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Audi A4 2004 and earlier
6042 messages, Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM
You are in the Audi A4 Forum.What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Sedan
#2323 of 6042 First model year blues? by markcincinnati
Nov 07, 2001 (7:37 am)
After visiting Germany over 15 times since 1993, and the Audi factory in Ingolstadt 5 times, I think the following is accurate: when a "new" Audi comes to the US, it is a second year car already (or sometimes even a third year car or more). Last year -- Calendar 2000 -- the USA version of the A4 for 2002 was on the road in Germany.In January 2001, the factory was cranking out both old body style and new body style A4's -- and the Audi driving school was using what we now know as 2002's (although they were 2.5TD engined).
The S6 -- now in the US as an Avant has been in Germany for at least two years, and I believe the A8 (which came to the US as a 1997 model in the second half of 1996) was the Car of the Year (Car Magazine) in 1994.
We seem to get them here in the US -- "seem" that is -- after the first year production run, and apparently after the bugs are worked out. My wife had a 1996 A4 2.8 quattro and other than needing 2 tire replacements (for a total of three sets) in 49,000 miles was basically flawless. My A8 -- a 1997 model -- had several minor problems, most notably the boots that contain some kind of lubricant for each wheel -- in turn they all ripped and leaked a smelly (when it hit the hot rotors) goo; and the power operated steering wheel adjustment motor had to be replaced twice before 40,000 miles. Yet, I considered my A8 a very good and reliable car -- at the time -- probably because Audi took such good care of me.
Therefore, I would have no problem in getting a new US model Audi -- simply because it is generally at least one "year" old already.
BTW the new A4's are exquisite from just about any perspective -- here's hoping for a new body style S4 next year.
#2324 of 6042 equalizer1 re. Turbo by keninplacitas
Nov 07, 2001 (8:26 am)
Now you have me concerned. Are people having trouble with the Audi 1.8T turbos? Why don't they ever write about those problems in these forums? I thought the 1.8T engine was getting all those awards because of it's reliability as well as it's performance.I do agree with you on your point about the luxury factors. If leather, wood, and automatic transmission are one's primary reason for buying an Audi, the 2.8 is definitely the better choice.
On buying a used car, one just has to hope that the prior owner understood the significance of regular oil and filter changes and that they are the kind of person who would take care of the car in the manner that you would. I would, though, want to have some of that 4 year/50,000 mile warranty left over on the car just in case of unseen or lurking problems.
#2325 of 6042 The 1.8T Rules. . .so say some. by markcincinnati
Nov 07, 2001 (9:15 am)
Very reliable! As a member of the quattro club of America, the 1.8T engine is preferred over the 2.8 -- BECAUSE of the turbo. It can be chipped, the car in total is a bargain -- we often talk about the 1.8T as Audi's gift to America. Shhhh don't tell anyone, we often say in hushed tones -- Audi has made a pricing mistake on this car -- maybe they won't notice.Back to back test drives of a fully loaded 2001 1.8T quattro sport and a similar 2.8 -- the 1.8T is apparently peppier -- better balanced etc.
I miss the leather OPTION and the sat nav OPTION and at least a power driver's seat. But if you are the only driver, the power seat is not that big of a deal. And the perforated leatherette is pretty nice (and here in Cincinnati a leather conversion is $999 and it looks like factory original).
No wood trim, but other than that the 1.8T is very nice, very reliable -- and there are three of them in our company's parking lot and their owners love them. In fact, one gentleman said he had it narrowed down to two cars the 1.8T or the S4 -- the 2.8 wasn't even a contender. Now the 3.0 -- that may be another matter entirely.
To each his own.
#2326 of 6042 Opinions please........ by drew37
Nov 07, 2001 (10:52 am)
I just made a deal for a 3.0 at a reasonably good price (4.7% over invoice). They didn't have a car even close to what I wanted so they said they would try to find the car and make a trade with another dealer. No problem. They called the next day and said they found the car with the options I wanted, but also with Bose which I didn't want. Dealer said they would give me the Bose at invoice ($579). I said I was already paying a bit more than I originally intended for a new car, and could they do something better than invoice for the Bose. They said they would see what they could do and would get back to me. There is also a trade-in involved for which they are giving me the low end of a fair trade-in value. QUESTION : What should I expect from the dealer in this situation? Should they do better than give me the Bose at invoice? They said they wouldn't be able to find the car without Bose. I was already starting to rationalize spending more money on a new car then originally intended. I hate to add another $579 to the price. What do you all think ?#2327 of 6042 Bose by markcincinnati
Nov 07, 2001 (11:20 am)
I'd take the Bose at cost act disappointed or pained and be "happy" if they came up with another $50 - $100 bucks.Out of curiosity, why -- other than cost, which I do understand and do not criticize -- don't you want the Bose. Out of the three A4's in our parking lot, 2 have Bose -- I hate to admit it -- they are better than the non Bose -- and frankly the Bose (these systems are in 2001's BTW) aren't as good as I have heard from BMW and Lexus (as options). Right now, the Bose seems to be the best you can do in Audi's -- I have an A6 with the Bose and I liked it for a while, until I heard my friends BMW factory system. Now this does not mean I dislike my Bose, it is just not quite as good as the other German cars.
But, I digress -- what is your reason?
Curious.
#2328 of 6042 Opinions.... by 02a4curt
Nov 07, 2001 (11:51 am)
Same thing happened to me. Originally did not want Bose, but dealer found car for me that included Bose. I agreed to it for $300.#2329 of 6042 1.8T, turbo no problems by dej0
Nov 07, 2001 (2:16 pm)
I was also a little nervous when I bought my '97 A4 regarding the turbo. I was not willing to pay the price for the 2.8. I have had no problems with the turbo. I drive it pretty hard, but only about 10k miles per year, mostly 'city' driving. The engine has been great. It still feels very lively after 4.5 years. I did have a problem with the electrical system in year 2, it was covered under the warranty. I go in later this month for the iginition recall, even though I am not seeing any symptoms. I really love this car and would recommend the 1.8T engine to anyone. However, I do plan on driving the 3.0 while they are doing the recall fix. Maybe the S4 too ...#2330 of 6042 Bose / 1.8T engine by lauk0dg
Nov 07, 2001 (2:25 pm)
When I got my 2001.5 A4 1.8T I also didn't want the Bose system. Talked to the dealer and he would sell the car to me at 2.6% over invoice, so I took the bait in Feb this year. Now that I think about it, I would still do what I originally wanted to.....get Xenons and drop the Bose. The Bose system is OK, but in my opinion and to my insensitive ears, not worth the $500 option in the 2001.5 car. How much do they charge you MSRP for the Bose as an option on the 2002 A4, drew?Ken, the 1.8T engine rocks. OK maybe some can argue that I only have the car for 8.5 months and 11.5k miles, it has been flawless. Strong pull (oh yeah turbos like cool autumn dry air) and yet get 30mpg on the highway with an AWD car. My coworkers don't believe it. When you think about it, at the highway most of the time there is minimal high-boost situations. The turbo is just spinning along and gas consumption is like a normal 1.8L engine. I always tell people I know that Audi's (especially A4 1.8T's) are the best kept secrets. Feel the same way as Mark.
Billy
#2331 of 6042 dej0 by lauk0dg
Nov 07, 2001 (2:28 pm)
Well I just test drove an S4 and I got a "warning" for ya.....plan on bringing your checkbook when you go for a test drive. It's a "mistake" to test drive the S4.....so smooth and yet so POWERFUL. And I'm sure you won't be driving 10k miles a year with the S4.....more like 20k :> I know I will do it that way :>Billy
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