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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2367 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 46 of 238

#443 of 2367 Re: Advice Needed [rayqiu] by ssandala

Sep 01, 2004 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: rayqiu (Aug 15, 2004 3:45 pm)
well I have a 1998 Hyundai accent. It has 115k miles on it. Aside from tune ups, tires, and brakes, I have spent less than $500 on maint costs since I bought it with 18 miles on it. It certainly does not compare to Audi, BMW, Acura, etc, etc, in terms of performance or luxury, but I cant help but wonder why people keep buying cars that are going to give them problems 2 years, 1 year, 2 months down the road after spending 30k on a car.
Now, when I do see an Audi A4 3.0 or a BMW 325, Acura tsx, I LOVE what I see. I am planning to get a new car next year & doubt I'll get another Hyundai, but I can't justify getting something that will let me down.
 
flame away!!

#444 of 2367 Audi as a second car by wolfsport

Sep 01, 2004 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: ssandala (Sep 01, 2004 3:47 pm)
1. Keep your Hyundai if it's still reliable.
2. Buy a used Audi if that's your "flame".
3. Register the Audi with your insurance company as a "pleasure vehicle" - which costs less.
4. Drive it when ever you want.
If it breaks down, you always have the Hyundai while the Audi is waiting on parts or for repairs.
That's what I do with my Urquattro, while my daily driver is a Mazda 3.

#445 of 2367 Re: Loud Engine Noise Coming From the Rear [rmotwani] by hirpmlvr

Sep 03, 2004 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: rmotwani (Mar 13, 2004 2:07 pm)
i have the exact same problem. Loud noise from each wheel well that transmits vibration into the cabin. too loud for a luxury sedan. let me know if you've found the problem.

#446 of 2367 Pillar Stains by suki

Sep 04, 2004 (7:52 am)

Has anyone ever seen a stain on the front and back pillars that looks like water or battery acid? I have received so many different answers from the dealer and the problem won't go away. Thanks.

#447 of 2367 Oil Sludge Woes Plague Volkswagen, Chrysler by innocencekills

Sep 05, 2004 (10:30 am)

Gr8t;
 
Just when I was looking to buy I came across this article over at cars.com
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Volkswagen is warning 426,000 VW Passat and Audi A4 owners of an engine oil sludge problem, and the Center for Auto Safety is asking the Chrysler Group to correct sludge problems and extend the warranty on 2.7-liter V-6 engines in 1998-2002 model year vehicles.
 
Sludge buildup causes engine performance to deteriorate. In extreme cases, sludge can cause engines to seize.
 
Affected Volkswagen models are 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines on 1998 to 2004 Passats and 1997 to 2004 A4s. VW won’t say how many engines have been replaced or repaired, or what it is spending to fix the problem.
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Link is here http://www.cars.com/news/stories/090104_storya_an.jhtml?page=news- story&aff=national

#448 of 2367 1998 A4 2.8 Fuse Box by jaidee1

Sep 08, 2004 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (May 23, 2001 7:27 am)
Hi,
 
Do you know where the Fuse Box is? I did not have the book when I bought this car. Thanks.

#449 of 2367 Fuse Box 448 by giggs

Sep 08, 2004 (8:04 pm)

The '02 A4 3.0 fuse box is located on the driver's side of the dash board. Don't know about the '98 A4. Check it out to see if it's the same. Greg

#450 of 2367 Upper control arm failure - dangerous? by jrozes

Sep 13, 2004 (9:59 am)

I have a 1998 A4 1.8T at 90k. The dealer is telling me the ball joints on my upper control arms are cracked and need replacing. I've searched the forums and I understand that this is a common type of failure for Audis of this vintage.
 
My concern is this: the dealer is all over the map with regard to the severity of the problem. When they first told me the joints were cracked, I asked if it could wait since I was already in for a timing belt change and some other expensive repairs. Their reply was that it's not too serious a problem and that the worst that would happen is the ride would get bumpier and noisier.
 
Now the last time I took it in, the mechanic told me I shouldn't drive the car until they're replaced, that I would lose control of the vehicle if they failed. The way in which he said it, coupled with the previous statement that noise and vibration was all I had to worry about, really set off my BS detector. I don't feel like I can get a straight answer out of these folks now.
 
So is my car really an accident waiting to happen, or are they just trying to pressure me into expensive repairs? FWIW, there is no noise or vibration right now - I wouldn't think there's any problem at all if the dealer wasn't barking about it.
 
Thanks,
Jonathan

#451 of 2367 Re: Questions about reliability and gas [kristin] by banx

Sep 15, 2004 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: kristin (Aug 29, 2004 12:21 am)
You ask "if premium gas is absolutely necessary, since it is getting more and more expensive. Has anyone had a problem using regular grade gas?" I assume the manual calls for 91 octane. You could use 87 or 89 octane, but performance will suffer. Instead of 220 hp, your car will have much less hp available. Why pay for premium performance and not get it due to having bought cheaper, lower octane gas? There are knock sensors to adjust the ignition when you use a lower octane gas than required, but if the sensor fails, you could have engine-killing detonation. Is it worth the risk? How many miles do you drive a year? If 20K miles and you get 22mpg, that's 909 gallons/yr. If you bought 93 octane instead of 87 octane, that's $.20 extra/gallon or around $182/yr, or about $3.50/wk. That's a small price to pay for full performance from your Audi. What you could do to save $1/wk is fill it with 87 octane when the gauge is down to 3/4 of a tank, then fill it with 93 octane the next time, when the gauge is down to 1/2 tank. The weighted avg of the octane will still be at 91. If this extra cost of the gas gives you pause, you may want to consider another vehicle.

#452 of 2367 Oil Sludge by cole

Sep 17, 2004 (10:26 am)

Has anyone had an oil sludging problem? I've got a '97 A4 1.8T but didn't receive the oil sludge letter from AoA. My low oil pressure light has been coming on intermittently for about 1 month... It's in the shop now being checked out for the 2nd time. The first time (just before the oil sludge letter was issued), they told me that I just needed an Audi oil filter!

Messages Page 46 of 238

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