Ask the Car People.SM


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

Messages Page 593 of 605

#5919 of 6042 2002 A4 3.0Q (6 speed) - Freezing Calipers??? by mjb1979

Jan 16, 2006 (11:14 am)

bought it certified from audi dealer... 25K miles 3 months ago.
when temperature drops well below freezing, my calipers seem to be freezing... my entire commute (10 miles) there is constant vibration (pretty violent), major lag when i let up off the gas (even in 6th gear), brakes are extremely sensative when i touch them (assuming this is so because the rear brakes are already gripping) and when i park and get out of the car, there is a strong burning smell (smells like very overworked brake pads). the problem always goes away by the time i get in the car for my commute home (assuming everything warms up and stops sticking).
  
brought it to the dealer twice when it was happening but of course when they finally got around to test driving it, the car was fine, so they don't know what it is. they replaced the emergency brake coard but that wasn't the problem... i experienced it again this morning.
  
anyone esle have this problem? ...please help. love the car, but this is killing me!
  
thanks,
mike

#5920 of 6042 Re: 2002 A4 3.0Q (6 speed) - Freezing Calipers??? [mjb1979] by andys120

Jan 19, 2006 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: mjb1979 (Jan 16, 2006 11:14 am)
If I had to guess I'd say it's your E-brake cable that is freezing which happened to me when I had my '98 A4 (B5). Take your car to a good indie, it doesn't sound to me like your dealer knows what they're doing.
 
Meanwhile, refrain from using the parking brake when it's really cold but don't forget to put the car in gear when parked.
 
P.S. If replacing the cable didn't cure the problem it's prolly cause there's water getting onto the cable and then freezes and causes the sticking.

#5921 of 6042 Re: Beeping on startup. [mechengr1] by pmj1

Jan 20, 2006 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: mechengr1 (Jan 12, 2006 8:33 am)
Did you get a line on the beeping? I also have an '02 A4 that began (and stopped) beeping around 40k miles. I asked the dealer to check it, but they were unable to reproduce the sound. The problem was intermittent, seemed more likely to occur in cold weather. I suppose the noise will return at some point. Otherwise, totally happy with the quality. Zero problems at 40k mi. thanks

#5922 of 6042 '03 A4 with 54K miles by dag212

Jan 25, 2006 (9:51 pm)

I am considering purchasing an A4 (2003 1.8T Quattro)with 54K miles. Though I've read about the long-term tests of the A4 (15K - 25K miles) I'm not certain of the reliability of the car with higher mileage. Can anyone provide information on the A4's performance and reliability, generally speaking, at 50K - 100K miles? Thanks.

#5923 of 6042 Re: '03 A4 with 54K miles [dag212] by andys120

Jan 27, 2006 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: dag212 (Jan 25, 2006 9:51 pm)
I acquired a used '98 A4 Avant 2.8 in 2000 that was a CPO with around 43K on it. It was probably the most reliable car I've ever owned including a couple of Hondas. Other than routine maintainence the only repairs were for a failed fan motor, ball joints, rotors and a repair to replace wiring that field mice had gnawed thru (hardly a reflection on the car.)
 
When I traded it in at 123k needed a new airbag module but was otherwise in good shape. Be aware that routine maintainence and parts are expensive and that Quattro equipped cars are hard put to get more than 25K from a set of tires.
 
Best of luck with your purchase.

#5924 of 6042 Reliability: 6 cyl vs. 4 cyl by discoboy87

Feb 19, 2006 (10:55 am)

I'm eventually going to be looking at used cars as I will be going off to college soon. Needless to say, the A4 (96-01) is on my shopping list. I know that it is hard to generalize about the reliability of used cars, but I'm wondering about the difference in reliability of the 6 cylinder versus the 4 cylinder. I have heard that the 4 isn't as good.
 
How big is the reliability difference between the two engines?
 
I'm not into modifying vehicles... so I don't need an engine with great tuning ability.

#5925 of 6042 summer tires by formercressida

Feb 22, 2006 (7:08 pm)

I've just had a break-in and the thief stole my summer rims and tires Michelin MVX4s. Audi quotes new rims at about $700 each. I had winter tires on the car itself. What are people buying for after market tires?
 
Ted

#5926 of 6042 2004 A4 2 year report by 204meca

Mar 02, 2006 (10:41 pm)

Just had the 25K free service on our 2004 1.8t/CVT. We continue to be immensely satisfied with it. Comfort, performance, and fuel economy all meet or exceed our expectations. The new 2.0T sounds mighty good & I like the A3, but we're gonna stick with this one for a while,

#5927 of 6042 '99 A4 1.8T 5-speed- Should I Buy? by triplesn8s

Mar 06, 2006 (10:49 am)

The Audi 'problems' forum is scaring me badly. I have heard all of the German cars with the latest multitasking electrical systems have beaucoup electrical problems. But I am tired of driving crap feeling vehicles & I drive 35K miles per year for work with my own car at my own expense (self employed). I own triumphs and a vintage 911 so I like a car that feels good. I am not 'well off' with money to burn.
  
A friend is offeringme a '99 1.8T with 80K miles for about $5000. He claims no electrical problems. Sometimes older designs are more reliable, is that the case with the '99 1.8T? This owner is the meticulous type. He says the only problem is the front lower control arms which were squeaking. Audi shafted him on the recall so he won't buy another Audi. He says the squeaking just went away and the car drives fine, it is a 5-speed. His car has minimal options. He did mention he had one rear caliper acting up. I do trust him.
  
I need to get 3 years of relatively low cost motoring out of it. I try to get 200K miles out of my cars. (My Pontiac threw a rod yesterday at 179K.) I have access to a low cost mechanic and can scrounge parts myself, NAPA has rebuilt control arms for $123 each.
  
Am I nuts for considering this car? Does it have the same reliability issues as the later ones with regard to electrical gremlins & oil sludge etc?
  
Will this car bury me? What should I watch out for? How long do the turbos, motors and transmissions last? I drive a lot so a car constantly under repair costs me twice- once for the repair & again for the lost time. Should I just run like hell & just buy another crap Pontiac? Jap cars are kind of out as I call on US automakers. For some reason they are more forgiving if you drive a German car.
  
Thanks,
 
Bill

#5928 of 6042 Re: 2002 A4 1.8T Speaker Sizes [juejuebie] by seattledan

Mar 06, 2006 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: juejuebie (Sep 20, 2005 11:14 am)
Try the Cardomain Store..they have a fit guide that should tell you which speakers will drop in easily.

Messages Page 593 of 605

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement