said it was great in the snow as well after he got a second set of rims and all weather tires. In the summer he runs the factory wheels with softer summer rubber. The rear seat is a little tight, but our wives, both being only 5'-2" fit without a problem. They are beautiful cars.
After being in the car business for 14 years I avoid ALL German cars
Beautiful cars, handle and drive great. Mechanically good ....but electronic nightmare. Check engine lights, computer failures, small motor (Windows, doors, trunks) failures. And expensive to fix
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After being in the car business for 14 years I avoid ALL German cars
Beautiful cars, handle and drive great. Mechanically good ....but electronic nightmare. Check engine lights, computer failures, small motor (Windows, doors, trunks) failures. And expensive to fix
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Same friend from previous post, had a 2001 BMW 328CI until he traded it for the Audi A4 last year. Never had any major issued. The fabric on the A pillar started to separate a few years ago. He also replaced the bushings on one front lower A-Arm. That's about it. Was his daily driver for 13+ years. I dunno, maybe he got lucky.
Then again, I do know someone with S550 Benz who spend her lease driving a loaner more often then her actual car lol.
Eurodriver
09-13-16, 16:11
I drove European (MB) cars for almost a decade. I never had one single electrical component fail. In fact, aside from wear and tear and one $1,100 transmission issue at 90,000 miles I never had anything at all fail. Ever. I think Arik must be referring to BMWs specifically (or the weird MB GLK type stuff)
Stick to the S4/S5 and MB C/E/S Classes and you will really enjoy them. My buddy had an S4 and it put my Merc to shame. :( Great car, although his Audi TT circa 2006ish was a total POS.
One thing you will want to consider though is basic maintenance and premium gas. My oil changes, even if I did them myself, cost $95. 9 quarts of Mobil 1 will do that to you. I did all of my basic maintenance - spark plugs, brakes, etc. Everything except suspension. $500 roughly for the parts to do your own front axle's brakes.
Another data point - my new SUV gets 18mpg with regular gas. My MB got 24.5mpg with premium gas. At current gas prices they evened out to be exactly the same - which means that although the mileage was not terrible for my MB it ended up costing just as much as a 4500lb 4x4 SUV anyway...
Digital_Damage
09-13-16, 16:11
I am considering buying an Audi A4.
I am wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with Audis.
thanks.
A good Audi is the one you trade in.
I had good experience with build quality. But get out your torx and XZN bits ...
The problem can be the engines, depending on what model you are looking at. Direct injection design cluttering up the intake valves and you have a gasping engine at 40000 miles. Maybe they have changed but there will be no mention of this problem or service but every dealer is well aware of the issue. I won't buy another. It just needs cleaning but it is a royal pain and the engineers can **** themselves.
I've head friend after friend and relative after relative with German cars. Lots of loaners from the dealer. One friend flew to Germany and ordered a 745 directly from the factory. Brought it here and couldn't get rid of it fast enough at 35k miles. Even at work. We've never had a used one that didn't need work first.
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We've had good experiences with Benz's and Rovers. Wife's Rover is a beast with 510hp. Not a single issue. Excellent in snow; which is a must in northern UT. It will $h-t and get.
My Yukon Denali has been problematic. Looking to get rid of it soon. Just don't know what to get with comparable cargo space and seating. New Denali's are getting horrible reviews for reliability and two guys, separately, at dealership said don't buy new Denali.
I have zero experience with Audi but a lot of it with european cars. Do not drive one without a factory bumper to bumper warranty for the length of time you plan to own it! There is a reason why 2-3 year old high strung Euro cars are only worth half what you paid for them after 3 years.
I bought my 2007 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro new 9 and ½ years ago. I just went over 175,000 miles on the odometer last week. No major mechanical issues so far. Sure, regular maintenance does cost a bit more for a European car that it would for an American or Japanese car. I've owned cars made by Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Nissan, BMW and Acura. My A3 has had far fewer problems than any of those previous cars and trucks. Definitely the best car I've owned. Audi's Quattro is dynamite in the snow and rain.
When guys buy expensive foreign cars, they may not be aware that dealers may and frequently do use cheaper repair parts from local auto parts places. I learned this fact during my brief and unsatisfying experience as a parts truck driver. Parts delivery trucks are always unmarked so that car customers don't see them delivering non original parts. This fact is true for all dealerships big and small. Guess what? You will be paying Mercedes retail for an AutoZone part that may be a rebuilt one. I also learned that body shops use junk yard body parts whenever possible. When I bough a new Acura three years ago, the dealership offered me collision insurance that guaranteed that they would use new and not used body parts should mine need repairs. I passed for several reasons; one was I felt certain that they would do as they pleased and lie about it.
SomeOtherGuy
09-13-16, 18:47
After being in the car business for 14 years I avoid ALL German cars
Beautiful cars, handle and drive great. Mechanically good ....but electronic nightmare. Check engine lights, computer failures, small motor (Windows, doors, trunks) failures. And expensive to fix
This. BMWs are the worst, but Audi isn't that much better. Audi = fancy Volkswagen, in case anyone didn't know that. In some ways that's not bad, as Volkswagen makes what are, in some ways, the nicest mass market cars. But electrical problems are a big issue. A close relative had a late model Jetta (I think it was a 2010) for about 4 years and it had constant electrical issues. Always back to the dealer, which could never get anything to stay fixed. Other friends with the Audi A4 have had similar reports. I recently had a 2016 VW GTI as a rental car and was pretty amazed in good and bad ways. The performance - acceleration, handling - was awesome considering the price point, and most of the fit and finish was excellent. But I was shocked to discover that if there's any water on the hatchback lid, all of that water goes IN the cargo area when you open it. I've owned several hatchbacks and several SUVs and absolutely none of them have that defect, but a 2016 VW does. How can a major car maker overlook this kind of thing? Too busy doctoring software to cheat emissions tests???
A close friend's family goes through high end cars on a rolling basis. As daily drivers they only buy Japanese or select US (at the moment, Cadillac). They have owned Ferrari, Jaguar and Rolls Royce - but each one was a garage queen and source of recurring income for the specialist mechanic. Want a fast but reliable car? Lexus or Infiniti. They bought a SC400 in 1994 and it stayed in the family until around 2012 without any major problems. They did like the Mercedes SEL and E-class but didn't keep them past the 3 year / 30k mark.
I am considering buying an Audi A4.
I am wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with Audis.
thanks.
I've had three in the family. Wife's current car is a 2013 that just rolled past 55k miles. Zero issues. We've put new tires on it at 50k miles, and of course the oil and wiper blades every ten months or so. Thing is without fault. I'd say that anyone can have a good experience, but this is the third I've bought, all from new. Longest I've had one is 77k miles. RS4. Amazing car and I only got rid of it because I wan't driving it anymore (lived and worked in the city, started it once every six months or so).
You thinking about new or used?
First, I had a 2000 s430 MB. I put 300k miles on it and had to do the following: 2 front struts around 200k miles= $1100
1 cam follower sensor: $65
2 xenon headlights $80 (ebay)
That's it in 300k miles. I have had cosmetic issues from about 250k on but nothing mechanical.
Brakes I changed myself at $90 an axle for ceramics.
I got a combined 22.9 mpg over the life of the car and 26-27 on the freeway. With a v-8.
Yes, premium gas, but if you can afford the MB, you don't bitch about the gas.
Wife has a MB E350 bluetec. 2013 with 50k miles. Zero issues. Also, she averages 34 mpg in a lot of city driving. On the hwy we've had 40 on occasion. Wonderful car.
I currently have a 2013 A8. Lovely car and wonderful to drive. 36k miles currently. Only issue just occurred. The computer for the mmi just went out. Covered under warranty but they had to get the thing from Germany and took 2 weeks.
I've owned five and don't have anything negative to say really.
That being said, go drive a new Kia Optima but make sure it's a loaded 2.0T with every feature they have and then go drive the A4. I did and I've owned my Optima ever since. Going on 5 years now (traded in my two year old loaded A4 for a 2011 Optima... no issues what so ever) and I would do it all over again if given the chance.
Had you told me before that I would trade an Audi in on a Kia I would have told you were were crazy. But, here we are...
I am considering buying an Audi A4.
I am wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with Audis.
thanks.
My brother has one. It's nice, he likes it. Couple years old and no problems.
Wife had an A3 for 2 years and loved it but needed a bigger car. I had a 330i ZHP followed by 335i and than an Audi A4 S-Line. Personally, I preferred driving the BMWs and felt they handled far better, but that's personal preference.
I owned the BMWs for approximately 3 years, the Audi for 2 years, and didn't experience a single issue with any of them. And I drive my cars like they're a rental with the full coverage insurance option.
Worst car ever with electrical failures and shit not working right was a Ford.
I also learned that body shops use junk yard body parts whenever possible. When I bough a new Acura three years ago, the dealership offered me collision insurance that guaranteed that they would use new and not used body parts should mine need repairs. I passed for several reasons; one was I felt certain that they would do as they pleased and lie about it.
What's the difference? An undamaged part is an undamaged part. Still has to be installed and painted. It's just a chunk of metal. It doesn't wear out or have an expiration date. Also the new panel may be just like that new mechanical part. Aftermarket!
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brickboy240
09-14-16, 10:27
Isn't the A4 just an expensive Passat?
I owned two Bimmers and one VW.
Never again...especially the VW.
Hope you have deep pockets.
For whatever its worth, yes VW owns Audi and Porsche as part of the conglomerate. However, each tends to be its own entity.
Porsche has long been atop the reliability ratings year after year. It's owned by VW
Audi has been in top ten year after year. It's owned by VW.
Until the last couple of years, VW was at the bottom of reliability, changing places with Land Rover and Fiat. (and Kia a number of years ago although it is now near the top)
Point is one doesn't necessarily have to do with the other.
Most reliability issues in cars now days has to do with the complicated infotainment systems and the electrical gremlins they bring. Not so much mechanical issues.
Gentlemen, thanks for your responses.
There is a lot of useful information to consider.
The truth is that I am not very knowledgeable about cars.
Maybe I would be better off considering a Lexus IS or ES, but I still like the Audi A4.
They're made by a company wholly without ethics. Hope you don't have an issue as they're expensive to repair and quality ain't all that.
They're made by a company wholly without ethics. Hope you don't have an issue as they're expensive to repair and quality ain't all that.
Are you talking about Audis or Lexus? I am asking this genuinely.
If guns were cars I would barely know the difference between a Colt and a Bushmaster.
OP, your best bet is to get a months subscription to consumer reports so to can get their analysis. Just know they are in the tank biased toward toyota/lexus and honda/acura. They also have an unholy hatred of the jeep wrangler. Otherwise they provide fairly objective analysis.
SomeOtherGuy
09-14-16, 21:28
Are you talking about Audis or Lexus? I am asking this genuinely.
I'm thinking he meant VW/Audi based on the recent emissions cheating scandal. Be sure to read up on that if you aren't already familiar. We can debate whether US emissions laws make sense, but it's clear that VW intentionally cheated them for many years.
Toyota and Lexus are very solid, high quality cars. Sometimes stodgy and not perfect, but very good quality. I can also recommend Nissan. Many would put Honda in the same category but my experience owning three Hondas, plus my father's one, is that they are lightweight, value-engineered cars best suited to suburban moms who don't know any better. Any rough road use of their SUVs - and I don't mean actual offroading, just dirt roads - is problematic.
Likewise, I used to think Subaru was tops as well, but the experience of friends who owned two was illuminating. Ironically they switched to Hondas.
Some of the US models from GM and Ford are quite well made these days. It varies by model, but would include models you'd likely consider if you like the A4. It's worth checking out their offerings.
Moose-Knuckle
09-15-16, 02:58
I've owned five and don't have anything negative to say really.
That being said, go drive a new Kia Optima but make sure it's a loaded 2.0T with every feature they have and then go drive the A4. I did and I've owned my Optima ever since. Going on 5 years now (traded in my two year old loaded A4 for a 2011 Optima... no issues what so ever) and I would do it all over again if given the chance.
Had you told me before that I would trade an Audi in on a Kia I would have told you were were crazy. But, here we are...
I'm hearing this more and more about KIA.
It's like they are the new Toyota, currently looking into their SUVs for my wife.
I'm hearing this more and more about KIA.
It's like they are the new Toyota, currently looking into their SUVs for my wife.
They followed the Toyota & Honda model almost identically but made improvements to the curve from affordable cheap cars to build capital to expensive well-built luxury cars nearly overnight by comparison. There's a reason Kia & Hyundai (sister companies sharing underpinnings & manufacturing) are both at the top of all initial quality & long term satisfaction reviews. If someone is in the market & doesn't check into them seriously they're doing themselves a disservice. I even have a new loaded Optima for my work (Sales Engineer) car & take doctors to lunch regularly & they're almost always impressed. These are guys who generally drive BMWs, Merc's, Audi's, etc. I'm telling you, these cars are every bit as goodies better at a much lower price tag.
brickboy240
09-15-16, 10:51
If you do not know much about cars, you are better off buying a Camry, Accord or maybe an Altima and calling it good.
The European cars will drain your wallet and leave you frustrated. The American sedans are unreliable and have no resale value.
The Camry, Accord or Altima are less fun but also less headache if you take reasonable care of them.
This much I have learned from owning BMWs, Volvos, Saabs and one terrible VW.
My brother is a buyer of European luxury cars, but he is the perfect buyer for this genre. Number one, he makes a very high salary. Number two, he lives very close to work and puts maybe 6-8k a year on a car's odometer. Number three, he also owns an older Toyota pickup as his beater backup. Number four, he trades the European car for a newer one every 2-3 years. If you have habits similar to my brother...then you too are a perfect candidate for ownership of a European luxury car.
trackmagic
09-15-16, 15:58
I am considering buying an Audi A4.
I am wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with Audis.
thanks.
Had a 2001 Passat (Basically an A4)
and a 2005 S4 with 36000miles on it.
Stay away...stay far far away.
Man, I must be the only person here who's never had an issue with recent manufacturer VW/ Audi products. 50k on a tuned and modded 2012 GTI and so far 20K on a tuned and modded 2015 A3.
Perhaps the car gods just smile on me.
Eurodriver
09-15-16, 16:52
Man, I must be the only person here who's never had an issue with recent manufacturer VW/ Audi products. 50k on a tuned and modded 2012 GTI and so far 20K on a tuned and modded 2015 A3.
Perhaps the car gods just smile on me.
You're not. I think too many folks are judging Audis from the ~2005 timeframe and forget we are over a decade later. A 2 year old off lease Audi A4 is a solid car for a decent price.
You're not. I think too many folks are judging Audis from the ~2005 timeframe and forget we are over a decade later. A 2 year old off lease Audi A4 is a solid car for a decent price.
Also, lots of people are judging Audi on VW which also isn't a good indicator. I had a VW so I basically owned an Audi. No, you owned a VW.
Gentlemen, thanks for your responses.
There is a lot of useful information to consider.
The truth is that I am not very knowledgeable about cars.
Maybe I would be better off considering a Lexus IS or ES, but I still like the Audi A4.
Ed, if you really like the Audi, then consider a lease. In two or three years, then you can trade it in.
I was in the car business once as well. German and European cars in general are not typically known for great reliability.
If there is a CarMax in your area or another large used car dealership, go test drive a few different cars and see what appeals to you.
If renting an Audi for a few days is possible that may provide some better insight too.
I looked at a BMW really hard before buying my last car, but in the end; I couldn't justify the high maintenance and possible reliability issues. Several friends and acquaintances owned a BMW once and wouldn't do so again.
So, I ended up buying a 2015 Ford Mustang GT and love the car. It's a very refined car for a Ford and a blast to drive.
Life is short, get something that makes you happy.
P.S. I would have to agree with the Lexus brand as being one of the highest quality and reliable sedans out there. Have seen several high mileage sedans in excellent mechanical condition.
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