I'm thinking of retiring the Protege after 5 years now, and considering a 2004 or 2005 or so Audi A4, I was thinking 1.8T, quattro, 5 speed (naturally).

Anyone drive one, have experience with one as a daily driver, any thoughts, anything to look out for? thanks

A friend of mine has one and has put a bazillion miles on it with very few problems. Although he is very tight with an Audi-centric race shop and knows what to look for and expect from them. I tend to have the impression they have electrical gremlins.

Originally posted by 992gnt
they have gremlins.

Ficksed.

after having worked at an audi dealer, I wouldn't recommend one. they do have all sorts of electrical problems and services are crazy expensive. many owners will sell them right before they are due for a major service because of how expensive it can get. timing belt jobs can run over $2000 when you figure in all the other services and the small bits and pieces that you have to add in at the same time. Don't try to play with it too much either. The factory computer is a serious bitch that doesn't like to work properly if even the smallest things are changed, and most places don't like to try and do any tuning on them because of that

one of the greatest lessons I've learned working at dealerships is that if the techs that work on them wouldn't use them as a daily you don't want to buy them. most audi techs won't drive one newer than 2000

Aren't they the same thing, underneath, as a VW Passat/Jetta? It might be worth looking into their less expensive cousins. Might still be expensive to maintain, but not as.

I've been a passenger in and driver of (albeit limited) of a newer A$ and they are wonderful cars, but when the dealership can present you with an estimate for $3000 worth of "maintenance items" without batting an eye, it might be worth a second thought.

Screw the Audi and buy a used Lotus Elise. (That is, if you have the bread to cover the insurance.)

Originally posted by Fallen4ng31
Screw the Audi and buy a used Lotus Elise. (That is, if you have the bread to cover the insurance.)

The engine and trans is Toyota, you won't have to worry about things breaking down.

Ive owned a 2004 VW, I loved it. I knew someone who owned the same year, make, and model - electrical issues out the butt.

So I guess it just depends on the car.

Originally posted by teklein
Ive owned a 2004 VW, I loved it. I knew someone who owned the same year, make, and model - electrical issues out the butt. So I guess it just depends on the car.

they are really random on which ones suck but the trend I noticed was something like a 5:3 sucking to not sucking

The cars are very nice. Luxurious and sporty. I would own one only with a warranty.

Thanks for the input. I have heard about WVs with electrical issues, especially after certain model years when VW decided that quality control wasn't so important and their cars ended up having a hit or miss quality, where some cars were fine and others plagued with problems. I would have guessed the Audis would have better reliability as they are the luxury brand for VW, but I guess those problems can carry over to their other cars too.

I wouldn't try to mod and race it, just a daily driver, but it's no shock that the german computer wouldn't like you messing with it, typical overly strict germans.

It doesn't surprise me that the dealerships would charge tons of $ for repairs since I think most people who buy Audis usually have enough money to drop that much cash for repairs and not care.

I'll keep looking around and see what else looks interesting as a daily driver. (the idea of the Lotus is interesting, but I doubt it would handle the snow very well)

They have their issues... and maintenance through the dealer is $$$$$$$. but I love mine and as far as electrical problems... NONE so far and approaching 120k miles on her.
As for the computer comment... lol, well I will leave that alone but will say that there are plenty of places that will flash it for various levels of performance. Not to mention the self tuning you can do with VagCom. There are a bunch of options out there for these cars, just take a look at the forums.
Not any harder to mod than the 2gnt is :D and you can't beat Quattro!

A6 V6-TT. :9

Originally posted by whodatt1
Not any harder to mod than the 2gnt is :D and you can't beat Quattro!

sorry, but you can. Subaru AWD, while nearly identical in basic design, is WAY more reliable.

a good used WRX will cost you around $8000 and up depending on year and specific trim (sti running more), and you'll spend less than a fraction of what anything german will run you in maintenance.

A4 timing belt job @ 80k miles ~$2000
WRX timing belt job @ 105k miles ~$350

Just for the sake of arguing some more..
timing belt on my 2002 A4 was covered under warranty for 105k miles, not 80k, and while expensive, total cost of timing belt change was about $1300... not much more than the $900 I paid for the 2gnt timing belt job about a decade ago LOL.

As for the quattro comment, it was made to imply the AWD feature and since we are talking about an audi then "quattro". And while we could argue all day about which AWD system is best performance wise, I would not say that the subaru AWD system is more reliable. There is something to be said for not ever requiring transmission oil changes hehe.

Anyways if you get the audi you will love it Todd and since I know you have mechanical skillz the outrageous maintenance fees for $120/hr should not worry you :)

The Audi A4 AWD is one of my favorite cars. Caveats: do not under any circumstances buy a 1.8T or a car built in mexico between 2001-2005.

In my opinion, the expensive nature of repairs are identical to any other European car manufacturer. Their currency is worth more than ours, and shipping is expensive. I own a VW and buy nothing but OEM german parts for it. That runs me about 2x what things would cost buying from Autozone, but I found out early on the quality and fitment were easily 2x better so its worth it to me.

Do not let Audi haters that have never driven one discourage you. Audi got a really bad name in the early 90's, and nearly ruined themselves with the 1.8T issues. They're really fun cars to drive, and very reliable.

PS: It always cracks me up to see DSM owners calling another car unreliable. :rolleyes

Originally posted by thedawg
PS: It always cracks me up to see DSM owners calling another car unreliable. :rolleyes

I'm talking from experience. I worked at an audi dealer, the sheer size of our warranty parts storage area was awe inspiring.

At least I know most of my DSM issues are my fault or age related :P

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G

Originally posted by thedawg PS: It always cracks me up to see DSM owners calling another car unreliable. :rolleyes

the sheer size of our warranty parts storage area was awe inspiring.

Key words: "warranty" and "parts storage"

Two things you'll never find at a Mitsubishi dealership.

Originally posted by whodatt1
not much more than the $900 I paid for the 2gnt timing belt job about a decade ago

You spent $900 on a timing belt job? I did my first T-belt last summer with the motor in my car in an hour, and spent maybe $110, all on the timing components. You got hosed.


I know a few people around here that own Audis. They seem like decently reliable cars, albeit the electrical problems.
Whats funny is my manager drives the company car around, an Audi A4 Quattro. And the other day I come to work and see it getting put on a flatbed. I guess it wouldnt start. Would crank and all, just wouldnt fire. Im assuming thats part of the electrical problem.

But it would definately be a car to look into. I would either go for an Audi or a Subaru. mmmmm....boxer engines..

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick
Subaru. mmmmm....boxer engines..

Where's a drooley smiley when you need one. I just scored a free STi exhaust for my wagon }(

i love em
course id love any car with a warranty :P
i think most dealerships are like mine where if you bring a car in for work they give you another car to use so your never really out a car.

most of the docs here drive the S4 or the larger A6,A8 and one lady drives the A3 and i never hear them complaining.

if your looking at a VW alternative i'd look at the GLI/GTI lines really nice 2.0T and cheaper then the A3 brand new

My buddy has a 08 a4 2.0t quattro. Its amazingly luxurious. I drove it and it shifts nice. Did I mention its luxurious and really nice? haha but its slow though.

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick

Originally posted by whodatt1 not much more than the $900 I paid for the 2gnt timing belt job about a decade ago

You spent $900 on a timing belt job? I did my first T-belt last summer with the motor in my car in an hour, and spent maybe $110, all on the timing components. You got hosed.

LOL, this was far back enough that depending on your age, you probably did not even have a license, and when my only experience with the 2gnt was an air intake and there were only a handful of turbo 2gnt's.

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick I know a few people around here that own Audis. They seem like decently reliable cars, albeit the electrical problems. Whats funny is my manager drives the company car around, an Audi A4 Quattro. And the other day I come to work and see it getting put on a flatbed. I guess it wouldnt start. Would crank and all, just wouldnt fire.

That is most likely a bad speed sensor on the side of the transmission housing, simple fix and the car will start right up.

Originally posted by whodatt1

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick I know a few people around here that own Audis. They seem like decently reliable cars, albeit the electrical problems. Whats funny is my manager drives the company car around, an Audi A4 Quattro. And the other day I come to work and see it getting put on a flatbed. I guess it wouldnt start. Would crank and all, just wouldnt fire.

That is most likely a bad speed sensor on the side of the transmission housing, simple fix and the car will start right up.

Right...

Audi's have a list as long as my arm in fine print why they won't start. that's one car I wouldn't assume a damn thing on.

If it was more than 3 years ago, then no I didnt have a license lol.

Originally posted by 740 turbo brick
If it was more than 3 years ago, then no I didnt have a license lol.

Oh god I feel old now, not bullet old, but still old

^your like as old as my father lol jk.

Originally posted by Flipboi89
^your like as old as my father lol jk.

I'm not THAT old! I haven't even hit 30 yet